TUBE AMP DEMO! // McIntosh Vs Xduoo Vs Miltra

[@literally_not_kevin]

Sweet I've been waiting for this amp shootout format on the sound demos for years. TIMESTAMPS: (Left x11)/mustacheman [Topping@2:22]/[Miltra@18:48] (Thomas Dolby - Hyperactive!) [Topping@2:31] [TA-26@7:52] [Miltra@13:57] [McIntosh@20:55] (Megalobox OST - Slum (night)) [Topping@3:32] [TA-26@8:54] [Miltra@15:23] [McIntosh@22:03] (Oblivion OST - Oblivion) [Topping@4:30] [TA-26@9:50] [Miltra@16:27] [McIntosh@23:10] (Amber Rubarth - Novacaine) [Topping@5:36] [TA-26@11:04] [Miltra@17:40] [McIntosh@24:18] Mob Psycho OST - Kageyama Kyoudai no Kakushitsu - Shitto [Topping@6:50] [TA-26@12:25] [Miltra@19:38] [McIntosh@25:52]

[@Zeos2nd]

I added to the description. Thank.

[@bjornsmasher66]

I 100% thought the Oblivion ost was for the elderscrolls game and was very confused when I heard what actually played.

[@literally_not_kevin]

@@bjornsmasher66 its no dragonborn but at least tom cruise blows up an alien space ship

[@literally_not_kevin]

@@Zeos2nd np but could you consider continuing this format for amps you review in the future?

[@magicscreengames4353]

[McIntosh@25:54] not 25:52. It is very annoying when jumping to another song at 15:52 you can hear the end of the previous song. How can I compare the sounds of two amps this way using my short sound memory? :)

[@johnrus7661]

Dam, the MHA200 sounds wide and huge with amazing euphoric tubey goodness that really stands out to me. And the echo's are just so gorgeous. Liquid gold is the best way to describe the sound.

[@floshi6519]

Fantastic content. The only one who does it. 🤙

[@ophiuchia4916]

I'm surprised how different these sound this was tons of fun - thank you. All tube amps seem to have that 'holographic soundstage' (read reverb the midrange/fade out notes), less defined bass, and roll off highs. TA-26 seems to also 'fade in' notes and has probably the least bass (likely lower power) and highs (fast rolloff). Macintosh seems to really reduce dynamics, e.g. in the Rubarth song (almost like applying compression). Am I hallucinating? Does someone else hear this too?

[@miagi1337]

"Welcome to the Sound Demo Channel were less shits are given" Nice ^^

[@kaori-3882]

Thanks for making the sound demo! I heard a difference, sorry to all the audiophiles.. I don't like tubes 😮(LOVE them on my guitar but not for listening), for me the McIntosh was the worst as in most tubey...

[@Max45090]

Can u do more of these with every new amp you testing?

[@4ujase]

I know this is an old YT thread, but I love your choice of songs. I really need to purchase some of those. Love the female vocals, do you or anyone have a list :) Oh, just purchased today XDUOO TA-66 head amp. Get your Kicks on TA 66, back in Arizona, don't forget Winona, get your kicks on TA 66. 😂

[@stuka78]

i dont know... not sure of what i hear here... focused on A90 vs TA26 (my potential next buy for tube) but not sure I can enjoy the shades and nuances. maybe less peaky? listening via magni 3+ and HD58x

[@ophiuchia4916]

This is the first youtube sound demo that is useful. Thank you. Hearing is adaptive and we can only really pick out differences, especially since there are headphones, microphone and youtube compression in the signal chain.

