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

[Music+Coffee]

I'm still waiting for my T20. Can the T20 take a 13.8Vdc power supply? I'm planning to try a regulated linear power supply and this power supply provides similar voltage to that of a 12V car socket, which is not really 12V but a tad higher.

 

[Pulkass]

【New Product Preview｜Tube Preamplifier T20 Under Development】

Hello friends at the ASR forum!

We’ve been listening closely to the market and to our users. After extensive research, we’re excited to announce a brand-new fully analog tube preamplifier — the T20, which is now officially under development and has its product ID confirmed!

T20 features a brand-new design language, with a refreshed look that incorporates updated brand elements. Its functionality has also been comprehensively upgraded:

Supports XLR balanced input and output
Equipped with RCA unbalanced interfaces
Includes a digital display for clear and intuitive information
More features coming soon — stay tuned!

We hope the T20 will deliver a warm, detailed, and musical listening experience for all audiophiles.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comments — we read every message carefully and truly value your feedback!

Thank you for your continued support. We’ll keep sharing updates on the T20’s development as they happen. Please stay tuned!

— From the AIYIMA Team | New Product Development Log View attachment 452429

Thanks, love it, it s beautiful and excellent sounding.,

 

[Pulkass]

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

Mine in balanced mode XLR connected is absolutely silent.

 

[JSmith]

ASR Review is up;

AIYIMA T20 Tube Pre-amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the AIYIMA stereo tube based balanced preamplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $180. This is an unexpected and attractive design! I love the large and stylish volume control which can be managed using the supplied remote control...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[OldManMatt]

I think it's cool to see a couple of positive opinions on this tube type device in ASR. I was surprised to see Aiyima post here about this particular product. I would normally not even look at a "tube" preamp with opamps & any form of feedback loop but I am also curious about it's performance because of this.

A lot of my audio components I've purchased based on the objective data..like Hypex amps, RME dacs, & numerous speakers like KEF R3 Meta, Wharfedale Lintons, Polk R700 just to name a couple.

But I seem to really enjoy tube based designs, especially preamps with low noise floors & no feedback circuitry involved.

Many people seem to chalk it up to aesthetics or nostalgia but personally I find tubes to be a pain in the butt. Heat issues, instability issues, the importance of remembering to turn things on & off in the correct sequence, dc offset. When you start to perceive the differences in linearity & clarity with different tubes you then add a heavy expense to the overall equation of owning tube equipment..tubes ain't cheap. I have a $3k tube preamp that looks nice but the majority of my tube equipment (amps/preamps) are DIY based & not the sexiest looking.

I just chalk it up to harmonic distortion doesn't sound bad to my ears. Some distortion isn't a bad thing. Although my ear for distortion wasn't that keen to begin with if I remember correctly when I took the Klippel distortion test awhile back. The other reasons I seem to enjoy tubes is subjective & based on perceptions between & beyond the speakers. I've also noticed that tube amplifiers seem to mesh or sound better with certain speakers over others. I have some Fritz REV7 SE with series crossovers which for whatever reason seem to have a positive or likable response to my el34 & el84 power amps. Other speakers not so much..even though they have a better/higher sensitivity spec.

We judge or base equipment here on its design & manufacturing merits. Keeping the signal as clean & linear from input to output. Try to hold builders to a higher standard...& I love it. But I have a few pieces of tube based equipment that I find very appealing & they are not going to win any SOTA awards.

I'm not sure why I shared all that. I'm a little older & I appreciate & am honestly just amazed at how far we have come as far as the great engineering of low noise transparent devices for such little money. But I still find oldskool simple circuit tube devices nice to listen to. I won't just chalk a component up to sounding bad just because it has a couple of tubes in it. What we like is subjective though.

 

[Pulkass]

I think it's cool to see a couple of positive opinions on this tube type device in ASR. I was surprised to see Aiyima post here about this particular product. I would normally not even look at a "tube" preamp with opamps & any form of feedback loop but I am also curious about it's performance because of this.

A lot of my audio components I've purchased based on the objective data..like Hypex amps, RME dacs, & numerous speakers like KEF R3 Meta, Wharfedale Lintons, Polk R700 just to name a couple.

But I seem to really enjoy tube based designs, especially preamps with low noise floors & no feedback circuitry involved.

Many people seem to chalk it up to aesthetics or nostalgia but personally I find tubes to be a pain in the butt. Heat issues, instability issues, the importance of remembering to turn things on & off in the correct sequence, dc offset. When you start to perceive the differences in linearity & clarity with different tubes you then add a heavy expense to the overall equation of owning tube equipment..tubes ain't cheap. I have a $3k tube preamp that looks nice but the majority of my tube equipment (amps/preamps) are DIY based & not the sexiest looking.

