Putting a Tube Preamp to the Test

Ever wonder if you would like a tube preamp? What about the tone controls or the volume control - Do those actually do anything? If so, what? Take a look with me at the Aiyima A-3 Tube Preamp. Where we not only look it over, but test it empirically, to show you what each function will do for you.

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[snuffpappy]

I have the SUCA version of this pre-amp. (same product, different name?) I'm floored by how much definition it releases from recordings. I'm hearing new details and dynamics from things I've listened to for decades. Its like having my entire collection "remastered". Don't over think it - just buy it. A perk of this product is the included power supply. Lots of electronic devices don't come with them and youre looking at $20 -$30 just for that. So its really a steal. Also, DON'T think of this just as a PC or desk top add on. It is part of my (fairly high end) main music system and the improvement is stunning.

[davidshearer]

Very good review! I have been contemplating buying one these for awhile. Building these mini-stereo systems seems like fun! Thanks for the motivation!

[makarov]

I currently have a tube buffer amp plugged into the effects loop in my amp. Mine uses 6N3 or 5670 tubes. The amp adds that warm sound I like. These things do work!

[jjdayton]

I have one of these (branded Senucn Audio). It’s great for adding tone controls and I do enjoy the warmer sound. The only negative is, if turned up more than half way it adds distortion. I just leave the volume at one third.

[BudgetAudioChrono]

Thank you! This is so helpful! I had no idea how much gain there was on the FX Audio Tube 03(exactly the same as this unit). Appreciate this video with the omni mic measurement.

[popculture]

I highly recommend this preamp. I find it improves separation and adds sparkle and punch to the sound. As with all cheap Chi-Fi products, I would recommend getting a better power supply for it. It's also worth experimenting with different tubes.

[TheLaughingOtter]

Great review! I just ordered one of these for a temporary fix for my vintage system. My Kenwood Ka5002 recently lost it's right channel and because it's intermittent it may take awhile to get back from my repair guy. So, I've run my turntable, reel to reel deck and other components through my KW Kf8011 Audio Denoiser and will use this little preamp as a link between the audio denoiser and my power amp. Should work great, looking forward to hearing it. Thanks again for the great video!

[adamziolkowski]

I put it in front of a 1972 Kenwood KR 6200. A great vintage receiver, but this makes it solid gold...

[davidcurry]

Great review! My sentiments are the same, I was skeptical and surprised by this unit. I bought one of these two years ago and at that time there weren't too many videos on Chi-Fi equipment. I was pretty impressed with this unit and had upgraded the tubes to GE tubes. I have this connected to a Nobsound 6P1 tube power amplifier and the sound is fine for me as this is a third backup/playground setup. I thought..."thought"...I was going to replace the T1 (same as the A3 but rebranded) with the Monoprice Pure Tube amp which has EL-84 tubes for $300. Unfortunately the Monoprice Pure Tube amp didn't work out for me because of an annoying hum. The hum persisted with only speakers plugged in, no components, no volume. So I returned it and have gone back to the T-1.

[incorporeal]

Well, that review answered a few pre-amp questions I had. I may now go and get myself one.

[zelenizub]

I am using fx audio version of this preamp with 5654w tubes, audiosource two amp and Elac unifi ub5. Grat sounding setup even at low volume. I wish audiosource would remake model two... Also with this setup I am using fx audio dac x6 and Bluetooth receiver muse 02 not only sounds good but looks like milion dollars...

[OliviD]

I use this as a preamp on my sound card when I use Guitar vst plugins such as Bias Fx. Very good way to achieve tube warmth with digital guitar plugins. I replaced the stock tubes with GE 5654.

[endall]

It would be interesting if you got some of the more popular European tubes and ran the same test, plus listening test comparison. Also, would be great if the made a raw board version of this with remote mountable knobs. I’d love to build this into a bluetooth speaker and display the tubes somehow. Thanks for the great video!

[AllboroLCD]

The "true" function/use of this unit is to be plugged into a receiver/console with "Pre-Out Pre-In" connections. Thank you for the review, at least I know now it is a "legit" product. They also sell these specific units non-assembled as kits. Im considering the kit version so I can use my own HQ capacitors & tubes. I would LOVE to see a re-review of the unit with all high grade components in it!

[buzzcrushtrendkill]

It's been found that some of these are actually using OP-amps, the tubes are not in the signal path. Take the tubes out and check if the unit is still working or open it up and look at the circuitry for op amps. The power of inference is strong in the audio world "tubes, so it must have a warm vintage sound".

[timschutte]

, I just got one of these last night off of Amazon. it's a Nobsound tube pre-amp, base-treebel-volume.
caint wait to get it. going on my screen porch for my Pandora, cell phone, system. Polk rti-6.5 inch

[AirohThird]

Would you recommend it to use with just a medium quality headphones hooked on a PC with no amp? I just got a Arcano SHP300 headphones and I'm in love with the thing but I wish I could get some more volume without expending too much. Thanks for sharing this information. Stay safe out there!

[indridcold]

I have the same unit and have done some tube rolling with the GE 5654W(matched pair with no date stamp by Riverstone), and old USSR 6J1P-EV, 6J3P-E, and 6J38P tubes NOS from ebay sellers in Ukraine. GE 5654W was good. 6J1P-EV were somewhat similar but a bit better with much better upper mids and highs. The 6J1P-EV(date 1983) took about 120 hours of operation to really sound their best as different tubes take different times to burn in and stabilize their sound signature. The 6J3P-E(date 1985) were very warm and lacking treble, but had very nice vocals. The 6J38P(date 1975) had a lot of detail in the mids and highs, but a grainy texture in those frequencies that I associate with more odd order harmonics. I found the 6J1P-EV(Voskhod factory) to be the best by far of the one's I tested. The China made tubes that came with my unit had tube sound, but were not tubes I would listen to every often and were the worst tubes I have tested with fairly poor quality midrange volume and detail.

[robertdavis]

Great review! Would I gain anything by connecting this to my Pioneer SX-10AE. My music source is my older MacBook Pro. My receiver does have a direct drive mode that bypasses the bass/treble functions. I thought it would be novel try a tubey kind of sound.

You should also do a small listening test. In my experience, those small tube amps degrades my HiFi. I loose details, and they sound simple compared :/
But they look cool with the tubes 😎