What do you guys think of the newly released Nobsound E6?

[kazuviking]

Its a super small directly heated 2J27S tube preamp. It uses a 5v dc plug but according to nobsound the anode voltage is stepped up to 105V. If its true then this thing could be an actual tube pre.

 

[fpitas]

You can ask Amir to test it. But you may be upset at the results.

 

[antcollinet]

If the tube is in the audio path it will probably measure badly.

I don't understand the point of these things except to cater to audiophilliacs cognitive biases.

 

[fpitas]

If the tube is in the audio path it will probably measure badly.

I don't understand the point of these things except to cater to audiophilliacs cognitive biases.

Bingo! The magic box that adds tube sound.

 

[fpitas]

It may only add distortion (OK, it WILL add distortion) but at least it's cheap enough, $55: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255684429823

Those are bizarre tubes. I can't find a datasheet anywhere.

 

[antcollinet]

It may only add distortion (OK, it WILL add distortion) but at least it's cheap enough, $55: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255684429823

Those are bizarre tubes. I can't find a datasheet anywhere.

And RCA outputs on the front panel. They'd have to pay me $55 to take it.

 

[Chilli]

Its a super small directly heated 2J27S tube preamp. It uses a 5v dc plug but according to nobsound the anode voltage is stepped up to 105V. If its true then this thing could be an actual tube pre.

This is an old pentode tank tube which someone might be able to elaborate more about. They’ve taken the metal casing off. Its big brother has a good reputation among enthusiasts, and it’s Russian equivalent has a good reputation in audio applications.
I don’t like the way the rca inputs and outputs are on opposite sides, but maybe it was done on purpose, due to the small construction. Some of my amps are like this and I don’t like it much.
Its cheap enough. Have you given it a go? I might be interested to try it, but I already have an xduoo mt602.

 

[A Crabb]

The Nobsound E6 is my first experience with tubes. My headphone amp has three DACs hooked up to it. I have one of my better measuring ESS based DACs using the E6 as a preamp into the headphone amp. The E6 comes with Beijing versions of the 2Ж27Л tubes. I have some of the 2Ж27Л on order as well as the 2P29L tubes. I don’t have a way of measuring the E6; I am curious what the FFT would look like. My ears are telling me that the stock E6 has frequency roll-off from the lower mids on down through the bass. I am also definitely hearing harmonics that weren’t there before. But, I have to say that I like it. With some PEQ to increase the mids and bass, I am really enjoying the sound. Objectively, the Nobsound E6 is not adding any fidelity to the sound, but I am getting 12 to 15dB of gain and some crisp, airy, spacious distortion. I listen at a lower spl, but I find the sound can be a bit fatiguing if I crank it up for too long; I think I’m sensitive to the layers of higher harmonics. Overall, it’s nice to have this kind of sound as an option.

 

[Waxx]

I've seen many of those, and bought one out of curiosity, and it's just a chipamp with tubes underpowered as buffer so they distort like hell. Mine is a very similar model from 5-6 years ago, but after a initial test and opening the case i did not use it. I paid 45€ for mine. I'll try to find it back for some pictures of the inside.

I love tube sound, but it must be done right. I got this Nobosound preamp in the picture now (at that time it was 120€, now it's sold for 299€), but modified it extensivly to work right. The layout is right, but many components were very bad quality and the soldering was done sloppy (even I, not a specialist, can do better). But it's fully point to point so easy to mod, and for that price i can't get the box and the transformer alone down here. So only for that it was already a good deal at 120€. 299€ is to expensive for what it is. I put another 120€ on parts in it and got a fairly good tube preamp now. Off course it's not clean or good by ASR standards, then you need to go solid state as it has high harmonic distortion.

 

[A Crabb]

I've seen many of those, and bought one out of curiosity, and it's just a chipamp with tubes underpowered as buffer so they distort like hell.

I’m pretty sure there aren’t any chips on this little guy. It uses two directly heated “battery” tubes. The tubes were designed to draw very low amounts of current so they could be used in portable radios during WWII. The E6 manual says it needs 305mA at 5V to run (usb port or phone charger). The design of the E6 is very modest, but it gives me up to 15dB of gain. Regarding the sound, I like it a lot, but I am sure something like your setup is much better, especially for tube rolling. The E6 has been a fun experiment for me. There are only 2 to 3 options for this kind of tube. $10 for a set. But I look forward to hearing how much a difference they make. I’m curious if the mild low end roll-off will go away with the Soviet tubes.

 

[TrippRyder]

A Crabb,

I just ordered one of these Nobsound E6's yesterday. Have you noticed any issues with it being microphonic? Some Amazon reviews say it is extremely microphonic.

 

[A Crabb]

A Crabb,

I just ordered one of these Nobsound E6's yesterday. Have you noticed any issues with it being microphonic? Some Amazon reviews say it is extremely microphonic.

I haven’t experienced any microphonics even when trying to induce them by tapping on the tubes and the device. But I know that others have experienced microphonics with their units. My best guess is that there is a bit of a lottery with the performance of the old, cheap millitary tubes the E6 is using. Of course, there may be other variables at play too with individual use. I’m happy with the Chinese tubes mine came with, but I have heard that people prefer the Soviet made equivalents. I encourage you to read through this thead since you already purchased an E6.

 

[TrippRyder]

A Crabb,

Im wondering if the low frequency rolloff youre experiencing is from coupling capacitors that are too small.

Thanks for the Link, going to check it out now.

 

[A Crabb]

I don’t know. The rolloff isn’t really there for me anymore. I’m not sure if it’s me or the tubes that have changed.

 

[Cbdb2]

I’m pretty sure there aren’t any chips on this little guy. It uses two directly heated “battery” tubes. The tubes were designed to draw very low amounts of current so they could be used in portable radios during WWII. The E6 manual says it needs 305mA at 5V to run (usb port or phone charger). The design of the E6 is very modest, but it gives me up to 15dB of gain. Regarding the sound, I like it a lot, but I am sure something like your setup is much better, especially for tube rolling. The E6 has been a fun experiment for me. There are only 2 to 3 options for this kind of tube. $10 for a set. But I look forward to hearing how much a difference they make. I’m curious if the mild low end roll-off will go away with the Soviet tubes.

View attachment 252472

What are those grey things? Not much else in there. Whats the voltage rating on those caps? Are those surface mount LEDs in the middle of the tube socket?

 

[restorer-john]

What are those grey things? Not much else in there. Whats the voltage rating on those caps? Are those surface mount LEDs in the middle of the tube socket?

Caps.

And yes, LEDs below the tube.

 

[A Crabb]

What are those grey things? Not much else in there. Whats the voltage rating on those caps? Are those surface mount LEDs in the middle of the tube socket?

The tubes don’t emit any light on their own so they put in some dim orange LEDs underneath them. If nothing else, they help me know, at a glance, the unit is powered on.

 

[TrippRyder]

A Crabb,

Thanks for the Link. I just read through it. Ordered some matched Russian tubez.

 

[TrippRyder]

If the tube is in the audio path it will probably measure badly.

I don't understand the point of these things except to cater to audiophilliacs cognitive biases.

The point is that some people like how they sound.

 

[mhardy6647]

Those are bizarre tubes. I can't find a datasheet anywhere.

Well -- there's a Russian octal pentode that is (apparently) direct heated called 2J27L (2Ж27Л). Perhaps the same/similar/related?

Пентод 2Ж27Л

EDIT: No, it looks like this might be a freakin' Loktal (?!?)

But, yes, looks like another little distortion/effects box (assuming the tube is actually used as an active element in the circuitry).