Joined in 2023 
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63 About this deal
At Aiyima, they seem to like to mix & match different technologies a lot. The two tubes in the preamp section (mainly a buffer, I'd say) seem to slightly modify the sound of the TPA3250 chipset: I'd consider it an attempt to make Class D more desirable to the masses. Among many audiophiles Class D amps are cold and dry, while tubes are warm and mellow, so a mix of these two approaches should give you the best of both worlds. Or the worst. Indeed, it is true that the overall sound tends to be softer than one might expect from a TPA3250 amp but, on the other hand, in my opinion, the tubes steal some of the vitality of this chipset. You might appreciate it a lot, or not, depending on your taste. Generally, I don't like artificial warmness, since it is, most of the time, just pleasant even harmonics distortion. When I listen to orchestral pieces like Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra", I like to hear good instrument separation. I think that this class D amp with vacuum tubes does that better than my good Sony AVR TV room driving vintage Bang and Olufsen front speakers. (Polk Surround) speakers. This difference in sound may be just a matter of taste. I got the feeling that this configuration sounds a bit like a tube system (including the feeling of being slighty slower), and I am a tube man! I was satisfied. While I agree there are usually much better dedicated DACS out there I would want some good improvements to the T9 pro in exchange for the sacrifice of a built-in DAC.
I connected USB to laptop, without tubes or even power connection, and Windows 10 detected it right away. Seems like DAC section is operation even with USB power. Less bass, but more extension, more controlled - this is likely from the inherent bass-light tonality of the Motu M4Preface Boys shall always be Boys (though better not be "Proud"), and we need toys. We are always itchy. But in my 1.5 years here in China, I had not bought a single item. Amazing, no? It's not surprising: I have so much good stuff both in NYC and HK that I simply could not use here, and I have always viewed my stay here as transitional. So whatever tempts me better be (relatively) cheap and cheerful. So far, the only time I have ran into an issue with the Aiyima T9pro handling the Optical input is on the Sony Carosels. If they removed the internal DAC they would lose Coax and Bluetooth options. The medium-grey matte finish is flawless, and the manufacturing quality excellent considering the modest asking price. Other than that I think having a DAC and optical input is great (obviously at this price its a cheap DAC) - though I couldn't hear anything obviously bad. I had a few devices plugged in (and Volumio Mini PC via DAC) and Airport Express (via Optical) and a Turntable via RCA and it was great to be able to switch with the provided remote control.
Comparisons with Similar Gears If I were in NYC, I'd have even more fun comparing the T9 to both my FX TUBE-01 ( here) and SMSL Amp ( here). And I'd have more tubes to play with. But, based on what I hear here, I am more than confident the Aiyima is at least comparable (if not better). I actually think the Aiyima is sweeter than both, especially the Preamp Out compared to the FX (even with better tubes). Finally I capitulated and connected the amp to the larger loudspeakers (still with the Mogami cables). Windows 10 saw it as "SPDIF Interface" device, rather than USB DAC or something, but it's just label which could be changed in sound settings. The amp also comes with a remote which is a nice touch. I unfortunately haven't tested it since I don't have AAA batteries, but it's nice they included it.The "laptop-style" power supply is supposed to deliver 24V / 6.5A, but a review on Audio Science Science Review ( https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...oxjie-a30-amplifier-review.17547/#post-569056) suggests that it delivers much less. If I decide to keep the Loxjie I might need to get a higher-quality power supply that delivers power as advertised. For TV optical out connection, it worked when optical out was set to auto. With my other/previous DACs, I always had to set it to PCM. The T9 did, and still does, a good job as a Preamp, driving the 6P1 amp, which is likely a watt or two less powerful than the 300B amp now residing in the study. Compared to the T9, the 6P1 amp is audibly less powerful and on the soft side, but it is tonally opulent and graceful even when pushed to its limits (you hear it as a flattening of dynamics rather than outright clipping). This is a big room, but this tube man still chooses it despite its limitations (the 300B amp does even better but it is reserved now for the study). In this scenario, as with all low powered amps (SET or not) the contribution of the preamp becomes very critical. I shall have more coming in due time in this regard. In case you wonder how competent the T9 is as a preamp, let me inform you I also tested the tiny Xinyi (Sini) ( here, and also in bottom pic) and, while it is a very competent amp, it fails utterly with its Aux Out as preamp. This shows you the Pre-Out of T9 is solid and not just a value-added thing.
