10 ай бұрын
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@TheFrugalAudiophile Күн бұрын
I would be interested in this unit if they would have put airplay to support in it. AirPlay one does not allow for multi point end device streaming and I like to be able to stream to multiple devices throughout my house at the same time.
@NormcoreGreg Күн бұрын
It does support AirPlay. I don't know about multiple devices though. But maybe you can group them within the 4stream app.
@IrenESorius Күн бұрын
👍👍
@Mark-ji3hs 2 күн бұрын
Thank you for your review. I'm setting up my first streaming system, so still very much learning. I've just bought a pair of ZA3's and a Wiim Pro and am waiting on a Geshelli J2 dac. The J2 has no volume control. I assumed that I would be able to control volume from the Wiim. Is this not the case? I was also planning to use the balanced outputs on the Geshelli to the balanced inputs on the ZA3's. Do you see this as unnecessary, given there are no balanced I/Os on this unit? Hoping that you can help. I'm obviously very new to this. Many thanks.
@ottosato 3 күн бұрын
Nothing is impossible for Chinese 😂
@adamant3844 5 күн бұрын
I just ordered one to test since this is my first journey into tubes. I figured for under a hundred bucks I have nothing to lose. I will post my impressions when it arrives. Thanks for posting this Greg and keep up the good work.
@NormcoreGreg 5 күн бұрын
Please share your impressions when you try it!
@adamant3844 5 күн бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg Will do.
@TheYaroslav77 7 күн бұрын
На самом деле лампы работают в очень плохом режиме. Рабочая точка 55в и 1мА это не их режим. Должно быть минимум 80-100в и 3-4мА. Благо вывести лампы в нормальный режим в этом предусилитель довольно просто с минимумом вмешательства.
@istvanantal6848 5 күн бұрын
Привет! не могли бы вы дать мне конкретный совет по этому поводу? теперь хочу поменять в нем трубку и по возможности сделать еще лучше. на самом деле мне хватило бы половины усиления или даже меньше. выходной сигнал слишком велик
@TheYaroslav77 5 күн бұрын
@@istvanantal6848 трубки на самом деле не плохие и менять их нет необходимости (да и большинство ламп серии 6нХп и аналоги отличаются по распиновка, а это уже глубокая модернизация). Дело в том, что надо поднимать напряжение и ток. Поднять напряжение можно установи в внутрь миниатюрную плату дс-дс преобразователя и заменив конденсатор на плате ламп (там стоит электролит до 160в), поднять ток можно подпаяв 4 резистора навесные монтажом параллельно родным катодным (но сначала поднять напряжение иначе на сетках будет положительное напряжение). Разделительные выходные конденсаторы (синие кубики около цоколей лламп) стоят до 100в - то есть можно не меняя их задирать напряжение до 85-90в на каждую лампу (они стоят последовательно и полное напряжение делится почти ровно пополам). Если интересно дайте как связаться дам больше информации.
@TheYaroslav77 5 күн бұрын
@@istvanantal6848 менять лампы нет необходимости, они тут и так неплохие. Можно, конечно, но совсем мало есть ламп с той же распиновкой. Есть 5670 от ge американские и всё по факту, у остальных другая распиновка. А вот что стоит делать, это перекусить ножку анодного питания между основной платой и платой ламп и поставить миниатюрный модуль дс-дс преобразователь. Так же требуется поменять на плате ламп электролит на большее напряжение, выходные конденсаторы можно оставить родные если не поднимать напряжение выше 80-90в на лампу (170-185 полное, лампы включены последовательно по питанию). Так же подпаять 4 рез стора в параллели к катодным для повышения тока через лампы, но только при большем анодном напряжении (иначе на сетках будет появляться положительное напряжение). В личку могу дать подробные инструкции со схемами и графиками. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fKdxqLN02Lm7ZWg.htmlsi=tkR-2Vcmy680i3Fp
@istvanantal6848 5 күн бұрын
@@TheYaroslav77 спасибо за помощь! К сожалению, я не умею работать по чертежу. Паять и измерить не проблема. если бы вы могли написать список запчастей и указать, что заменить, это было бы легко. Как мне написать личное сообщение?
@TheYaroslav77 5 күн бұрын
@@istvanantal6848 в ютубе личных нет. Есть телеграм или другой вариант?
@goodsound4756 10 күн бұрын
The ultimate DAC for Audiophile Geeks? Are you kidding? This is entry-level stuff, real ultimate gear would be like $100K from MSB, Lampizator, Esoteric, Meitner, Playback designs etc. Please refrain from clickbaity titles.
