cipriano
Well-Known Member
Ordered a quad from Ukraine with the $12 I saved with the coupon. Well, I had to pitch in another $2 to get a quad for $14.
Nobsound E6 Preamp Uses Directly Heated Tubes
- Thread starter FlaCharlie
- Start date
Ordered a quad from Ukraine with the $12 I saved with the coupon. Well, I had to pitch in another $2 to get a quad for $14.
..Ordered a quad from Ukraine with the $12 I saved with the coupon. Well, I had to pitch in another $2 to get a quad for $14.
I think you’re going to like the E6. Be sure to try it out with the Chinese tubes first. Mine were only mildly microphonic and would settle down quickly. Others have reported them being wildly microphonic. Even with the Chinese tubes the little E6 sounds very good.
In my experience the E6 makes everything I’ve put it in front of sound better, more musical. Tube amps or class D Chinese amps, the listening experience is improved. E6…….the little preamp that could.
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lazylistener
Member
Ok this arrived today. Couldn't help but to plug it in and play it immediately.
I don't want to jinx it, but I haven't had a ringing problem with mine. I even tried tapping but no resonance that I can hear! Maybe it might come later, but for now I've got it sat on two thick rubber door stops for isolation.
First impressions: yeah... it sounds good. Keeping in mind, I'm only using the Chinese tubes so far, and I've only got it playing for about an hour. I've got a long way to go: Russian tubes are still on the way, along with tube dampers. Plus, excited to see how this will play with my Tube-03.
EDIT: Never mind, the ringing is more audible with headphones. But with speakers, not an issue!
I don't want to jinx it, but I haven't had a ringing problem with mine. I even tried tapping but no resonance that I can hear! Maybe it might come later, but for now I've got it sat on two thick rubber door stops for isolation.
First impressions: yeah... it sounds good. Keeping in mind, I'm only using the Chinese tubes so far, and I've only got it playing for about an hour. I've got a long way to go: Russian tubes are still on the way, along with tube dampers. Plus, excited to see how this will play with my Tube-03.
EDIT: Never mind, the ringing is more audible with headphones. But with speakers, not an issue!
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lazylistener
Member
I've had the Nobsound running for almost a week now. Been leaving it on 24/7 since it arrived.
Enjoying it very much! My Russian tubes will probably only reach in a week or so, but frankly, these Chinese tubes already sound so sweet to me. Outclasses the Tube-03 in clarity and soundstage. Bass is about the same but only if I kick up the Tube-03 tone control by a few notches. I believe @drjohnnyfeva praised the E6 for sounding "right" straight out of the box, and I'm happy to say that's been my experience as well. Microphonics haven't been a big issue for me, but I've got it isolated with two pairs of rubber door stops as it's on the same surface as my speakers (which are isolated with foam bricks).
These tubes have been so satisfying that I've left them alone after trying a daisy-chain setup with my Tube-03 for a brief spell. Its previous strength (OPA2134PA op-amps) now sounds like a dud in the chain, so I might just get those removed and put the preamp back into the chain – last I read, someone did this and it still works, just that it plays a fixed gain signal.
Simply put: the E6 has been playing so good with my set-up that I've entertained the idea of selling the other tube products I have.
Enjoying it very much! My Russian tubes will probably only reach in a week or so, but frankly, these Chinese tubes already sound so sweet to me. Outclasses the Tube-03 in clarity and soundstage. Bass is about the same but only if I kick up the Tube-03 tone control by a few notches. I believe @drjohnnyfeva praised the E6 for sounding "right" straight out of the box, and I'm happy to say that's been my experience as well. Microphonics haven't been a big issue for me, but I've got it isolated with two pairs of rubber door stops as it's on the same surface as my speakers (which are isolated with foam bricks).
These tubes have been so satisfying that I've left them alone after trying a daisy-chain setup with my Tube-03 for a brief spell. Its previous strength (OPA2134PA op-amps) now sounds like a dud in the chain, so I might just get those removed and put the preamp back into the chain – last I read, someone did this and it still works, just that it plays a fixed gain signal.