I just chalk it up to harmonic distortion doesn't sound bad to my ears. Some distortion isn't a bad thing. Although my ear for distortion wasn't that keen to begin with if I remember correctly when I took the Klippel distortion test awhile back. The other reasons I seem to enjoy tubes is subjective & based on perceptions between & beyond the speakers. I've also noticed that tube amplifiers seem to mesh or sound better with certain speakers over others. I have some Fritz REV7 SE with series crossovers which for whatever reason seem to have a positive or likable response to my el34 & el84 power amps. Other speakers not so much..even though they have a better/higher sensitivity spec.

We judge or base equipment here on its design & manufacturing merits. Keeping the signal as clean & linear from input to output. Try to hold builders to a higher standard...& I love it. But I have a few pieces of tube based equipment that I find very appealing & they are not going to win any SOTA awards.

I'm not sure why I shared all that. I'm a little older & I appreciate & am honestly just amazed at how far we have come as far as the great engineering of low noise transparent devices for such little money. But I still find oldskool simple circuit tube devices nice to listen to. I won't just chalk a component up to sounding bad just because it has a couple of tubes in it. What we like is subjective though.

The solution for me, was DIY loudspeakers, electronic x over and 4 amps. all modular. This T20 is rather good in that complex, as Fosi audio ZP3, as Audio Research tube pre amp clone.

 

[OldManMatt]

The solution for me, was DIY loudspeakers, electronic x over and 4 amps. all modular. This T20 is rather good in that complex, as Fosi audio ZP3, as Audio Research tube pre amp clone.

Very cool. What you described is something that I am very interested in & feel strongly that I will eventually get to that point.

I just started to get into DIY maybe 3 or so years ago. I had no technical background & very quickly realized that I had no knowledge of even the most basic things. Even the things that I thought I knew were wrong. It has been a slow process understanding how things work. DIY loudspeakers is something I want to be able to build & understand as well.

 

[Pulkass]

Very cool. What you described is something that I am very interested in & feel strongly that I will eventually get to that point.

I just started to get into DIY maybe 3 or so years ago. I had no technical background & very quickly realized that I had no knowledge of even the most basic things. Even the things that I thought I knew were wrong. It has been a slow process understanding how things work. DIY loudspeakers is something I want to be able to build & understand as well.

I used cement and fiber glass filling in two ballast chambers, in the 2 woofers bass module. Frontal baffle 2 mdf sandwiched with roofing tar. 2 inches total. Roofing tar painted inside and Bracing inside.

 

[SMen]

The solution for me, was DIY loudspeakers, electronic x over and 4 amps. all modular. This T20 is rather good in that complex, as Fosi audio ZP3, as Audio Research tube pre amp clone.

The solution for me ... until unfortunately it died a death being transported in my car to a new home in France, was building a valve phono pre-amplifier.

The T20 is interesting - comparing it with a high quality stepped attenuator as I made certain changes the sound got less warm and closer to my stepped attenuator - but the slightly increased sense of depth it brings (left right and center) remains ... the stepped attenuator sounds more up front and slightly flatter. I changed the valves to Tung-sols, and the power supply to TeraDak DC-30 Linear Power Supply. Using both fully balanced.

https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Hi-Fi-World/1998/Hi-Fi-World-1998-02-Supplement.pdf This one!

 

[Pulkass]

The solution for me ... until unfortunately it died a death being transported in my car to a new home in France, was building a valve phono pre-amplifier.

The T20 is interesting - comparing it with a high quality stepped attenuator as I made certain changes the sound got less warm and closer to my stepped attenuator - but the slightly increased sense of depth it brings (left right and center) remains ... the stepped attenuator sounds more up front and slightly flatter. I changed the valves to Tung-sols, and the power supply to TeraDak DC-30 Linear Power Supply. Using both fully balanced.

https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Hi-Fi-World/1998/Hi-Fi-World-1998-02-Supplement.pdf This one!

Where do you buy this TerraDak ?

 

[Pulkass]

Where do you buy this TerraDak ?

My DIY balanced tube pre amp.

 

[SMen]

My DIY balanced tube pre amp.

Respect! Looks beautifully put together! How does the T20 compare to that my goodness me?!

here ali express. No problems with delivery - customs pre-paid to EU. Just slotted in happily.

 

[Pulkass]

Respect! Looks beautifully put together! How does the T20 compare to that my goodness me?!

here ali express. No problems with delivery - customs pre-paid to EU. Just slotted in happily.

T20 goes close, l would say it overpass the stove. 9 tubes he he he

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Well, it looks like I have put some butter on Aiyima’s crust with this one! Glowing reviews all over the internet.
Decided to pull the trigger on this one myself, an T20 arrives in the next couple of days followed shortly after by the A20.
Tracked down a pair of Psvane Horizon choobes, ordered. 3 x opa828 spotted, ordered. A pair of Muses 02 for the A20, ordered.
That batch of upgrades is running behind the T20 and A20 so going to run it stock for a few days until the rest of the gear arrives. I might even get super sassy and use an iFi Power X 12v for the T20 in the new year. Yes, it does sound a bit on the tasty side of the plate doesn’t it….i doubt it will be as clean as my wallet is now.

