Hi Thomas, Thank You A LOT for this comprehensive review ! Highly informative, esp. for "Tube Amp Beginners" like me :-) ! Due to this, I recently ordered the A12, and it did not disappoint me. The stock tubes are ok for the price and are already sounding good. BUT when I changed the tubes to 2x 12AX7A-C premium selected ones from TubeAmp Doctor in pre, and 2x matched TungSol EL34Bs in final stage: MAN - it really blew me away ! Super detailed mids and highs, great 3D soundstage, and a Bass so precise and punchy that I think I use a solid state Amp with substantial more power ! On top NO audible hiss, hum or noisefloor; and my speakers are 96dB @ 1W/m ! Absolute fun to listen to, also longterm, I did not notice any flaws, distortion and whatsoever. And I listened to many genres of music. It seems the schematic has some slight changes to the previous versions. THIS is a real bargain to start with- I paid only 416€ , shipping from EU warehouse included especially if you consider that you have the FULL SELECTION of 12AX /ECC83 preamp tubes to fine tune it to personal preferences! THANKS again for your expert tip !! Think I will never sell this nice little amp.
Thomas, you've been putting out some of the best and most engaging content right now and for quite some time, very few people are as genuine and knowledgeable. I only wish you lived down the road so I could hear some of the great stuff you test out and trade stories! Best wishes from the UK.
Hi Thomas go glad you have time to review this, you are one a few (Steve, Sean) who convinced me to try tubes, now have a Bob Carver 275 and it helped my B & W 803s speakers bring that warmth (not as bright), looking forward to going with class A single ended. Take Care
Thomas! I've been a musician all my life. 10 years ago I decided to get into hifi....I've always played tube guitar amps so no brainer to get a tube integrated. Only reviews for tube integrateds started at over 5000$. It was discouraging! You my friend are the king of low cost good quality tube amps! It brings me joy to see you filling this space so well.
I have a 12ax7 amp and replaced it with a pair of 12at7 tubes. For me, it smoothed out the upper frequencies in a better way. Don’t know how this particular amp will react with the same tube change.
Funny you posted this now because i got my A12 about a week ago, and your A10 review helped make me make that choice. If this video was posted a few weeks earlier that would have made up my mind earlier lol. I was previously under the impression they were essentially the same save for the 12AX7s and the wider array of options for replacement tubes for the A12. Glad to hear that it is better all around than the A10. This is my first foray into tubes and I am loving it so far. Thanks for your content.
For many reasons... I am a fan of Chinese mfg. I need a new amp, and I am going to trust your advice. I love tube sound, have efficient speakers and, sadly, a small listening area. As an older man, I have HF rolloff. The mids & high mids matter more than ever for me! Thank you for your interesting content. I want class A single ended. I listen hours every day. ❤
On my A10 I rolled all the tubes. EL34s are easy. I went with the Tung Sols and Telefunken EL34s. Tung Sol gets my vote, much smoother and cleaner than the Telefunkens. I also did the following: Stock Voltage amp tube 6N2J, replaced w/NOS JSC Voskhod 6N2P-EB/6AX7. Stock Rectifier Tube 5Z4PJ, Replaced w/NOS Mullard CV 1863 from the 60s. Sounds amazing. One caveat, the Mullard is taller than the stock tube and interferes with the tube cage.
Tung Sol never made EL34 ..... TFK................very rare !....out of stock for decades ( 279$ single tube+ post at Tube world ) ........Often even made by RFT and labeled TFK New TFK is in reality JJ , nothing to do with TFK , selected JJ ....yes/ overpriced YES: sound like TFK..NO ! Try to find EL34 Mullard/Philips........or Tesla ( not JJ-Tesla) brown base.. 6CA7 russian has good reports also........best sounding is 6CA7 GE fat boy ....
I use mine with Klipsch Heresy speakers and dedicate this system to the mono set up, due to room size,. speaker placement is less restrictive, sounds great
Excellent video. It would be great to hear your take on the Boyuurange 300b amp. I home auditioned it with heresy 4. I loved the sound. More so then EL34. But i returned it only because the tube sockets were a bit too loose. The 300b tubes could easily move within the socket. But it would have been a keeper.
I bought a tube amp that looks like(chrome chassis, size and trans covers, etc) the A12 more than 5years ago, I converted it to accommodate the KT88 to increase the power output to about 10-12watts/channel. That changes the character of the sound totally because of the tube rather than the power output.
@@lawjog6246 Can't remember, I changed them a few years back, I altered the circuit, very different from the original, eg. I use 12AX7 instead of the tube supplied. BTW I still own this amp. still works. If you are after a tube amp get push-pull EL34, don't consume too much power(global warming) yet sound very good. It is playing NOW.
Besides using the kt-88(abundant) like you, I got a pair of output transformers of Tango XE-20s(long time ago brought in Japan) which would replace the original in someday by means of DIY.
I would love to see a reviewer challenge. For example, $10k total budget to play Pink Floyd - Time in a 20’wide, 30’deep, 9’ tall room with carpet and a couch. You pick the format and can add cables, room treatments and so on as part of the total budget. No headphones and no used gear. Each reviewer to post their entry video on their channel with a link to the original video posting the challenge in the description with a list of the build and prices. Only one complete build; not a bunch of options in that price range. Not required to actually build the system. Winner is the video with the most likes.
I recently set my a12 up with klipsch rp600m and it sounds great. Just ordered a matched pair 6ca7 electro harmonix big bottle tubes .My first tube amp can't wait to hear the difference. The only thing lacking was treble on stock tubes
Nice amp !!!! I run a single ended 2a3 tube amp with a tube preamp by Cary.....ae3 which is good....but that Reisong sounds great....a must for better tubes to bring out the best !!!!....Ed in New York....😎
Thanks for the great review. I'm considering purchasing one of these. Have you, or anyone, tested this with jazz/smooth jazz and blues? Sure, I know speakers are a big part of sound. I'm thinking of pairing this with Klipsch R51 speakers. Thanks.
Due to budget constraints I want to keep my tube amp in the $500 range. The A-10 and A12 are about $50 apart. Thanks for the review. I will go with the A-12 with tube upgrades down the road. Also Amazon will be the shipper and if there's a problem I can ship it back without the hassle.
Which EL34 tubes are used in the A10 for this sound demo? I do prefer the sound of A10 here, but that is probably due to the upgraded tubes. As always, thanks for giving us one of the best audio review sites on the web.
Hi Thomas. If Most audio reviewers, like yourself, heard both the Reisong A10 and A12 with the stock tubes, would it be safe to say that they would think both of them sounded the same? In other words, are both amps the same except for not needing tube adapters on the A 10 for tube rolling? I LOVE your videos and the passion you put into them. Keep up the FANTASTIC work!
