I have recently been trying out tube amps I see what the fuss is about. First was the Monoprice Pure Stereo - on sale at target.com, of all places. probably the best looking amp I've ever seen for <$400, but typical Monoprice quality issues. When using BT, right channel didn't work unless volume knob was at 101%. 101% = turn volume to 100%, then twist one more time until R channel starts working.
Next up is Nobsound 6P1 6.8W stereo amp. Not a good fit for my use case, driving 5x pairs of old Paradigm Titans via Niles channel selector, but the Monoprice's 10W did the job so I thought how much difference can -3.2W make? (A: way more than I expected).
Also very pretty, though. I can see how tube ethusiasts are inspired to write 6moons essays once you're at the end of your day sitting in a darkened room watching those tubes dance, but personally I'm going to need some AP data (for lack of a better term) to believe in things like tube rolling, etc.
Weird thing with the Nobsound - I have a watt meter connected to the outlet and, using my TempoTec HD/Hidisz S8, the 6P1 draws ~95W with volume from about 15-85%. After that, the power draw drops to about 80W. This does not happen with no load, only when playing music. Sound quality drops quite a bit suggesting I'm overpowering the amp, but why would it sort of give up?
Is this normal behavior for a tube amp? The Monoprice didn't do that, but I have nothing else to compare. Any ideas why this is happening? I realize the Niles complicates things, but this happens with only 1 set of speakers active so the Niles should just be acting as a passthrough in that situation
Next up is Nobsound 6P1 6.8W stereo amp. Not a good fit for my use case, driving 5x pairs of old Paradigm Titans via Niles channel selector, but the Monoprice's 10W did the job so I thought how much difference can -3.2W make? (A: way more than I expected).
Also very pretty, though. I can see how tube ethusiasts are inspired to write 6moons essays once you're at the end of your day sitting in a darkened room watching those tubes dance, but personally I'm going to need some AP data (for lack of a better term) to believe in things like tube rolling, etc.
Weird thing with the Nobsound - I have a watt meter connected to the outlet and, using my TempoTec HD/Hidisz S8, the 6P1 draws ~95W with volume from about 15-85%. After that, the power draw drops to about 80W. This does not happen with no load, only when playing music. Sound quality drops quite a bit suggesting I'm overpowering the amp, but why would it sort of give up?
Is this normal behavior for a tube amp? The Monoprice didn't do that, but I have nothing else to compare. Any ideas why this is happening? I realize the Niles complicates things, but this happens with only 1 set of speakers active so the Niles should just be acting as a passthrough in that situation
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