[Questor]

Heard this in raindropaudio and thought to share since it's a budget item. $380 for a tube power amp.. the only drawbacks are that it is 2.5w, but otherwise a very nice sounding budget tube. You can hear it in the showroom driving their 93dba Omega speakers, and it delivers where it counts imo.


6moons audio reviews: MiniWatt tube amplifier

I'm not sure what is the diff vs the other mini tube amp that has appeared on echoloft for $350.. but for $30 difference, i think i will go for a reputable buyer and from the original brand if i were to purchase.

[wwenze]

Miniaturisation ensues...

[johnjohntan]

seriously i hate sexm00n.It is spoiling the market. They review one unname tamp and it cost 200+ whereas a tamp chip is only like 30 bucks or so. damn overprice.

[DragonFire]

Lol looks like the 50lb beasts are on the way out, at least for the mainstream markets.

Mighty fine hooks. Gets people into the perpetual upgrade cycle of doom .

DF

[wwenze]

Originally Posted by DragonFire

Lol looks like the 50lb beasts are on the way out, at least for the mainstream markets.

Mighty fine hooks. Gets people into the perpetual upgrade cycle of doom .

DF

Not really... IMHO

These things are cheaply-priced, and low output capacity, and doubt they are of the same quality as the more expensive stuff. And certainly nothing compared to what you're having. Definitely a downgrade for current tube-amp owners. Maybe it would be a downgrade for those using starting-line semiconductor amps too.

Price is very tempting at 698RMB, but 一分钱一分货. Also 2.5Wpc is really pushing the limits, and the GS-Mini has 6Wpc.

Very good for bragging rights because it's a pure tube amp at the price of a (decent) T-amp. And at 2.5W it'll be in tube clipping distortion mode much of the time, which people may want.

Back to the 50lb beast part, tubes and transistors weigh little, much of the weight comes from transformers and capacitors and a big chassis to house all of them (with heatsinks). All this translates into power. If you want power sure have to be heavy.

[Questor]

saw the RMB price. very interesting! did anyone bring in? seems cheap just to buy for fun.

[wwenze]

Originally Posted by Questor

saw the RMB price. very interesting! did anyone bring in? seems cheap just to buy for fun.

The guy selling the APPJ amp at VR and echoloft lor... asking $350... like... wtf...

[johnjohntan]

700 rmb = SGD140+ only right?

[wwenze]

Price rose to 998RMB

[Questor]

I did some checking on the Miniwatt vs APPJ.. and the answer I got was that the Miniwatt S1 has higher grade capacitors and improved wiring. Now, I have no idea if its true or not, but just something to think about. Maybe someone who has the APPJ can bring it to raindrop to compare the SQ.

[wwenze]

It will take *only* $380 + $200 + shipping to find out.

Or one can choose not to find out and spend $580 on something else.

I did also read somewhere about this, that it's not uncommon for different companies to go to the same OEM, that produce slightly different versions of the same product at the customers' specifications.

And replacable tubes can add to this difference since China is a source of cheap (and bad) tubes.

[Questor]

well i can get the miniwatt on loan if anyone is interested, and if someone has the APPJ. no need to spend the full $580.

as usual, not surprised at chinese OEMs.