Simply put: the E6 has been playing so good with my set-up that I've entertained the idea of selling the other tube products I have.
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Great report! The E6 is definitely a keeper. Do you plan on installing the Russian tubes when they arrive? I bet you will. Ha! Have fun.
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lazylistener
Member
No doubt hahaha. I think the stock tubes have been sounding so good that I only wonder how much better it'll sound with the Russian ones. Whereas, for the Tube-03, it was a case of being dissatisfied with certain aspects of the sound and trying different things (op-amps, PSUs, tubes) to get closer to what I think is "great". I guess it's a blessing in disguise that there are only 2-3 tubes compatible with this one lol
If you're using the Russian tubes, how have they been performing for you vs stock tubes?
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The Russian tubes have been great, but the stock tubes I have, like yours, sounded great as well. After installing the Russian tubes I immediately noticed an overall improvement in sound. The glassy, creamy, just plain pretty nature of the E6 got better.
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cipriano
Well-Known Member
Well, the Allo Volt+D combined with the E6 is a winning combo. No doubt about it.
I have previously owned a 2-channel hypex amp (252MP if I remember correctly) and that amp was super sharp and unforgiving. It was like an ice pick, no kidding. The Allo Volt+D is much much better but it can still have an edge to it with more modern recordings. For the past week I have been running a Little Bear P5-1 buffer with old Tung Sol 6AK5 tubes. It helps in bringing some naturalness to the Volt+D. I figured the Little Bear buffer would make for a good comparision.
I popped in the E6 and ran it at low volume for an hour. Then I cranked up Always With Me by The Movement from 2022 which is a super digital and edgy recording. The E6 was terrific in between my CD player and Volt+D. It "unpacked" the sound, increasing space and air between the wall of instruments. Very pleasant to listen to and that's with the Chinese tubes. I haven't experienced any microphony or ringing. I think the E6 gets the tube sound much truer than the buffers, which now that I've heard the E6, I don't think was doing much!
I have previously owned a 2-channel hypex amp (252MP if I remember correctly) and that amp was super sharp and unforgiving. It was like an ice pick, no kidding. The Allo Volt+D is much much better but it can still have an edge to it with more modern recordings. For the past week I have been running a Little Bear P5-1 buffer with old Tung Sol 6AK5 tubes. It helps in bringing some naturalness to the Volt+D. I figured the Little Bear buffer would make for a good comparision.
I popped in the E6 and ran it at low volume for an hour. Then I cranked up Always With Me by The Movement from 2022 which is a super digital and edgy recording. The E6 was terrific in between my CD player and Volt+D. It "unpacked" the sound, increasing space and air between the wall of instruments. Very pleasant to listen to and that's with the Chinese tubes. I haven't experienced any microphony or ringing. I think the E6 gets the tube sound much truer than the buffers, which now that I've heard the E6, I don't think was doing much!
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lazylistener
Member
Another update:
Russian tubes still on the way. The last shipment update was 5 Jun, so I don't know if that's normal. Not a huge issue! But if anyone who deems this abnormal, would love to hear if there's anything for me to know!
Anyway, off went the op-amps from my Tube-03, and back it went into my system. I've had a pair of chrome RCA 6AK5s that worked wonderfully for me for a few months. More recently, I had noticed pretty bad channel imbalance. Looking at the tubes, the tube with the softer channel has a fainter glow. With no DIY solution I could find, I bought another RCA tube from the same seller to replace it. It's plugged in now with my other tube – there's still an imbalance but nowhere as noticeable. I'd love to know if it's because this newer tube needs time to burn in? If that's the case, I'm happy to keep it running.
As for its performance with the E6, the RCAs bring some dimension to the treble and bass – the E6's bass is more well-rounded now, and the highs sparkle more, but there's definitely a slight edginess that becomes fatiguing after a few hours. I'll see over the next week if the new tube settles in and the stereo image plays better. Either way, the E6 has been nothing short of miraculous for me and I can't wait till the Russian tubes finally arrive!