It will be the usual dip or skip trial with the op amps specifically with the T20 but as others have found I think it will probable be the most neutral that may win. I already have the opa1656 here as well as some others known for neutral quality’s but again I thinks judging by the measurements, sheer speed as well as distortion restraint of the opa828 it could be the one that will allow the tubes to pour through to the Muses 02 which is also fast and clean, detailed and well balanced.
We will see.

 

[SMen]

Well, it looks like I have put some butter on Aiyima’s crust with this one! Glowing reviews all over the internet.
Decided to pull the trigger on this one myself, an T20 arrives in the next couple of days followed shortly after by the A20.
Tracked down a pair of Psvane Horizon choobes, ordered. 3 x opa828 spotted, ordered. A pair of Muses 02 for the A20, ordered.
That batch of upgrades is running behind the T20 and A20 so going to run it stock for a few days until the rest of the gear arrives. I might even get super sassy and use an iFi Power X 12v for the T20 in the new year. Yes, it does sound a bit on the tasty side of the plate doesn’t it….i doubt it will be as clean as my wallet is now.

It will be the usual dip or skip trial with the op amps specifically with the T20 but as others have found I think it will probable be the most neutral that may win. I already have the opa1656 here as well as some others known for neutral quality’s but again I thinks judging by the measurements, sheer speed as well as distortion restraint of the opa828 it could be the one that will allow the tubes to pour through to the Muses 02 which is also fast and clean, detailed and well balanced.
We will see.

I think the expression here in South West France is "Gordon Bennett"! Those are a lot of variables at once.

My theoretical understanding of the OPA 1656 is that it handles high impedance input from the valves well. I tried these on the basis of this theoretical.

What I would really like to know is, if, after trying the stock T20 as reviewed here on ASR, does putting a linear power supply in as per my post above make a positive difference along with the valve change? I find the result more true to source.

That Ifi looks expensive and quite cheap at the same time. The New Year is a long way away. I just went for the valves and power supply to compare with the stock unit Very happy with the changes. Stopping there.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

I think the expression here in South West France is "Gordon Bennett"! Those are a lot of variables at once.

My theoretical understanding of the OPA 1656 is that it handles high impedance input from the valves well. I tried these on the basis of this theoretical.

What I would really like to know is, if, after trying the stock T20 as reviewed here on ASR, does putting a linear power supply in as per my post above make a positive difference along with the valve change? I find the result more true to source.

That Ifi looks expensive and quite cheap at the same time. The New Year is a long way away. I just went for the valves and power supply to compare with the stock unit Very happy with the changes. Stopping there.

I think the iFi Power X will make a bigger difference than an LPS to be honest. It’s a super clean power supply. I use one for my E50 and Zen One Signature and thankfully they are both 5v and the difference to a standard SMPS is, with myself at least, favourable. A decent LPS is around the same price but more hit and miss in my experience and can draw the soundstage back a bit too or least I found that with one a few months ago, a cleaner sound again than the SMPS option here.

The opa1656 does have inferior low frequency distortion compared to the opa828 according to some, nevertheless it maybe negligible to the human ear…maybe.

I have some SX52B full discreet op amps here too, 3 to be exact for the T20. Not sure how they will work but they are also very clean sounding and airy, not expensive either. I will report back here after a good dip or skip session which will last a few days.

I think this is a solid upgrade path, but the pudding is yet to be baked, I think it will taste good.
I just switched out the Muses 02 on the A70 for the SX52B because I’m using the E50 tonight and that’s quite a darker sounding dac in my opinion and goes better with the SX52B in the Aiyima A70.

I think we need a Douk Audio balanced A5 for ease of dip skipping. That said they have released the new D1 with Ampapa collab and I think that’s a balanced circuit with the glass panel design. I like the Douk Audio A5, truth be told probably my favourite amp this year.

Yep, the SX52B’s are working very, very well with the Aiyima A70 and the Topping E50 via balanced Van Damme Tour Grade cable. Nothing harsh at all.

Anyway there is a lot of ‘I’s here so ‘I’ am off…

Cheers.

 

[SMen]

I will report back here after a good dip or skip session which will last a few days.

Have fun!

 

[Fxfighter]

Receive the metal rack. It's with decent weight. Aluminum helps reduce heat. Awesome!

 

[OldManMatt]

Seems like the opamp was used instead of a cathode follower tube/circuit. That's the first thing I thought when I read the description by Aiyima.

 

[Uncola]

Guys anyone using the 12V trigger outs with the aayima t20? I just received mine today and the 12V outs aren't working.. I tried both mono and trs 3.5mm cables.. the mono cables I pulled from my denon receiver which I verified was working with trigger out and the actual amplifiers I'm trying to use the trigger in on. I tried both xlr and rca input on the preamp in case that was the problem.. triggers still don't work. Did anyone in this thread have issues or figure out the Triggers?
@aayima