Guddu
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- Feb 10, 2020
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Dear FMs,
I recently got Aiyima T1 Pro, won it on Aiyima's "Euro Cup guess the Score" program on FB.
Few of the choices they have made for this product are really good, kind of helped with a few issues I have with Ascend Acoustics Seirra-LX detailed in the post.
This thread is meant to capture user level testing, impressesions, issues, etc. for Aiyima T1 Pro.
Product Details:
Aiyima's announcement post on ASR
Manufacturer's Product Pagehttps://www.aiyima.com/products/aiyima-t1-pro
As a product owner and user, I mean to summarize:
> what I get as a buyer or user of Aiyima T1 Pro
> aspects other than measurements that you might be interested in
> testing features & functions to see if there are any issues and how could get around those, if any
> I also hope that this thread could provide some information as to "what to expect" while you are looking to buy this amplifier
*** I hope other Aiyima T1 Pro owners can also sum up their feedback and some work arounds here to help other potential interested/future owners ***
Packaging, Transportation Safety & Contents
>> Package contents:
- Pre-Amplifier Unit: T1 PRO
- User Manual: Aiyima have really improved on this, they now supply good quality manual than just formal thin page ones
- Tubes: 2 x GE 6186
- 1 x Bluetooth Antenna
- 1 x Power supply
>> Tubes:
Stock tubes: GE 6186
Replaceable tubes: 6J1, 6J2, GE5654, 6J3, 6J4, 6J5, 6*1N, 6AK5, etc.
>> Power Supply:
- 12v 1.5a = 18 watts max
Note: Unit consumes 6 watts in operation
Look & Feel
With impressive smooth matt finish solid case and gold plated connectors, Aiyima have given this pre-amplifier matching look & feel of their A07 Max which looks even better in person.
The design match very well with A07 Max and look great as a stack.
Tt fits nicely under my TV, and with glowing tubes.
>> Front of the unit - close look
- I liked that it has Toggle Switch for Power ON/OFF, good choice
- The first toggle is Power ON/OFF and source selection between RCA & Bluetooth. It never failed even once with me tested more than 30-40 times
- Second toggle is to enable Tone controls or Defeat/Direct, another good choice
*Note: DIR mode is to bypass Bass & Treble, Volume Control still works
- The 3 potentiometers have clicky feeling which makes it easy to get to desired position easily, easy to put to center position as well which is like bypass. Good choice
- Left one - Bass - variable
- Middle one - treble
- Right one - Volume control
>> Back of the unit - close look
- RCA input, single-ended
- Bluetooth input (antenna included in package), with small button underneath to clear bluetooth if needed
- RCA output
- AUX out - full bandwidth out, like other Aiyima products, main volume knob controlled
- 12v Triggered Out, Good Choice
* Note: I haven't tested triggered out yet, don't have any amplifier that could use triggered in but might have my A70 back (someone borrowed) over the weekend
- 12v Power Input
Power Consumption
- It uses about 6 watts in operation
- tested on 20a smart plug
Tone Controls
Following graphs from Aiyima's:
Setup I have using T1 Pro in
nVidia Shield Pro / Laptop / TV >>>> Topping E50 >> RCA out >> Aiyima T1 Pro >>>> Aiyima A07 Max >>>> Siera-LX speakers
- To start with: tone mode = DIR, Pre-Amp volume = maximun and Topping E50 volume maximun but the amplifier A07 MAX volume about 50%
- 1st thing I noticed that volume output jumped UP, and so I started noticing more details in the same song which was playing
- I was hoping that volume or SPL might not change, but it did and so I had to take some quick SPL cabtures with simple iphone app:
- This clearly shows that tubes are in the chain for gain stage, or whatever the correct teachinal word for it.
