Tube amplifier FX-Audio TUBE-01
- size: 100 x 98 x 32 mm
- weight: 350 g
- channels: 2
- Resistance: 600R
- model: TUBE-01
- Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (-0.2DB)
- signal/noise: 100 DB
- output: 3000 MV
- input sensitivity: 300 - 2000 mV
- THD: 1000 mV 0.1%
- Gain: 1.5 times
- power supply: DC 12V 1A
- price: 27 dollars
Mini fan
Price: from $5.19
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According to the manufacturer of this fan, it should be worn around the neck to make it easier to endure the summer heat. The device is powered by a built-in 2000 mAh battery. There are 3 operating speeds available, the first charge will last for ~8 hours, and the third – only 2.5 hours. There are 3 body colors to choose from. The device operates quietly, but at the same time it blows quite well. To charge the device you will need a USB Type-C cable.
Tube amplifier Nobsound MS-10D
- model: MS-10D MKII Bluetooth amplifier
- type: 2.0 Stereo
- Output Power: 25W + 25W 8Ohm / 45W + 45W 4ohm
- power consumption: 100 W
- input impedance: 47 kOhm
- Input sensitivity: 300mV
- signal/noise: 90db
- Frequency range: 28 Hz - 20 kHz
- output impedance: 4 - 8 ohms
- radio tubes: 6N1 x 2 / 6P1 x 2
- Audio input: 2 RCA audio input and Bluetooth/USB
- output: audio tulips 4 pcs.
- weight: 5 kg
- size: 31.2 x 27 x 15 cm (L x W x H)
- input voltage: 220V-230V 60Hz
- support bluetooth music playback: iPhone, apple, smartphones, tablets and other devices
- USB music format support: WMA/WMV/MP3/APE/FLAC
- price: 90 dollars
I want it cheap and cheerful. What are the options?
So, the type of update is certain. But what to buy is always a big question. Modern digital amplifiers offer a lot of cheap but high-quality options.
Analog systems today are considered the preserve of audiophiles. With all the ensuing problems: “golden” wires, unique power circuits (created without knowledge of electrical engineering), huge sizes and terrifying price tags.
There are few options left: make it yourself or buy the same huge amplifier from the distant past. However, the last option can turn out to be very interesting if you deal not only with sound, but also with decorating the room. In conditions of limited working space, a 20-kilogram unit will be superfluous. And such solutions do not look at all next to modern computer technology.
The path of the self-made samurai is long and difficult. One day we will touch on this topic. And today we’ll talk about what will happen if you order a simple analog circuit in the form of a ready-made amplifier from China. In fact, it will turn out much better than assembling it yourself - at least in the average case. Cheaper and more reliable.
Aiqin HIFI EXQUIS EL34 tube amplifier
- rectifier: 5Z3P
- preamp: 6N9P
- power tubes: PSVANE HIFI series EL34-B
- Rated output power: ultra-linear 10Wx2, triode 8Wx2, standard connection 12Wx2.
- frequency range: 20 Hz - 25 kHz
- total power consumption: 115 W
- power transformer: 160 W, (96×50)
- output transformer: 15W x 2, imported Japanese Z11 0.35mm (66 x 45)
- total harmonic distortion: 1% (1 kHz)
- input sensitivity: 500 mV - 2000 mV
- input impedance: 100K
- output impedance: 4, 6, 8 ohms
- SNR: 88dB
- dimensions (W x H x D): 380 x 160 x 230 mm
- Net weight: about 9kg
- input voltage: 110 - 240 V 50/60 Hz
- price: 155 dollars
I chose Soviet lamps and Chinese assembly
The simplest tube amplifier is assembled using Soviet tubes of the 6zh “X” type, where X is a number from 1 to 12. Depending on the specific number, the sound of the finished device and some setting conditions that are not critical for the finished product change.