Russian tubes still on the way. The last shipment update was 5 Jun, so I don't know if that's normal. Not a huge issue! But if anyone who deems this abnormal, would love to hear if there's anything for me to know!
Anyway, off went the op-amps from my Tube-03, and back it went into my system. I've had a pair of chrome RCA 6AK5s that worked wonderfully for me for a few months. More recently, I had noticed pretty bad channel imbalance. Looking at the tubes, the tube with the softer channel has a fainter glow. With no DIY solution I could find, I bought another RCA tube from the same seller to replace it. It's plugged in now with my other tube – there's still an imbalance but nowhere as noticeable. I'd love to know if it's because this newer tube needs time to burn in? If that's the case, I'm happy to keep it running.
As for its performance with the E6, the RCAs bring some dimension to the treble and bass – the E6's bass is more well-rounded now, and the highs sparkle more, but there's definitely a slight edginess that becomes fatiguing after a few hours. I'll see over the next week if the new tube settles in and the stereo image plays better. Either way, the E6 has been nothing short of miraculous for me and I can't wait till the Russian tubes finally arrive!
lazylistener
Member
Caught this video over the weekend. Skunkie doesn't mince her words about the E6, and it's interesting that she prefers the Tube-01 over it. My experience has been the inverse, except with the Tube-03, like many here, but it's just sad to see how much hate she gets for presenting opinions backed up by sheer know-how and expertise. I enjoy watching her videos even though I don't intend on starting DIY projects. It's just fun to see someone engage with tubes in this area, and her videos are always easy-to-understand. This hobby has way too many maladjusted losers.
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She had me laughing my butt off. That was rich. Well, there ya have it, she hates the E6 and I don’t. Oh man, I’m still laughing.
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Anyone ever see a picture of her listening room or know what her actual reference components are? What speakers does she use?
drjohnnyfeva
Well-Known Member
Skunkie is awesome. She knows what she's talking about. I don't always agree with her "sound" preferences, but she's honest. The problem is, everyone's system is DIFFERENT. lol. So any component you add to your base is going to sound either appealing or not. I like the E6 and until I find something I like better it stays.
I am going to experiment a little in the future with a solid state unit that provides the same gain as I have with the two daisy chained units I'm using to see if there is a difference AND with taking everything out of the signal path to the receiver to remind me of what it did without any "enhancements." Just for my own reference.
I'm also going to endeavor to get busy on building FlaCharlie's Boogie Factor Preamp. I've been afraid of it for too long and enough is enough.
lazylistener
Member
Russian tubes arrived last week! Been playing them ever since.
Impressions: Guess there's a first time for everything – my Russian tubes are actually more microphonic than the stock Chinese ones. The latter only rang if I gave it a decent knock but adjusting volume was no issue. The Russian tubes are pretty sensitive! Essentially exhibiting the same characteristics that people complained about the stock tubes. As for sound improvement, I'm not even sure I could tell, but I didn't do a hard A/B test.
The tubes arrived as a 4pc set from the guy that others have likely also bought from on eBay. Two were duds that didn't work when plugged in. These two that work ring pretty badly I'm afraid. However, since these were NOS tubes, I figured I'd have a better luck of the draw buying more. So, I bought a set of 10 from the same guy that'll likely arrive in three weeks. They're cheap so I'm not hurt by inconsistencies. Will see how that goes!
Also, this may not mean anything, but I've also noticed that the two working Russian tubes have a darker shade at the top, whereas the stock ones are crystal-clear.
Impressions: Guess there's a first time for everything – my Russian tubes are actually more microphonic than the stock Chinese ones. The latter only rang if I gave it a decent knock but adjusting volume was no issue. The Russian tubes are pretty sensitive! Essentially exhibiting the same characteristics that people complained about the stock tubes. As for sound improvement, I'm not even sure I could tell, but I didn't do a hard A/B test.
The tubes arrived as a 4pc set from the guy that others have likely also bought from on eBay. Two were duds that didn't work when plugged in. These two that work ring pretty badly I'm afraid. However, since these were NOS tubes, I figured I'd have a better luck of the draw buying more. So, I bought a set of 10 from the same guy that'll likely arrive in three weeks. They're cheap so I'm not hurt by inconsistencies. Will see how that goes!