*** After adjusting the SPL, using simple iphone app to 70 dB, I then used the same settings for about 1 week for listening to it ***
Basic Impressions
- Believe it or not, glowing tubes are pleasing to eyes..... more so that probably could cheer you up
- Initially I really thought I am hearing more details (or more symbols to be precise than details) but with the time it became clear that it isn't necessarily the case as I switch between DAC >>>> A07 max vs DAC >>>> T1 Pro >>>> A07 Max
- Sound was still clear, detailed and still balanced
Volume Control on T1 Pro
- I changed Topping E50 to DAC mode and changed L07 Max to full, then started using Volume control on T1 Pro
- It worked very well, no issues at all
- As I notes earlier as well, potentiometer is clicky type and you can feel the steps going up or down
- No Right/Left balance issue even on lower levels
Tone Control on T1 Pro ***** Let me call it GOOD Choice here *****
- I recently bought Ascend Accoustics Sierra-LX bookshelf speakers, primarily to find a bit more base than previous speakers
- However I found it sounding boomy in my small room, mesurements shows me huge room gain between 50 to 90
- Now, I enabled tone control on T1 Pro, set treble to center and turned base to left about 10 - 10:30 ish position and result was that base bloating decreased
- Now, I am going loud on these speakers and base isn't the issue as it was before
Heat - Nope !!!
- No heat, tubes get warm or hot as it should be, but T1 Pro's case was never warn even after hours of playback.
Note: Replaceable OPAmp
Stock OPAmp: NE5532P*2
Replaceable operational amplifier chip: OPA2604, OPA2134, LM4562, JRC5532, etc.
To sum up, I think T1 Pro could be very useful if you need
- Tone Controls, bypass adds its points as well
- Volume Control
- Bluetooth - I found it working very well
- Trigerred Out
I hope these details might help you decide if you are thinking of a preamp.
If you already own one, please so post your impressions as well.
***** Some Notes & Considerations *****
- It taked 3-4 seconds before volume starts operating, so kind of delayed start which is good
- While it adds up charm with glowing tubes and looks stunning in dark, however its LED might need some consideration
- Aiyima have used RED LED on T1 Pro, and it really glows
- This LED will over-shaddow the pairing or near by equipments LED
- It has single ended RCA input/output, which works very well as they designed however I crave for balanced version of it
- While tone control pots are easy to adjust and it has DIR/tone-defeat mode, but still a center position holding spot type pot would have be quite useful in a few cases
- Front LED disable, or lower down option would have been great choice to add
Thanks @AIYIMA for sending the product, Euro Cup Score Guess program was excellent idea to engage wider audience.
I recently got Aiyima T1 Pro, won it on Aiyima's "Euro Cup guess the Score" program on FB.
Few of the choices they have made for this product are really good, kind of helped with a few issues I have with Ascend Acoustics Seirra-LX detailed in the post.
This thread is meant to capture user level testing, impressesions, issues, etc. for Aiyima T1 Pro.
Product Details:
Aiyima's announcement post on ASR
Manufacturer's Product Pagehttps://www.aiyima.com/products/aiyima-t1-pro
As a product owner and user, I mean to summarize:
> what I get as a buyer or user of Aiyima T1 Pro
> aspects other than measurements that you might be interested in
> testing features & functions to see if there are any issues and how could get around those, if any
> I also hope that this thread could provide some information as to "what to expect" while you are looking to buy this amplifier
*** I hope other Aiyima T1 Pro owners can also sum up their feedback and some work arounds here to help other potential interested/future owners ***
Packaging, Transportation Safety & Contents
>> Package contents:
- Pre-Amplifier Unit: T1 PRO
- User Manual: Aiyima have really improved on this, they now supply good quality manual than just formal thin page ones
- Tubes: 2 x GE 6186
- 1 x Bluetooth Antenna
- 1 x Power supply
>> Tubes:
Stock tubes: GE 6186
Replaceable tubes: 6J1, 6J2, GE5654, 6J3, 6J4, 6J5, 6*1N, 6AK5, etc.
>> Power Supply:
- 12v 1.5a = 18 watts max
Note: Unit consumes 6 watts in operation
Look & Feel
With impressive smooth matt finish solid case and gold plated connectors, Aiyima have given this pre-amplifier matching look & feel of their A07 Max which looks even better in person.
The design match very well with A07 Max and look great as a stack.
Tt fits nicely under my TV, and with glowing tubes.
