Owning this little amp since 1999. It is a special one, with only hard wiring between the resistors, capacitors and tubes, no PCB. Also the tubes were not Chinese when I bought it. Amperex 5751 and Mullard branded 6BQ5 from the Ei factory. It was a bit more expensive compared to the standard ones, but very worth while in my opinion. Last year I finally found the matching passive pre amp (selector) on ebay. The biggest weakness (one input) was solved. Furthermore the capacitors and some resistors were replaced and upgraded. I did some tube rolling last year too. I have tried (12AX7) Siemens, Mullard, Philips, Valvo, Tesla and JJ but went for Tesla E83CC. It is the copy of the famous Telefunken ECC803S, which are very expensive and very hard to find. Very open and clear sound. For the 6BQ5 positions I have tried Telefunken, Valvo, Tungsram, Ei and Reflektor. The difference in sound is not that big with regard to the type and brand of end tube. Since a few years a pair of Sonus Faber Venere 2.0 in combination with one Sumiko S5 are connected and I am very happy with the sound, even more after the upgrade and putting in new tubes (of course that makes a big difference). Good balance, clear sound and good base. Very musical.

Biggest weakness was only one input, but that has been solved by the matching passive pre amp. Great little amp and I like the looks too.

Lots of power coming from this miniature tube amp. Good looking. Warm and full tube sound.

A little less transparent than high quality solid state amps. High frequency extension can be better. Only one input.

A very lovely mini tube amp. Can power many floor-standers and most book-shelf speakers. Works well with my ProAc Response 2. Very sweet and musical.

Similar Products Used:

Various solid state and tube amps.

great for ProAc1sc speakers, tube replacement cost inexpensive...although I hv not yet needed to replace tubes todate, 3yrs. Quality tube amp at low cost of a 'Kit'.

only damper adjustment

My ProAC 1sc's love this amp. I almost bought another much more expensive tube amp. as the ProAc 1sc 'needs' a tube amp for best sound. I came across this amp at the annual HongKong 'High end HiFi show 1999', At the demo they were driving various large floor size speakers, the room was filled with approx. 50 people....w/ amazed look upon hearing the large speakers powered by this 'small amp, with what I saved from buying this amp. (paid approx. US$425) I bought the ProAc 1sc , a good cd player, high end speaker cables w/ biwire and still saved .A great deal . I think I so this similar model sold in USA in Berkeley,CA w/ Opal brand name.

Looks, Small footprint, Low price, Openess. Separate power supply.

Lack of character.

It's a wonder how this little ditty 6x6 inch gold block can outclass tube amps costing twice as much and 3 times the size. It looks more like an antique clock than an amp. Mid-range is clear and open throughout the 13W range. There's more than enough power here for an average sized room. Bass is powerful without 'woofing', which is what a good tube amp should do, but lacks just a bit of bounce which gives tube amps thier character. High notes were no problem, not as warm as other tube-amps which is good or bad depending on your taste.
Overall a very clean sound, sometimes you forget your listening to a tube-amp, which is shame, but at $400-$450
brand new, it's a steal if only to put it in the living room as a show piece.