General Information
APOS x Community Gremlin Review
Disclosure: Writer received Gremlin from APOS for review.
The APOS x Community Gremlin is a new hybrid headphone amplifier, scheduled for delivery in mid-December 2024. Currently, the Gremlin is priced at $120.
Features:
Small size: 5" W, 3 1/4" D, 2 1/2" H
Balanced inputs and headphone out
Four green lights on the bottom to indicate power on
Review: For this review, the Burson Composer with V7 opamps DAC received a USB signal from the computer and sent the analog signal to the Gremlin. Both units were connected to a Furman power conditioner. The headphones used were the JM Audio Editions XTC 2 (open) and the JM Audio Editions XTC 2.5 (closed).
The music enjoyed using the Gremlin ranged from classical and folk rock to hard rock. The first set of tubes used were the APOS Core tubes provided. The tubes were in a used condition and did not require any burn-in.
Impression: The bass is lively and sharp. Whether it's the bass from John Paul Jones or the bass section of the Vienna Philharmonic, the sound is natural and precise. The midrange is amply amplified. The vocals and guitars are clear, and the harmonies are distinct up to the upper midrange. The treble is the lightest of the tones produced. The cymbals and upper violin notes are present but slightly dampened.
Second Set of Tubes: I used my own JJ E88CC tubes that had been matched by the seller. The bass pronouncement is a little less than with the APOS tubes, though not to a point of concern. The midrange is accurate, and the tiny harmonies in the string sections are there for the listener’s enjoyment. The treble is balanced, though the higher range remains slightly diminished.
Conclusion: At a price under $200, the APOS Gremlin is an astounding value in the world of headphone equipment. For a listener wishing to enter the world of tube audio, the Gremlin is a worthy candidate. The Gremlin is not going to sound as detailed as a much more expensive tube amplifier such as the XDuoo TA-30, nor should it be expected to. For the budget-minded user, the Gremlin offers an inexpensive introduction to the genre.
Disclosure: Writer received Gremlin from APOS for review.
The APOS x Community Gremlin is a new hybrid headphone amplifier, scheduled for delivery in mid-December 2024. Currently, the Gremlin is priced at $120.
Features:
Small size: 5" W, 3 1/4" D, 2 1/2" H
Balanced inputs and headphone out
Four green lights on the bottom to indicate power on
Review: For this review, the Burson Composer with V7 opamps DAC received a USB signal from the computer and sent the analog signal to the Gremlin. Both units were connected to a Furman power conditioner. The headphones used were the JM Audio Editions XTC 2 (open) and the JM Audio Editions XTC 2.5 (closed).
The music enjoyed using the Gremlin ranged from classical and folk rock to hard rock. The first set of tubes used were the APOS Core tubes provided. The tubes were in a used condition and did not require any burn-in.
Impression: The bass is lively and sharp. Whether it's the bass from John Paul Jones or the bass section of the Vienna Philharmonic, the sound is natural and precise. The midrange is amply amplified. The vocals and guitars are clear, and the harmonies are distinct up to the upper midrange. The treble is the lightest of the tones produced. The cymbals and upper violin notes are present but slightly dampened.
Second Set of Tubes: I used my own JJ E88CC tubes that had been matched by the seller. The bass pronouncement is a little less than with the APOS tubes, though not to a point of concern. The midrange is accurate, and the tiny harmonies in the string sections are there for the listener’s enjoyment. The treble is balanced, though the higher range remains slightly diminished.
Conclusion: At a price under $200, the APOS Gremlin is an astounding value in the world of headphone equipment. For a listener wishing to enter the world of tube audio, the Gremlin is a worthy candidate. The Gremlin is not going to sound as detailed as a much more expensive tube amplifier such as the XDuoo TA-30, nor should it be expected to. For the budget-minded user, the Gremlin offers an inexpensive introduction to the genre.
