Any recommendations for tube rolling for this amp? Also, recommendations for pairing with a DAC?
Hi Chilli, I own the MT604 and primarily just use it as a headphone amplifier. I have heard elsewhere that it can be run as a preamp before an amp. Then i see your response and you also are doing this. My question is, how do you make the connections to your amplifier? I only see balanced in (xlr) connection on the back and another balanced in (4.4mm) on the front. I am really enjoying it as a headphone amplifier and would really be interested to hear how it would sound as a possible tube buffer/preamp. Thanks!Hi Ishka,
The 6j1 supplied with this amp are described to be working well, and subjectively they apparently sounded more correct.
Most usually try out the 5654w.
I have one of these ordered to use as a preamp volume control before my power amps. Its cheap and appears to be a hybrid.. Just not sure how much the tubes are involved, as the power is coming from class A devices, rather than from the tubes. That said, even with the tubes in a buffer, its likely to have some effect on the sound.
There are some specifications supplied, but not enough to know exactly things will match up. However, i suspect the quality of dacs today are so good, you have a large selection and probably cant go far wrong with some of the good performing and cheap dads you can find measured on this website.
If you live in the US, i did see a good website called Riverstone, who can get you a matched pair of 5654w if you wish. The guy on there appears to have some good tube testers, including a Chinese tube tester, which i believe is well regarded.
i have the mt602, not the mt604. The 602 can be used as a preamp, but not the 604. Perhaps it might be possible with a transformer air gap between, but I’m not sure. You would need to buy a transformer to transformer isolation prior to the amplifier. I did this for the e1da 9038s and it worked. However, it would be easier to buy an Mt602 instead. I am using the mt602 with either ncore amps or with hifiman he400se. It’s great. I have a few different tubes to try out but I don’t expect to hear much difference. We shall see.Hi Chilli, I own the MT604 and primarily just use it as a headphone amplifier. I have heard elsewhere that it can be run as a preamp before an amp. Then i see your response and you also are doing this. My question is, how do you make the connections to your amplifier? I only see balanced in (xlr) connection on the back and another balanced in (4.4mm) on the front. I am really enjoying it as a headphone amplifier and would really be interested to hear how it would sound as a possible tube buffer/preamp. Thanks!
Thank you! I just asked this question on Amazon and some guy responded that i could use the XLR out to an amplifier.....? I think i will trust your opinion since you are on this forum and probably know a lot more than some random guy answering my query on Amazon. :/i have the mt602, not the mt604. The 602 can be used as a preamp, but not the 604. Perhaps it might be possible with a transformer air gap between, but I’m not sure. You would need to buy a transformer to transformer isolation prior to the amplifier. I did this for the e1da 9038s and it worked. However, it would be easier to buy an Mt602 instead. I am using the mt602 with either ncore amps or with hifiman he400se. It’s great. I have a few different tubes to try out but I don’t expect to hear much difference. We shall see.
Exactly, Wiljen confirmed his information and also said that he used Voskhod 6ZH1P-EV (same tube as 6J1P-EV) in his Xduuo MT-604.I believe the 6zh1p-ev is the russian equivalent of the 6j1. Should be fine.
No probs. I have the 602 and can confirm that the Chinese 6j5 (6j5-q and 6j5-t) and similar (6ah6, and the russian equivalent etc) work as well.Exactly, Wiljen confirmed his information and also said that he used Voskhod 6ZH1P-EV (same tube as 6J1P-EV) in his Xduuo MT-604.
Thanks for the answer.