They sound similar but 12AX7 tubes do sound slightly different. If you are into nuances, you will be able to pick out the differences but it is not night and day.
I actually had some time to do tube rolling on this amp. Replaced the EL34s with J&J KT88s and also replaced the 6N2s with Gold Lions 12ax7. The last change had a large impact on bass/treble response .. I actually like this configuration more for rock and almost all other genres of music. Yet for classical I keep coming back to the EL34 tubes. I also hooked the amp to a function generator and oscilloscope and was really impressed with what I saw. There were some even harmonics but overall the baseline was less than -80dB. People have complained about the baseline in this unit but I think it is superb! I actually love my Reisong A10 and think it will go down in history with likes of the NAD 3020. Affordable and delivering huge sound !
@@ThomasAndStereo let’s hope not .. apparently other have tried it. Not only that someone actually substituted kt66 tubes and even replaced the rectifier from 5r4 to 5v4. They had to change the bias resistors from 500 ohms to 420 ohms. I’m sure that’s risky .. but its actually part of the fun of owning the A10. Learning is also another form of entertainment this unit provides…
Hi Thomas. If you’re looking for suggestions for products to review, I’d suggest the Willsenton R800 (845 version). Also, maybe some decware amps..? And would be great to have a video on matching speaker wire with amps and speakers. Thanks!
Correction: Misunderstanding between me and Mr. Vintage, he did not open and measure the voltage of the 12AX7, sorry. Keep in mind that the difference I hear could simply be the difference in tubes but not the actual machine. www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/reisong-tube-amplifier-boyuuragne-audio-c-48/reisong-a12-12ax7-el34-tube-integrated-amplifier-single-ended-class-a-boyuurange-p-2347 Non-affiliated link
Given the very simple topology and the point to point execution I feel it would be easy to ascertain and interesting to hear what has been modified apart from the preamp tubes and their sockets.
Yeah, I am sure it is easy to figure out, they actually was going to modify one to use 6L6 instead of EL34 for me. I never got back to them on that actually.
Curious about Single ended vs. Push Pull tube amps. I have the Push pull MT 34 version of this which is fantastic. Very good on vocals, even male vocals. Also, very good on string instruments.
Thomas - I really enjoy your channel. I am new to tube amps. I bought the A10 a year ago and love it. What would you recommend for a tube upgrade and where to purchase them? Thank you...
Hi Thomas. I own a Sparks (Cayin) MT-40 integrated tube amp. And wondered if I could get better sound quality by switching out the EL34 power tubes to say KT77’s? Some people I have followed on different channels have said the KT77’s and KT 88’s produce deeper bass and high’s with more clarity. Would a change like this in any way compromise any other internal components within the amplifier?
Enjoy your talks , very easy to listen to . My simple question is for an ‘entry’ tube amp purchase I’m caught between the Reisong A12 or Willsenton R8 . Is upgrade to Willsenton that strong ? I have average efficiency speakers with a solid state marantz and toppingD90 . I’m looking for a ‘softer musical format’ strings vocals etc . Again keep up the enjoyable talks .
The R8 is more for the general audience because it does everything ok. The A12 is for a specific audience because it does only one thing well but really well.
I find almost all reviews are on the A10. I am glad I went with the A12. One thing I will state is with my RF-7 IIs 6 watts per channel can annoy my neighbors.........and has......
@@ThomasAndStereo Yes! I remember as a kid having tube stereos around the house but that was in the 70s. Decided to try them with something affordable to my pocket book. Glad I bought it. Its very different from my other systems.
I bought the Reisong Boyuu KT-88 amp from China Hi-fi. I really don't understand why that amp is not getting more attention. It's got enough power that you don't need as efficient speakers and it has some good dynamics. What is it about the specs that are turning people off from it?
Thomas, did you say Mr. Vintage found that the 12AX7s in the A12 work at only 6 volts? (Assuming you mean he measured the plate voltage and not the heater voltage) If so that is very interesting. Normally they can be used with anywhere between around 90 up to 300 volts. Running them at such a low voltage is called "starved plate," it's quite uncommon, but some people really like it. Would be an interesting experiment to try 5751 tubes instead of 12AX7s if you haven't already. 6N2P-EVs, 5751WAs, and 12AX7WAs are the heavy duty military grade versions available, and might be worth a try too. A bit off-topic, but have you/will you ever try any Luxman tube gear? I heard the LX-380 integrated amp over a year ago and still the experience has stuck with me...
@@ThomasAndStereo i got this A12 amp. They do not pair well with the Bro3. The top end is more bright and overall fatigue y. They however brought out Buchardt s400's alive in ways that I am not used to. But you are right. The main singer/voice pops out.
Yeah, you need strong bass to balance out with bright top end. Also, as I mentioned in many of my videos, class A sound is not fat and silky smooth, it has a slight leaness to it that makes it have a lot of texture. Good if you like that kind of 'real' voice but as I mentioned in my latest video, I look more for buttery smooth midrange. You just need to find the right speakers for it to shine these A12.
Hi Thomas, always enjoy your videos. Can you recommend the best tubes for my Musical Paradise MP301, please? I am using the JJ 6L6GC and the inhouse preamp tubes. Many thanks.
I don't have one anymore. Have you conisder trying other tubes like 6550, EL34? Those are more 'musical' and less neutral. You can have more power with KT88. I mean there are many options and if you are going to tube roll, you might as well try other tubes unless you like the neutral sound of 6L6.
@@josephyap698 I have a MP-301, I found this machine sounded best with the 6L6 family, the stock 6p3p is neutral and natural, very nice, the NOS brown base 5881 give a bit more details and air, but a bit less bass. The 6j8p need to be replaced by the red base 5693. I won't try to save on this one. I swapped more than a dozen variety on it already.
Thomas, a while back you mentioned that you put a platter under your speakers-like a cutting board? Is this wooden or another material and where have you purchased these?
Thomas, how would one be able to use headphones with this unit?? Or, is there another tube integrated amplifier that has a headphone jack Respectfully Mike
i have to say the A 10 after my improvements i really enjoyed for a while, but the A 12 whas a huge disapointing in compare , no improvements at all , only disapointings , thats what i could read from other peoples experiences , finally i bought a McIntosh MC275 VI Tube Stereo Power Amplifier and woooow i need no other , i bought it 2hand for 440 € and not regret it ,only enjoy it more and more
It's a shame they didn't go with the 12AT7 instead of the 12AX7, it's a better driver tube for this purpose. There would be many, many more NOS tube rolling options that are reasonably priced than the 12AX7 which is used often in guitar amps and thus nice NOS 12AX7 tubes are quite costly. I've seen the schematic for the A10 and they're just paralleling the triodes for the input/driver tube and the 12AT7 would have almost as much gain but more grunt (lower plate resistance). If I bought one of these amps I'd see it as a tube amp mad scientist's experimentation kit.