The advantage of this circuit is its incredible simplicity and the ability to abandon a bulky transformer - lamps of this type can be powered not by alternating current, but by direct current! This is where “cheap and cheerful” begins.
In addition, lamps of this type are still produced (the plant was restored by an American businessman). Yes, they were very common before: you can buy dozens of them at any market. In addition, they can be replaced with the equally common E180F or 6688. Chinese manufacturers produce many ready-made audio solutions for various purposes based on these lamps.
Tube amplifier 100W NPS MS-10D
- Stereo output power: 50 + 50 W
- Mono output power: 100W
- Input impedance: 47 kOhm
- Input sensitivity: 300 mV
- Signal/noise: >80dB
- Frequency range: 28Hz~20kHz
- Output Impedance: 4~16Ohm
- Radio tubes: 6N1 x 2 and 6J15 x 2
- Support Bluetooth headset music playback
- price: 85 dollars
Is it worth saving?
The advisability of buying a cheap tube amplifier seems questionable. But in fact, in the absence of the need for a bulky room stereo system, the difference between the tiny Chinese and the expensive Japanese is not always noticeable.
At least not for the difference in price. Single-ended tube amplifiers have many disadvantages, including low power and increased dependence on external noise sources. If you exclude them, you get an almost perfect sound, soft and calm. The same tube sound.
The simplicity of the circuit makes it easy to modify the LynePAudio A962. And this is perhaps the coolest opportunity. In Russia it is still easy to find lamps of the 6zh series, and even choose a pair yourself. Depending on the type of lamp used, the color of the sound changes. This is the original replacement for the equalizer.
You can buy LynePAudio A962 for only 3,100 rubles. An additional set of lamps on the market costs 100 rubles. If you are not yet familiar with table lamp technology, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted.
Amplifier based on 6j4 push 6P6P class A tubes
- Bulbs: 6j4 + 6p6p + 6z5p
- there are 4 inputs
- frequency range: 10 Hz - 100 kHz
- price: 85 dollars
Car table
Price: $7.79
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A simple and inexpensive device will be most useful for those who spend a lot of time in the driver's seat. The table is suitable for a snack and for conveniently using a small laptop or tablet. The size of the table is 420 x 280 mm; in most car models it fits in a pocket behind the seat back, which is the most convenient way to store it.
Sound amplifier Breeze audio A20
- output power: 10 W x 2 class A
- UMZCH lamps: 2 x EL34
- Output impedance: 4-8 ohms
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 25 kHz
- harmonic distortion: 1% (1 kHz)
- input sensitivity: 500-2000 mV
- input impedance: 100k
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 90DB
- price: 140 dollars
Power and background: 2 sides of a cheap “lamp”
All these are just flowers. Berries - outputs of LynePAudio A962. A pair of headphone outputs, jack and mini-jack, are connected into one circuit. You can select both, but the resulting power will be divided according to the load (headphone impedance). And even so, this is enough for any desktop headphone options.
The tube stage can operate at full power without serious distortion. This is even more correct: at peak power, the lamps light up to a red glow, and the sound acquires that very pronounced color. It can be compared to a light, warm fuzz. Yes, the sound is not clear - but that’s exactly what we need, isn’t it?
LynePAudio A962 can rock any, even the most high-impedance headphones. Moreover, with a volume sufficient for any listener. The main thing is not to turn the volume potentiometer to maximum, so as not to burn your headphones or knock out your eardrums. Average portables with an impedance of 16-32 ohms will only require half the power at maximum.
The second output channel turns the LynePAudio A962 into a tube preamp. In this case, its only role is to color the sound. And without an additional amplifier, this option will be of little use.
In any case, the sound of this box is exactly what you expect. This is a good tube single-ended headphone amplifier. Not more. But no less. Clear, warm sound and a lot of pleasant impressions.
Only the supplied power supply can ruin it. The fact is that lamps of the 6zh series can be powered from a constant current source. And the Chinese did not fail to take advantage of this. The LynePAudio A962 comes with a regular 12V switching power supply, which causes hum.
