AV-525 Tube/Solid State Hybrid Integrated Amp. Does it have the warm tubey sound? Let’s find out.

The Nobsound AV-525 is a hybrid tube solid state amp with a built in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity. Does it have that "tubey" sound? Not really. That doesn't mean it sounds bad. It is just fine given it's market segment. I think with some tube rolling this could be much more interesting.
Albums featured in this review:
Banco de Gaia, "Trauma" tidal.com/brow...
Sun's Signature, Elizabeth Fraser Self titled "Sun's Signature": tidal.com/brow...
Dexter Gordon, "Other Side of Round Midnight": tidal.com/brow...
Nobsound AV-525: amzn.to/4hYVduR
Please understand that all of my reviews are completely subjective. They are my opinion and not to be taken as criticism or as negative. I can only share my feelings and personal conclusions. No one has any influence over my reviews or conclusions. I do not accept payment for reviews.
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Amplifiers:
• Cambridge AXR-100 Receiver: amzn.to/3MFZuVN
• Cambridge EVO150: amzn.to/3UTJowI
• Galion TS120SE KT88 Integrated Tube Amp: www.galion-aud...
• Black Ice Audio F22 KT88 Integrated Tube Amp: blackiceaudio....
DACs:
• LAIV Harmony R2R DAC: www.laiv.audio...
• Schiit Bi-Frost Multi-Bit DAC with Unison USB
• Geshelli Labs J2S Socketed AKM4499 DAC: geshelli.com/p...
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• HIFIMAN EF400 Desktop R2R DAC W/Balanced Headphone Amplifier: amzn.to/4giWWdD
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• Audio Technica AT-OC9XEN MC Cart: amzn.to/3C0PCna
• Cambridge Audio Alva Duo Phono Preamp: amzn.to/3XG1nbj
Accessories:
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• All line level cables are from World’s Best Cable. I primarily use Mogami 2964 Wire and Amphenol ACPL connectors: amzn.to/3JWCDE9
My desktop gear:
• FiiO K11 R2R DAC/Headphone Amp: amzn.to/3YmlMTy
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• FLEXISPOT E6 Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk 48"x24" Bamboo Top: amzn.to/3XIlO
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Headphones:
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• FiiO FT-1 Closed-Back Over-Ear Wired Hi-Fi Headphones: amzn.to/3B2gvqC
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Tidal Playlists:
• Old Guy Hifi Test Tracks Vol. 1: tidal.com/brow...
• Old Guy Hifi Test Tracks Vol. 2: tidal.com/brow...
• The Fahrenheit Project by Ultimae Records (ambient electronic music): tidal.com/brow...
• My Classical playlist: tidal.com/brow...
Spotify:
• Classical Weekend: open.spotify.c...
Qobuz playlist:
• "Audiophile Electronica": open.qobuz.com...
• "Vivaldi": open.qobuz.com...

[@OldGuyHifi]

The Nobsound AV-525 is a hybrid tube solid state amp with a built in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity. Does it have that "tubey" sound? Not really. That doesn't mean it sounds bad. It is just fine given it's market segment. I think with some tube rolling this could be much more interesting. If you wish to join the channel and become a member please click here: www.youtube.com/@OldGuyHifi/membership

[@BostonMike68]

I have the Dayton audio version, it looks almost the same with a few differences but I think it uses the same tubes. I rolled the 2 tubes in the very front with inexpensive ge tubes and it made a big difference in sound. I got a lot stronger bass and it was more dynamic. I haven't changed any others , but I talked to someone that used the ge and then went to Golden lions and he really liked them. I think that they made it v sound so people would think it as the tube sound. I only paid $276 for mine on sale. I would like to change the rest of the tubes, do you have any recommendations because I am not sure what to use. Thanks 🙏

[@OldGuyHifi]

@@BostonMike68 I am sorry, I can't offer any advice on what tubes to try. You might try either www.thetubestore.com or www.tubedepot.com.Often times they have user reviews that may help you. Thanks for the view.

[@mrcarpentersc]

I bought this a couple years ago for 379. The tube guards bugged me so i did remove mine. It's not too bad of a job but i did have to shim the tube sockets up. Looks so much better though. You're right this unit puts out some power and pushes my CSS Audio 3TDX's to upper 90db without distortion. Great job as usual Ed! Glad to see this little amp get some review time!

[@OldGuyHifi]

I didn't want to mess with the cage. Seemed a bit "Rube Goldberg" in its construction. It does have balls for sure. Thanks for tuning in and commenting.

[@pyrolusite]

Would have liked to have seen the inside construction. Good review. Great music selections!

[@OldGuyHifi]

Not my unit.

[@justinrun100]

I’m fascinated about Tube amps but they scary me. You make them easy to use. I might try one in my system soon. Thank you for making them not so scary. Have great night

[@OldGuyHifi]

Thank you. I am glad you are enjoying the channel.

[@kevinfestner6126]

Growing up, I recall the tube tester machines in the drug stores.

[@OldGuyHifi]

Me too. I remember carrying a cigar box full of tubes with my Dad to the hardware store and using the tube tester. A very long time ago. Thx for the memories.

[@dazza1976]

Interesting unit. Not my type of amp but interesting to hear your thoughts on it Ed.

[@OldGuyHifi]

Thanks Daz. Not my type either.

[@Pok-001]

Could be a fun second system in a lounge area with some efficient monkey coffin speakers or something vintage. Rocking out to some zeppelin or stones with the boys. Even non audiophiles like the look of tubes. Great review as always

[@OldGuyHifi]

Thank you so much.