Hi Thomas! Have you tried running the A10 using adapters from 6N2J to 12ax7, and then assessing remaining difference? I would strongly recommend that! Adapters 6N2J to 12ax7: 14$ at ebay..... I use Hi-end 12ax7:s in my A10 using adapters, Psvane 12AX7-T-MII/2 (=ECC83) matched pair 85euros , and the improvement in detail and resolution was substantial over the 6N2J:s. I would guess it is hard to justify the almost doubled price for the A12 after such an upgrade of the A10.....!
No, I mentioned it is a solution at the end of the video. Actually once you add in shipping and upgrade options, the price difference is not as big. The A12 price already includes shipping.
@@ThomasAndStereo Well, when I ordered end of December 2020 I had to pay 270$ including shipping, ( train thorough China ) while the Amazon price was 480$..... That is a significant difference, don't you think?
@@ThomasAndStereo They have raised the A10 prices at china-hifi.com now. When I ordered, you got the upgraded = hand soldered point-to-point, without cage, for 200$ and then 70$ shipping by train.
Ahhhh...Focal! I have the 807W. I have wondered how they would sound if modded out and if worth it? Any thoughts on Omega Super 3 High Output Monitor with low power amps tube or otherwise?
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks. How do you think or expect the Omega 3 HO Monitor with dual drivers would compare with Focal 807W regarding SQ? I am looking to switch to lower power amps and lighter amps, using a Keces E40 (hint, a review possibility?) which I really like, but I also have a Hegel h160. As you get get older you appreciate lightness as long as SQ is good. What I like about the Focals are its' dynamic range, it is punchy and still subtle, separation is very good, it shows layers but am looking for speakers which give as much depth as possible at higher efficiency without giving up much of what the Focals do right. Absolute resolution isn't as important as musicality...I didn't like the Quad S-2, more refined but boring and a 2D flat soundstage, imo.
There are these tubes left to try on this amp..........6CA7 GE ( fat boy ) and 5751A triple mica , black plates............ Maybe it's possible to buy an A10 and modify the pin out to 12AX7/ECC83 ( I don't know if schematics are the same ) CV1863 may be better than the china made rectifier.... OPT and power supply are limiting factors for this SE amp but for the price one will already hear the potential of this amplifier mode.........
Hi Thomas. I wanted to get your opinion on Skunkie Designs Electronics and her opinion that the A12 is basically not a very good amp without her suggested mods? Thoughts?
Well a lot of A12 owners would disagree with her regarding the sound. Sure it might not measure well and maybe the A12 can sound even better after fixing it but everything is a function of price. If someone can built a similar amp that measures well at the same price,then kudos to her.
Any chance of reviewing Raven Osprey or Raven Nighthawk with matching Celeste speakers? Not many used ones for sale ever and what few reviews I have found say it sounds better than their current system that is many more times the price.
@@ThomasAndStereo lifetime warranty and made in the USA! And everybody talks about the fantastic support that Dave and his team offer. I think they have a 45 or 60 day in-home trial but charged 7% restocking fee which is around $400 but somebody said they got them to lower the price. But they never returned it. Just trying to dig through the hype. But now I am thinking luxman 380. Review stated it sounded so good it brought tears to the eye. Just got to figure out what speakers to go with it in my 15 by 15 foot room with 8-foot ceilings
Hi Thomas, alright i got Zu audio omen mk2 dw coming in june and i am looking for an integrated amp for them thats less than 1000 dollars. any suggestions
Hey Thomas. Moving pretty quick. On Monday I will order either Doge 7 or the new Gustard X26 Pro Dac. Which is solid state but has crazy performance and engineering. Thoughts? Tubes vs probably far superior overall design.
Not really a big fan of the X26. For the Doge 7, I have yet to seriously listen to it, everyone I lent it to were impressed but it seems to level up when paired with the Doge 8. It will be months before I review it.
@@ThomasAndStereo what didn't you like about the x26? It looks so much more advanced. The doge dac section and power supply are so basic. (Are you sure you're talking about the x26 Pro, not the X26? Pro just came out).
Well, you can always try the Aiyima first on Amazon since you can return it. A12 is good but does not have a lot of power and it really will depend on your speaker while the Aiyima have more power and have better chance with speaker matching.
@@ThomasAndStereo i have a vintage rotel that is rated at 5w p/ch which can drive hales transcendence one bookshelves which are 85db. the others are jamo 807+concept9+klipsch. i figure he 807s will be ok. my listening area is only 8 feet from the speakers. i am figuring though 5w out the rotel isnt the same as a handful out of the A12. right now with the T9 only 110 dollars, maybe worth just buying and using, i have a media pc with a pyle class d and elac bs41's, can always move it to the media box. please excuse my spelling, went to eye docs this morning and the universe is blury.
@@ThomasAndStereo also it seems the A10 and A12 use El34 tubes ? amazon have them at 390 and 499. would there be a whole bunch of difference with the A10 ?
i rewatched the vid, so its the power tubes that are different, but the sound signature is vanilla vs vanilla+1, so i could likely get the A10 and then shop around for some replacement power tubes and still be less than the A12
I've tried the A12 on my Magnepan LRS+. It's ok but is a much better match with KEF LS50 METAs. I wouldn't have expected much, since both speakers are difficult to drive. But on great recordings, I really enjoy this A12/Meta combo.
I would not even consider the A12, being twice as expensive while being exceptionally close to the A10 designwise. 25$ for adapters to 12ax7 pinout is a sensible way to go.
@@ThomasAndStereo Well, that of course depends on where you are living. The A10 costs 215$+30$ for point-to-point soldering = 245$. Shipping by train & DHL 80$ to Sweden = 325$ to compare to 498$ for A12
Thomas, apologies but I did not know how to send you a message privately. I have a Reisong A12. Happy with it and my Klipsch Forte IV and Burson Composer DAC. Question: Is there a sound quality advantage by going to the Willsenton R8? The A12 is plenty powerful for my room and gear. Just wondering if soundstage, etc. are significantly improved by the R8.