[@JMAudioEditions]

Thanks Z Man

[@luxetveritas777]

I prefer the macintosh for vocals but it is almost on par with the xduoo ta 26 in terms of warmth, the Miltra sound cleaner than the xduoo for sure, but a little bit less warm, the xduoo is the best value for money imho

[@VchaosTheoryV]

Hmm i don't notice a difference between em. I'm currently on SupremeFX S1220A chipset via motherboard and HE400SE cans. Maybe it's just me

[@kristophergurley585]

I can fully hear a difference. I’m using just an ifi HipDac and an old ass pair of UE Superfi 3s so not super pricey or high end stuff but the characteristics in sound between all the amps we’re distinguishable to me. That XDuoo had a HUUUUUUGGE stage, maybe a touch more treble energy but very smooth compared to the A90. The bass was just a smidge less controlled but more “fun” than the A90 as well. Reverberations on all the tube amps were more perceptible than the linear SS amp. The Miltra was a stunner to me. I little more intimate with regards to soundstage width than the XDuoo but added a hint of depth. Spatial cues were better defined to me though. The bass was strong, maybe a little over done but tight and had punch. Treble had that liquid quality good tube amps have(I’ve heard a few in my day)that is the antithesis of the dry, papery quality the A90 presented to my ears. The McIntosh had similar qualities to the Miltra but with a little wider stage and better controlled bass. It had a nice, “well lit” midrange(the mids on all these were good with the XDuoo sounding the most recessed to me)and a tiny bit better defined treble. At least that’s the impression that these 47 year old ears heard through the KZbin compression and my own less-than-perfect equipment. Based on this and if I had a djinni on retainer, I’d snap my fingers and have the Miltra personally. The differences between it and the Big Mac weren’t enough to offset its quirks for me. However. We live in the real world and I wouldn’t make a buying decision based on a 30 min sound demo. However, I will look further into the Miltra brand and I’ll keep an eye out for an XDuoo to try out on my collection. Thanks for this vid Zeos. I’ve been wanting to see(hear)something like this for a while now. Nicely done.

[@kristophergurley585]

Listened again with the "big rig" with a Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 doing DAC duty, a Schiit Magni 2U, and some some Shure SRH 440s and I noticed a couple of things. 1.) KZbin compression is really crappy, I think we all knew that but being really focused on the audio made it really stand out this time. B.) The Miltra and the Mac are still close but the Mac seems to have a smidge more treble refinement or maybe a highlighted top end. The sound of the stick on the ride cymbal in the Megalobox OST was a bit more distinct on the pricier amp. Gamma.) Even through the compression, the McIntosh seemed to have the edge in dynamics. It nice to see you get something for all that extra green.

[@ognyankoynashki]

I ordered the Miltra. I never had tube amp for headphones only used tube microphones and preamps. I was actually looking for smaller form factory with good volume pot and good linearity with a fairly decent price. I use Lehmannaudio as solid state and hope the Miltra will not fail my expectations. You are right about decisions based on short sound demo but anyway in my country I was never able to listen to any equipment before buying it so a short sound demo is at least something.

[@dopydude]

Fantastic video Z.. thanks Xduoo is quite the surprise here.. listening to it on sundaras and hd600 via a mimby & marantz HP amp!! For the price and sound, Xduoo>McIntosh>A90>Miltra

[@manardh7387]

To my ear, the McIntosh carved out the music to include some of the big waves in the music that makes listening FUN. The others seemed flat and unexciting.

[@landocal0]

The Miltra for vocals.

[@soulfunkjazz]

3:21 8:42 14:48 21:46

[@gregorynelson2327]

Using a Topping D10 balanced a 604 with 6J1P-ev Russian M spec Nos tubes and a Sivga P-2, that work surprising well with the 604 and little bear passive balanced input. Mcintosh sounds best, followed by the polish unit then the Xdueo. Neither of the top two units perceived improvements in some aspects reflect any kind of value in cost in any way. compared to the cost of the Xdueo the polish unit is unique and that add value to some but I could buy tons of tube upgrades for the Xdueo for the cost difference.

[@bensherman1977]

Would the Miltra be suitable for the Meze Empyrean?

[@patrick1150gs]

My rig: KZbin>Chord Qutest>AVA CFR pre amp>GUCraftsman ( 6N Single Crystal Silver )>HiFiMan Arya SM ( Stealth Magnet ) My ( old ) ears say the Miltra is the clear winner. But, compression ( youtube in this case ) is an unpredictable horror show. So, Zeos, what do your on site ears say about the Miltra, ( and yes, the beauty of the packing is totally worth your semi )? Note: Please add some revealing planar magnetics ( Arya Stealth Magnet ) to your posse of test mules.

