11 ай бұрын
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@bluerev Күн бұрын
I wonder how the za3 stacks up against the Aiyima a70. Have you tried that one?
@NormcoreGreg 19 сағат бұрын
Not yet. Maybe when Aiyima finds my channel and sends me more stuff to review, I'll be able to compare them all ;-)
@Jason787 5 күн бұрын
I just bought Fosi V3 for £104 for the pair on Amazon. Hopefully you will review them soon as I enjoy your way of doing reviews.
@NormcoreGreg 5 күн бұрын
wow! that's a bargain. the review is coming up soon. and thanks for your kind words!
@shaolin95 5 күн бұрын
Fosi is a more robust amp. I tested this comparing them pushing tactile transducers where fosi was able to push them higher while the aiyima went into protection at a lower level
@tonyhanson7341 6 күн бұрын
Just brought the douk audio .waiting for it to come .what about active speakers on them blessings
@tonyhanson7341 6 күн бұрын
Rick can I connect ACTIVE SPEAKERS 🔊 😍
@NormcoreGreg 5 күн бұрын
@tonyhanson7341 yes, you can connect active speakers to the preamp.
@degreesdegrees-jr4eg 7 күн бұрын
buy a good mic. Let us here the difference thanks. :)
@NormcoreGreg 6 күн бұрын
I do have a good mic and plan to record music samples. I just need to find some high quality royalty free music that will allow me to share the recordings without getting a copyright strike.
@tofffsymagic1099 8 күн бұрын
The sound of the Ayima is more airy and detailed to my ears, i found the Fosi midrange, i mean human voices are a little bit veiled and muddy to my ears but... You are right he stock Aiyima is too much sibilant, for me really unlistenable so before to return it i tried to swap the opamps and now they sound perfect to my taaste, the voices are stunning, beautiful and the sibilance is totally gone. I had the best results within Akliam LC5 connected to the sockets with dip8 extenders without the amplifiers cases because they don't fit inside. I also have some Burson V7 Classics 10 times more expensive but to warm sounding to my taste, my listening references is always soundstaging and the rendering of male and female voices. The Akliam LC5 cost only 16€ each, i suggest to every Ayima of Fosi amplifier to try it
@NormcoreGreg 8 күн бұрын
@@tofffsymagic1099 thanks for recommending the op amps. I haven’t done it yet, bit if you say these make such adifference and the price is acceptible, I might change my mind :)
@garth56 9 күн бұрын
These are crap sorry they sound so horrible!!!
@34332 11 күн бұрын
Nice T-shirt ;) Can't say anything about the Aiyima, but fully agree on the SQ of the Fosi ZA3 (mature, non-clinical sound). Recently I got the V3 mono's and, imo, Fosi is putting our some nice gear. Benefit of the ZA3 is much less heat by a larger chassis, where the smaller form (V3 mono) *really* gets hot.
@NormcoreGreg 11 күн бұрын
I also have the V3 Monos and plan to put them to the test against ZA3s very soon :)
@34332 11 күн бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg Great! Looking forward to it. Btw, I think you're (becoming) one of the better channels, appreciate your humor too.
@NormcoreGreg 10 күн бұрын
@@34332 thanks for your kind words 🙏🏻
@brochg 11 күн бұрын
Thank you, Greg!
@NormcoreGreg 10 күн бұрын
@@brochg doin’ my best 🤜🏻
@SG-dw1my 14 күн бұрын
If you need to switch between amps and speakers and don't mind a little sound degradation, it's fine. If you're buying them for the meters, understand they're just for show. They will not give you actual wattage. To do so, you'd need to be able to calibrate the meters to the power output of your specific amp as well as the impedance of your speakers. Out of curiosity, why didn't you show it in operation?
@NormcoreGreg 14 күн бұрын
In operation, like with the meters bouncing? I gues did not realize it would be of importance to anyone. I did include a sped-up shot of the colours changing.
@thelowprofile9767 15 күн бұрын
The best part of the video was when your son showed up on the video. 😀
@34332 15 күн бұрын
Nice one. How would you describe the accuracy and operation of the meters itself? Btw, 3:40 lol!
@NormcoreGreg 15 күн бұрын
@@34332 They rock synced to the music, if that’s what you mean. I can’t tell if they show the accurate levels of Watts or dbs, but there are two knobs that let you adjust them - gain and sensitivity.
@34332 15 күн бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg Thanks. Yes, I'm not under any illusion about that, but I've read somewhere some VU's (Fosi I believe) don't have much excursion unless you go really loud. Seems like a nice piece of kit and getting one ;)
@NormcoreGreg 15 күн бұрын
@34332 I did crank up the gain to the maximum, but I am not a loud listener - usually in the 70-75 db range, rarely going up to 80.