I think the biggest change will be the way the midrange sounds. You see, you are comparing single ended class A sound against push pull class AB sound. Sure you will get more bass, dynamics and perhaps a bigger soundstage. However, given you have a Forte with high efficiency, I am not sure how much of a difference. I would probably know in a month and a half because Russ and Mark will be borrowing my R8 and A12 to try on their Klipsch Forte and they can tell me. If I were to guess, the sound change would be from a more linear class A SET sound (A12) to a more 'hifi' sound (R8) where top end and bass is boosted up. Its a bit like orange and apples.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks so much, Thomas. Sounds like a wait is in order. I'll keep my eyes on your posts. You really are very much appreciated and go beyond the call.
@@ThomasAndStereo Sorry to bother you again. In your review you said Leben was detailed but a bit lean. So my question is the Simply Italy in Leben's league since Leben is more expensive and once again which ones is tubier/warmer? Many thanks!☺️
I had to mod the heck out of the A10 to make it sound good. It is not 6 Watt, tops 4 Watt but the first Watt out of the box sucked. In fact I changed it into a A12. Without the mods internally the tube rolling is not really worth it. Out of the box it only has muddy bass.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks for the reply.. I have a few Aiwa CDPs myself. Some have excellent dacs and reliable transports. Great value vintage...all the best Dave
@@daveturner2484 I asked him about this on an old post where the Aiwa as showing. He said it's an XC-005 CD player, and that Mr Vintage likes the sound of it paired with his SMSL DAC. Pretty neat!
Hi, good reviews. I found in Amazon a Boyuu HiFi that goes for $441 cdn vs the A12 at $689 cdn. The only difference is 2x 6N9P for HiFi vs 2x 12AX7 for the A12. Can you educate me on the difference ans if it worth the $248 difference. Thanks!!
@@ThomasAndStereo sorry Thomas I was not very clear. I was referring to a Boyuu product Branded HiFi Exquis so I assume it is not the same as the A10. Please take a look at Amazon
Those are low power amps. Tubes can give excellent sound, but any stereo needs power to punch out the thud of a bass drum. The peak power this requires instantly will exceed the amps. Tubes operate at high V, but only mA. For the bass drum punch, A are needed, which exceeds the capabilities of the tubes.
Sounds like an amp you may end up with later on in life when the ears have gone! Have you tried the Sophia el34 or kt88 with the Doge 10 and if so did you hear a marked improvement?
I asked that same question to Mcintosh and they told me it depends on the measurements of your speakers. I guess if it is stable at 6 ohm, you can use 8 ohm, if it dips frequently down to 4 ohm, then use 4 ohm.
Skunk design I think with this amplifier they show how some of them are built different in the quality ain't consistent some of them have problems with ground noise and other things what do you think about this
I would say that sucks, I would tend to believe Skunk design's findings. Pro and cons of buying from Asia. Pro is you get a lot of sound for cheap, cons, there is a risk and you have to assess if it is worth it or not.
@@ThomasAndStereo there's some good ones out there but one big problem it's a simple fix too is that sometimes the transformers say 115 well the box says that the volt is 115 but it's actually 110 and with tubes it can be a problem I'm a big problem cuz it burns your tubes I have a Japanese made integrated amplifier and I bought a step down well not a step down but I bought a transformer that takes 115 to 1:10 cuz I don't want to have it any more stress. There's a few Chinese manufacturers that are really good and they have all their stuff together but it's just scary cuz like. It could be a knockoff I forgot the brand that I like the most because when I moved I sold it but it was really really good one for what it cost
Thomas, I just bought my first tube amp(reisong a10), and got the klispch Rp-600M , but for some reason the sound/volume is super low, no sure what is going on…any idea? Hopefully you see this message .
@@ThomasAndStereo Thank you, I put the volume all the way up and the sound is really, really low, Though I was doing something wrong, but the set up is straight forward, do I need to hook it up to a tuner or pre-amp? Against thank you for your time!
@@manuelduluc322 you sure you are in the right input? I think there is a button at the back to change the input. BE CAREFUL before you do it. The reason you might hear some sound is because of crosstalk from the other channel. You are on the wrong input at the back.
@@ThomasAndStereo My source? That my be the issue, all I did was connect my speakers and turntable to the reisong, I guess I need another source? I will do some more research in the internet, thank you for your time, really appreciate it.
As a burgeoning Audiophile I have been putting together an audiophile system bit by bit. I have my Logitech speakers (powered- bass module and 4 cubes) hooked up to my Acer laptop. On Tom's advice I have upgraded the speakers wires to the Monster's Cables which REALLY brings out the BASS and 3D surround sound aspect of the soundstage. Any ideas to bring my Audiophile system to the NEXT LEVEL would be welcome!
If your laptop is providing DAC duties that needs to be replaced with a dedicated DAC. Built-in computer DACs are not audiophile material. Enjoy your journey!
Hi Thomas, Thank You A LOT for this comprehensive review ! Highly informative, esp. for "Tube Amp Beginners" like me :-) ! Due to this, I recently ordered the A12, and it did not disappoint me. The stock tubes are ok for the price and are already sounding good.
BUT when I changed the tubes to 2x 12AX7A-C premium selected ones from TubeAmp Doctor in pre, and 2x matched TungSol EL34Bs in final stage:
MAN - it really blew me away !
Super detailed mids and highs, great 3D soundstage, and a Bass so precise and punchy that I think I use a solid state Amp with substantial more power ! On top NO audible hiss, hum or noisefloor; and my speakers are 96dB @ 1W/m ! Absolute fun to listen to, also longterm, I did not notice any flaws, distortion and whatsoever. And I listened to many genres of music.
It seems the schematic has some slight changes to the previous versions.
THIS is a real bargain to start with- I paid only 416€ , shipping from EU warehouse included especially if you consider that you have the FULL SELECTION of 12AX /ECC83 preamp tubes to fine tune it to personal preferences! THANKS again for your expert tip !!
Think I will never sell this nice little amp.
Thomas, you've been putting out some of the best and most engaging content right now and for quite some time, very few people are as genuine and knowledgeable. I only wish you lived down the road so I could hear some of the great stuff you test out and trade stories! Best wishes from the UK.
I appreciate that! UK? I was born there and last time I was there was about 15 years ago.
Hi Thomas go glad you have time to review this, you are one a few (Steve, Sean) who convinced me to try tubes, now have a Bob Carver 275 and it helped my B & W 803s speakers bring that warmth (not as bright), looking forward to going with class A single ended. Take Care
Thomas! I've been a musician all my life. 10 years ago I decided to get into hifi....I've always played tube guitar amps so no brainer to get a tube integrated. Only reviews for tube integrateds started at over 5000$. It was discouraging! You my friend are the king of low cost good quality tube amps! It brings me joy to see you filling this space so well.