@NormcoreGreg 10 күн бұрын
@@goodsound4756 , not all audiophiles, i.e. people passionate about music, are able or interested in spending thousands of dollars on audio gear. Some, myself included, find pleasure in experimenting with much more affordable equipment. Some would even argue hi-end gear is just a marketing gimmick to profit on snobbery of those that can pay such a price tag. So, let’s just agree on having different opinions and leave it at that ;)
@goodsound4756 10 күн бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg just write "a great DAC for audiophiles on a budget?" This would be a fair title. clickbait is not sustainable. You simply cannot find *Ultimate* gear for just 150 Euros.
@hardystein114 10 күн бұрын
Consider changing the OpAmps . Huge improvement.
@NormcoreGreg 10 күн бұрын
One day, sir. One day...
@thelowprofile9767 10 күн бұрын
You are funny and you don't even know it probably. More videos please. Thanks.
@NormcoreGreg 10 күн бұрын
Thank you for your kind comment @thelowprofile9767 :)
@thelowprofile9767 10 күн бұрын
Hi, among those that you have reviewed, which do you think is the best amp under $300?
@NormcoreGreg 9 күн бұрын
To be totally frank, I can't say which one's BEST. The one in this video is a good all-rounder for classic amps enthusiasts with vintage vibe. But I'm just listening to a pair of Fosi Audio V3 Monos connected to the PJ Miaolai tube preamp I recently reviewed and the sound quality and 3-dimensionality surprises me a lot. But it's a more complex setup based on two class D monoblocs and a separate tube amp. And you need a separate DAC for this setup as well. So, the question is what you're looking for - an easy to operate integrated amp for casual listening, or you're after a specific sonic signature and you're planning to experiment with your setup in the future.
@enricolisk1357 10 күн бұрын
@NormcoreGreg do u have an ali express liknk for this? Great overall review, will it be possible to do a follow up in-deptj video or comment on just the RCA to Speaker path please? Much appreciated.
@NormcoreGreg 10 күн бұрын
Hi Enrico. Here's the Aliexpress link - www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806616035569.html. I'm not sure I understood your request. RCA cables are used to connect amplifier to different sound signal sources, such as DAC, CD or turntable. You connect speakers to the amp with speaker cables.
@dungysphincter7974 11 күн бұрын
👍
@Desmodronicus 11 күн бұрын
Brilliant channel , thank you for the real life explanation of all …
@NormcoreGreg 11 күн бұрын
Thakns so much for your kind words. Happy to hear someone finds it interesting :)
@middleearthltd 11 күн бұрын
Nice review of a value component Crazy that this component can be produced for $220
@NormcoreGreg 11 күн бұрын
Isn't it?
@gerym341 11 күн бұрын
Great review. Thank you for sharing.
@NormcoreGreg 11 күн бұрын
Thanks for your kind words :)
@dungysphincter7974 11 күн бұрын
Thanks for sharing your video. From what I can see. The Q11 has two LME49720 Op amps that are swappable. This means that you can change the sound character of this device as well. The Q11 is compatible with a pair of the Sparkos Dual Discrete SS3602 Op Amps, or possibly if enough clearance space is provided from the top of the casing you may even fit the Berson V7V Dual Discrete Op amps. That would make this unit even that much more unique!
@NormcoreGreg 11 күн бұрын
@dungysphincter7974, thanks for your insightful comment!
@TheBodhisattvaWisdom 14 күн бұрын
just relax, and stick to vinyl..
@NormcoreGreg 14 күн бұрын
I do like vinyl, but not everything’s available. And it’s much more expensive and less portable ;)
@TheBodhisattvaWisdom 14 күн бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg I agree 100% But vinyl relaxes me a lot more than digital- I don't know what it is- something about the sound..
@NormcoreGreg 13 күн бұрын
@@TheBodhisattvaWisdom , I think it might have to do with the fact that you need to make the process of listening to vinyl more purposefyl and are physically interacting with the medium and the device. And you can’t just skip tracks but listen to the entire album.
@sloboat55 14 күн бұрын
I wish you great success on KZfaq but, more importantly, in life. I've had my Tradutto in my rig for over two years, it's on fire.
@deviklovecraft3835 15 күн бұрын
I'm looking hard at this DAC, in addition to offerings by SMSL and Topping, and I really like the 2 chip option. However, it is ridiculous that the device won't let you switch between modes on the DAC itself. That may be a deal breaker for me because that remote won't last
@burton7023 15 күн бұрын
If you lose sleep over audio you need a life and Taylor swift is a idiot
@newardthelman6871 15 күн бұрын
BTW - I ordered the PJMIOLAI SA-1000 from Ali Express. It arrived rapidly. It also arrived without a USA power plug. So, I can't plug it in and use it. All I can do is look at it. Attempting to contact the seller just sends you into an endless loop thru a sequence of pages, which never lead you to a way of actually contacting the seller. So, unless you get an adaptor for the weird Euro - or whatever bizarre plug it comes with - the item will be useless. Buyer beware.
