Joined in 2023 
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63 About this deal
The Decision Yes, call me superficial. I immediately fell in love with the SEXY (VU) meter! But, unlike some of you, I'd not easily give in! :-) Certainly I have no need for another amp (or so I thought). While the almost universal digital connectivity appeals, what seals the deal for me was the AUX OUT. I wasn't sure whether it is Fixed or Variable, but as some users used it for subwoofer it should be a Variable out. It is, and more on this later. THIS is a BIG JUMP. I used the exact same 3.5mm to RCA adaptor and MIT cable I use for my Meridian Explorer, through T9's AUX OUT. Of course, I removed the loudspeaker cables from T9's binding posts. Finally I capitulated and connected the amp to the larger loudspeakers (still with the Mogami cables).
Out of the box, everything was well. Sound was pretty good. I was impressed. I briefly determined that everything worked properly. As there seemed to be no issues, I was eager to move on from this ad hoc solution. The max output level of the optical output connector is –18 dBm and and the max impedance Wave length: 660 nm.
While I was in HK, I had 2 locations. The "older location" was where my reference was. The "newer location" was where I spent most of my time from late 2012 to late 2018 (Last revised Nov 15, 2019). Issue #3 (gets HOT!): Another thing that surprised me was how HOT the T9 Pro became after a while (I guess those 11W need to go somewhere). The tubes are the first thing to warm up (but I guess that's expected from a tube), but the whole case gets pretty hot after a couple of hours turned on. I wouldn't say it's burning hot, but it's hot enough to feel a bit uncomfortable if you hold your fingers on top of it or on the sides for a few seconds. With multiple digital audio inputs: Bluetooth 5.0 / USB / Coaxial / Optical / stereo RCA, compatible with most audio device such as phones, computers, tablets, TVs, TV, CD players etc. The perfect combination of DAC and amplifier, very suitale for audiophiles who have various audio devices.
BTW, I have Aiyima A07 pro running with Elac Debut 6 Floorstands, haven't had any issues with it which made me think for another Aiyima product. Editor: Regarding Length This article is very long ( Covid Revenge Review?), as per my usual style when testing things I am interested in, especially things that can be used in multiple ways. Regular readers and experienced audiophiles will more likely find the many details along the way interesting. However, the vast majority of readers, usually referred here by a Google search, may want to skip here and there, or even just go to the end for Impressions, Comments and Thoughts. Regarding Organization In contrast to my usual ways, Music Used and my descriptions of the rights and wrongs will have a shaded box near the end, and there shall also be a little Technical Info near the end. It seems related to a high output level limitation as it hasn't happened on most optical feeds. An xbox 360 optical played smoothly without any "skips"
HiFi CD/LP 天碟一只
I still don't understand the hate for EQs. I have few of them and it is hard to beat dialing in things the way I want to listen to them. Connect the PC-USB interface to the computer with the USB cable configured by factory (USB supports hot plugging). Issue #1 (Bluetooth): at some point I got some weird noises when using bluetooth, but I don't plan on using BT much in the feature, so I didn't spent much time on it. My Presonus also have BT and I think at some point my phone was connected to both, so it might have been some interference between the two. This only happened once out of two times I used bluetooth. DAC A6 uses ESS SABRE ES9038Q2M as decoding. It's widely recognized in the high-fidelity audio industry, providing extraordinary music quality and lower total harmonic distortion (THD) levels, and are the gold standard of audio performance.
Overall I love the retro look of the device (especially in a dark room) the tubes 'glow' and VU meter is great (though the meter isn't very sensitive - you have to play loud to see it moving).
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Nice little glowing amplifier, VU meter works. Left side display could be turned off, but not VU meter light. The M2 seems to be very flat and a bit "upfront". The T9 Pro seems more like a U-shaped signature. Perhaps with some added "reverb"? (it feels like I'm listening in a larger room with a slightly better instrument separation and not so upfront). Connected to the T9 Pro (in standby) it goes to 1.7W, which is OK (but still not the greatest for current days). The Supporting Players Now, this is important. What I have here in China are very humble (by my standards), based on a set of more than 15 years old Chinese Sansui AV system (yes, the Japanese sold the name to the Chinese company, which is now a home appliance company) which I parceled out for 2 systems (main one, System 1, in my study, where I write for you; and the much less used auxiliary System 2 in the LR) There are a few extras that I had brought over from HK long ago, the most important being Revox and Sony. The stuff I use are detailed in my previous articles (Current iteration here, with links to earlier config). After some work they sounded pretty good. After listening to the systems for years I thought I knew them well, but what happened told me it was not quite so. A Completely Different Business ModelWhy is the same product sold under many different names? Mr Liu’s friend’s factory OEM’s for a lot of people. Perhaps, and I’m not sure, some of them have small design changes, but...More importantly, from what I understand, these brands, Aiyima, Suca, Douk, Nobosound etc, compete as well as cooperate. Some would re-brand something without hesitation (same factory) and use their own sales base. This is pretty unthinkable in the West. Grant you, the products are similar (a testament to the very high level achieved with cheap digitals now) and, if you ask me, there is not much room for breakthrough.
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