Thanks! EL34 is famous for the mid-range... In my experience, signal tube rolling will change the sound more than rolling power tubes
I have a 12ax7 amp and replaced it with a pair of 12at7 tubes. For me, it smoothed out the upper frequencies in a better way. Don’t know how this particular amp will react with the same tube change.
yeah power tube rolling doesn't really make sense in the grand scheme.
@@ramencurry6672less gain
Funny you posted this now because i got my A12 about a week ago, and your A10 review helped make me make that choice. If this video was posted a few weeks earlier that would have made up my mind earlier lol. I was previously under the impression they were essentially the same save for the 12AX7s and the wider array of options for replacement tubes for the A12. Glad to hear that it is better all around than the A10. This is my first foray into tubes and I am loving it so far. Thanks for your content.
Glad it was helpful and you are enjoying the A12.
What kind of speakers do you use ?
Thanks.
For many reasons... I am a fan of Chinese mfg. I need a new amp, and I am going to trust your advice. I love tube sound, have efficient speakers and, sadly, a small listening area. As an older man, I have HF rolloff. The mids & high mids matter more than ever for me! Thank you for your interesting content. I want class A single ended. I listen hours every day. ❤
On my A10 I rolled all the tubes. EL34s are easy. I went with the Tung Sols and Telefunken EL34s. Tung Sol gets my vote, much smoother and cleaner than the Telefunkens. I also did the following: Stock Voltage amp tube 6N2J, replaced w/NOS JSC Voskhod 6N2P-EB/6AX7. Stock Rectifier Tube 5Z4PJ, Replaced w/NOS Mullard CV 1863 from the 60s. Sounds amazing. One caveat, the Mullard is taller than the stock tube and interferes with the tube cage.
Nice nice! Wow, those are some NOS you have there.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thank you. I very much enjoy your videos and your practical approach.
Tung Sol never made EL34 .....
TFK................very rare !....out of stock for decades ( 279$ single tube+ post at Tube world ) ........Often even made by RFT and labeled TFK
New TFK is in reality JJ , nothing to do with TFK , selected JJ ....yes/ overpriced YES: sound like TFK..NO !
Try to find EL34 Mullard/Philips........or Tesla ( not JJ-Tesla) brown base..
6CA7 russian has good reports also........best sounding is 6CA7 GE fat boy ....
@@edholmwood what did those extra mods end up costing?
Kt66 sounds smoother over the el34 even better with a tube preamp Xduoo TA26s
I use mine with Klipsch Heresy speakers and dedicate this system to the mono set up, due to room size,. speaker placement is less restrictive, sounds great
I have the A10 and found that I can swap out the stock signal tubes with 12AX7 tubes by using an adaptor.
Never owned a tube amp, but i LOVE all the designs, works of art
Great job Thomas. I love tubes too. Have you ever reviewed any gear with EL84 tubes?
You are a smart guy.. I like this review.
Hi Thomas! Awesome looking unit. Absolutely love the price tag! Awesome aesthetics.
i was even able to hear it through your recording, the a12 is really better in the mids!
I'm just setting up the A12 today, thanks for your great video on it.
Enjoy it
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks.
Excellent video. It would be great to hear your take on the Boyuurange 300b amp. I home auditioned it with heresy 4. I loved the sound. More so then EL34. But i returned it only because the tube sockets were a bit too loose. The 300b tubes could easily move within the socket. But it would have been a keeper.
I bought a tube amp that looks like(chrome chassis, size and trans covers, etc) the A12 more than 5years ago, I converted it to accommodate the KT88 to increase the power output to about 10-12watts/channel. That changes the character of the sound totally because of the tube rather than the power output.
The loading resistors(fixed) for bias might have been altered too (8W>12W) ?
@@lawjog6246 Can't remember, I changed them a few years back, I altered the circuit, very different from the original, eg. I use 12AX7 instead of the tube supplied.
BTW I still own this amp. still works.
If you are after a tube amp get push-pull EL34, don't consume too much power(global warming) yet sound very good. It is playing NOW.
Besides using the kt-88(abundant) like you, I got a pair of output transformers of Tango XE-20s(long time ago brought in Japan) which would replace the original in someday by means of DIY.
I would love to see a reviewer challenge. For example, $10k total budget to play Pink Floyd - Time in a 20’wide, 30’deep, 9’ tall room with carpet and a couch. You pick the format and can add cables, room treatments and so on as part of the total budget. No headphones and no used gear. Each reviewer to post their entry video on their channel with a link to the original video posting the challenge in the description with a list of the build and prices. Only one complete build; not a bunch of options in that price range. Not required to actually build the system. Winner is the video with the most likes.
I recently set my a12 up with klipsch rp600m and it sounds great. Just ordered a matched pair 6ca7 electro harmonix big bottle tubes .My first tube amp can't wait to hear the difference. The only thing lacking was treble on stock tubes
My Asian brother uncle guy. You're perfect. This was a great video. Aesthetically and sonically pleasing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thx for the intro to the A12. I found someone here that builds tube amp so it will be interesting to find out how they compare.
Nice amp !!!! I run a single ended 2a3 tube amp with a tube preamp by Cary.....ae3 which is good....but that Reisong sounds great....a must for better tubes to bring out the best !!!!....Ed in New York....😎
Great channel really enjoy your reviews and presentation.....
Thank you so much 👍
Looking good these days Thomas, I’m also liking your videos more every month, you keep getting better!
Thanks for the great review. I'm considering purchasing one of these. Have you, or anyone, tested this with jazz/smooth jazz and blues? Sure, I know speakers are a big part of sound. I'm thinking of pairing this with Klipsch R51 speakers. Thanks.
Due to budget constraints I want to keep my tube amp in the $500 range. The A-10 and A12 are about $50 apart. Thanks for the review. I will go with the A-12 with tube upgrades down the road. Also Amazon will be the shipper and if there's a problem I can ship it back without the hassle.
Thanks for another good /informative video, I could hear the difference, and have a preference for the A12
Thanks for watching!
Yes, Finally! This is the amp I have been looking for.
Which EL34 tubes are used in the A10 for this sound demo? I do prefer the sound of A10 here, but that is probably due to the upgraded tubes. As always, thanks for giving us one of the best audio review sites on the web.
Thanks, I don't remember since it was a while ago. Most likely stock tubes.
Great Review, as always! How about using the A12 as a preamplifier to drive speakers below 90 dB via the power of a power amp or integrated amp?
Hi Thomas. If Most audio reviewers, like yourself, heard both the Reisong A10 and A12 with the stock tubes, would it be safe to say that they would think both of them sounded the same? In other words, are both amps the same except for not needing tube adapters on the A 10 for tube rolling? I LOVE your videos and the passion you put into them. Keep up the FANTASTIC work!
