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

[TrippRyder]

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........

So what your saying is that you have no real information or knowledge of THIS preamp, and yet you still felt the need to spread misinformation and confuse the topic? Good job!

 

[TrippRyder]

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

Пентод 2Ж27Л

View attachment 257670

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

Yes, based on what ive been able to drum up, the Russian tube you listed is the equivalent.

So without seeing the circuit you just assume that it is a "distortion\effects box"?

 

[mhardy6647]

Yes, based on what ive been able to drum up, the Russian tube you listed is the equivalent.

So without seeing the circuit you just assume that it is a "distortion\effects box"?

Probably running plate starved and far from its optimum operating points. It's an HF pentode, so not really meant for audio use at all... it's a pretty safe bet.
EDIT: That Russian tube is designed for relatively low plate voltage, it appears (120 V) and low filament current (2.3 V at 0.057 A if I am interpreting correctly), but someone will have to get one and measure the actual operating points.
How do we think they're getting 5 VDC to 105VDC with basically nothing on that PCB?

 

[A Crabb]

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 (?!?)

View attachment 257670

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

Yes. I have some of the Soviet made 2J27L (2Ж27Л) loctals on order from Ebay. Anecdotally, they are supposed to sound better then the Chinese copies. Though, I am happy with the Chinese ones. You have to cut off the metal loctal casing they come in with a pipe cutter to get them to fit into the E6. Presumably, Nobsound/Douk ditched the casings so that noobs like me would recognize them as tubes and buy a unit.

 

[TrippRyder]

Probably running plate starved and far from its optimum operating points. It's an HF pentode, so not really meant for audio use at all... it's a pretty safe bet.
EDIT: That Russian tube is designed for relatively low plate voltage, it appears (120 V) and low filament current (2.3 V at 0.057 A if I am interpreting correctly), but someone will have to get one and measure the actual operating points.
How do we think they're getting 5 VDC to 105VDC with basically nothing on that PCB?

Guessing there has to be more parts on the underside of the board, as there arent even any resistors on the top of the board.

 

[A Crabb]

Probably running plate starved and far from its optimum operating points. It's an HF pentode, so not really meant for audio use at all... it's a pretty safe bet.
EDIT: That Russian tube is designed for relatively low plate voltage, it appears (120 V) and low filament current (2.3 V at 0.057 A if I am interpreting correctly), but someone will have to get one and measure the actual operating points.
How do we think they're getting 5 VDC to 105VDC with basically nothing on that PCB?

These photos were posted by a user on this forum. The text on the grey capacitors reads “MKP21 105J250”: Mkp21 105 250V 1uF 250V correction capacitor film capacitance P: 15.

 

[Cbdb2]

Caps.

And yes, LEDs below the tube.

So wheres the voltage booster and the resistors? Edit: I see some ones ask that. Any one have a pic of the underside, in the pick it looks like there might be stuff underneath.

 

[mhardy6647]

Guessing there has to be more parts on the underside of the board, as there arent even any resistors on the top of the board.

You may well be right.
Time to go sleuthing!
... or... someone has to buy one.
It ain't a-gonna be me, because I've already experienced a one of these little boxes*, albeit of a slightly different recipe.
This is the one that's been the subject of [EDIT] a 220-page page thread @ audiokarma

FX Audio 6j1 tube preamp - a $31 wonder

I've been spellbound by the tiny FX for several weeks now. If you follow the TPA3116 thread you know I'm not the only one who has fallen for this pint sized beauty. There's so much buzz in the other thread after pairing it with the class d Volt+D I thought it deserved a thread of it's own. The...

audiokarma.org

Miniature pentodes in this one, and - perhaps? - a more sophisticated design. Perhaps.

______________
* In full and complete disclosure, the one here was kindly shared with me by a hifi colleague from the Polk forums. I hesitate to speak too ill of the little box given the extreme (and unwarranted!) kindness of the source!

 

[fpitas]

You may well be right.
Time to go sleuthing!
... or... someone has to buy one.
It ain't a-gonna be me, because I've already experienced a one of these little boxes*, albeit of a slightly different recipe.
This is the one that's been the subject of a page thread @ audiokarma

View attachment 257752

Miniature pentodes in this one, and - perhaps? - a more sophisticated design. Perhaps.

______________
* In full and complete disclosure, the one here was kindly shared with me by a hifi colleague from the Polk forums. I hesitate to speak too ill of the little box given the extreme (and unwarranted!) kindness of the source!

And not so long ago, people turned their noses up at the (rather blatant) distortion of pentodes. Another product to slice and dice your audio...

 

[TrippRyder]

So the E6 had to use something like this to boost the voltage. If you look in between the tube sockets, you can see the top of a small coil's bobbin.

There have to be parts on the bottom of this board.

My E6 should be here Friday. I'll pop it apart and post pics.

Attached Files:​

 

[mhardy6647]

Sleuthing...

