KAEI TAP-1 Portable Hybrid Balance Headphone Amp

[KarmaPhala]

is tap-1 pair well with sensitive iems ?

 

[Ufanco]

Humm item didn’t seem to really take off thread wise. Is anyone still using this amp would love to hear there thoughts. It caught my interest but not much info out there on it.

 

[DBaldock9]

My new TAP-1S arrived in the mail on Friday.
I've been listening to it for a few hours now (in Tube mode) - first with my LZ A4 Pro earphones (on Balanced Impact Audio cable), and now with my Wong Kuan Wae Blur hALF/hALF (150-Ω, 2.5mm TRRS) earbuds, using a 4.4mm TRRRS -to- 2.5mm TRRS adapter.
The input is being fed by the 4.4mm TRRRS output from my Cayin RU6 NOS R-2R DAC, with audio from my Linux PC.

I really like how this combo of equipment sounds.

 

[Barndoor]

How does it compare to the little bear B4? If I recall correctly you have done some mods to improve your B4 on top of opamp switching.

 

[DBaldock9]

How does it compare to the little bear B4? If I recall correctly you have done some mods to improve your B4 on top of opamp switching.

The TAP-1S is a whole other level of performance / sound, with no background noise or hiss (even in Tube mode). Plus, it can be used as a Desktop amp.
One big thing to consider, though - the TAP-1S, with the Desktop Power Supply, did cost ~$275 more than the B4-X currently costs at Amazon.
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For the ~$90 - $110 cost that the B4-X can typically be found - it's a very good sounding portable Tube Hybrid Amp, with a Balanced output.
Since the B4-X has an internal relay, that shuts off power to the amp when connected to the 12VDC battery charger, it can only be used for ~4 - 4.5 hours at a time. And then it has to be recharged for 2 - 2.5 hours.
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I will admit that my B4-X mod, to make the tubes "socketed", does seem to have caused a bit of additional noise (mainly at startup).

 

[DBaldock9]

Decided to open my TAP-1S tonight, to investigate op-amp rolling.
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I don't really like this style of case, which doesn't come apart into a top-half & bottom-half. Instead, the two circuit boards have to slide out of the case, after unscrewing the back cover, and removing the knob and nut from the volume control.
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Since there's no top cover to remove, while the boards are still protected by a case bottom - only very short op-amps can be used, unless the boards are left out of the case, and unprotected.
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I did install two sets of dual OPA627AU Mono Op-Amps on DIP-8 headers, and will listen to them for a few days.

EDIT: Considering the cost of MUSES02 op-amps (~$50 each), I'm wondering if a $280 amp really has two genuine JRC/NJR/Nisshinbo parts in it (when there are reports of fakes available on AliExpress & eBay)?

 

[LakeOfTheWyles]

Decided to open my TAP-1S tonight, to investigate op-amp rolling.
.
I don't really like this style of case, which doesn't come apart into a top-half & bottom-half. Instead, the two circuit boards have to slide out of the case, after unscrewing the back cover, and removing the knob and nut from the volume control.
.
Since there's no top cover to remove, while the boards are still protected by a case bottom - only very short op-amps can be used, unless the boards are left out of the case, and unprotected.
.
I did install two sets of dual OPA627AU Mono Op-Amps on DIP-8 headers, and will listen to them for a few days.

EDIT: Considering the cost of MUSES02 op-amps (~$50 each), I'm wondering if a $280 amp really has two genuine JRC/NJR/Nisshinbo parts in it (when there are reports of fakes available on AliExpress & eBay)?

How does the tap-1s sound without the power supply? How would this compare to something like the Oriolus ba300s or the topping nx7?

 

[DBaldock9]

How does the tap-1s sound without the power supply? How would this compare to something like the Oriolus ba300s or the topping nx7?

So far, I haven't even tried using it on battery power - since I've only had it on my desk at home, or at work.
I'll verify that the battery is charged, and give a shot at using it in "portable" mode.

The only other portable, Balanced out, amps I've got, are the much cheaper Little Bear B4-X, and Walnut F1 & F2.
None of these are fully Balanced, although the Little Bear does have tubes in the preamp, and a pair of op-amps driving the Balanced output ; and the F1 & F2 have dual differential line driver chips for the Balanced output.

 

[LakeOfTheWyles]

So far, I haven't even tried using it on battery power - since I've only had it on my desk at home, or at work.
I'll verify that the battery is charged, and give a shot at using it in "portable" mode.

The only other portable, Balanced out, amps I've got, are the much cheaper Little Bear B4-X, and Walnut F1 & F2.
None of these are fully Balanced, although the Little Bear does have tubes in the preamp, and a pair of op-amps driving the Balanced output ; and the F1 & F2 have dual differential line driver chips for the Balanced output.

That would very helpful thanks! I’m just wondering if the noise floor is higher when running on the battery. I’m waiting on a topping nx7 at the moment, which should be dead quiet for iems. I don’t know how fun the it’s signature will be. This seems like it could be a good compliment

 

[DBaldock9]

That would very helpful thanks! I’m just wondering if the noise floor is higher when running on the battery. I’m waiting on a topping nx7 at the moment, which should be dead quiet for iems. I don’t know how fun the it’s signature will be. This seems like it could be a good compliment

Using my LZ A7 earphones (Blue Nozzles, Switch=Monitor), and playing some 24-Bit / 192-KHz flac tracks from the Chesky Ultimate Headphone Demo album, I can't detect any difference in sound (volume level or noise floor), when switching the TAP-1S between internal battery power, and external desktop power supply. That's with the Tubes turned ON, and the amp set to 0dB Gain (rather than +10dB Gain)*. The High Gain setting might possibly be noisier, but the Low Gain is plenty for IEMs & earbuds - allowing use of more than the first 35° - 45° of Volume Control rotation.

