The xduoo mt-604 was a really pleasant surprise for its price tag. It even drove the HE6se V2 pretty decently. Don't overlook these little Hybrid Tube amps. They're a good entry point into tube amps without spending a fortune.
Just arrived today. Rigged it up using the Wiim Pro to Topping E50 w/ iFi Power supply to Ampapa A1 to Aiyima JYCO D325X Class D ti3255 chip amp. I swapped out the valves for a pair of Mullard EF95. The end result was a surprisingly pleasant improvement over the same set up prior to adding the Ampapa A1. Better bass, much better mids, vocals and smoother highs. A little less prevalent treble but still present and still rather sweet. Just a far less boring sound altogether and more dynamically entertaining. The Mullards imo are a big improvement over the Jan 5654 valves. I found the added punch in the bass was very welcome with the EF95, well controlled too. The soundstage was greatly improved to with far better instrument separation and more evenly displaced with better expansion once I added the Mullard Ampapa in to the chain. A big step up in vocal presence. The Aiyima amp was ok by itself but the addition of the Ampapa has really added the Nitros Oxide. The Muses 8920d inside the AIYIMA amp seemed to lap up the Ampapa A1 like a cat with cream. My Monitor Audio Bronze 200 pushed it all out with ease. I used QED Performance 40i interconnects and QED XT25 speaker cable with a Belden/Furutech power cord for the amp and stock cables for everything else. All in all and I wish to be honest here, this little rig impressed me more than the Denon PMA900HNE especially at low volumes. I also have the Iotavx SA3 in mind and I am now a little anxious to be fair on how the SA3 just might not actually stack up against this modular combo…in short I don’t think many people will regret adding this into an appropriate set up, I know I haven’t. Thanks to Passion For Sound for the review!
@@PassionforSound Hi, yeah thanks. Not as eloquently described as some brothers can manage but you get the general idea at least. I compared it all to the Iotavx SA3 tonight and for bass detail, punch with mids, vocal presence and treble air and sheer output power, the SA3 loses but nevertheless I will keep the SA3 for late night sessions or maybe not…nah, probably not, just cant get with that woolly bass on the SA3, my Class D rig slaughters it for punch, clarity and power, costs less too if you have to add the PA3 to get what I have got with the aforementioned mentioned rig.
I have the xDuoo MT604 with Russian made tubes driving my Dan Clark / Drop Aeon OpenX headphones at home - with a Geshelli J2 AKM, and a dual output 12V linear power supply for both units - and it sounds very, very good, in my opinion.
Great review. I bought myself one of these to connect with my SMSL SH-9 and SMSL SU-10. I hope it adds that little extra touch of sweetness in the sound 😁
I think the A1 uses the same tubes as the MT-602 and MT-604 from xDuoo so maybe do some searching on those for some suggestions. I know the Voskhod (spelling?) tubes are popular there.
This Ampapa A1 has a phono preamp in, as well? Is it a "pure" tube design - i.e. not just a tube buffer, with some solid state stages? The xDuoo MT601 with a Electro Harmonix 6922 tube is a very capable and good sounding unit. It is a tube buffer, and has a fairly capable Class A solid state output stage. It can drive the Drop HE4xx *much* better than the MT602 with GE tubes.
@@PassionforSound Yes, I believe all three of the xDuoo MT60x series are hybrid - tubes as the input/buffer stage and solid state "Class A" output stage. The MT-601 has a beefier output device, with an actual little heatsink on it. It is also the only one powered with 24V. And as I mentioned, it drives the Drop HE4xx in the bass *much* better than the MT-602. The latter just stops on some bass peaks.
I am looking at this for my turntable and then to an old Onkyo HTR330, would you recommend it? I stream a lot too and it is all in the same room, would you recommend a DAC to receive from my Sony Bravia then to the Amapapa and/or straight to the Onkyo. Thanks!
The A1 is a decent little device, but it's not the last word in fidelity so it depends on what you're after. I'd probably take the TV signal straight to your receiver because you won't be able to easily switch inputs if you go via the A1 so you'll have to manually switch it all the time from the turntable to the TV.
I'd keep the LED's off to avoid the RF noise. I bought the Schiit Vali 2 new and a used Loki and got what I needed. With a Gold Lion ECC88 input tube the Vali 2 has plenty of resolution.
Yes, I can confirm that the LEDs create no audible noise and they aren't switching like AC-driven LEDs or they would have flickered in my high speed (super slow-mo) footage
The xduoo mt-604 was a really pleasant surprise for its price tag. It even drove the HE6se V2 pretty decently. Don't overlook these little Hybrid Tube amps. They're a good entry point into tube amps without spending a fortune.
I sure love my 604.
Still enjoying your R26?