[@ericboehm4529]

Very nice looking amp at a good price. Probably at nearly double in cost if you’re looking to retube the whole unit with premium glass but I’d bet it would smooth out that response curve. Great review as usual!

[@OldGuyHifi]

It might not be worth the effort. Thanks.

[@AlexMitchell-i1g]

Well it's looks nice. Interesting choice of music. I do really like the Cocteau Twins. I am a Brit and I haven't heard of the other artist you mentioned.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I hope you enjoy the other artists. Thx for watching.

[@rafacq]

Hi Ed! It sure looks similar to my Dayton Audio HTA-200. But your comments on the Douk don’t quite match my experience with my Dayton Audio. When hooked to my Martin Logan Motion 60XTi in my den, I experience nice soundstage and detailed imaging. Seems the HTA-200 uses the same or very similar tubes. Single WY-3P for the regulator, two 6N7P to help maintain constant voltage output, two 6K4 to amplify the voltage of input signals, and two 5726-6AL5 as a full bridge rectifier. Another difference, the Dayton Audio HTA-200 has a Phono input. The Dayton Audio HTA-200 was on sale on Black Friday for about $350. I actually like and enjoy two channel music from the DA HT-200 than from my Marantz SR8015/EMOTIVA XPA-3 Gen 3 combo, so I ordered a Douk VU3PRO switcher so I can easily switch amps without having to swap speaker cables. Regarding the albums, only liked one song on Banco de Gaia’s album, Draig Ddu. Didn’t really care for Sun’s Signature album. Dexter Gordon is always nice to listen to, though my favorite is the Oscar Peterson Trio album you recommended recently, We Get Requests. I really enjoyed listening to it in the Dayton Audio HTA-200. Wonderful! Thanks for another great review. Happy holidays. PD. Last week bought a used Nakamichi RE-10 for $50 on Marketplace. It’s driving my Wharfdale Diamond 225 and I really like it! It is in my studio, since the Dayton Audio HTA-200 went to my den!

[@OldGuyHifi]

Ralph, The look similar and are built buy the same company in China. They use a different tube set which may account for the difference in sound. The Douk uses EL84/6K4/5726 on the pre-amp side and a WY2P tube for rectification. I am sure that accounts for the differences. Thank you my friend.

[@rafacq]

@ Dayton Audio HTA-200 does have phono inputs.

[@NeilBlanchard]

This amp has a few aspects that are curious - two toroidal transformers - and a fan? It has a voltage switch, which can mean there is a switch mode power supply. My favorite song with Elizabeth Fraser is "Song to the Siren" from This Mortal Coil. I first heard this on my car stereo on my way to a weekend night job - and I just sorta' froze in the seat and waited until it ended before driving.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I am not that impressed. It is mildly interesting at best.

[@Rick_Schott]

$379.99 right now on Amazon. I’ve been using one of these since March with no issues. Agreed about the bass, when I first got it hooked up it was a while before I realized I had forgotten to hit the power switch on my sub! I will say that the fan can be surprisingly loud, I mostly notice it at startup and at the end of a loud passage when I’ve been driving it fairly hard- never when the amp is actually doing work. I’ve been using this with a second-hand Pro-ject 2xperience Classic through a Fosi Box X2 phono preamp and for a lower buck system I’m happy with it. It blows the doors off the late 90s Sony AV receiver I started with. Curious if you have any suggestions for bookshelf speakers that would complement this amp. I’ve been using Klipsch R-51M speakers along with an old Sony sub and I’m guessing that’s my sound bottleneck right now.

[@OldGuyHifi]

Rick, I have a pair of SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelves in for review. They are very good. Not cheap but they sound great. Review soon. Thx.

[@josecintron85]

I am getting a lot of suggestions for new music from Ed.

[@OldGuyHifi]

Thank you. I am glad you are enjoying it.

[@steveh545]

ok, so i have one of these, running next to some other stuff. So, I've read somewhere that all incoming analog signals still.get digitized then converted back to analog with onboard DAC, so everything is reduced to 48bit or whatever. Which would negate any benefits (i think) of running nicer source components/dacs/etc into the unit. I guess you didn't open it up, but thoughts on that? I do like the sound, and power. I tried a Topping DX3+ dac, and couldn't tell. Maybe it didn't make a difference, or maybe my ears/system aren't that discerning.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I have not been able to confirm that. I suspect that it is not true. At that price it would make no sense to do so. An ADC circuit is an added cost, added complication and would handicap the unit. I do appreciate the view. Thx.

[@p57-elf]

How do you know they are big and toroidal ???

[@OldGuyHifi]

Quote form the Douk/Nobsound web site: " dual toroidal transformers is added that can stably output max 100W in each channel, easily to drive all home passive speakers." That's how.

[@p57-elf]

@@OldGuyHifi Don't believe all you read..First rule in HiFi

[@OldGuyHifi]

A bit cynical isn't it? I only report the news, I don't make it.

[@BoRerunn]

Have you heard the very obscure SMSL D300 ROHM high-end chip DAC. Keep me posted

[@OldGuyHifi]

No, but it is of interest to me. I think it has gone EOL though.

[@BoRerunn]

@OldGuyHifi it's alive and well at Amazon and very affordable

[@bengleason508]

Are you going to start singing in your reviews?

[@OldGuyHifi]

I was going to do a song & dance intro. Maybe break dancing?

[@bengleason508]

@@OldGuyHifi Russian Dancing