[deaffromtheguns]

Hey y'all, this is my first post.
I found an ebay listing for what looks like an earmax clone here:
PHENIX G3 Tube Headphone Amplifier - eBay (item 290367642898 end time Dec-06-09 22:51:06 PST)

After searching the forum and google I can't really find much info on the Phenix G3 other than a page that looks like it was made by the manufacturer.
Anyone familiar with this amp? It seems like a pretty good deal if it is a decent clone.

 

[fenixdown110]

It's cheaper than the LD I+ and handles up to 600 ohms. Interesting.

 

[pekingduck]

Found a G3 Tube Amp Review. Enjoy!

 

[fenixdown110]

Wow. This the amp I've been looking for. It's very appealing except that you have to get a converter for the power adapter. It's practically a steal at that price though! I need to save up again.

Since they're technically an improved version of the Earmax, they match perfectly with the HD-650.

 

[Xan7hos]

Wow amazing find. My buddy is gonna have a really nice bday gift

 

[francisdemarte]

Great find!

I think this will be my first tube amp! Wish they had pictures of the power supply too.

 

[fenixdown110]

Please post a review.

 

[scootermafia]

Wow, it's hilariously cheap and looks well made.

 

[smeggy]

$60 shipping...

 

[fenixdown110]

It's still a good deal though considering how much quality amps cost.

 

[Myrdin]

I'm still getting into all tube designs and this looks like a great one to get started with. $160 for a $600 design is appealing. However, I know I'll want to roll tubes. How important is it to match tubes for this and other earmax designs? Finding three matched tubes is difficult and expensive. Finding single tubes with matched channels is easy.

Looking at the basic circuit, I think I can get a matched pair and a single tube separately and not have any channel imbalance. Is this correct and, if so, which tube is the single?
Thanks.

 

[BigTony]

According to the listing : For tube: 3 * 6N11, 6H23, 6DJ8, E88CC, 6922 - which is not the same as the Earmax, which uses 2 * ECC88 output tubes and a central ECC81 input tube.

 

[FallenAngel]

Uhm... ECC88 is a 6DJ8/6922; 6N11 is the Chinese version, and 6H23 is the Russian version I believe. Anyway - same tubes. As for "$160 for a $600 design", that's just a Morgan Jones amp by Chu Moy.

 

[BigTony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Uhm... ECC88 is a 6DJ8/6922; 6N11 is the Chinese version, and 6H23 is the Russian version I believe. Anyway - same tubes. As for "$160 for a $600 design", that's just a Morgan Jones amp by Chu Moy.

Yes, thats what I wrote, the phenix uses 3 of the same tube type, whilst the Earmax uses 1 ECC81 and 2 * ECC88.

And thanks for the link, very interesting reading. Cheers !

 

[Myrdin]

I was under the impression the Earmax has a very similar design to the Morgan Jones copy and at least one version uses the ECC88 for all tubes. So much to learn...
Would this still be a good first all-tube amp?