They sound similar but 12AX7 tubes do sound slightly different. If you are into nuances, you will be able to pick out the differences but it is not night and day.
You can use aan adapter to use 12ax7, I'm using Mulard 12ax7 and Golden Lions K88
I actually had some time to do tube rolling on this amp. Replaced the EL34s with J&J KT88s and also replaced the 6N2s with Gold Lions 12ax7. The last change had a large impact on bass/treble response .. I actually like this configuration more for rock and almost all other genres of music. Yet for classical I keep coming back to the EL34 tubes.
I also hooked the amp to a function generator and oscilloscope and was really impressed with what I saw. There were some even harmonics but overall the baseline was less than -80dB. People have complained about the baseline in this unit but I think it is superb!
I actually love my Reisong A10 and think it will go down in history with likes of the NAD 3020. Affordable and delivering huge sound !
The transformer should not be able to handle kt88, maybe it is running at kt88 half power? I wonder if it will shorten the life of your amp?
@@ThomasAndStereo let’s hope not .. apparently other have tried it. Not only that someone actually substituted kt66 tubes and even replaced the rectifier from 5r4 to 5v4. They had to change the bias resistors from 500 ohms to 420 ohms. I’m sure that’s risky .. but its actually part of the fun of owning the A10. Learning is also another form of entertainment this unit provides…
@@ThomasAndStereo sorry I meant kt77
@@nathanas64 Ah that makes more sense since KT77 is a EL34 replacement.
Hi Thomas. If you’re looking for suggestions for products to review, I’d suggest the Willsenton R800 (845 version). Also, maybe some decware amps..? And would be great to have a video on matching speaker wire with amps and speakers. Thanks!
Correction: Misunderstanding between me and Mr. Vintage, he did not open and measure the voltage of the 12AX7, sorry.
Keep in mind that the difference I hear could simply be the difference in tubes but not the actual machine.
www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/reisong-tube-amplifier-boyuuragne-audio-c-48/reisong-a12-12ax7-el34-tube-integrated-amplifier-single-ended-class-a-boyuurange-p-2347
Non-affiliated link
Does this Reisong "thump" when you turn it on/off?
@@wa2368 Nope.
A 12AX7 can use 6.3V filament voltage. The filament has a centre tap. Depending on the wiring of the filament pins, you can use 6.3V or 12.6V.
Can you cover the "mod" to the Focals please Thomas? I have the 826 Ws and am most interested.
Very good! Might try one! Thanks!
Wait for my A50 review too!
Given the very simple topology and the point to point execution I feel it would be easy to ascertain and interesting to hear what has been modified apart from the preamp tubes and their sockets.
Yeah, I am sure it is easy to figure out, they actually was going to modify one to use 6L6 instead of EL34 for me. I never got back to them on that actually.
I would love a chance to poke around in one of these and see how it does what it does..
Curious about Single ended vs. Push Pull tube amps. I have the Push pull MT 34 version of this which is fantastic. Very good on vocals, even male vocals. Also, very good on string instruments.
ua-cam.com/video/DuD4Ij9F6UI/v-deo.html
I never know how good it can be until I put NOS Mullard EL34 and NOS Telefunken 12ax7 on it.
Thomas - I really enjoy your channel. I am new to tube amps. I bought the A10 a year ago and love it. What would you recommend for a tube upgrade and where to purchase them? Thank you...
A10 sounds more holographic but the 12ax7 tubes are easier to find or change
Hi Thomas. I own a Sparks (Cayin) MT-40 integrated tube amp. And wondered if I could get better sound quality by switching out the EL34 power tubes to say KT77’s? Some people I have followed on different channels have said the KT77’s and KT 88’s produce deeper bass and high’s with more clarity. Would a change like this in any way compromise any other internal components within the amplifier?
Thomas with gel-ed hair, smart 👍👍👍
Enjoy your talks , very easy to listen to . My simple question is for an ‘entry’ tube amp purchase I’m caught between the Reisong A12 or Willsenton R8 . Is upgrade to Willsenton that strong ? I have average efficiency speakers with a solid state marantz and toppingD90 . I’m looking for a ‘softer musical format’ strings vocals etc . Again keep up the enjoyable talks .
The R8 is more for the general audience because it does everything ok. The A12 is for a specific audience because it does only one thing well but really well.
Hi Thomas, I just bought a A12 and I am looking forward to listening to it.
Ideally you need to pair them with efficient speakers.
@@ThomasAndStereo I am planning to get the A10. Do you think the triangle BRO3 are a good match? They are rated for 90db sensitivity.
@@DannySathya I have not tested them together but I might in the next few weeks. I will test it with the A50 too.
@@ThomasAndStereo appreciate it. Please let me know your thoughts.
I find almost all reviews are on the A10. I am glad I went with the A12.
One thing I will state is with my RF-7 IIs 6 watts per channel can annoy my neighbors.........and has......
Nice, so far so good?
@@ThomasAndStereo Yes! I remember as a kid having tube stereos around the house but that was in the 70s. Decided to try them with something affordable to my pocket book. Glad I bought it. Its very different from my other systems.
I bought the Reisong Boyuu KT-88 amp from China Hi-fi. I really don't understand why that amp is not getting more attention. It's got enough power that you don't need as efficient speakers and it has some good dynamics. What is it about the specs that are turning people off from it?
Thomas, did you say Mr. Vintage found that the 12AX7s in the A12 work at only 6 volts? (Assuming you mean he measured the plate voltage and not the heater voltage) If so that is very interesting. Normally they can be used with anywhere between around 90 up to 300 volts. Running them at such a low voltage is called "starved plate," it's quite uncommon, but some people really like it.
Would be an interesting experiment to try 5751 tubes instead of 12AX7s if you haven't already. 6N2P-EVs, 5751WAs, and 12AX7WAs are the heavy duty military grade versions available, and might be worth a try too.
A bit off-topic, but have you/will you ever try any Luxman tube gear? I heard the LX-380 integrated amp over a year ago and still the experience has stuck with me...
Yup, it only works at 6 v. Yeah, I need to try more tubes. I have never heard Luxman tube gear and hopefully sometime this year.
Correction: Misunderstanding between me and Mr. Vintage, he did not open and measure the voltage of the 12AX7, sorry.
The 12AX7 will run 6 volts because the heater is center tapped. You just jump pins 4 and 5 and the other heater pin is 9.
Thank you Thomas. I wonder if these will pair well with the Triangle Borea BRO3
I never tried it with the Bro3, sorry. Maybe Sean would know.
@@ThomasAndStereo i got this A12 amp. They do not pair well with the Bro3. The top end is more bright and overall fatigue y. They however brought out Buchardt s400's alive in ways that I am not used to. But you are right. The main singer/voice pops out.