As expected, the instruction manual (English/Chinese) can only be called "basic". Very basic. Inadequate, really. I'm convinced that these audiophile "experts", could care less about listening to music (which at one point involved simply hitting a play button), they just like plugging electrical things in, then giving their opinions on it, which are moot, because you aren't in the room with them when they're reviewing "said" amp/preamp/etc. So, let me get this straight.... The audiophile expert opinion on the cheap chinese product #500 floating around the internet is that "The T9 sounds great, but has X number of problems, and desperately needs a new "PS" (power supply I'm assuming) to get the most out of it. However, the T9 Pro has fixed the majority of "said" issues the T9 has, but no one knows if the power supply needs replaced. If it does need replaced, then, short of buying a variable power supply (SMPS...whatever that means), which costs more than the amp itself, no one knows which one, or where, to get it. And, if you do decide to get this "SMPS"....."thing", then you can just get a "good but cheap one" (again, whatever that means), then the T9 is great (but only if you use it as a preamp, in this case). After successfully implementing the tube-hybrid mini amplifiers Aiyima T9 and T9 Pro (and an unsuccessful test with the Nobsound B100), I was curious to give a tube-less mini amplifier a try, and my choice is the Loxjie A30, which qualifies as an all-in-one budget solution with enough inputs (5x) for my setup and a headphone amplifier on top (which I don't really need). It's a 2.1 integrated amp that you can connect to an active subwoofer, like the other two.Note the "Triple Threat" Unitek USB cable (brown). Below it is an improvised folded paper spring clip to secure the loose fitting PS plug. To the right generic cable for hooking up to the electronic keyboard. To the left of the T9, the diminutive Meridian Explorer. Far left is the MIT cable and 3.5mm adaptor used in Round 2. I think these amplifiers are great - they have allowed me to try and experiment with things - while leave my main system alone - and though I am going to sell my T9 (though I do like it) - I have an A07 which is fantastic paired with a reasonable DAC!! In For One to Love, Cecile McClorin .Salvant sings an absolutely ravishing Le Mal de Vivre (original Barbara). She gives a completely new dimension to the song. The subtle use of inflections in her perfect French tests microdynamics. The T9 did a very competent job, just as it did with my main loudspeakers in the study (see Part I). A: The input level may be too large. If the volume of the sound source equipment is adjusted to the maximum, and the volume of the machine is also adjusted to the maximum, it is easy to be distorted. At this time, turn down the volume of the sound source input device or machine.
Once you've mounted the BT antenna, the remaining set-up is easy-peasy. My other devices occupy all the existing connections, RCA analogue (CD Player by Brennan), and Toslink (LG BR Player and Wiim Mini streamer, so I'm using a Toslink splitter). Since then I have concentrated on my Blog. It is nice to be able to archive everything well and not let things get covered by waves of garbage. Writing articles take lot more than than posting in forums. Many have long periods of gestation and repeated revisions and editing. I hope you enjoy them. First of all i will say that i wasn't so keen with how it sounded with my Q Acoustics 2020i's as it sounded quite bright to my ears. the Q acoustics are quite bright sounding and the T9 accentuated those characteristics a little too much with the Q's . Maybe this brighter sound is just more typical with class D amps?The vacuum tubes need some warm up time, DO NOT JUDGE the sound of this amp before, say, 10 minutes. During the first few minutes it sounds horrible. So my T9 Pro arrived and I have been playing around with it. And mostly I think it's a significant improvement over the T9. I would love @amirm to test this tube amp (though I know given it has tubes it will cause the measurements to probably be poor) but I am always curious as to people opinions. Tone Control In this configuration, particularly with the USB input, I dialed up the treble a couple of notches (it is indented and the feel is good) to give a little more air on top. It is very effective. No need for bass adjustment as my Floorstander has excellent bass (in both extension, weight and definition). Remember the tone controls are in the digital domain and are “in circuit”, so there is no reason not to use them. Think of them as kind of like dithering, but this is more effective imho (I don't usually like the Filter manipulations and actually harbor at least a little contempt for high end digital products that offer a few to choose from).
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