Aiyima T9

[gnat_leader]

Polk R200

Thanks. Those look like very detailed speakers so if the amp was grainy or harsh in the treble area you prob would have heard that and mentioned it.
So good to know. My speakers are also very detailed but much more sensitive/efficient at 96db/1watt, and so they are unforgiving if the treble isn't "smooth".

 

[tech.pyang]

Thanks. Those look like very detailed speakers so if the amp was grainy or harsh in the treble area you prob would have heard that and mentioned it.
So good to know. My speakers are also very detailed but much more sensitive/efficient at 96db/1watt, and so they are unforgiving if the treble isn't "smooth".

It was smooth if I used its built-in dac. For some reason, if I used my smsl d1se, it was all sorts of distorted and grainy on the top end and unlistenable. Maybe the gain is too high on my dac? Idk. However, using its own dac, I had no sonic issues.
The unit is detailed but not bright. If the paired speakers are bright then it probably won’t tame it. And if the speakers are warm, it probably won’t brighten them up. I think the t9 is probably best with neutral speakers.

 

[tomkatt]

It was smooth if I used its built-in dac. For some reason, if I used my smsl d1se, it was all sorts of distorted and grainy on the top end and unlistenable. Maybe the gain is too high on my dac? Idk. However, using its own dac, I had no sonic issues.
The unit is detailed but not bright. If the paired speakers are bright then it probably won’t tame it. And if the speakers are warm, it probably won’t brighten them up. I think the t9 is probably best with neutral speakers.

I'd agree with this. My Wharfedales are pretty neutral, maybe slightly warm, and I can tune them either way (bright or warm sounding) with the T9's EQ. The EQ effect seems more pronounced on bass and treble since I swapped the tubes though, the 6k4s that came with it had a lot less bass available for tuning, seemed to lean toward a brighter sound out of the box.

 

[gnat_leader]

It was smooth if I used its built-in dac. For some reason, if I used my smsl d1se, it was all sorts of distorted and grainy on the top end and unlistenable. Maybe the gain is too high on my dac? Idk. However, using its own dac, I had no sonic issues.
The unit is detailed but not bright. If the paired speakers are bright then it probably won’t tame it. And if the speakers are warm, it probably won’t brighten them up. I think the t9 is probably best with neutral speakers.

OK. Do you know if the Douk Audio ST-01 is exactly the same as the Aiyima T9 or not?
I saw one reviewer of the ST-01 on Amazon said his amp came with the more powerful (and hopefully equal or better sounding?) TPA3251 chip instead of the TPA3221.
The T9 has the TPA3221 right? Has anyone confirmed this?
It'd be nice to know the difference between the ST01 and T9 and the sound and performance of the 3251 vs 3221.

 

[robertospeed]

Douk Audio ST-01 PRO​

 

[robertospeed]

AIYIMA TUBE T9​

 

[Timstunes]

I have one of these and I think its pretty great (for the price) - I don't really think the 'issue' this YouTuber is pointing out is really an actual issue. What the device is doing is switching off the tubes when it does not receive any audio via the current input within maybe 10 seconds. So if you pause playing music after about 10 seconds it will go into this 'low power' mode by clicking. I believe this is done to make the tubes last longer (though I could be wrong), but I guess its a trade off between burning out the tubes. if you paused your music and leave the T9 switched on against constantly stopping music and starting music which might be worse for the tubes. But in my opinion realistically you are much more likely to play a playlist or an album (or queue up some music) and therefore you hear this once or twice a day.

Out of curiosity I tested the power consumption and sure enough the device consumes much less power once it goes into this mode so its definitely turning stuff off internally when this happens.

Overall I love the retro look of the device (especially in a dark room) the tubes 'glow' and VU meter is great (though the meter isn't very sensitive - you have to play loud to see it moving).

Other than that I think having a DAC and optical input is great (obviously at this price its a cheap DAC) - though I couldn't hear anything obviously bad. I had a few devices plugged in (and Volumio Mini PC via USB) and Airport Express (via Optical) and a Turntable via RCA and it was great to be able to switch with the provided remote control.

As for sound, my only complaint is, it is under powered for some of the speakers that I tried with it, especially compared Aiyima D07 which I have now switched back too using a separate DAC - but I have kept the T9 and will probably switch it back during the winter (if only for the glow of the VU meter and the Tubes).

I have a T9 as well and agree the clicking issue is way overblown. It is rare for me to hear it( it does not go through the speakers). I think it’s a great bargain and the sound is impressive. Quite full and rich for a class D. Clear, clean power, great detail, excellent Bluetooth, digital inputs, decent dac, remote for very little cost. Big Bang for the buck imo.

I like and respect Sean at Zero Fidelity but believe he had a defective unit and may have over reacted.

 

[gnat_leader]

excellent Bluetooth, digital inputs, decent dac,

I've read a fair number of people don't agree with this part. But thatn's not surprising to me as it's subjective and also relative to what other dacs/amps and paired with which speakers. It can make a big difference depending on how revealing your speakers are.

 

[t9heat]

Does anyone here own or have heard the Aiyima T9?

The T9 has some very good reviews and some of the sound demos i have heard on Youtube would make you believe it sounds as good as some more expensive amps on the market.

Is it really that great, or maybe just overhyped by Youtuber reviewers in order to make some cash from promotiong the product?

