AIYIMA T20 – Audiophile-Grade Hi-Fi Tube Preamp in Development

[Guddu]

Can you post the proposed preamplifier's schematic/circuit diagram ?

 

[Joe Smith]

I can understand why current makers like Fosi and Aiyima continue to make modern tube products - it does float some people's boat. Nothing that I or many here care for, but there is a market for them, I guess.

The one bit of constructive advice I can offer, which I think was also noted above, is to differentiate this product from others by having some sort of covering option for the tubes, like a mesh screen, that picks up some of the old design language of Dynaco, McIntosh etc. These preamps where the tubes stick up nakedly out of the top covering just look flimsy and minor-league dangerous to me. I think the unit would look more "high endi" if the tube look was classier.

The proposed combination of tubes with an LCD screren seems "off" to me too - if you're doing tubes, go for a clean retro look, not a mash up of old and modern.

 

[fredreadrick]

After 24hrs chain to my 2nd set up, this tube amp sounds good not mention it looks gorgeous. Matches well to other devices on the picture....
Wiim Amp - same width
Topping E70 velvet, PA7+ - a bit wider but same look.
My reference preamp is Topping Pre90 hook to my Main set up.

 

[Guddu]

For those interested:

 

[Jon L]

The T20 Tube Preamp is now available — Limited-Time Launch Offer!
Enjoy warm, vintage tube sound with modern convenience.
XLR/RCA input & output, remote control, and 12V trigger for smart system integration.

Ready to upgrade your sound? Don’t miss this limited-time offer!

Official Store – 15% OFF | Valid for 3 days only
Code: AIYIMAT20

https://www.aiyima.com/products/aiyima-t20

AliExpress – $20 OFF | Valid for 5 days only
Code: T20CODE

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009412545246.html

Amazon Japan

https://amzn.asia/d/1sBcOQN

Don’t wait — limited stock and limited time!
#AIYIMA #T20 #TubePreamp #VintageSound #HiFiAudio #LimitedOffer

Hello. Which of the 3 removable opamps are for balanced->RCA conversion? In other words, if I use XLR cables, which of the three opamps can I remove (or not upgrade)?
I just ordered one Aiyima T20 preamp after hearing some promising sounds with and without T20 in chain here. Guess whether A or B is with T20

 

[ﾠﾠﾠ]

sound fantastic

 

[Jon L]

Aiyima T20 arrived. I was disappointed by the lack of two AAA batteries for the remote control, and I had none in the house..
Questions:
Can T20 act as balanced-to-RCA converter? In other words, can I use RCA input and use balanced output and vice versa?
Can I safely substitute 12AT7 tube in place of stock 12AX7?
Input selector light. Is Red or Blue RCA and does T20 remember the last input selection for next time it's turned on? (Same question for volume setting for each input?)
Other than to completely turn off display lights, is there a way to just reduce the brightness?

Thanks.

 

[Guddu]

Aiyima T20 arrived. I was disappointed by the lack of two AAA batteries for the remote control, and I had none in the house..

This is common for devices when shipped internationally. I had same feeling when I got Wiim Ultra

Questions:
Can T20 act as balanced-to-RCA converter? In other words, can I use RCA input and use balanced output and vice versa?

Saying it can convert the signal may not be correct, but it should work providing connectivity.

 

[Carlton80@0]

I have the T20 and found the noise that it generated through my dining room system in balanced mode to be unacceptable.

 

[Joe Smith]

Clearly Aiyima is stepping up its design and promotion game to stay competitive with Fosi, the video script is very polished. And they appear to be making a nice suite of 3 items that will look good together and with a higher-end look than some prior products. That said, the tube-preamp loving market is not everyone, so I hope like Fosi, they will also continue to offer solid state amp and preamp products, and also steer clear of the replaceable op-amp train.

 

[Jon L]

RCA input=Red Light (at least easy to remember )

I am glad to find out that using RCA output does NOT make the signal go through extra opamps to convert balanced signal to RCA and vice versa.

On the other hand, in stock form (stock wall wart, Stock LME49720, Psvane 12AX7), T20 so far is doing exactly what I thought it would, shaving off a little bit of top-end detail ("edge" on some recordings) and adding a bit of roundness to vocals. I suspect this tube preamp will do well in systems based on certain class-D amps or "sterile" amps with resulting sound a bit too bright and thin.

*Edit*
I had some Sylvania 7025/12AX7a tubes around, so rolled them in. NOW, T20 is providing sound one would expect from inserting a really nice tube preamp. More harmonics and sparkle, even thicker/richer midrange, while still smoothing some edgy recordings. Psvane 12AX7 is not a bad tube at all actually and is neuralish and clean, just less of that tube sound one is presumably seeking here.

 

[Jon L]

I have the T20 and found the noise that it generated through my dining room system in balanced mode to be unacceptable.