Yeah, you need strong bass to balance out with bright top end. Also, as I mentioned in many of my videos, class A sound is not fat and silky smooth, it has a slight leaness to it that makes it have a lot of texture. Good if you like that kind of 'real' voice but as I mentioned in my latest video, I look more for buttery smooth midrange. You just need to find the right speakers for it to shine these A12.
Hi Thomas, always enjoy your videos. Can you recommend the best tubes for my Musical Paradise MP301, please? I am using the JJ 6L6GC and the inhouse preamp tubes. Many thanks.
I don't have one anymore. Have you conisder trying other tubes like 6550, EL34? Those are more 'musical' and less neutral. You can have more power with KT88. I mean there are many options and if you are going to tube roll, you might as well try other tubes unless you like the neutral sound of 6L6.
@@ThomasAndStereo Many thanks. I will give them a try.
@@josephyap698 I have a MP-301, I found this machine sounded best with the 6L6 family, the stock 6p3p is neutral and natural, very nice, the NOS brown base 5881 give a bit more details and air, but a bit less bass. The 6j8p need to be replaced by the red base 5693. I won't try to save on this one. I swapped more than a dozen variety on it already.
Needs a couple of more inputs ( 2 single ended RCA and 2 balanced (XLR) )
Auto biasing and yes, a remote would be nice.
Thomas, a while back you mentioned that you put a platter under your speakers-like a cutting board? Is this wooden or another material and where have you purchased these?
I did ? I don't remember!
Thomas, how would one be able to use headphones with this unit?? Or, is there another tube integrated amplifier that has a headphone jack
Respectfully Mike
i have to say the A 10 after my improvements i really enjoyed for a while, but the A 12 whas a huge disapointing in compare , no improvements at all , only disapointings , thats what i could read from other peoples experiences , finally i bought a McIntosh MC275 VI Tube Stereo Power Amplifier and woooow i need no other , i bought it 2hand for 440 € and not regret it ,only enjoy it more and more
Hi Thomas, your take on the A12 vs Muzishare X5 ($800 ish) and the Deckware super zen ufo ($995)? Thanks!
It's a shame they didn't go with the 12AT7 instead of the 12AX7, it's a better driver tube for this purpose. There would be many, many more NOS tube rolling options that are reasonably priced than the 12AX7 which is used often in guitar amps and thus nice NOS 12AX7 tubes are quite costly. I've seen the schematic for the A10 and they're just paralleling the triodes for the input/driver tube and the 12AT7 would have almost as much gain but more grunt (lower plate resistance). If I bought one of these amps I'd see it as a tube amp mad scientist's experimentation kit.
Hi. I have a Simply Italy too. Together with quite efficient Cabasse speakers.I use Gold Lion tubes. What tubes are you using? Thank you.
I am using Tungsol and Sophia tubes
Hi Thomas!
Have you tried running the A10 using adapters from 6N2J to 12ax7, and then assessing remaining difference?
I would strongly recommend that! Adapters 6N2J to 12ax7: 14$ at ebay.....
I use Hi-end 12ax7:s in my A10 using adapters, Psvane 12AX7-T-MII/2 (=ECC83) matched pair 85euros , and the improvement in detail and resolution was substantial over the 6N2J:s.
I would guess it is hard to justify the almost doubled price for the A12 after such an upgrade of the A10.....!
No, I mentioned it is a solution at the end of the video. Actually once you add in shipping and upgrade options, the price difference is not as big. The A12 price already includes shipping.
@@ThomasAndStereo Well, when I ordered end of December 2020 I had to pay 270$ including shipping, ( train thorough China ) while the Amazon price was 480$..... That is a significant difference, don't you think?
@@vespass225 wow, amazing deal. I don't know if it still the same now since things have changed regarding shipping.
@@ThomasAndStereo They have raised the A10 prices at china-hifi.com now. When I ordered, you got the upgraded = hand soldered point-to-point, without cage, for 200$ and then 70$ shipping by train.
If your some body who loves vocals you need a tube amp
I have a Simply Italy on order. Would you say it's better than Cayin cs-55a in Triode mode? 12 watts vs 18 watts.
If you are into vocals, I would say so. Its different. Class A sound vs class AB sound.
@@ThomasAndStereo ok thanks! Did you try Simply Italy with Kt77?
Thx. Just bought the a10. Is there a phono preamp you suggest for this ?
Amp prono Kokubishi..
Ahhhh...Focal! I have the 807W. I have wondered how they would sound if modded out and if worth it? Any thoughts on Omega Super 3 High Output Monitor with low power amps tube or otherwise?
I like Omega speakers with tube amps. 807 mod? I don't think it is worth it and I will explain in my video.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks. How do you think or expect the Omega 3 HO Monitor with dual drivers would compare with Focal 807W regarding SQ?
I am looking to switch to lower power amps and lighter amps, using a Keces E40 (hint, a review possibility?) which I really like, but I also have a Hegel h160. As you get get older you appreciate lightness as long as SQ is good.
What I like about the Focals are its' dynamic range, it is punchy and still subtle, separation is very good, it shows layers but am looking for speakers which give as much depth as possible at higher efficiency without giving up much of what the Focals do right. Absolute resolution isn't as important as musicality...I didn't like the Quad S-2, more refined but boring and a 2D flat soundstage, imo.
There are these tubes left to try on this amp..........6CA7 GE ( fat boy ) and 5751A triple mica , black plates............
Maybe it's possible to buy an A10 and modify the pin out to 12AX7/ECC83 ( I don't know if schematics are the same )
CV1863 may be better than the china made rectifier....
OPT and power supply are limiting factors for this SE amp but for the price one will already hear the potential of this amplifier mode.........
Hi Thomas. I wanted to get your opinion on Skunkie Designs Electronics and her opinion that the A12 is basically not a very good amp without her suggested mods? Thoughts?
Well a lot of A12 owners would disagree with her regarding the sound. Sure it might not measure well and maybe the A12 can sound even better after fixing it but everything is a function of price. If someone can built a similar amp that measures well at the same price,then kudos to her.
Any chance of reviewing Raven Osprey or Raven Nighthawk with matching Celeste speakers? Not many used ones for sale ever and what few reviews I have found say it sounds better than their current system that is many more times the price.
No, I have not heard of the brand actually.
@@ThomasAndStereo lifetime warranty and made in the USA! And everybody talks about the fantastic support that Dave and his team offer. I think they have a 45 or 60 day in-home trial but charged 7% restocking fee which is around $400 but somebody said they got them to lower the price. But they never returned it. Just trying to dig through the hype. But now I am thinking luxman 380. Review stated it sounded so good it brought tears to the eye. Just got to figure out what speakers to go with it in my 15 by 15 foot room with 8-foot ceilings
Can the Reisong work with 6 ohm speakers like the Monitor Audio RS6?
