[Solar1971]

Hey guys.
I was looking around online and i keep seeing these small, Very Cute Tube amps.
They look like toys. But some of them have really nice reviews.
I saw 2 for around 50-60$ each.
Now my question is if i use this with my PC audio out, will it really be an upgrade compaired to the
sound card in my PC? (Its one of those built on to the motherboard sound cards.) Not a super nice one.
Just very basic but it sounds much better then my iphone when i plug anything into it.

Do any of you have any experience with these small tube amps?
It says they are Tube Pre-AMP but normal amp.

Are these a waste of money?

Thanks

 

[kukkurovaca]

Hey guys.
I was looking around online and i keep seeing these small, Very Cute Tube amps.
They look like toys. But some of them have really nice reviews.
I saw 2 for around 50-60$ each.
Now my question is if i use this with my PC audio out, will it really be an upgrade compaired to the
sound card in my PC? (Its one of those built on to the motherboard sound cards.) Not a super nice one.
Just very basic but it sounds much better then my iphone when i plug anything into it.

Do any of you have any experience with these small tube amps?
It says they are Tube Pre-AMP but normal amp.

Are these a waste of money?

Thanks

Maybe! But it's hard to say without knowing the specific amp. I know the Bravo Ocean has a following, for example, you can probably find a thread or two on here with feedback on it.

One thing to be aware of is that you mention IEMs in the thread title, but a lot of desktop tube amps (even small ones) are actually meant to drive full-size headphones. So, if your IEMs are very sensitive, you may pick up noise/hiss, and if your IEMs are low-impedance, then the output impedance of the amp can throw off the frequency response. But it will, again, depend on the amp.

Lots of tube amps are "hybrid" designs, and it sounds like that's what you're looking at, where the signal from the tube is still being passed through a solid state stage before the output. These amps are more likely to be compatible in terms of impedance than a full tube design (good). They will probably not sound quite as "tubey" as an all-tube amp, though. Whether that's good or bad is a matter of taste. : )

 

[Solar1971]

Thanks for the response.
This is the one i was looking at 1st.
Nobsound NS 08E
I just dont want to throw away money if this isnt any better then my PC's basic motherboard sound card.
Thanks

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-...ocphy=9031009&hvtargid=pla-447707309277&psc=1

 

[PaganDL]

Hi @Solar1971,

Honestly, you're going to be wasting your time & money as @kukkurovaca stated.

Before even considering a tube amp, useful or otherwise, I suggest looking into a decent DAC instead as your PC onboard sound, no matter the marketing speak is going to be terrible if not average at best mainly due to being INSIDE said PC where noise from other PC components, not to mention, EMI & electricial noise from the mains will all be clearly heard if directly plugged into the 3.5 mm jack.

For a good quality affordable DAC, Lexicon Alpha is a good place to start.
At least this way you will have decent sound quality as a tube amp won't solve your actual need.

Decent tube amps, at least the most affordable tube amp I have ever come across & actually own, which can also be used with IEMs though not below 16 Ohms, is the Loxjie P20.

Hope this makes sense, feel free to ask more.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[Solar1971]

Hi @Solar1971,

Honestly, you're going to be wasting your time & money as @kukkurovaca stated.

Before even considering a tube amp, useful or otherwise, I suggest looking into a decent DAC instead as your PC onboard sound, no matter the marketing speak is going to be terrible if not average at best mainly due to being INSIDE said PC where noise from other PC components, not to mention, EMI & electricial noise from the mains will all be clearly heard if directly plugged into the 3.5 mm jack.

For a good quality affordable DAC, Lexicon Alpha is a good place to start.
At least this way you will have decent sound quality as a tube amp won't solve your actual need.

Decent tube amps, at least the most affordable tube amp I have ever come across & actually own, which can also be used with IEMs though not below 16 Ohms, is the Loxjie P20.

Hope this makes sense, feel free to ask more.

Hope you have a great day !

Thank you very much. That actually sounds like sound advice.
I looked at the Lexicon Alpha. Those look really nice as well.
So i would plug in my Audio line-out from my PC into that?
I was also looking at those small DAC's I think they are called DragonFly.
What do you think about those?

Well I guess i'll just have to look into it and ask around.
Thank you once again.

 

[PaganDL]

Thank you very much. That actually sounds like sound advice.
I looked at the Lexicon Alpha. Those look really nice as well.
So i would plug in my Audio line-out from my PC into that?
I was also looking at those small DAC's I think they are called DragonFly.
What do you think about those?

Well I guess i'll just have to look into it and ask around.
Thank you once again.

Hi @Solar1971,

Happy to help.

Connecting the Lexicon Alpha to PC is easy, just use a free USB port then connect your speakers (Line Out On Back via TRS &/or RCA) &/or headphones (Headphone Out in the Front) to the Lexicon Alpha.

I would suggest never using a lineout on PC unless it is from a dedicated PCIE soundcard though this is highly subjective as there are few affordable good PCIE soundcards which are actually worth it.

Honestly, personally & subjectively, Dragonfly isn't that great sonically, the Alpha is definitely better.

If you can find a good pro audio place which has a return policy, I doubt you be disappointed or want to return it.

Hope you have a great day !