The background does not depend on volume, warm-up or how the amplifier is turned on. Either stabilization of the power supply or replacement of the unit with a better one is required. And all problems disappear, leaving a perfect, warm sound.
Now connection for ULF test
In the graphs, white is the line output measurement and green is the preamp measurement. You can see the crosstalk between channels in the last graph. After listening to the preamplifier, we can say that it introduces some special sound. The sound seems “warmer”, this is more clearly audible in old works and classical music than in modern music. Distortion is also audible, but it is not as “harsh” as in semiconductor circuits and sometimes gives a retro effect.
Of course, it should be noted that radio tubes at low voltage do not have good parameters. After all, the 6J1 is nothing more than the EF95, or the Soviet 6X1P.
A step-up converter would be helpful here, and supply more than 100 V to the lamp for normal operation, or use a transformer with a higher supply voltage. Otherwise, we simply work with the nonlinear part of the characteristic and distortions appear. Or use another tube, for example ECC88. But they are usually less accessible and more expensive, unlike Chinese lamps.
- SIMPLE TRIODE PREAMPLIFIER
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- SIMPLE PHONO PREAMPLIFIER
Bluetooth speaker
Price: from $29.98
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A universal device for hiking enthusiasts. Combines the functions of a power bank, flashlight, reading lamp, compass, radio and wireless speaker. The solar battery on the top end significantly improves the autonomy of the device. On the side opposite the speaker there is a dynamo handle: by rotating it, you can charge the device’s battery, which has a capacity of 5000 mAh.
Smart tray
Price: US $514.99
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This smart gadget allows you to save quite a lot of time. The device can offer functions of self-cleaning, odor removal, tracking the pet’s weight and regularity of visiting the litter box - this information is available in the mobile application. For it to work, you will first have to connect this device to your home WiFi. Cats get used to this device almost instantly.
Sous vide
Price: from $45.00
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Sous vide is a kitchen appliance designed for cooking food in special vacuum bags or containers. To use it you don’t need to be a professional cook, quite the opposite. Simply set the recipe's recommended temperature and time on the sous vide display. There is no need to approach and interfere with the cooking process, since the water in a vacuum container cannot boil over or boil away. This saves a lot of time.
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Single tube stereo
A preliminary voltage amplification stage with a current mode inverter is built on the lamp. From it, the signal goes to the output stage, assembled on discrete bipolar transistors operating in class AB.
The lamp socket is ceramic, the housing design is simple, but the assembly is solid
Since there is only one lamp, the balance of stereo channels directly depends on the identity of the characteristics of its sections. Moreover, by “balance” in this case I mean not only the level, but also, to a certain extent, the character of the sound. On the supplied lamp, the stated difference in characteristics does not exceed two percent, and, looking ahead a little, I will say that I was not able to detect any discrepancies in their sound by ear.
The Canadian double triode 6BZ7 has a working life of approximately 5 thousand hours. A new one costs 1,490 rubles
Interestingly, both high-voltage and low-voltage circuits automatically support the power parameters of the active elements, which gives quite a lot of freedom for experimenting with different lamps. By the way, 6BZ7 itself is known for good linearity at a relatively low anode voltage. In compact designs, this quality is especially important, because even the 60 Volts declared in our case is actually not that much. However, in the description of Vali 2, Schiit engineers, not without reason, are being sarcastic that in some much more expensive and massive competitors’ devices, the anode circuits are on a much thinner ration.
TV set-top box
Price: $22.67
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One of the most budget TV boxes with 4K support on AliExpress. The operating system is a full-fledged Android 10. Of the minuses, WiFi support is only at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. However, in any case, the best solution would be to connect the TV box using an Internet cable. The device size is 88.4 x 88.4 x 18.6 mm. There are 2 slots for connecting USB flash drives or external HDDs, as well as a slot for memory cards.