The current signal path: Linux PC (JRiver MC28) [USB] -> [USB] iFi Micro iDSD (converting to SPDIF) [Coax] -> [Coax] Coax/Optical Converter [Optical] -> [Optical] 4x4 Mux [Optical] -> [Optical] Topping D70 Dual AK4497 DAC (-6dB Gain) [2x RCA] -> RCA -to- 3.5mm TRS cable -> TAP-1S

* NOTE: Just noticed that the Amp I received is different than the photo on the Wishcolor AliExpress webstore that I ordered from. The photo shows the Gain Switch selections being 0dB and -6dB. The Gain Switch on my amp is labeled as 10dB and 0dB.

 

[LakeOfTheWyles]

Using my LZ A7 earphones (Blue Nozzles, Switch=Monitor), and playing some 24-Bit / 192-KHz flac tracks from the Chesky Ultimate Headphone Demo album, I can't detect any difference in sound (volume level or noise floor), when switching the TAP-1S between internal battery power, and external desktop power supply. That's with the Tubes turned ON, and the amp set to 0dB Gain (rather than +10dB Gain)*. The High Gain setting might possibly be noisier, but the Low Gain is plenty for IEMs & earbuds - allowing use of more than the first 35° - 45° of Volume Control rotation.

The current signal path: Linux PC (JRiver MC28) [USB] -> [USB] iFi Micro iDSD (converting to SPDIF) [Coax] -> [Coax] Coax/Optical Converter [Optical] -> [Optical] 4x4 Mux [Optical] -> [Optical] Topping D70 Dual AK4497 DAC (-6dB Gain) [2x RCA] -> RCA -to- 3.5mm TRS cable -> TAP-1S

* NOTE: Just noticed that the Amp I received is different than the photo on the Wishcolor AliExpress webstore that I ordered from. The photo shows the Gain Switch selections being 0dB and -6dB. The Gain Switch on my amp is labeled as 10dB and 0dB.

Interesting about the different gain label. Does everything else look the same? Was there a tap-1 before the tap-1s? Thanks for trying without the power supply, great to hear it doesn’t degrade sq.

The tap-1s seems like it could be versatile. The fact that I could have a home setup with the power supply and then be able to take it with me to my desk at work or somewhere else seems perfect. With the power I could take full size cans, but if I could add flavor to iems that would be a plus. When not at home it would be hooked to a Shanling M3X, which has a pseudo 4.4 line out. At the moment trying to decide between the tap-1s and something like the Oriolus ba300s (more portable but less power and battery). I thought about just getting a DAC/amp like the tri tk2 or xd-05 bal but they’re bulky, no tubes. I could also use it with my iPhone though. There aren’t many battery powered DAC/amps that powerful that can do okay with iems.

I have a home setup (ares ii, xduoo ta-10r or singxer sa-1) that I’m happy with (for now). So I suspect this would get more use other places, but we’ll see. The option to change op amps is a plus for sure.

Where to order from is dilemma I guess.

 

[Ufanco]

Between the tap 1 and Oriolus ba300s was a hard choice for me and came down to my iem Resistance. I’m using the Mest MK11 that has a low resistance at 12.30. After talking to people that own each model felt the Oriolus ba300s was the best choice for me.
If I was using higher resistance iem or headphone would have bought the tap1.

Approaching around 100 hours with the oriolus and really happy with it. Battery last good 6-7 hours, the sound quality is excellent when using it with Shanling M6 pro 21.

Btw the 2 I would base it on the resistance of iem or headphone and then on features. The oriolus is just 4.4 in and out no other feature except on and off.
Can’t comment of sound since only heard the oriolus.
On where to order theres limited options Aliexpress is where I bought mine. Angelears Audio store offers ups express and took about a week to get to me in USA. They also had lowest price of $340.00.

 

[LakeOfTheWyles]

I’ve been looking at the aliexpress stores and I noticed a few list tap-1s and a few list tap-1. All of the pictures show the amp with tap-1 on it. A couple retailers outside of aliexpress have amp pictures with tap-1s. Other than the s everything else looks the same. Same specs. Same price. Is there a difference between the tap-1 and tap-1s?

 

[LakeOfTheWyles]

I pulled the trigger on the tap-1s with power supply. Thanks for the advice guys. Tough choice between the ba300s, but I think I’d probably be happy with either. Kinda surprised the tap-1/s hasn’t sparked a little more interest.

 

[DBaldock9]

I'd seen ads for the Oriolus BA300S, but the description seemed like it only had Balanced Input & Output.
@Ufanco - Can you verify whether or not the BA300S can have a Single-Ended Input, and provide a Balanced Output? Thanks.
Either an ad description, or a review, mentioned that the BA300S doesn't have a Volume Control - and for my usage, a Volume Control (like on the TAP-1S) is essential.