@SG-dw1my 14 күн бұрын
There is zero accuracy as the meters are strictly for show. There is no way to calibrate the meters to your specific amp and speaker impedance.
@peterlundskow4061 15 күн бұрын
Bigger than many amplifiers, DACs, etc. Looks very nice, VU meters you can see across the room. Interesting but from what I can see this would not serve my needs. I want to test my DAC/streamer preamplifier with switching to two different 100 to 200 WPC power amplifiers then to speaker out, oh well. Thanks for the video in any case!
@NormcoreGreg 15 күн бұрын
If you want to test two different amps, it will work just fine. That is if you figure out how to split the signal from your DAC to both amps. I use a DAC that has two line outs - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipi9gGSlf7CAjsk
@Chime0 15 күн бұрын
There are RCA cable splitters, 1 male to 2 female. Using those for connecting two amps, that send signal to VU3 and on to the speakers. Btw I'm using the first version VU3 that is a lot more compact, maybe that's why people are wondering.
@steved8386 17 күн бұрын
Getting the sevens for my bookshelf soon can’t wait. Thanks for the video.
@NormcoreGreg 16 күн бұрын
Good choice! Just make sure you have some spare balls ;)
@eariamjh71 17 күн бұрын
"..professional chopstick of truth...." made me chuckle. Subscribed.
@ramonyanezm 22 күн бұрын
Lo adquirí con cierto temor y cuando lo empecé a utilizar me maravilló! La cristalinidad del sonido y la separación del audio (estereofonia) son maravillosos. Mi hobby es digitalizar mis vinilos y con sus potenciometros de ganancia y volúmen tengo control de grabación. Muy buena inversión. Tengo ejemplos de grabaciones en mi canal de YT. Saludos.
@34332 22 күн бұрын
Thanks! Curious about the Douk vs the Fosi V3 mono's.
@NormcoreGreg 21 күн бұрын
I'm working on such comparison, so stay tuned :)
@middleearthltd 22 күн бұрын
If you build speakers and in particular subwoofers this would work well as opposed to a plate amplifier Chain with double ended 3.5 mm cables
@NormcoreGreg 22 күн бұрын
Thanks!
@comadreja9994 23 күн бұрын
Las válvulas son de mentiras no se calientan después de dos horas de escucha.
@NormcoreGreg 22 күн бұрын
They’re real, but they are low voltage tubes and this type doesn’t heat up and doesn’t glow much.
@34332 27 күн бұрын
I got them a couple of years ago and apparently the QC did not change much ;) Same issue with the plastic feet (broken) and contacting them was mission impossible. Good suggestion about filling the frame with damping material, as they sound like a churchbell without. Aesthetically beautiful, but I feel you pay too much for the design and perhaps brand. For the money you also may expect better quality feet and spike protectors. Tx for the review!
@NormcoreGreg 26 күн бұрын
At least you had all your balls ;)
@ElwiraMart 28 күн бұрын
Wow! That looks so vintage, would look nice on my table. I like it! Thanks for sharing your review 😊
@NormcoreGreg 28 күн бұрын
@elwiramart, just come and get it. I already told Marek you can have it if you want and I meant it :)
@Zolar_Czackl Ай бұрын
The words "Douk" and "audiophile" should never be spoken in the same sentence. Enjoy the paycheck.
@gerym341 Ай бұрын
Nice review! Thank you for sharing.
@NormcoreGreg 29 күн бұрын
Thanks for your kind words!
@simonzinc-trumpetharris852 Ай бұрын
Those blue led's will have to go.
@MykeHawke-r9r Ай бұрын
Ty
@705johnnyboy Ай бұрын
i thought i was subscribed ,i am now..
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Thank you!
@thelowprofile9767 Ай бұрын
I hit the Like button before watching your videos.
@Niels133 Ай бұрын
With a BT receiver to amp works well with phone.
@TheFrugalAudiophile Ай 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 Ай бұрын
It does support AirPlay. I don't know about multiple devices though. But maybe you can group them within the 4stream app.
@TheFrugalAudiophile Ай бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg it’s just airplane one which never supported multipoint streaming. I have several AirPlay two compatible devices around my house and I can stream to any number of them at the same time regardless of the make or model. This is not doable with airplane one. It just allows streaming to one source at a time.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
@@TheFrugalAudiophile, thanks for the explanation! Btw. funny that youtube mixed the spelling of airplay into airplane :D
@TheFrugalAudiophile Ай бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg I think it was actually my phone. I was using speech to text. It doesn't work the best sometimes!
