Qinpu A3 as a headphone amp
Jan 6, 2014 10:15:31 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2014 10:15:31 GMT
This integrated amplifier has 2 Chinese 6N3 tubes for the input stage (preamp stage?) and a solid state output stage, developing 8 1/2 watts per channel. I bought this amp for the asking price of $199 US about a year ago, and have done one major upgrade....swapped in a pair of JAN (joint army/navy) NOS (new old stock) G.E. 5670 valves for the Chinese 6N3 ones. I'm happy with the valve upgrade, which is bringing more intensity, clarity, and quality of timbre, attack and decay, etc. A nice improvement for the $5 per tube outlay.
Now, I've had this little (and I mean little) amp powering a pair of Radio Shack little metal encased speakers via computer outputs and was very happy with it. I recently purchased a pair of Mordant-Short Alumni 2 speakers (about the same size as the Radio Shack's) and there's a real nice symmetry there. Interesting how 8 1/2 watts can sound quite big in a small room and reasonably efficient speakers. Also, this amp responds to better interconnects and better speaker wire (read more $). There are no tone controls, just a volume and selector switch (2 selections). Outputs are speaker terminals and a stereo mini line output, both active at the same time (so unplug speaker wires to just listen to headphones).
Okay, that's speaker listening....but, I've recently had all of my Audio Alchemy power stations go down...meaning one less headphone amp. I was just going to buy something somewhere and started looking on line for on-sale deals and close-out deal types...money getting tighter and tighter. Then I remembered that this little Qinpu is touted as being a headphone amp also, the headphones inserted into the stereo mini line out jack. So, I got out my trusty 1/4 inch stereo to stereo mini adapter and hooked up my Sennheiser HD-595's. With these hooked up, I kept waiting for some dynamics, quality of timbre, attack/decay....MUSIC...if you will. I was surprised, as the HD-595's sound really musical with my other tube (somewhere in the circuit) headphone amps? So, I moved out the Senn's and popped in the Audio Technica AD-700's...the really good all round purple and gold ones. That did it! Here was a match made in musical heaven. Here is a rich, melodious, dynamic musical sound, with really deep and controlled bass. There is nothing etched or spritzy or dull or fat or off the wall here. The more expensive ATH W-5000 Audio Technica's were not happy with this amp, either...and the AKG-702's, just needed more oomph. So, here was system matching at the point of delivery...on my ears. And, my ears really like this combo of Qinpu A-3 and ATH AD-700 headphones.
I am very happy to have this versatile integrated amplifier. It delivers the goods with speakers AND headphones...better with some headphones than with others. BTW..the Grado SR-125's are a really good match, also. The more refined Qinpu sound and the dynamic Grado sound....meeting somewhere in the middle. But, it's the AT AD-700's that define the musical message for me with this amp. Very nice, indeed.
j
Now, I've had this little (and I mean little) amp powering a pair of Radio Shack little metal encased speakers via computer outputs and was very happy with it. I recently purchased a pair of Mordant-Short Alumni 2 speakers (about the same size as the Radio Shack's) and there's a real nice symmetry there. Interesting how 8 1/2 watts can sound quite big in a small room and reasonably efficient speakers. Also, this amp responds to better interconnects and better speaker wire (read more $). There are no tone controls, just a volume and selector switch (2 selections). Outputs are speaker terminals and a stereo mini line output, both active at the same time (so unplug speaker wires to just listen to headphones).
Okay, that's speaker listening....but, I've recently had all of my Audio Alchemy power stations go down...meaning one less headphone amp. I was just going to buy something somewhere and started looking on line for on-sale deals and close-out deal types...money getting tighter and tighter. Then I remembered that this little Qinpu is touted as being a headphone amp also, the headphones inserted into the stereo mini line out jack. So, I got out my trusty 1/4 inch stereo to stereo mini adapter and hooked up my Sennheiser HD-595's. With these hooked up, I kept waiting for some dynamics, quality of timbre, attack/decay....MUSIC...if you will. I was surprised, as the HD-595's sound really musical with my other tube (somewhere in the circuit) headphone amps? So, I moved out the Senn's and popped in the Audio Technica AD-700's...the really good all round purple and gold ones. That did it! Here was a match made in musical heaven. Here is a rich, melodious, dynamic musical sound, with really deep and controlled bass. There is nothing etched or spritzy or dull or fat or off the wall here. The more expensive ATH W-5000 Audio Technica's were not happy with this amp, either...and the AKG-702's, just needed more oomph. So, here was system matching at the point of delivery...on my ears. And, my ears really like this combo of Qinpu A-3 and ATH AD-700 headphones.
I am very happy to have this versatile integrated amplifier. It delivers the goods with speakers AND headphones...better with some headphones than with others. BTW..the Grado SR-125's are a really good match, also. The more refined Qinpu sound and the dynamic Grado sound....meeting somewhere in the middle. But, it's the AT AD-700's that define the musical message for me with this amp. Very nice, indeed.
j