>> Front of the unit - close look
- I liked that it has Toggle Switch for Power ON/OFF, good choice
- The first toggle is Power ON/OFF and source selection between RCA & Bluetooth. It never failed even once with me tested more than 30-40 times
- Second toggle is to enable Tone controls or Defeat/Direct, another good choice
*Note: DIR mode is to bypass Bass & Treble, Volume Control still works
- The 3 potentiometers have clicky feeling which makes it easy to get to desired position easily, easy to put to center position as well which is like bypass. Good choice
- Left one - Bass - variable
- Middle one - treble
- Right one - Volume control
>> Back of the unit - close look
- RCA input, single-ended
- Bluetooth input (antenna included in package), with small button underneath to clear bluetooth if needed
- RCA output
- AUX out - full bandwidth out, like other Aiyima products, main volume knob controlled
- 12v Triggered Out, Good Choice
* Note: I haven't tested triggered out yet, don't have any amplifier that could use triggered in but might have my A70 back (someone borrowed) over the weekend
- 12v Power Input
Power Consumption
- It uses about 6 watts in operation
- tested on 20a smart plug
Tone Controls
Following graphs from Aiyima's:
Setup I have using T1 Pro in
nVidia Shield Pro / Laptop / TV >>>> Topping E50 >> RCA out >> Aiyima T1 Pro >>>> Aiyima A07 Max >>>> Siera-LX speakers
- To start with: tone mode = DIR, Pre-Amp volume = maximun and Topping E50 volume maximun but the amplifier A07 MAX volume about 50%
- 1st thing I noticed that volume output jumped UP, and so I started noticing more details in the same song which was playing
- I was hoping that volume or SPL might not change, but it did and so I had to take some quick SPL cabtures with simple iphone app:
| Starting SPL, DAC E50 max volume to A07 Max amplifer, direct, no T1 Pro pre-amp | 60 dB (starting point) |
| Adding T1 Pro without Tubes, between DAC E50 and A07 Max amplifier | 48-49 dB (11 - 12 dB loss) |
| Adding T1 Pro with Tubes, between DAC E50 and A07 Max amplifier | 68 - 69 db (8 - 9 dB gain) |
- This clearly shows that tubes are in the chain for gain stage, or whatever the correct teachinal word for it.
*** After adjusting the SPL, using simple iphone app to 70 dB, I then used the same settings for about 1 week for listening to it ***
Basic Impressions
- Believe it or not, glowing tubes are pleasing to eyes..... more so that probably could cheer you up
- Initially I really thought I am hearing more details (or more symbols to be precise than details) but with the time it became clear that it isn't necessarily the case as I switch between DAC >>>> A07 max vs DAC >>>> T1 Pro >>>> A07 Max
- Sound was still clear, detailed and still balanced
Volume Control on T1 Pro
- I changed Topping E50 to DAC mode and changed L07 Max to full, then started using Volume control on T1 Pro
- It worked very well, no issues at all
- As I notes earlier as well, potentiometer is clicky type and you can feel the steps going up or down
- No Right/Left balance issue even on lower levels
Tone Control on T1 Pro ***** Let me call it GOOD Choice here *****
- I recently bought Ascend Accoustics Sierra-LX bookshelf speakers, primarily to find a bit more base than previous speakers
- However I found it sounding boomy in my small room, mesurements shows me huge room gain between 50 to 90
- Now, I enabled tone control on T1 Pro, set treble to center and turned base to left about 10 - 10:30 ish position and result was that base bloating decreased
- Now, I am going loud on these speakers and base isn't the issue as it was before
Heat - Nope !!!
- No heat, tubes get warm or hot as it should be, but T1 Pro's case was never warn even after hours of playback.
Note: Replaceable OPAmp
Stock OPAmp: NE5532P*2
Replaceable operational amplifier chip: OPA2604, OPA2134, LM4562, JRC5532, etc.
To sum up, I think T1 Pro could be very useful if you need
- Tone Controls, bypass adds its points as well
- Volume Control
- Bluetooth - I found it working very well
- Trigerred Out
I hope these details might help you decide if you are thinking of a preamp.
If you already own one, please so post your impressions as well.
***** Some Notes & Considerations *****
- It taked 3-4 seconds before volume starts operating, so kind of delayed start which is good
- While it adds up charm with glowing tubes and looks stunning in dark, however its LED might need some consideration
- Aiyima have used RED LED on T1 Pro, and it really glows
- This LED will over-shaddow the pairing or near by equipments LED
- It has single ended RCA input/output, which works very well as they designed however I crave for balanced version of it
- While tone control pots are easy to adjust and it has DIR/tone-defeat mode, but still a center position holding spot type pot would have be quite useful in a few cases
- Front LED disable, or lower down option would have been great choice to add
Thanks @AIYIMA for sending the product, Euro Cup Score Guess program was excellent idea to engage wider audience.
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