HI :

Concerned that seems to be no vents in the case ? Doesn't that make them overheat and reduce the lifecycle of parts ? Looking for teardown info. Haven't bought one yet.
Are people modifying the cases to handle heat disipation ?

Is teh "T9 Pro" functionally better ?

Thanks,

jim

 

[tomkatt]

HI :

Concerned that seems to be no vents in the case ? Doesn't that make them overheat and reduce the lifecycle of parts ? Looking for teardown info. Haven't bought one yet.
Are people modifying the cases to handle heat disipation ?

Is teh "T9 Pro" functionally better ?

Thanks,

jim

I wouldn't stress about it, these chips should be able to handle some heat no problem, and there are some vents on the sides of the case. You can see them in the video above, here's a screenshot from it:

https://imgur.com/j4XHKsV

The entire chassis is metal, so I assume the unit itself is acting as one big heatsink. It gets hot to the touch, but never so hot I couldn't pick it up and hold it. Event the tubes are fine to touch when fully warmed up. I've been using mine for nearly a month now and no complaints, it's working great and sounds great.

I'm not aware of a T9 Pro model, so not sure what you mean there.

 

[t9heat]

Didn't see the vents. Thanks, jim

 

[Jeromeof]

I also see the T9 Pro on Aiyima's website (doesn't seem to be available via Amazon yet) - looks like a solid upgrade.

According to the spec it has a much better DAC. here is a comparison they added:

 

[Jeromeof]

I actually bought Aiyima's other new Tube Amp - the T5 - as in my opinion Tube Amp's are really more for nostalgia and I have an old Dual turntable that I wanted to setup it up simply with a phono input, a nice VU meter and some decent power and I believe the T5 would be perfect for that purpose:

 

[Zenhifi]

I actually bought Aiyima's other new Tube Amp - the T5 - as in my opinion Tube Amp's are really more for nostalgia and I have an old Dual turntable that I wanted to setup it up simply with a phono input, a nice VU meter and some decent power and I believe the T5 would be perfect for that purpose:

Any updates on how it is working? I am new to forum and HiFi setups. I am looking to pair the T5 with a Fluance rt85n turntable and ELAC B5.2 speakers. Hoping the T5 and the Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge on the Fluance will soften the sound for the ELAC’s.

 

[Jeromeof]

Any updates on how it is working? I am new to forum and HiFi setups. I am looking to pair the T5 with a Fluance rt85n turntable and ELAC B5.2 speakers. Hoping the T5 and the Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge on the Fluance will soften the sound for the ELAC’s.

Hi it’s working very well - connected my old Dual turntable and it sounds good ( though I did have to play around with the tone controls a little to get it to sound “right” ) - VU meter works great and Bluetooth was strong!

No obvious noise or clicks! But if I am very close to my speakers I can hear a very faint hiss until the t5 turns off the tubes ( maybe after 5 seconds )

I didn’t try the RCA inputs or the microphone yet but overall I think it’s a nice simple amp to bring new life to an old turntable!

 

[michealprater]

I find it interesting that so many people complain about sound quality in regards to bluetooth. Bluetooth technology simply isnt far enough along to produce high quality audio. Lossless will not even pass via bluetooth. Range should be the only comment in regards to bluetooth. Just my 2 cents.

BTW, I have a T9 on order now for my little budget desktop setup. I will be pairing it with my Klipsch R-14Ms. Just over $200 and it should keep me more than happy when working from home.

 

[tomkatt]

Anybody actually have the T9 Pro and the T9 (or Douk ST-01) to compare? Is there any real difference in sound quality with them, given the changes at the OP Amp? I imagine with the same chipset they sound similar, but would be curious to hear about anecdotal experience.

 

[gnat_leader]

Anybody actually have the T9 Pro and the T9 (or Douk ST-01) to compare? Is there any real difference in sound quality with them, given the changes at the OP Amp? I imagine with the same chipset they sound similar, but would be curious to hear about anecdotal experience.

They don't have the same chipsets. All chips are different even the amplifier chips and the tubes. The sound has to be quite different - most likely much better.
https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...a-a08-pro-amplifier-review.38720/post-1371686

 

[Jacob8275]

I don't mind it being slightly underpowered as my listening distance is only about 7 feet from my speakers
Would you say that the sound quality is on par, worse or better than the A07?
The thing that is holding me back from the A07 is the lack of tone controls and then the hassle of trying to find a decent power supply.
I have also seen the AIYIMA A08 Pro TPA3255 but can't find many reviews on that device as it's quite new.
Really trying to weigh up my options. Maybe it would be better for me to just avoid any AIYIMA products and spend more money on something like a n SMSL DA9..

You can try the Fosi Audio tb10d tpa3255 with tone controls, I have one works great.

 

[gnat_leader]

I don't mind it being slightly underpowered as my listening distance is only about 7 feet from my speakers
Would you say that the sound quality is on par, worse or better than the A07?
The thing that is holding me back from the A07 is the lack of tone controls and then the hassle of trying to find a decent power supply.
I have also seen the AIYIMA A08 Pro TPA3255 but can't find many reviews on that device as it's quite new.
Really trying to weigh up my options. Maybe it would be better for me to just avoid any AIYIMA products and spend more money on something like a n SMSL DA9..

The T9 Pro has tone controls using the remote control.