@@r00s. Oh Yeah. I see no need for ever getting another DAC
Yeah, the MT-604 is a great value amp for super fun and engaging sound
Just arrived today. Rigged it up using the Wiim Pro to Topping E50 w/ iFi Power supply to Ampapa A1 to Aiyima JYCO D325X Class D ti3255 chip amp. I swapped out the valves for a pair of Mullard EF95. The end result was a surprisingly pleasant improvement over the same set up prior to adding the Ampapa A1. Better bass, much better mids, vocals and smoother highs. A little less prevalent treble but still present and still rather sweet. Just a far less boring sound altogether and more dynamically entertaining. The Mullards imo are a big improvement over the Jan 5654 valves. I found the added punch in the bass was very welcome with the EF95, well controlled too. The soundstage was greatly improved to with far better instrument separation and more evenly displaced with better expansion once I added the Mullard Ampapa in to the chain. A big step up in vocal presence. The Aiyima amp was ok by itself but the addition of the Ampapa has really added the Nitros Oxide. The Muses 8920d inside the AIYIMA amp seemed to lap up the Ampapa A1 like a cat with cream. My Monitor Audio Bronze 200 pushed it all out with ease. I used QED Performance 40i interconnects and QED XT25 speaker cable with a Belden/Furutech power cord for the amp and stock cables for everything else. All in all and I wish to be honest here, this little rig impressed me more than the Denon PMA900HNE especially at low volumes. I also have the Iotavx SA3 in mind and I am now a little anxious to be fair on how the SA3 just might not actually stack up against this modular combo…in short I don’t think many people will regret adding this into an appropriate set up, I know I haven’t. Thanks to Passion For Sound for the review!
Thanks for sharing such a detailed write-up? I'm so glad you're enjoying the sound. 🙂
@@PassionforSound Hi, yeah thanks. Not as eloquently described as some brothers can manage but you get the general idea at least. I compared it all to the Iotavx SA3 tonight and for bass detail, punch with mids, vocal presence and treble air and sheer output power, the SA3 loses but nevertheless I will keep the SA3 for late night sessions or maybe not…nah, probably not, just cant get with that woolly bass on the SA3, my Class D rig slaughters it for punch, clarity and power, costs less too if you have to add the PA3 to get what I have got with the aforementioned mentioned rig.
Yes, it uses the tubes for all signals AFAIK
Greetings from Toronto ☕️
I run the Xduoo 604 exclusively on my Sen’s 650’s…a surprisingly good match up😊
I have the xDuoo MT604 with Russian made tubes driving my Dan Clark / Drop Aeon OpenX headphones at home - with a Geshelli J2 AKM, and a dual output 12V linear power supply for both units - and it sounds very, very good, in my opinion.
The MT-604 is a bit of a hidden gem. Glad you're both enjoying it.
Great review. I bought myself one of these to connect with my SMSL SH-9 and SMSL SU-10. I hope it adds that little extra touch of sweetness in the sound 😁
Glad you liked the review. Hope you love the A1 even more!
@@PassionforSoundWould you know of any tubes to get maximum soundstage out of the A1?
I think the A1 uses the same tubes as the MT-602 and MT-604 from xDuoo so maybe do some searching on those for some suggestions. I know the Voskhod (spelling?) tubes are popular there.
This Ampapa A1 has a phono preamp in, as well? Is it a "pure" tube design - i.e. not just a tube buffer, with some solid state stages? The xDuoo MT601 with a Electro Harmonix 6922 tube is a very capable and good sounding unit. It is a tube buffer, and has a fairly capable Class A solid state output stage. It can drive the Drop HE4xx *much* better than the MT602 with GE tubes.
I'm actually not sure of the exact design of the A1 internally. I believe it might be a hybrid design, but I also thought the MT-602 was as well.
@@PassionforSound Yes, I believe all three of the xDuoo MT60x series are hybrid - tubes as the input/buffer stage and solid state "Class A" output stage. The MT-601 has a beefier output device, with an actual little heatsink on it. It is also the only one powered with 24V. And as I mentioned, it drives the Drop HE4xx in the bass *much* better than the MT-602. The latter just stops on some bass peaks.
I am looking at this for my turntable and then to an old Onkyo HTR330, would you recommend it? I stream a lot too and it is all in the same room, would you recommend a DAC to receive from my Sony Bravia then to the Amapapa and/or straight to the Onkyo. Thanks!
The A1 is a decent little device, but it's not the last word in fidelity so it depends on what you're after. I'd probably take the TV signal straight to your receiver because you won't be able to easily switch inputs if you go via the A1 so you'll have to manually switch it all the time from the turntable to the TV.
I'd keep the LED's off to avoid the RF noise. I bought the Schiit Vali 2 new and a used Loki and got what I needed. With a Gold Lion ECC88 input tube the Vali 2 has plenty of resolution.
I think LED run on DC - so no RF involved.
@@NeilBlanchard You're probably right although I have some very noisy lighting.
@@1mctous Right - when LED light fixtures are running on AC, they have a driver board, that often is PWM, and can be quite noisy, for sure.
Yes, I can confirm that the LEDs create no audible noise and they aren't switching like AC-driven LEDs or they would have flickered in my high speed (super slow-mo) footage
Looks really nice and a bit of a bargain. Nice review thank you.
My pleasure. I think it's a nice option for the price
Every unit should be balanced!
Balanced really isn't that necessary and has its own drawbacks like higher noise floor, more components and therefore higher price, etc.
Nice review. I like your comment about the resolution of A1 is a bit less so it won’t fit my taste. Thanks
I'm glad I could help!
6:44.
... ok, now I know... I can't live anymore without a switch to change the color green orange in the tubes... what amazing b.s.
LOL. I don't know that it's BS. Superfluous? Sure, but it's no different to any other cosmetic design choice
You can turn it off too, wise guy. Why don't you design something better?
@@jimswenson6131 sorry.. I'm too busy in listening music