[@konna200]

For the price and the looks i go with the Miltra and that beatiful woman too i want it to delivered to my home but with the different time and just a bonus lol :D But its wierd that the xDuoo sounds with my setup tad a warmer/lushier than others. Hmm HD800S with MA mini i pro3.

[@nevarine1231]

Definitely tubes are the way . Objectively worse and subjectively better than solid state. IMO

[@northdakotabeast1547]

6:00 6:16 11:27 11:44 18:02 24:42

[@tomdgardner]

Really like the sound of the Miltra. But I think the Xduoo would've sounded as good if it was tube rolled (soviet/ US tubes), the Chinese tubes just aren't anywhere near as good in quality. The Mcintosh definitely sounded more spacious to me through KZbin, but slightly less full. And oh my, this kind of AB'ing just shows how much more enjoyable the tube sound is compared to Solid-state.

[@PinePizza]

Pretty late but that makes me happy. I ordered one, it will arrive this week probably and I ordered a very nice tube from a manufacturer here in Germany. It's not a Russian tungsol or some nice US tube but something that still performs very, very nice and close to some vintage tubs, according to the people who compared that tube with those other ones.

[@patrickmccrank8414]

I guess I'm uncomital. To me, each of these units have a nice sound quality. I'm sure the differences between units would be more apparent in room. I can't help but notice that you seem to be controlling everything with an Emotiva remote.?? How and why? I didn't see an Emotiva product in the lineup.

[@ZReviews]

Just using a FLIRC to change the tracks/play/pause on Foobar. Could be any remote.

[@patrickmccrank8414]

@@ZReviews Okay. So what is a FLIRC. I Googled it but it keeps giving me flicker.

[@woodrowjang]

I can’t hear the difference lol. Why do I love a hobby I can’t even appreciate.

[@marley720]

Don't worry neither can I. Think of it as you don't need to get the more expensive gear

[@Zeos2nd]

The Topping should be the most different.

[@Michael_mki233]

I think I can hear differences. I know I can hear a difference between the A90 and the tube amps, but I'm a bit more unsure about whether I can hear any difference between the three tube amps. The A90 just sounds flat, and on Novacaine when Amber's voice peaked it was noticeably harsher on the A90 as well.

[@marley720]

@@Zeos2nd I noticed the difference between the topping but barely between the tubes, to the point of where I might be imagining it

[@Thevikingcam]

Im listening from STAX L700 and modded M1 amp and SMSL SU-9. All sounds the same 99,8% so totally not worth to pay extra for Macintosh...

[@ringbadingbingrading1181]

I can hardly hear a difference between the tubes and the solid state, but I'm going to chalk it up to youtube compression, the rig, and my setup. I refuse to believe the difference could ever be that small.

[@PinePizza]

9 months late but imo the difference is actually really small tbh. I got myself the Xduoo TA-26 and also spent a lot of time rolling preamp tubes. Tested a German tube that sounds exactly like solid state, the RCA 6SN7GT and the Tung-Sol 6SN7GTB and all of them sound very similar to each other and also very similar to my combo dac/amp (FiiO K5 pro). What I've noticed is that music kinda has more dynamics with some tubes and a little less clarity in a good way, but the differences are super small compared to solid state. I have yet to swap out the power tube to something that fits my tung-sol tube but I am pretty sure this won't magically transform everything. But that's this hobby in a nutshell. Some people are blown away by differences and some just don't notice much. Btw I used HD6XX, so basically the holy grail headphones when it comes to how they "transform" to something great on tubes.. But honestly.. There is not much of a transformation happening.

[@kevinhamlett1400]

at 9:20 what is wrong thought it was me

[@kevinhamlett1400]

and at 16:00 same noise

[@kevinhamlett1400]

22:30 again

[@hondashi5840]

👽

[@ЯсавНикпуп]

Hmm....i dont hear the difference🤷‍♂️ So thanx than i will buy ta 26

[@rktrkt-tw8nd]

Topping>McIntosh>mitra>ta

[@MrRourk]

Then someone brings in a Eico HF81

[@SKY11211213]

Q5s -> Topping A90 -> NDH20 .... wtf sounds so flat Kappa

[@technologicalsingularity1788]

ngl, can't tell the difference..