Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Dadbeh,
How does your Musical Paradise compare to the MW?
How does your Musical Paradise compare to the MW?
Return of the original Miniwatt SET ( APPJ )
- Thread starter Poultrygeist
- Start date
DaaDaa
Set the controls for the heart of the pun
the MP takes EL34 abd 6L6 both tubes that i love so it has a leg up to start with ....
on symphonic music and real demanding passages the MW runs out of steam i.e. sound gets a little muddy and the imaging suffers a little but for acoustic music I actually prefer the MW. the MW is awesome.
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Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Good to know. I listen a great deal of the time to small group acoustic jazz where the MW excels.
I'm using NOS 6AQ5 tubes with their adaptors and they make for a nice upgrade.
Have some Ken Rad 6v6's to try once I get their adaptors from China. The 6v6's dwarf the stock tubes while the 6AQ5's are a bit smaller but stand taller with the adaptors.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I received the 6v6 adaptors, installed the smoked glass Ken Rads and have been listing to the MW for a few hours. Wow the reviews are correct the 6v6's are very musical tubes.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
This picture shows the size difference between the big ass 6v6 and the much smaller 6AQ5. They are said to be equivalent tubes except for the pin alignment. But the 6v6 has almost a cult like following while the 6AQ5's are less popular. They both take the MW up several notches in SQ. The 6v6's seem to produce more heat maybe because of increased surface area? You can only touch their tops for a second before pulling away. I don't think the 6AQ5's were quite as hot. Wish I could A/B the two tubes but not possible. I'd love to read more opinions on how the two compare. The sound stage really increases especially with the 6v6 and the MW sounds like a much larger amp.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I enjoy reading about the history of vacuum tubes in the US. My Miniwatt 6v6 tubes were made by Ken Rad short for Kentucky Radio Corporation. They began operation in Owensboro producing incandescent lights and later added vacuum tubes. Ken Rad had huge defense contracts and during WWII were a major player in the war effort. We normally associate the "blue grass state" with good bourbon, thoroughbreds and basketball but they also have a great audio history. The largest speaker manufacturer in the world today is Eminence located in Eminence, Ky.
As an aside I've attended many UofSC at UK football games and when their band plays "My Old Kentucky Home" at half time that beautiful song literally brings tears to my eyes. I grew up with Stephen Foster songs but sadly enough they aren't played anymore because of PC.
As an aside I've attended many UofSC at UK football games and when their band plays "My Old Kentucky Home" at half time that beautiful song literally brings tears to my eyes. I grew up with Stephen Foster songs but sadly enough they aren't played anymore because of PC.
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Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
1MOR, still enjoying the 6V6 GT's? Are the tops of yours hot to the touch? Absolutely love the 6V6 GT sound but a little concerned about the heat and maybe I shouldn't be.
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PG, yes RCA smokies still there and sound great, IMHO! Yes, the tops of the 6V6GTs get hot, but not so much that I would find it excessive. I had a Radio Craftsmen mono set when I was a teenager. The RC amp used a pair of 6V6GT tubes as outputs. I can remember those tubes being very hot to the touch. I have a cheapo Horrible Freight laser temp gun. I will try to get some readings tomorrow.
I have some other pairs of 6V6GT tubes to try. Just got a pair of 6V6G tubes, will need to try those soon. MinWatt with 6V6G tubes, "Franken Watt" maybe?
The MW is an incredible value!
MiamiEd
Active Member
After spending the greater part of the weekend listening to my MiniWatt and FX, I must agree that the 6AQ5's and 6AK5's really take this little amp to new heights. Since I am recovering from surgery, I can't move speakers around so I used my 82db LS3/5A's.
Used within its limits, the MW sounds superb. Keeping the volume down and listening to classical guitar and acoustic jazz, I found myself forgetting about my equipment and just listening to the music. Highs were detailed and sweet. The soundstage was bigger and better defined. Bass was limited but satisfying, with bass lines very easy to follow. He overall sensation was that of feeling like the musicians were in the room.
John Williams' El Diablo Suelta is a classical guitar recording of traditional Venezuelan music. Several of the selections were recorded with a famous Venezuelan musician playing the cuatro, a smaller guitar like instruments. On lesser playback systems, the two instruments sound muddled. With the MW, one could clearly hear two instruments playing, with the body of the guitar and the fingers on strings clearly audible in a very realistic rendition.