@NormcoreGreg 15 күн бұрын
Sorry to hear that :/
@goodsound4756 10 күн бұрын
Just buy a US adapter for three dollars in any hardware store, not a big deal.
@Jeep_on_audio 15 күн бұрын
This could be the best starter phono stage. I have many different phono amplifiers, with opamps, tubes or transistors, and in different priceclasses. I now use a a Gold Note PH10+PS10 + 4 silver transformers for MC. And a small Douk T4 pro (with the small buffer tubes) for the third arm on my TT. I was surprised how well the Douk sounds. Only the cheap NE5532 opamps can't be changed. Here you can. And that will be a definite easy upgrade. Also the dipswitches and variable gain are very smart choices! Fyi: i have many expensive MC and cheap MM for different uses. And a real mono MC cartridge. I also have a pair of Fosi ZA3's and upgrading the opamps made a big upgrade. I use the XLR tobconnect yo my pre-amp, I can use the RCA to connect an extra phono preamp like this. The volume knob is very helpful, so i dont have to touch the two on the Fosi amps and get them exactly equal. You should try seapping with OracleII 02 opamps, €7 a piece and a lot better than the standard NE5532.
@NormcoreGreg 15 күн бұрын
That's an impressive setup :) I haven't heard of the Oracell opamps - must google them. But I also got Fosi V3 Monos. I wonder how they will compare to the ZA3s.
@VirusForPrez 16 күн бұрын
ESS and AKM have replaced these dacs with newer updated versions . Like the ES9039Q2M .
@arksurvivalevolved9190 16 күн бұрын
Hi Greg, good reviews, 1 thing, i got the za3 on rca but i get a hard strong humming noise, when amp is off, when I power it the amp the humming disapears... :( any idea? Thanx
@NormcoreGreg 15 күн бұрын
@arksurvivalevolved9190, I suggest you contact Fosi customer service. I had humming noise in one of my ZA3s (this was when it was on), contacted them and the responded immediately offering to send the whole new board for free. Finally, they just sent me a whole new unit for replacement.
@arksurvivalevolved9190 15 күн бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg Ok I also contacted them, but they suggest not to plug in active speackers, and that is what I have, Mackie CR5-X Bluetooth I wonder how true. Let's see what they say. Thank you
@NormcoreGreg 15 күн бұрын
@@arksurvivalevolved9190 frankly speaking, I’ve never heard anyone connecting active speakers to a power amp. I’d assume this is the cause since the speakers have a built in amp by itself.
@mikaelsjogren6315 16 күн бұрын
Thanks for the video! As I understand it these spakers sounds best with a warm amp. You say holographic and detailed. There are no judgement about the midrange or the high frequencies. Can I asume that this is bright sounding speaker on the mids and highs? Best regards Mikael
@NormcoreGreg 10 күн бұрын
Hi Mikael. I wouldn't call them bright, but neutral. Midrange was very clear, as was the top. But they were never shrill sounding or sibilant. Depending on what sound signature you're looking for, different amps would work well for you. But I'd avoid overly bright ones. I liked them best with my Willsenton R8 tube amp, which is not very worm, unlike most tube amps. I go for large and holographic sound stage with natural sounding voices and instruments (whatever this means) and this combo gave me exactly that. Hope this helps.
@mikaelsjogren6315 10 күн бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg Many thanks! Yes that answer was very helpful. Keep up your good work =)
@thinkIndependent2024 17 күн бұрын
You had me @ Hello , WOW even changeable OPAMPS In getting one
@mannycazz8018 17 күн бұрын
New subscriber my friend. Keep up the great work and enjoy taylor swift 👍
@NormcoreGreg 17 күн бұрын
Thank you!
@davestevens4193 17 күн бұрын
Neither...R2R all the way! Ha. Good job.
@NormcoreGreg 17 күн бұрын
This path is still ahead of me :) Which R2R DAC do you have?
@davestevens4193 17 күн бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg Schiit Gungnir Multibit and Audio-GD R2R11 DAC/headphone amp combo.