Also, this may not mean anything, but I've also noticed that the two working Russian tubes have a darker shade at the top, whereas the stock ones are crystal-clear.
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That stinks. Ten more on the way, you’re committed! Ha! Surely, out of the ten you’ll find a pair of good ones.
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lazylistener
Member
Sure hope so! Got some 6J1P-EV pairs to use for my FX Tube-03 too so shipping wasn't too bad.
cipriano
Well-Known Member
I have noticed something interesting since purchasing the E6. I will be listening along to an album I've heard many times and some lyrics or a phrase will pop into focus. I'm not following the lyrics in a specific sense. I'm just singing along in my head and some lyrics will suddenly become clear and understandable. I'll be like "Oh, that is what he's been saying all these years!"
My most recent example was listening to Gregory Isaacs Sacrifice off his Mr Isaacs album. The line:
"Beating Chains and Shackles
Just to help make them Kings, Dukes and Earls"
suddenly was plain as day. I've heard that song countless times but my brain never sussed out the "Just to help make them king, duke and earls" part before.
Psychoacoustics are a weird thing!
My most recent example was listening to Gregory Isaacs Sacrifice off his Mr Isaacs album. The line:
"Beating Chains and Shackles
Just to help make them Kings, Dukes and Earls"
suddenly was plain as day. I've heard that song countless times but my brain never sussed out the "Just to help make them king, duke and earls" part before.
Psychoacoustics are a weird thing!
lazylistener
Member
Update: have a long piece of foam I bought a while ago that I repurposed to wrap around the tubes. Microphonics is much better but wow... it's remarkable how the E6's sound has leaped. It's like a new pair of tubes altogether compared to what I was hearing before. My only issue is that I want to know if covering the tubes might result in any overheating? The amp has run cool even with foam but I don't know if ventilation will be an issue here. Anyone with know-how please let me know!
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The tubes only become lukewarm at best, so I wouldn’t sweat it. Originally they were encased in a can.
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drjohnnyfeva
Well-Known Member
I haven't run into any microphonics with the Russian tubes, BUT the reason I initially wanted to keep them in the can and adapt the E6 to accept the tubes with the case was to simply use the tubes to their design. As @FlaCharlie pointed out in his first post, Nobsound must have decided on deshelling the tube so it looked like a typical tube preamp, but perhaps without considering to deeply the potential microphonics issues with the tubes.
I might invest in another unit just to play with it to see if it can be modded to accept the tubes in the case. If it is possible to do it without potential damage to either the tube or the unit, I would prefer to leave the tubes in the can, personally. So the mod would have to include, as we discussed briefly earlier in the thread, enlarging the tube-holes in the aluminum case and snipping the guiding post on the tube shield to a length that it wouldn't contact the LED in the center of the tube socket. On either this thread or the other one on the other site, I recall some concern that removing the LEDs might do something to the voltages/amps because they are sometimes used as resistors or reducers. Don't remember.
I don't think wrapping it with foam will hurt, but you might consider a couple to four tube dampers on each one. I have left mine on since day one without turning it off for more than a minute or two a couple times to move it, so it doesn't get hot in my experience. But one never knows.
I might invest in another unit just to play with it to see if it can be modded to accept the tubes in the case. If it is possible to do it without potential damage to either the tube or the unit, I would prefer to leave the tubes in the can, personally. So the mod would have to include, as we discussed briefly earlier in the thread, enlarging the tube-holes in the aluminum case and snipping the guiding post on the tube shield to a length that it wouldn't contact the LED in the center of the tube socket. On either this thread or the other one on the other site, I recall some concern that removing the LEDs might do something to the voltages/amps because they are sometimes used as resistors or reducers. Don't remember.
I don't think wrapping it with foam will hurt, but you might consider a couple to four tube dampers on each one. I have left mine on since day one without turning it off for more than a minute or two a couple times to move it, so it doesn't get hot in my experience. But one never knows.