AIYIMA T1 Pro Tube Preamp Review

[DSJR]

Not sure software can fully emulate a box like this, but I'll keep my mind open on that one. It was the same once with software 'emulating' a Moog modular synth, none at the time reproducing sagging power supplies and the original beastie going slightly off tune as it warmed up and so on...

 

[rank]

These are tubes, even at Jadis or Audio Research, the measurements are atrocious.

 

[Jeromeof]

I bought one - interested to try this with some of the newer Class D amps from Aiyima and Fosi ( I have both a A70 and the V3 Mono ) where you can switch between RCA and XLR inputs - seems like a good way to do some A/B testing of the tube sound via the RCA and a clean XLR input

 

[USER]

@amirm Any reason there are no clipping measurements? I've read that tubes are good to use for excellent overhead results. It would be nice to see if this is true or not, even though I think we all know here that it is the design that dictates this.

 

[dtaylo1066]

Well, as one who in certain systems enjoys the sound of tubes (as a believer in science and measurements, I have come to conclude my brain simply just likes the effects of second and third order harmonic distortion), for $75 one can see if their brains like distortion, too, I guess.

 

[Hart]

Not sure how they even make that for $75. Lunch for two in San Fran costs more than that. Is there a really good solid state pre-amp out there for $75? Seems like there has been...?

 

[Ropeburn]

Laughable inaccurate manufacturer specs (110dB SNR lol) aside, this could actually make a pretty nice effects device for music production. Would be interesting to see/hear its overdrive characteristics.

 

[Multicore]

I'm wondering what the 4 opamps in the 2 NE5532 chips are used for.

Not to fix the distortion, by the look of it. Perhaps for the tone controls.

 

[Multicore]

this could actually make a pretty nice effects device for music production.

I'd prefer a VST that affords control over the effect.

 

[amirm]

@amirm Any reason there are no clipping measurements? I've read that tubes are good to use for excellent overhead results. It would be nice to see if this is true or not, even though I think we all know here that it is the design that dictates this.

That's an argument for power amps, not pre.

 

[Ropeburn]

I'd prefer a VST that affords control over the effect.

Objectively, by all means yes. But you don't get the "lol funny toy" aspect that way. And we all know that having a lot of fun making music is clearly audible in the end result, even if the characteristics of a certain sound doesn't come from a specific effect.

 

[Ropeburn]

I'm wondering what the 4 opamps in the 2 NE5532 chips are used for.

Probably for providing the actual gain.

Tubes need a certain supply voltage for not being completely starved, which the performance of this device suggests. 12V power, and I suspect there's nothing more than a simple double step up supply in there.

The tubes are only there for "show" and getting "that tube sound", not for providing actual gain.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Kind of a gimmick. The tubes, as someone has already pointed out, there merely to inject second harmonic distortion with the op amps providing the gain. And have to wonder how they made it this cheap. Seems like the tubes would cost $20-25 at least, so how they could price this at $75 is a mystery. Their pricing model has to be drastically different from other electronic companies.

Still, it rates a not bad. Something to try if you've never heard tubes and want to see what they're all about.

Thank you for the review, Amir.

 

[Multicore]

But you don't get the "lol funny toy" aspect that way. And we all know that having a lot of fun making music is clearly audible in the end result, even if the characteristics of a certain sound doesn't come from a specific effect.

Among the musicians, yes. But I don't think I can ever recall listening to a recording and thinking that it sounds like the recording engineer was having a laugh. As a musician, I want knobs to dial the effects up and down. Usually up.

 

[OldManMatt]

$75 bucks. PS noise isn't too bad. Would like to see what's going on inside of it. Measure the loaded socket pins to see what's doin'

 

[Ropeburn]

Kind of a gimmick. The tubes, as someone has already pointed out, there merely to inject second harmonic distortion with the op amps providing the gain. And have to wonder how they made it this cheap. Seems like the tubes would cost $20-25 at least, so how they could price this at $75 is a mystery. Their pricing model has to be drastically different from other electronic companies.

Still, it rates a not bad. Something to try if you've never heard tubes and want to see what they're all about.

Thank you for the review, Amir.

Good 12AX7 tubes for example cost that. Not these used here. 6186 are 3-4 moneys the piece made in USA. End consumer price. Imagine what they cost for a manufacturer like Aiyima getting their hands on some surplus Chinese batch.

There's our explanation for how this is possible for the price

 

[Cal_Cobra]

This is like wanting to drive a Stanley Steamer Car? I guess if you have the itch. May as well scratch it for the least amount of Scratch…

Many thanks for the Review Boss.

Except a Stanley Steamer will cost a pretty penny, while this cost less than a family night at the movies

 

[Timcognito]

Like this review Amir, not so much for the product but the suggestion for someone test the waters of a tube preamp. I have an '97 Audio Research CA-50 which has very revealing mid range but just misses on the very low end and rolled off highs, but these old ears can't hear that latter part anymore. My son gets it when he's 30 and that is coming up sooner than I want to part with it, but a promise is a promise.

 

[Sokel]

These are tubes, even at Jadis or Audio Research, the measurements are atrocious.

Hmm,I wouldn't say atrocious,that's how Audio Research LS28 roughly looks at a couple of levels:

Carver Raven 350 Review (Tube Amp)

My take on hifi is that I listen to what is enjoyable, rather than what conforms to a somewhat philosophically problematic notion of accuracy or verisimilitude. Of course sometimes accurate is enjoyable. This approach has led me to a high quality Allnic tube amp for jazz and acoustic music, a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I think the thread thingie is close but not there as an effect box,it should go deep into 30's of SINAD to be proudly owned as one.
At least the distortion structure is right.

Thanks Amir!

 

[Cbdb2]

Tube amp distortion is supposed to be even order with very little odd especially higher order. This distortion profile looks like a SS Amp. I doubt it will sound like a real tube preamp.
That and the small power supply (do we know how many watts?) makes me think the tubes are just for show.
Is there a schematic?