Jazz recordings also playing in a natural, you are there way. Scott Hamilton'a Nocturnes and Serenades is a favorite. His vibrato overtone on the tenor sax was audible but not in a way that it would distract from the music.
The MW revealed new details on recording after recording. I am looking forward to listening on more sensitive speakers.
The tube upgrades really make this a special amp.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I've added a small, cheap ( under $10 ) and very quiet HV fan from Walmart to cool the big 6v6 tubes. Does a splendid job and far more effective that the puny pc fans so often recommended on AK. I've used this fan before to cool enclosed tube amps firing down into the vents. My theory is that most audio failures are due to excessive heat.
Ed, I also love Scott Hamilton's Nocturnes and it's one of my favorites. Sounds amazing on the MW.
Ed, I also love Scott Hamilton's Nocturnes and it's one of my favorites. Sounds amazing on the MW.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
MiamiEd
Active Member
PG, I like that unobtrusive fan.
Nocturnes not only has great performances of traditional jazz, it is also a very good recording. With the MW, Scott's sax is front and center, with all the overtones and that vibrato presented in detail but in a natural way.
I had the Master's tournament on mute for a while. Despite all of the drama on the screen, I kept on getting drawn back into the music.
Ben Webster also sounds grand with the MW.
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I'm tempted to dip my toe into the waters of tube amplification, so thanks for the tip about this cheap amp.
I've been doing some reading just now about Miniwatt and APPJ, and I see that apart from the 6J1+6P1/mini2013 model, there were other models available at different times;
- the APPJ PA0901A (or "Miniwatt N3") had 2x EL84 + 1x 12AX7 tubes - and is still available, for approx US$180 -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/APPJ-PA0901A-Amplifier-Original-miniwatt-Black/dp/B00AOFHY3W
- in 2015 this model was replaced by the APPJ PA1501A, using 2x 6AD10 tubes. Presently can be found on AliExpress for US$125 -
https://www.amazon.com/Gemtune-PA1501A-amplifier-6AD10-black/dp/B00X5ECQ4Q/
Has anyone tried either of these models, and can offer listening impressions compared to the 6J1+6P1 (mini2013) model?
I've been doing some reading just now about Miniwatt and APPJ, and I see that apart from the 6J1+6P1/mini2013 model, there were other models available at different times;
- the APPJ PA0901A (or "Miniwatt N3") had 2x EL84 + 1x 12AX7 tubes - and is still available, for approx US$180 -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/APPJ-PA0901A-Amplifier-Original-miniwatt-Black/dp/B00AOFHY3W
- in 2015 this model was replaced by the APPJ PA1501A, using 2x 6AD10 tubes. Presently can be found on AliExpress for US$125 -
https://www.amazon.com/Gemtune-PA1501A-amplifier-6AD10-black/dp/B00X5ECQ4Q/
Has anyone tried either of these models, and can offer listening impressions compared to the 6J1+6P1 (mini2013) model?
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I've compared the original and cheaper four tube model to the three tube N3 and the four tube model to my ears is just better. I have no experience with the two tube version.
The original four tube version was also the subject of the very positive reviews by 6moons, TNT Audio, and Tone Audio.
These days I find myself neglecting much more expensive single ended tube amps in favor of the MW.
It's a no brainer purchase if you own efficient speakers.
The original four tube version was also the subject of the very positive reviews by 6moons, TNT Audio, and Tone Audio.
These days I find myself neglecting much more expensive single ended tube amps in favor of the MW.
It's a no brainer purchase if you own efficient speakers.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I have been following this thread for a while but it sounds like several of you are using this amp to power larger efficient speakers. Are there no worries that such a low Watts per Channel amp will damage the speakers? I have only used mine on a pair of Minimus 7’s which will take a minimum of 5 watts.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
All my speakers are 93 dbs and above. 3 watts driving 93db speakers can reach extremely loud levels. Headroom is no problem.
In near field you could probably use 89 db speakers comfortably.
In near field you could probably use 89 db speakers comfortably.
Thanks! I will take a look at what I have and see if I have something that will work. I know RTA’s are very efficient but are 4ohm.
MiamiEd
Active Member
Wolverine, there is a 4 ohm tap on the Miniwatt2013. You should be good to go.