@staceymangham 17 күн бұрын
Brilliant why no one has already done this is beyond me, price, difficulty, or demand personally i think we are going to see many many more manufacturers doing this. It just occurred to me that maybe Chip manufacturers don't want to be compared side by side so easily, the offshoot is it could push performance of chips higher and faster. Nice review 👍
@dentboxhero1717 5 күн бұрын
It's been done many times just not in the budget realm, even delta sigma and r2r combination has been done. Both working together and not by switching between.
@peterlundskow4061 17 күн бұрын
How is the supplied power supply? Could it be improved with a higher quality power supply?
@NormcoreGreg 17 күн бұрын
Good point. It is a simple 12V wall wart, so one would probably benefit from a better one.
@34332 17 күн бұрын
Congrats on the 3K subscribers. An interesting product, however, output voltage seems not equal for the DACs. Rated output level: AK4493:1.8V ESS9038Q2M:2V Which may or may not influence someone's preference, where in side by side comparisons the 'louder' one is often preferred.
@NormcoreGreg 17 күн бұрын
Yes. I forgot to tell this in the video. Thanks for the remark.
@staceymangham 17 күн бұрын
Simple really, increase volume slightly for the AKM Although you are quite right it will give the ESS an advantage if compared without equalising the volume
@victoriaalabastro5443 25 күн бұрын
9+
@stardust7248 28 күн бұрын
amazing thank you for the video ^w^
@GeTu.2024 29 күн бұрын
Welcome to Brasil!!! 🟨🟩
@alanrogs3990 Ай бұрын
I hate when they illuminate the tubes. Is there a way to deactivate it?
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
@@alanrogs3990 I feel you Alan ;) I also prefer the natural glow of tubes. It’s like women with silicone… lips. You could probably unsolder the LEDs, but I’m not good at such things so I haven’t tried it. There’s no switch though.
@keithnelson9233 Ай бұрын
This preamp is a total piece of crap! I just ordered one and by no way can it even compare to my Fosi audio box 2. First of all there isn't any ground for vintage turntables. Second you have to turn the volume knob all the way up and still doesn't give you a decent amount of power. My Fosi has a gain function that I can at least turn up the DB to 45+ if needed. If you need a preamp for a computer this will work. But for anything else just spend a little more and get something decent.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
I’m sorry you felt that way @@keithnelson9233. I have it hooked to two Fosi ZA3s and there’s plenty of power for me. Maybe your source produces very low voltage? As for the turntable, I use an additional phono stage that takes care of grounding.
@wahid-lg1kk Ай бұрын
Russian tubes. Good stuff. The input for headphone out, is straight to the opamps, or going through the tubes first?
@alanrogs3990 Ай бұрын
Why do you think Russian tubes are good stuff? Most are just so so.
@wahid-lg1kk Ай бұрын
@@alanrogs3990 My experience with Soviet tubes has been extremely good. Those are old Soviet tubes, might be new production, but Soviet tubes. Do you actually own this device? To you have any useful comment regarding my actual question? Or are you just talking out of your a**?
@alanrogs3990 Ай бұрын
@@wahid-lg1kk Yes, I have experience with tubes from all over the world. I have several hundred tubes in my listening room. I am not down totally on Soviet tubes. I have had experiences with 6c33c tubes, 12ax7 and several others. I just find them so so, but the old 6P3S-E seem to be okay. I don't need to own this device to ask you the question that I did. I also didn't need to answer your question. I simply asked you my question. You seem to be full or anger so I'll just stop here. Have a good day.
@wahid-lg1kk Ай бұрын
@@alanrogs3990 Most people online are extremely negative, and have a lot to say about things they know nothing about, and statistically speaking, someone asking so bluntly 'why do you think these are good, I think they are only so so' comes across as an entre to some negative interaction, where I am wrong because my opinion is different. This is a sickness in our culture. I apologise if you were not coming from that place. I have found Russian tubes to be far better then the Chinese and other stuff I can get here in Indonesia. I really like them, and feel they last a long time and sound great when burned in, they are reliable, and when warmed up properly, very delicate, much nuance, which I don't get from Chinese stuff. Some American milspec stuff is better, but hard to get, and very pricey here.
@johnpeterson99 Ай бұрын
Can the tubes be replaced or changed without having to solder anything?
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Yes, they can.
@johnpeterson99 Ай бұрын
You would be able to tell if the audio signal is being amplified or attenuated by the tubes if you were to tap on the chassis while music is playing (preferably through headphones) and see if you can hear a ringing or a change in the audio corresponding to the taps. I would love to know if you've tried this?