Nobsound E6 Preamp Uses Directly Heated Tubes

I recently noticed this new preamp that uses directly heated tubes. Many people prefer the sound of directly heated triode tubes, though they are typically used as output tubes in SE (single ended) amplifiers. The most commonly used DHT output tubes are the 2A3 and the 300B, both of which...

audiokarma.org

And not so long ago, people turned their noses up at the (rather blatant) distortion of pentodes. Another product to slice and dice your audio...

Supposedly, these tubes are wired to operate as triodes in this Nobsound thingy. Supposedly.

 

[TrippRyder]

And not so long ago, people turned their noses up at the (rather blatant) distortion of pentodes. Another product to slice and dice your audio...

I thought i read somewhere that the tubes in these are triode-tied?

 

[fpitas]

Sleuthing...

Nobsound E6 Preamp Uses Directly Heated Tubes

I recently noticed this new preamp that uses directly heated tubes. Many people prefer the sound of directly heated triode tubes, though they are typically used as output tubes in SE (single ended) amplifiers. The most commonly used DHT output tubes are the 2A3 and the 300B, both of which...

audiokarma.org

Well at least they triode-strapped them. Still silly.

 

[fpitas]

I thought i read somewhere that the tubes in these are triode-tied?

Yup, seems they are.

 

[mhardy6647]

Well at least they triode-strapped them. Still silly.

These little preamps* are in a race to the bottom to find the cheapest tubes possible. You can see the lengths they're going to now.
The AK thread I referenced has a post from someone who bought two pairs of the Russian tubes on eBAY from a seller in Ukraine for $3.69/pr
They require removal of an external shield with a pipe cutter and marking the (removed) keyway to ensure the denuded tube is inserted correctly into the socket. 'cause, you know, if you're gonna use tubes, you gotta roll tubes.

Let's not put too fine a point on this, boys and girls. These things are junk. Pretty much by definition.
If you feel like spending 30, 40, or 50 for very close to nothing... well, that's good for the economy, I suppose.

I think the best thing to do is take up a collection, drop ship one to @amirm for testing, and then pay him to send it to @MattHooper to listen to!
I am not being entirely facetious.
EDIT: I think it would be interesting and (no filamentary pun intended) illuminating to read those two fellows' comments on this product to get sort of a holistic assessment of one!
______________
* 15 years ago, very similar boxes were sold as "tube buffers" -- but buffers have apparently fallen out of fashion

 

[fpitas]

These little preamps* are in a race to the bottom to find the cheapest tubes possible. You can see the lengths they're going to now.
The AK thread I referenced has a post from someone who bought two pairs of the Russian tubes on eBAY from a seller in Ukraine for $3.69/pr
They require removal of an external shield with a pipe cutter and marking the (removed) keyway to ensure the denuded tube is inserted correctly into the socket. 'cause, you know, if you're gonna use tubes, you gotta roll tubes.

Let's not put too fine a point on this, boys and girls. These things are junk. Pretty much by definition.
If you feel like spending 30, 40, or 50 for very close to nothing... well, that's good for the economy, I suppose.

I think the best thing to do is take up a collection, drop ship one to @amirm for testing, and then pay him to send it to @MattHooper to listen to!
I am not being entirely facetious.
______________
* 15 years ago, very similar boxes were sold as "tube buffers" -- but buffers have apparently fallen out of fashion

It continues to amuse me that "audiophile" tube amps are progressing backwards with time. For 50 years the best and brightest strived for minimal distortion. Now, they're special effects boxes trying to capture the dulcet tones of an old 5-tube radio

 

[mhardy6647]

Hey, now, don't go knockin' the "All American Five"!
Talk about your "value engineering"!
I mean, heck, there's only a 50/50 chance when you plug one in that the chassis'll be hot!


(my dump find Motorola AA5 and some of its friends)

 

[fpitas]

Hey, now, don't go knockin' the "All American Five"!
Talk about your "value engineering"!
I mean, heck, there's only a 50/50 chance when you plug one in that the chassis'll be hot!


(my dump find Motorola AA5 and some of its friends)

I do admire them, but mainly because the engineers were good at being thrifty.

 

[TrippRyder]

I think its great to see everyone with such an open mind here......

As far as "audiophile" tube amps striving for low distortion for the past 50yrs and now regressing, maybe thats because the "audiophile" tube amps with low distortion sound so much like their SS counterparts that people are looking for something that doesnt use 500db of negative feedback, having a sterile, lifeless sound that measures great and steals the very soul from the music?

I know id rather listen to something that sounds good to me, regardless of its measurements, than something that measures "perfectly" but doesnt "do it" for me.

To each their own. Enjoy the music!

 

[fpitas]

I think its great to see everyone with such an open mind here......

As far as "audiophile" tube amps striving for low distortion for the past 50yrs and now regressing, maybe thats because the "audiophile" tube amps with low distortion sound so much like their SS counterparts that people are looking for something that doesnt use 500db of negative feedback, having a sterile, lifeless sound that measures great and steals the very soul from the music?

I know id rather listen to something that sounds good to me, regardless of its measurements, than something that measures "perfectly" but doesnt "do it" for me.

To each their own. Enjoy the music!

And, I'd rather hear the music than the equipment. So it goes...