Yinlongfei's Amplifier 1500 has a frequency response range of 5Hz to 400kHz.

6.1ch and 7.1ch models join mainstream 5.1ch units in the market. Class-AB analog models dominate output.

The industry of power amplifiers in mainland China includes more than 100 manufacturers-with less than 10 percent of them capable of developing and producing professional surround sound amplifiers. Most of the manufacturers are based in Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

Two large-scale professional producers of power amplifiers based in Guangzhou city, Guangdong-ToneWinner Electronics Co. Ltd and Guangzhou Aivin Electronic Co. Ltd-are covered in this report.

More makers that mainly develop power amplifiers or pre-amplifiers with volume and signal switching controls are diversifying to the surround sound amplifier line. Product development and actual production usually takes one to two years. Qingdao Yinlongfei Crafts Co. Ltd, for example, is currently developing its first surround sound amplifier. The former producer of power amplifiers expects to release its first surround sound product by end 2006.

	AD -9800B, ToneWinner's 7ch unit, has a power output of 5x150W + 2x50W.

Class-AB analog surround sound amplifiers dominate output on the mainland. Makers prefer Class-AB units than Class-A analog models because of the former's relatively higher power efficiency. Thus, Class-AB amplifiers account for 85 percent of the market.

Some manufacturers have started developing Class-T digital amplifiers but have suspended the development due to the higher technology requirement for this type of models. Aivin, for instance, adopted the digital amplifier solution of Tripath Technology in 2004 for its first digital Class-T car amplifier. After releasing its Model DT-300, a book-size amplifier that features a 300W power output, Aivin has stopped developing digital surround sound amplifiers.

"We're now attaching more importance to Class-AB analog amplifiers, since some technology-related issues of digital amplifiers cannot be solved yet," said Yang Hong, Aivin's OEM/ODM manager.

Tonewinner has also been planning to develop digital amplifiers for quite some time. The company is still focusing on Class-AB amplifiers, though.

	Aivin's 7.1 receiver model features HDMI support.

Models with 5.1ch output are still in the mainstream, though mainland China makers are releasing more 6.1ch and 7.1ch surround sound amplifiers. Most DVDs now support 6.1ch and 7.1ch output, helping boost the market for 6.1ch and 7.1ch amplifiers. Some models of 6.1ch and 7.1ch amplifiers are being developed with DTS, DTS-ES, Dolby, Digital-EX, and Pro Logic II D decoding.

HDMI is also designed into current surround sound amplifiers as more audio consumer electronic products come with an HDMI port. Models are also designed with RS-232 and USB ports for connection to a PC/notebook for PC games or firmware upgrade.

Aivin's newly released 7.1ch model comes with an HDMI port, composite input/output, component input/output, Svideo input/output, seven analog inputs, and 6ch input ports for external decoder input. The product also has built-in DTS 96/24, DTS ES, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX and Pro Logic II decoders. Other features include built-in AM/FM tuner with 64 preset stations, eight DSP modes, and full- function remote control. The unit's power output is 7x100W rms (6O).

Tonewinner released model AD-9800B, a 7ch high-end surround sound amplifier with multi-room control system. The product has Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS and DTS-ES decoders. It also has DTS NEO: 6 decoder, DSP processor, composite, component and S-video input/output. Main features include a PC port, TFT 64k-color LCD screen, OSD, AM/FM tuner with 70 preset stations, more than 85dB S/N ratio, and 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response range. The unit features a power output of 5x150W + 2x50W, or 6ch independent power of 6x150W.

Prices vary according to output power, decoding format and design. IPR fees are generally excluded from FOB prices, and buyers are usually required to shoulder royalty costs.

The 5.1ch models without decoders are priced at $40 to $100, FOB. The 5.1ch, 6.1ch and 7.1ch models with decoders are priced from $100 to $250. The FOB price of Aivin's new 7.1ch amplifier is about $200.

All interviewed companies expect prices to remain stable.

Aivin is a professional amplifier/receiver OEM/ODM maker that began developing amplifiers in 1992. The company focuses on technology innovation and is one of the few acoustic manufacturers in mainland China that are authorized by DTS and Dolby. Aivin is the ODM amplifier supplier of Best Buy in the United States.

Aivin has a 8,000sqm factory operated by more than 500 employees and equipped with SMT and insertion machines from Japan and South Korea. The company sources its main components from Yamaha (DSPs), AKM and BB (D/A converter chips), Mitsubishi (audio controllers and mechanisms), Philips (CPUs) and Toshiba (power transistors).

The company has a monthly production capacity of 36,000 surround sound amplifiers and an average monthly output of 30,000 units. In H1 2006, Aivin exported a total of 100,000 units.

Aivin exports 70 percent of its total amplifier/receiver output to North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Russia. Of Aivin's total exports, 75 percent goes to OEM/ODM business and 25 percent goes to own-brand sales, under the inhouse brand, Aivin.

Tonewinner, established in 1992, has an 8,000sqm factory with 300 production workers and 30 QC workers. The maker has a 40-member R&D team and cooperates with engineers from Dolby, Mitsubishi and NEC. The company has a monthly production capacity of 30,000 units of surround sound amplifiers and a monthly output of 20,000 amplifiers. It exports its products mainly to the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Yinlongfei, established in 1992, began producing amplifiers in 2000. Yinlongfei has a 3,000sqm factory with more than 200 workers, including 20 QC members. The factory has a total of three production lines.

Yinlongfei produces 5,000 units of amplifiers a month. About $50,000 worth of amplifiers were exported in H1 2006. More than 90 percent of the products are exported to the Middle East, the United States, Europe, Russia and Indonesia. Of the total exports, about 80 percent goes to OEM/ODM business and 20 percent goes to own-brand marketing. Peavy of the United States is one of its major export clients.

In general, mainland China makers export about 60 percent of their surround sound amplifiers to North America, Europe and Oceania.