@IrenESorius Ай бұрын
👍👍
@Mark-ji3hs Ай 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.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Hi Mark. This sounds like a great streaming setup! You can of course control volume (and much more - EQ, room correction etc.) on your Wiim using the app on your mobile phone. Or for $20 you can buy a dedicated Wiim remote, which will be even more convenient in my opinion - amzn.to/3MqSdZz. Between your DAC and amps it's better to use balanced XLR cables since they are less prone to signal distortion than unbalanced ones. This will give you slightly more sound clarity irrespective of the cable length. That is what I do when I connect the ZA3s (or now V3 Monos) directly to my DAC that also has XLR outs.
@Mark-ji3hs Ай бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg Thank you so much
@ottosato Ай бұрын
Nothing is impossible for Chinese 😂
@adamant3844 Ай 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 Ай бұрын
Please share your impressions when you try it!
@adamant3844 Ай бұрын
@@NormcoreGreg Will do.
@adamant3844 27 күн бұрын
As promised, I tested this preamp using a Rotel rcd951 cd player, Cambridge Audio class AB amp and B&W dm 620 speakers. I used a variety of cd's to test like 'hell freezes over" by the Eagles, "moe-mentum" by jazz legend Moe Koffman, "dig" by Boz Scaggs in HDCD, Cuban "rumba, mambo, cha cha cha" from Putumayo and Bob Marley's "legend" among others. I set the tone controls to 12 o'clock and noticed that there was ample bass and treble. I left the treble there but bumped up the bass to 2 o'clock as per my preference. The next thing I noticed was detail was there in abundance. Background instruments tended to blend in a little more to the foreground. The bass had a mellow quality yet went down deep. On occasion I could hear subtle detailed sounds with the tube pre-amp not audible before using it. The one very good thing this SA 1000 did was soften the typical British forward sound of these speakers. It also removed a slight coldness to the overall sound which made extended listening sessions more enjoyable. From what I could tell the pre-amp is dead quiet. It does it's job and have no plans to replace or upgrade it. I have no interest to roll the tubes at the moment since these stock tubes are sufficient. I have not tried the headphones yet but plan to. Overall I have to agree with you Greg that this little black box is a gem indeed. Needless to say it's been a positive addition to that system.
@zorankalina4399 22 күн бұрын
@@adamant3844 Thanks....👌🙂🎶🍀👋
@NormcoreGreg 21 күн бұрын
@@adamant3844 thanks for your detailed feedback. Happy you like the preamp 👍
@TheYaroslav77 Ай 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 Ай 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 Ай 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 Ай 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. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHKkpoN5qLiKa5Ysi=tkR-2Vcmy680i3Fp
@istvanantal6848 Ай 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 Ай бұрын
@@istvanantal6848 в ютубе личных нет. Есть телеграм или другой вариант?
@goodsound4756 Ай 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 Ай 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 Ай 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.
@giandujavettorello6184 11 күн бұрын
@@goodsound4756 never judge a product by its price, it's a serious mistake, word of an old audiophile.
@hardystein114 Ай бұрын
Consider changing the OpAmps . Huge improvement.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
One day, sir. One day...
@thelowprofile9767 Ай бұрын
You are funny and you don't even know it probably. More videos please. Thanks.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Thank you for your kind comment @thelowprofile9767 :)
@thelowprofile9767 Ай бұрын
Hi, among those that you have reviewed, which do you think is the best amp under $300?
@NormcoreGreg Ай 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 Ай 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 Ай 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 Ай бұрын
👍
@Desmodronicus Ай бұрын
Brilliant channel , thank you for the real life explanation of all …
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Thakns so much for your kind words. Happy to hear someone finds it interesting :)
@middleearthltd Ай бұрын
Nice review of a value component Crazy that this component can be produced for $220
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Isn't it?
@gerym341 Ай бұрын
Great review. Thank you for sharing.
@NormcoreGreg Ай бұрын
Thanks for your kind words :)
@dungysphincter7974 Ай 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 Ай бұрын
@dungysphincter7974, thanks for your insightful comment!
@sloboat55 Ай бұрын
I wish you great success on KZbin but, more importantly, in life. I've had my Tradutto in my rig for over two years, it's on fire.
@deviklovecraft3835 Ай 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 Ай бұрын
If you lose sleep over audio you need a life and Taylor swift is a idiot
@newardthelman6871 Ай 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 Ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that :/
@goodsound4756 Ай бұрын
Just buy a US adapter for three dollars in any hardware store, not a big deal.