Nobsound E6 Preamp Uses Directly Heated Tubes

[drjohnnyfeva]

The Bottlehead "Quickie" 3S4 preamp design is "in the public domain" now per "Paul B." at Bottlehead.
Extremely simple design albeit short on gain (6 dB) and battery powered.
My one listening experience with one was quite positive.
The 3S4 tubes tend to be microphonic, though.

I have one but have never built it -- for whatever reason.
https://archives.bottlehead.com/qui...heated-tube-preamplifier-kit-specs/index.html
https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0215/Bottlehead_The_Quickie_Preamplifier_Review.htm

I would love to build that preamp, but none of those links have the parts or purchase option. I spent a little time looking, but it seems that it has been retired. I have been considering FlaCharlie's Boogie Factor, but in having never done any DIY electronics, it seems overwhelming to me. I would love to have a step by step guide of one to do with the parts as part of a package like the Quickie.

Note: a poster did supply a parts list on the Boogie Factor, but I wouldn't know where to begin.

 

[FlaCharlie]

I would love to build that preamp, but none of those links have the parts or purchase option. I spent a little time looking, but it seems that it has been retired. I have been considering FlaCharlie's Boogie Factor, but in having never done any DIY electronics, it seems overwhelming to me. I would love to have a step by step guide of one to do with the parts as part of a package like the Quickie.

Note: a poster did supply a parts list on the Boogie Factor, but I wouldn't know where to begin.

I sent you a PM re: the Boogie Factor.

I've seen the Quickie before but apparently it never really caught on. Seems like it's main appeal was to those who want to build something but are not comfortable working with anything that runs on more than a few volts.

The battery power thing is very limiting. Even those tubes were intended to be run at higher voltages using larger batteries that were used to power "farm radios" back before rural areas had electricity. The use of a bunch of 9v batteries was a compromise and having to replace or recharge a bunch of batteries can get expensive / be a pain. It's much more practical to run things off of power from the wall. And if you're going to do that you're not limited to "battery tubes".

If anyone is interested in the Quickie I'd suggest you start a thread on the Tube forum. One of the guys from Bottlehead posts on the Hi Fi Haven forum so there may even be a thread about it over there.

I've been encouraging people to start breadboarding and DIY building (including from kits) for years. But let's keep this thread focused on the E6.

 

[drjohnnyfeva]

Thanks, FlaCharlie! I'll be in touch.

Back to the Nobsound E6. Sorry for the diversion.

 

[Pike72]

Thanks, FlaCharlie! I'll be in touch.

Back to the Nobsound E6. Sorry for the diversion.

Any updates?
Waiting to pull the trigger on the E6.
Using you and Flacharlie! as info sources on this as I cannot locate any other references online.

 

[drjohnnyfeva]

Any updates?
Waiting to pull the trigger on the E6.
Using you and Flacharlie! as info sources on this as I cannot locate any other references online.

Well, I've already written a good deal of my thoughts on how the unit sounds to me in this thread. I really like it. I heard greater clarity with it than I had with my Tube03. I have not gotten into an A/B investigation, but after using the tone controls on the 03 to dial in the highs and lows, it was - actually - really nice to just plug something in and have it sound just right, right out of the box. I've always been an advocate of tone controls. As someone said on some thread in this giant database, "Tone controls allow for adjusting low to mid level units to sound like higher end units." I thought it was funny and probably a little true too. Anyway, I like the E6 all by itself and I also like it with my Schiit Loki in the line. That much I have A/B'd and with the Loki set at neutral on the lows and one click positive on both the hi-mid and hi dials, it sounds sweeter, but it's also a little fatiguing; so I find myself using it without the Loki most of the time. Acoustic guitars and forward vocals like Johnny Cash are crystal clear with the Loki in the line, but fatiguing. With the Loki out, in those situations, I could listen for days and not be bothered with the slight loss - it's not even really a loss, its just less fatiguing.

The long and the short of it is that I really like it. I have not turned it off in the months that I've had it. It's on constantly. I changed the stock tubes out almost immediately to the Russian version and was able to hear an improvement even without them burning in. And since then, it's just an excellent addition. I haven't had any microphonics other than the one time I bumped it setting it up. I can't claim to understand how exactly the directly heated tube performs differently with sound, but it IS different than the indirectly heated Tube03's sound; and for me, more enjoyable in my system - which is already pretty warm sounding.

I've been toying with buying another, but I have my eye on a few things. What else is new there?! Can't go wrong with $60 and another $15 on some Russian tubes.