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
I’m on vacarion right now but will do the tap test when I’m back and report the result :)
@MarekM-my4jz Ай бұрын
Great movie! And interesting device content, I didn't expect the device to look so good.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Thanks for your kind comment Marek ;)
@johnbravo7542 Ай бұрын
You are kidding yourself if you think those tubes are doing anything but being lit,they are there for decoration only.
@ThatLoudF-150 Ай бұрын
I was looking for this comment lol
@wahid-lg1kk Ай бұрын
You are kidding yourself if you think your brain is doing anything but sitting there being wet.
@johnbravo7542 Ай бұрын
@@wahid-lg1kk You are kidding yourself if you think you have a brain.
@xaviermontalban717 22 күн бұрын
They work. These tubes are legit and can be swapped out for different ones. It's a simple preamp, not a high powered amplifier
@LeonBorchjes Күн бұрын
Hi, just want to confirm if you actually can hear a tube flavor to the sound ( I bought a tube pre amp from Aiyima, but can't hear any tube sound from it - not sure if the sound actually pass Tru them)
@deuswulf6193 Ай бұрын
Tempted to pick one up, but I'm mostly someone who spends all day on a computer. I have a Sennheiser GSX 1000 DAC/AMP, but its not powerful enough to drive my current set of cans. SO i need something that adds a bit of juice to the chain. I'm guessing tubes over a static State pre-amp is a bad idea?
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
In my opinion the headphone amp in the preamp I reviewed is just a convenience addition. I will be reviewing two dedicated headphone amps from Fosi soon, one of which includes a tube section, so you might want to stick around ;-)
@deuswulf6193 Ай бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg Sounds good. I look forward to it.
@wrongIQ Ай бұрын
I've also bought the same preamp about a year ago and found out I don't like the way it sounds. Maybe if I change the default power supply and short the tone controls things may improve
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
What exactly don't you like? Maybe some of those vices can be remedied by different tubes?
@wrongIQ Ай бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg it's hard to explain, the sound became unpleasant. I assume it sounded like the distortion on some frequencies (possibly upper midrange). I haven't experimented whith the preamp a lot, maybe someday I'll get back to it
@dungysphincter7974 Ай бұрын
Very good video on this product. Here are some replacement tubes if you want to tube roll (GE 5670W, 6N3/6H3N/396A /2C51/5670. For best life, and lowest noise, I recommend the Soviet 6H3n-EB tube over the 6H3n-E tubes. I am not certain but, I bet these are low gain tubes as well which is better than to have too much gain. I think they offer a more smooth sound than up in your face, or so much gain you get additional noise.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Thanks for the tip! I will play with some other tubes for sure :)
@Crazygirlziou5 Ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing! I am moving from an Ignite to an Ignite 3 and excitedly awaiting its arrival.
@enricolisk1357 Ай бұрын
@NormcoreGreg thanks for the suggestion, i ordered it yesterday. Lets see how it goes.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Hope you'll enjoy it!
@enricolisk1357 Ай бұрын
@NormcoreGreg It arrived in Beautiful Sri Lanka. Lights are a bit bright for my taste. Wiim Pro, SMSL SU-1, tubes, NAD C352, B&W 602S3. Pretty neat sound.
@enricolisk1357 Ай бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg is there a break-in time? Does the sound quality improve?
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
@enricolisk1357, I hope you’ll enjoy it. Agreed about the lights. Btw. I’ve never been to Sri Lanka but must visit it one day as I heard it is beautiful.
@enricolisk1357 Ай бұрын
@NormcoreGreg Do let me know. I do curated trip planning as a hobby for my friends. Can help u with reliable & courteous inland travel & hotel options. recommendations.
@ivanlukic2360 Ай бұрын
Greetings from Serbia. Very useful video.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Hello and thank you!
@enricolisk1357 Ай бұрын
Can we change the OpAmps?
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
It doesn’t look like those opamps are swappable. At least not easily. But you can roll tubes - that’s what they’re for besides the look ;)
@enricolisk1357 Ай бұрын
@NormcoreGreg i guess at this price point, rolling opamps is too much of an ask.
@enricolisk1357 Ай бұрын
@NormcoreGreg Yes, will check on tube rolling. Appreciate if you can provide some alternatives for the tubes in an upcoming video.
@wrongIQ Ай бұрын
Why not? If opamps are soldered to the pcb, then desolder and solder proper sockets to make further exchange easier. I've done such thing several times.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
@@enricolisk1357, @dungysphincter7974 mentioned several choices in his comment to this video: "Here are some replacement tubes if you want to tube roll (GE 5670W, 6N3/6H3N/396A /2C51/5670. For best life, and lowest noise, I recommend the Soviet 6H3n-EB tube over the 6H3n-E tubes."