[vinyl1226]

Hey! I'm new to the forum, I'm in dying need of some help. My brother is a huge music lover. Headphones, amps, tubes, you name it. I want to get him a gift for Christmas but have no idea where to begin. I have a $500 budget. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them!

Are there any super rare tubes maybe that every collector would love to have?

Thanks in advance!

 

[earmonger]

I'd suggest going into the Headphone Amps forum, listing what equipment he has and asking for an upgrade. Lots of tube rollers there

 

[vinyl1226]

I'd suggest going into the Headphone Amps forum, listing what equipment he has and asking for an upgrade. Lots of tube rollers there

Thank you!

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

From FiiO, HiFi Audio Mechanical Keyboard KB3.

https://www.fiio.com/newsinfo/880928.html

 

[funkymartyn]

You may still buy a expensive amp , but you could also get a couple of nice quality headphone stands , storage case. Etc...

 

[jimbop54]

Concert tickets

 

[Ufanco]

I like he og thoughts on buying $$$ tubes. Just would need to know what model tube it uses.

 

[dunring]

Sparkos discrete opamps would be a welcome gift for almost anyone into it. Foam padded guitar hooks are great for hanging headphones and cables. Foam Qtips you can get on AliExpress are really good, they're narrow for cleaning tube sockets without leaving dust like cotton ones. Latex gloves for handling them could be a fun stocking stuffer, also a box of alcohol wipes for cleaning them.

 

[vinyl1226]

You may still buy a expensive amp , but you could also get a couple of nice quality headphone stands , storage case. Etc...

Could I get your guys opinion on this?

https://audio46.com/products/fiio-q...-N2C4tJzyyKEOzcqbA82bvyW7ZC1nwRUaAmhmEALw_wcB

 

[Lindholdt]

Could I get your guys opinion on this?

https://audio46.com/products/fiio-q7-portable-high-fidelity-amp-dac?currency=USD&variant=43740714959081&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&stkn=eb04870a7882&utm_source=Google Ads&utm_medium=pmax&utm_campaign=SLAES_OV-23-AMPANDDAC&utm_content=ut&display&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3uGqBhDdARIsAFeJ5r3HTylOAnyoa8NYm7fMdwQ-N2C4tJzyyKEOzcqbA82bvyW7ZC1nwRUaAmhmEALw_wcB

Can't comment on that one, but if he is into tubes, you could consider the Woo Audio Mini for a portable amp. Gets great reviews

 

[vinyl1226]

Can't comment on that one, but if he is into tubes, you could consider the Woo Audio Mini for a portable amp. Gets great reviews

I'll look into this.

 

[vinyl1226]

That's not portable though, right?

Please excuse my dumbness.

Can't comment on that one, but if he is into tubes, you could consider the Woo Audio Mini for a portable amp. Gets great reviews

https://thesourceav.com/products/woo-audio-tube-mini?variant=42579746291868

This, right?

 

[Lindholdt]

Please excuse my dumbness.

https://thesourceav.com/products/woo-audio-tube-mini?variant=42579746291868

This, right?

Yes, exactly. Look up a few reviews, there are many positive thoughts about this one, so if he is into portables, this could be a nice choice
Edit: forget that.

 

[Raketen]

Perhaps boring, but a gift certificate to a reputable audio gear store (the tube-focused places might have them too)- if that's too impersonal, it can be paired with something inexpensive but more thoughtful (or chocolate!).

Tubes maybe not a bad idea if you can learn about his collection/wants. DIY kits might be fun for some people (or extremely tedious for others)- if they don't solder there are some that i think are assembly only (not verified), like the Elekit TU-H82 or Korg HA-S Nutube.

 

[vinyl1226]

Yes, exactly. Look up a few reviews, there are many positive thoughts about this one, so if he is into portables, this could be a nice choice

Another question and I will still bugging you, you've been a great help.

Well a portable amp like this be compatible with zmf atrium headphones. I know he uses those mostly.