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Return of the original Miniwatt SET ( APPJ )
- Thread starter Poultrygeist
- Start date
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I had been driving the Lowthers with this powerful Marantz 1150 which I liked a lot but I miss the emotional appeal of tubes.
What do you think of the Lowthers with the Miniwatt so far?
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
With all the clean up from the storms I haven't gotten there yet. The APPJ/MW was a fine match for the Zu Omens which are also highly efficient and run full range ( 1 1/2 ways is an accurate description ). As much as I liked the Omens they aren't in the same league as the Lowthers.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Finally listening to the APPJ/MW powering the Lowther MLTL's and what I'm hearing makes me love this little amp even more. At 2 o'clock I'm getting a perfect listening level without the FX preamp. No doubt the FX would offer a bit more headroom but I'm content for now. I see so many expensive high end amps here on AK but the APPJ/MW can hang with any of them provided the speakers are HE. FWIW my S1 makes 2.5 watts while the newer version makes 3.
Nice! What is your favorite tube compliment for the miniwatt so far?
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
The big smoked glass 6V6 Kenrads ( with adaptors ) and Western Electric 403B's. I've tried some other small vintage preamp tubes that also sounded excellent but don't recall the brand. The vintage Tung sol 6AQ5 ( with adaptors ) is quite good. Without going the adaptor route the Russian 6P1-EV is a nice upgrade for the stock 6P1.
MiamiEd
Active Member
PG, I would be remiss in not mentioning the 6f6 tubes that I use in my unit. Audio bliss!
I appreciate it! Following and reading your posts have an “emptying” effect o my wallet!. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences with this little amp and the FX preamp. Still have to get the upgraded power supply for the FX to try!
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Current and unlikely to change MW set up paired with the FX preamp and passive switcher driving a pair of diy Holey Basket Frugal Horns and small fast sub.
StubbedBrain
New Member
Hey guys,
I have the 2013 Miniwatt driving some Tekton Lores for a vinyl listening rig, and I bought the Svetlana 6p1p-ev's along with some NOS RCA black plate 5654's for some warm, full low end. Has anyone noticed a compression or narrowing of the soundstage with the 6p1p-ev's over the stock 6p1's? They sound more detailed, but I'm getting a definite off-center soundstage. Could it be the condition of the tubes?
I have the 2013 Miniwatt driving some Tekton Lores for a vinyl listening rig, and I bought the Svetlana 6p1p-ev's along with some NOS RCA black plate 5654's for some warm, full low end. Has anyone noticed a compression or narrowing of the soundstage with the 6p1p-ev's over the stock 6p1's? They sound more detailed, but I'm getting a definite off-center soundstage. Could it be the condition of the tubes?
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
If the stock 6p1 tubes sound good and the 6p1-ev's don't then something is wrong with the ev's. The ev's should offer a slight improvement over the 6p1. Mine did and I used them for many years.
StubbedBrain
New Member
I tried 3 different pairs with essentially the same results. More clarity, but shallow noise floor and compressed, narrow soundstage favoring the left channel. I'm a fan of a more 3D soundstage and black background, so I switched back to the stock tubes. Any recommendations for an improvement in clarity AND soundstage? How are the 6V6's as compared to the ev's?
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I'm crazy about the 6v6's and have no desire to try other tubes. I've settled on a somewhat different combination as shown below. A passive feeding an FX tube-01 driving the MW 6v6 which powers a pair of Coral Holey Basket Frugal Horns. I split the FX output between the MW and a plate amp driven sub. Life is good. 
I just realized I posted this info before but at least the picture is different
I just realized I posted this info before but at least the picture is different
Navy_Goat
Active Member
Just picked up one of these. It will be my first experience with tubes. I am really looking forward to it.
Description from the auction site:
APPJ Mini Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier plus NOS US and USSR tubes
"LIKE NEW used condition.
APPJ Mini Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier
3W per channel.
Bought approx. a year ago but never used it actually except for a home quiet jazz party, 8-10 hours probably.
Dead quite. I believe it can be used for power-hungry modern planar headphones using "balance" cable connection and adapter as well.
Very musical compare to а typical solid state amp, timbres are very natural.
Require high-sensitive speakers (I would recommend simple full-range drivers)
Please google review on 6moons for APPJ amp (it was technically same model reviewed in previous generation body style)
It will come with original Chinese tubes plus excellent U.S. and Soviet Union military grade tubes.
I will include high quality made in USA shielded power cable as originally the amp has no power cable in the box.
Enjoy it!"
Paid under 150 shipped. If it is as described I think I will be pretty happy.
Description from the auction site:
APPJ Mini Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier plus NOS US and USSR tubes
"LIKE NEW used condition.
APPJ Mini Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier
3W per channel.
Bought approx. a year ago but never used it actually except for a home quiet jazz party, 8-10 hours probably.
Dead quite. I believe it can be used for power-hungry modern planar headphones using "balance" cable connection and adapter as well.
Very musical compare to а typical solid state amp, timbres are very natural.
Require high-sensitive speakers (I would recommend simple full-range drivers)
Please google review on 6moons for APPJ amp (it was technically same model reviewed in previous generation body style)
It will come with original Chinese tubes plus excellent U.S. and Soviet Union military grade tubes.
I will include high quality made in USA shielded power cable as originally the amp has no power cable in the box.
Enjoy it!"
Paid under 150 shipped. If it is as described I think I will be pretty happy.
Last edited:
Congratulations!
I have one of those as well and it sounds surprisingly good with quality efficient speakers.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Navy_Goat
Active Member
Well it was delivered today. Hooked it up to my Zu DWs and let it play for a while s it seems to need some time to warm up for best results. I will give it a listen after dinner. Nat a fan of the cartoony logo on the front, but for less than 150 bucks it is certainly not offensive. Looking forward to my first interaction with tube power.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
The cartoon character looks to be their version of the Bugle Boy logo printed on the much sought after Amperex tubes. I have Bugle Boys in my Dennis Had amp.