 

[Pike72]

Well, I've already written a good deal of my thoughts on how the unit sounds to me in this thread. I really like it. I heard greater clarity with it than I had with my Tube03. I have not gotten into an A/B investigation, but after using the tone controls on the 03 to dial in the highs and lows, it was - actually - really nice to just plug something in and have it sound just right, right out of the box. I've always been an advocate of tone controls. As someone said on some thread in this giant database, "Tone controls allow for adjusting low to mid level units to sound like higher end units." I thought it was funny and probably a little true too. Anyway, I like the E6 all by itself and I also like it with my Schiit Loki in the line. That much I have A/B'd and with the Loki set at neutral on the lows and one click positive on both the hi-mid and hi dials, it sounds sweeter, but it's also a little fatiguing; so I find myself using it without the Loki most of the time. Acoustic guitars and forward vocals like Johnny Cash are crystal clear with the Loki in the line, but fatiguing. With the Loki out, in those situations, I could listen for days and not be bothered with the slight loss - it's not even really a loss, its just less fatiguing.

The long and the short of it is that I really like it. I have not turned it off in the months that I've had it. It's on constantly. I changed the stock tubes out almost immediately to the Russian version and was able to hear an improvement even without them burning in. And since then, it's just an excellent addition. I haven't had any microphonics other than the one time I bumped it setting it up. I can't claim to understand how exactly the directly heated tube performs differently with sound, but it IS different than the indirectly heated Tube03's sound; and for me, more enjoyable in my system - which is already pretty warm sounding.

I've been toying with buying another, but I have my eye on a few things. What else is new there?! Can't go wrong with $60 and another $15 on some Russian tubes.

Thanks for the post. Your opinion (and a few others) are greatly appreciated.
These forums are a treasure trove of information.
It's good to hear from people that have actually had hands-on!

Pike
PS Did you post a review on Amazon for the E6?

 

[Dr. Ears]

Thanks for the post. Your opinion (and a few others) are greatly appreciated.
These forums are a treasure trove of information.
It's good to hear from people that have actually had hands-on!

Pike
PS Did you post a review on Amazon for the E6?

How hard was it to get the Russian tubes in?

 

[drjohnnyfeva]

PS Did you post a review on Amazon for the E6?

I did post a review. I get that it has some microphonics, but some folks were giving low ratings to it without understanding why it was happening or how to go about getting past it or even understanding the tube swap requirements. What I think separates it is the directly heated aspect, without completely understanding what that means to its performance, personally. But as the first inexpensive, commercial model to do that, I would hate for it to become a one and done novelty that receives no upgrades or innovation in the creation of another directly heated unit produced because of poor reviews. One guy on there gave a 1 and then came back and updated it to 5 once he figured out what he was doing after hours of angry phone calls. I just had to laugh.

 

[drjohnnyfeva]

How hard was it to get the Russian tubes in?

Not at all. FlaCharlie's pipe cutter worked great, but If I had to do it again, and I will, I'm going to just use some metal sheers or snippers to get the top off. I didn't know how far the tube itself extended up the aluminum case the first time, but you have room enough that just starting at the seam of the top and sides should be enough to pierce the case and snip gently around the edge of the top. But don't forget to mark where the two pins are that straddle that centering post fin before pulling the tube out of the case. I put an arrow using a sharpie on the top where the fin was. Easy.

 

[Pike72]

I did post a review. I get that it has some microphonics, but some folks were giving low ratings to it without understanding why it was happening or how to go about getting past it or even understanding the tube swap requirements. What I think separates it is the directly heated aspect, without completely understanding what that means to its performance, personally. But as the first inexpensive, commercial model to do that, I would hate for it to become a one and done novelty that receives no upgrades or innovation in the creation of another directly heated unit produced because of poor reviews. One guy on there gave a 1 and then came back and updated it to 5 once he figured out what he was doing after hours of angry phone calls. I just had to laugh.

I read those, too.
You can get a feel reading reviews of who knows what's up and, those who don't.
Back to the E6...(noise)...wallet opening...closer, closer...

 

[Pike72]

Not at all. FlaCharlie's pipe cutter worked great, but If I had to do it again, and I will, I'm going to just use some metal sheers or snippers to get the top off. I didn't know how far the tube itself extended up the aluminum case the first time, but you have room enough that just starting at the seam of the top and sides should be enough to pierce the case and snip gently around the edge of the top. But don't forget to mark where the two pins are that straddle that centering post fin before pulling the tube out of the case. I put an arrow using a sharpie on the top where the fin was. Easy.

Nothing better than expierience talkin'.

 

[FlaCharlie]

I did post a review. I get that it has some microphonics, but some folks were giving low ratings to it without understanding why it was happening or how to go about getting past it or even understanding the tube swap requirements.

I hadn't even looked at the Amazon reviews until you posted this. After reading them I submitted one myself that explains the microphonics issue. It's awaiting approval by Amazon.