Hmmm. I haven't noticed any significant noise problem by inserting T20 into my system, but I have only tried RCA mode. Is the noise same level at different volume levels?
Perhaps your tubes are noisy or system gain/speaker sensitivity is way high?
One thing people have tried is to substitute 12AT7 tubes instead of 12AX7, which will lower gain..

 

[Carlton80@0]

Hmmm. I haven't noticed any significant noise problem by inserting T20 into my system, but I have only tried RCA mode. Is the noise same level at different volume levels?
Perhaps your tubes are noisy or system gain/speaker sensitivity is way high?
One thing people have tried is to substitute 12AT7 tubes instead of 12AX7, which will lower gain..

5v out from EVERSOLO DMP-A^ to Fosi V3 Monos driving 6 ohm 88db sensitivity Apogee ribbon monitors. The noise level is faint but can be heard within a few feet of the speakers. The noise is independent of volume levels. Tested the tubes with tube tester and they appear to test fine. The noise tone is of a low level and somewhat varies in frequency levels. For the price paid it is not worth the hassle of shipping back. Maybe I send it in to Amir for a proper review? BTW it was tested without the Rane AC-22S in the system as shown in my signature.

 

[Jon L]

5v out from EVERSOLO DMP-A^ to Fosi V3 Monos driving 6 ohm 88db sensitivity Apogee ribbon monitors. The noise level is faint but can be heard within a few feet of the speakers. The noise is independent of volume levels. Tested the tubes with tube tester and they appear to test fine. The noise tone is of a low level and somewhat varies in frequency levels. For the price paid it is not worth the hassle of shipping back. Maybe I send it in to Amir for a proper review? BTW it was tested without the Rane AC-22S in the system as shown in my signature.

I thought you must be running horn speakers or something.
Yeah, send it to Amir, but before you do, maybe at least try the RCA input and output to see if the noise if XLR-only?

 

[ﾠﾠﾠ]

The T20 Tube Preamp is now available — Limited-Time Launch Offer!
Enjoy warm, vintage tube sound with modern convenience.
XLR/RCA input & output, remote control, and 12V trigger for smart system integration.

Ready to upgrade your sound? Don’t miss this limited-time offer!

Official Store – 15% OFF | Valid for 3 days only
Code: AIYIMAT20

https://www.aiyima.com/products/aiyima-t20

AliExpress – $20 OFF | Valid for 5 days only
Code: T20CODE

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009412545246.html

Amazon Japan

https://amzn.asia/d/1sBcOQN

Don’t wait — limited stock and limited time!
#AIYIMA #T20 #TubePreamp #VintageSound #HiFiAudio #LimitedOffer

I'm using a 2.2 setup: left and right main speakers, plus left and right subwoofers. I need balanced XLR inputs and outputs for both the main speakers and the subwoofers.

 

[AIYIMA]

I'm using a 2.2 setup: left and right main speakers, plus left and right subwoofers. I need balanced XLR inputs and outputs for both the main speakers and the subwoofers.

Hi there, may I ask about your usage scenario?
A 2.2 system isn’t very common for home setups — it’s more often seen in professional recording, mixing, or specialized monitoring environments. I’m curious, what kind of setup are you using it for?

 

[ﾠﾠﾠ]

Hi there, may I ask about your usage scenario?
A 2.2 system isn’t very common for home setups — it’s more often seen in professional recording, mixing, or specialized monitoring environments. I’m curious, what kind of setup are you using it for?

Yes, that's it. Many people like this setup, but not many companies do this, as they don't know the market. However, a few companies do it as well.

 

[ﾠﾠﾠ]

Hi there, may I ask about your usage scenario?
A 2.2 system isn’t very common for home setups — it’s more often seen in professional recording, mixing, or specialized monitoring environments. I’m curious, what kind of setup are you using it for?

 

[Guddu]

I'm using a 2.2 setup: left and right main speakers, plus left and right subwoofers. I need balanced XLR inputs and outputs for both the main speakers and the subwoofers.

View attachment 469951

If you want to do it at amplifier level then Aiyima A70 Mono could do it.
It’s a monoblock amplifier with subwoofer output, so you get subwoofer output on each channel. It’s RCA plug output so you could use RCA to XLR cable or adapter.

'Aiyima A70 Mono [PFFB, Full-range/subwoofer amplifier] - User Impressions | Owner's Thread'
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...plifier-user-impressions-owners-thread.57844/

 

[Jon L]

Hi there, may I ask about your usage scenario?
A 2.2 system isn’t very common for home setups — it’s more often seen in professional recording, mixing, or specialized monitoring environments. I’m curious, what kind of setup are you using it for?

Hello. I thought Aiyima T20's balanced outputs and RCA outputs were independent, but when I remove the two dual opamps from balanced outputs (sockets empty), the RCA output volume goes way down by around half. When volume knob is turned up, sound quality seems OK. Why does this happen?