One guy on there gave a 1 and then came back and updated it to 5 once he figured out what he was doing after hours of angry phone calls. I just had to laugh.

While it was nice to see that he amended his review to give it a better rating, he is totally misinformed about tube choices so I also addressed that.

A bit off topic, but perhaps relevant, his review includes a note about a hybrid amp he bought that he claims uses the same tubes as the E6 in its preamp section. That is also incorrect, they are different tubes that are not directly heated and they will not work in the E6.

 

[drjohnnyfeva]

I hadn't even looked at the Amazon reviews until you posted this. After reading them I submitted one myself that explains the microphonics issue. It's awaiting approval by Amazon.

While it was nice to see that he amended his review to give it a better rating, he is totally misinformed about tube choices so I also addressed that.

A bit off topic, but perhaps relevant, his review includes a note about a hybrid amp he bought that he claims uses the same tubes as the E6 in its preamp section. That is also incorrect, they are different tubes that are not directly heated and they will not work in the E6.

Yeah, that reviewer's frustrations were pretty clear and he melted down quickly. lol.

 

[Sliphorn]

H

Yeah, that reviewer's frustrations were pretty clear and he melted down quickly. lol.

..
Hello all, new guy here and my first post. This is a really great thread. Thanks! I have an E6 arriving Thursday and plan on using it with my Tube Cube 7 in my small bedroom system. I’ll post a follow up.

 

[Sliphorn]

Howdy, all. I have had my E6 up and running for the last two days streaming music in my small bedroom system. iPad, WiFi, WiiM mini, E6, TubeCube 7, Human QT-1+ speakers. It sounds really good. Very open and airy. Before this I was using an Aiyima T8 preamp/dac feeding the TubeCube 7. I like the set-up with the E6 better. Pretty good considering the dac in the WiiM mini is basic. Though honestly, the dac in the T8 is probably not that much better.

There’s some slight microphonics when I touch the volume knob but the mild ringing stops in just a few seconds. I ordered a matched quad from Russia so I’ll pop a couple in when I get them. The seller claims no microphonics. Time will tell.

Thanks

 

[drjohnnyfeva]

Howdy, all. I have had my E6 up and running for the last two days streaming music in my small bedroom system. iPad, WiFi, WiiM mini, E6, TubeCube 7, Human QT-1+ speakers. It sounds really good. Very open and airy. Before this I was using an Aiyima T8 preamp/dac feeding the TubeCube 7. I like the set-up with the E6 better. Pretty good considering the dac in the WiiM mini is basic. Though honestly, the dac in the T8 is probably not that much better.

There’s some slight microphonics when I touch the volume knob but the mild ringing stops in just a few seconds. I ordered a matched quad from Russia so I’ll pop a couple in when I get them. The seller claims no microphonics. Time will tell.

Thanks

Order yourself some of the Russian tubes and let us know what you think then too. But keep us posted in the meantime.

 

[Sliphorn]

Order yourself some of the Russian tubes and let us know what you think then too. But keep us posted in the meantime.

..
Yup, l already did. The tubes will take about a month to get here.

Thanks
..

 

[RickeyM]

You know what you guys are? A bunch of enablers. That's_ what_ you are. A bunch of enablers I was perfectly happy with my AIYIMA Audio 6J1 version of the tube 03. It would be easy to resist if this bit of kit was expensive but at this price I can't resist.

 

[Sliphorn]

You know what you guys are? A bunch of enablers. That's_ what_ you are. A bunch of enablers I was perfectly happy with my AIYIMA Audio 6J1 version of the tube 03. It would be easy to resist if this bit of kit was expensive but at this price I can't resist.

..
Ha, good stuff, man. I am loving my E6. The Russian tubes I ordered are on the way. Now I need to get to harbor freight and get a tube cutter.
..

 

[drjohnnyfeva]

You know what you guys are? A bunch of enablers. That's_ what_ you are. A bunch of enablers I was perfectly happy with my AIYIMA Audio 6J1 version of the tube 03. It would be easy to resist if this bit of kit was expensive but at this price I can't resist.

Hilarious! I know, right?! I thought i was done with the chifi tube pre's after putting a lot into the FX Audio Tube03, but --- ever forward. lol.

It was really FlaCharlie! He would comment on the $31 Wonder thread about the limitations of tubes that weren't operating in their designed voltage parameters and how much sweeter the tubes in that unit sounded when they operated in the right voltage after he breadboarded them. That stuck with me, so when I found this thread I had to dive into the directly heated tube pool just to get a feel for what he had been talking about there.

You won't be sorry, @RickeyM. btw, baltimoron here too...