Hi Thomas. While you get to test a lot of amps what do you use for YOUR everyday system. The Doge 10?
My main system is my McIntosh MAC6700 but I rarely use it because I am always testing stuff.
@@ThomasAndStereo the mac must be special.
Hi Thomas, alright i got Zu audio omen mk2 dw coming in june and i am looking for an integrated amp for them thats less than 1000 dollars. any suggestions
What is the regime of work of El34? Triode or Pentode?
Sorry I don't know.
Hey Thomas. Moving pretty quick. On Monday I will order either Doge 7 or the new Gustard X26 Pro Dac. Which is solid state but has crazy performance and engineering. Thoughts? Tubes vs probably far superior overall design.
Not really a big fan of the X26. For the Doge 7, I have yet to seriously listen to it, everyone I lent it to were impressed but it seems to level up when paired with the Doge 8. It will be months before I review it.
@@ThomasAndStereo what didn't you like about the x26? It looks so much more advanced. The doge dac section and power supply are so basic. (Are you sure you're talking about the x26 Pro, not the X26? Pro just came out).
@@ThomasAndStereo maybe I will wait, or maybe get a Pontus.
Are the mids and vocals better than the Simply Italy?
Simply Italy is warmer, more meat on the bone in the mids.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks again!☺️
The tease of the modded focals is real 😍
You mention rolling the smaller tubes as well as EL34. Which tubes?
I don't remember but i have some Telefunkun and electrocH
i was going to buy a little AIYIMA T9 PRO on sale, but i keep getting crawn to the Reisong A12. i just may save up some dollars and buy it instead.
Well, you can always try the Aiyima first on Amazon since you can return it. A12 is good but does not have a lot of power and it really will depend on your speaker while the Aiyima have more power and have better chance with speaker matching.
@@ThomasAndStereo i have a vintage rotel that is rated at 5w p/ch which can drive hales transcendence one bookshelves which are 85db. the others are jamo 807+concept9+klipsch. i figure he 807s will be ok. my listening area is only 8 feet from the speakers. i am figuring though 5w out the rotel isnt the same as a handful out of the A12. right now with the T9 only 110 dollars, maybe worth just buying and using, i have a media pc with a pyle class d and elac bs41's, can always move it to the media box. please excuse my spelling, went to eye docs this morning and the universe is blury.
@@ThomasAndStereo also it seems the A10 and A12 use El34 tubes ? amazon have them at 390 and 499. would there be a whole bunch of difference with the A10 ?
i rewatched the vid, so its the power tubes that are different, but the sound signature is vanilla vs vanilla+1, so i could likely get the A10 and then shop around for some replacement power tubes and still be less than the A12
Does it drive well Magnepan speakers?
I've tried the A12 on my Magnepan LRS+. It's ok but is a much better match with KEF LS50 METAs. I wouldn't have expected much, since both speakers are difficult to drive. But on great recordings, I really enjoy this A12/Meta combo.
I would not even consider the A12, being twice as expensive while being exceptionally close to the A10
designwise. 25$ for adapters to 12ax7 pinout is a sensible way to go.
It's only 100 difference after shipping
@@ThomasAndStereo Well, that of course depends on where you are living. The A10 costs 215$+30$ for point-to-point soldering = 245$.
Shipping by train & DHL 80$ to Sweden = 325$ to compare to 498$ for A12
Thomas, apologies but I did not know how to send you a message privately. I have a Reisong A12. Happy with it and my Klipsch Forte IV and Burson Composer DAC. Question: Is there a sound quality advantage by going to the Willsenton R8? The A12 is plenty powerful for my room and gear. Just wondering if soundstage, etc. are significantly improved by the R8.
I think the biggest change will be the way the midrange sounds. You see, you are comparing single ended class A sound against push pull class AB sound. Sure you will get more bass, dynamics and perhaps a bigger soundstage. However, given you have a Forte with high efficiency, I am not sure how much of a difference. I would probably know in a month and a half because Russ and Mark will be borrowing my R8 and A12 to try on their Klipsch Forte and they can tell me. If I were to guess, the sound change would be from a more linear class A SET sound (A12) to a more 'hifi' sound (R8) where top end and bass is boosted up. Its a bit like orange and apples.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks so much, Thomas. Sounds like a wait is in order. I'll keep my eyes on your posts. You really are very much appreciated and go beyond the call.
Hey Thomas can the Reisong best the Simply Italy on vocals and smooth mids?
No, simply Italy is warmer while Reisong is linear. The bass on simply is double the power.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thank you again! Good luck at the audio show! 🙂
@@ThomasAndStereo Sorry to bother you again. In your review you said Leben was detailed but a bit lean. So my question is the Simply Italy in Leben's league since Leben is more expensive and once again which ones is tubier/warmer? Many thanks!☺️
Hi. I am from UK. What's thr vest amp I can buy for £250 or under? I'm from the UK. Thank you.
I had to mod the heck out of the A10 to make it sound good. It is not 6 Watt, tops 4 Watt but the first Watt out of the box sucked. In fact I changed it into a A12. Without the mods internally the tube rolling is not really worth it. Out of the box it only has muddy bass.
Who's the manufacturer of the diffusion you have on the back wall?
Vicoustics.
Do you recommend adding a REL sub to the A 12?
I recommend adding a rel sub to any system.
Can I ask Mr.Vintage what is the deal is with the AiWa CD player at 7.50ish?? Thanks :D
He has a lot of vintage gear so its normal to see all kind of old gear at his place.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks for the reply.. I have a few Aiwa CDPs myself. Some have excellent dacs and reliable transports. Great value vintage...all the best Dave
@@ThomasAndStereo yes i think i seen a counterpoint SA 1000 pre amp too.
@@daveturner2484 I asked him about this on an old post where the Aiwa as showing. He said it's an XC-005 CD player, and that Mr Vintage likes the sound of it paired with his SMSL DAC. Pretty neat!
@@mattbonaccio3522 thanks for info. I have a XC-007 [built like a tank]. Coincidentally, I also use it with an SMSL .
Thomas, I was under the impression that the A10 does allow the user to tube roll. Is that not true?
You can but hard to find the front tubes.
@@ThomasAndStereo - Could you get nice results just by changing tubes other than the front ones?
I’m curious about what do you think guys about Bang&Olufsen 😅
Heard some of it and its ok but I remember expensive.
We are talking about tubes and A class!!! What about a very low class devices??
Whoa: The price has increased twofold, Thomas.
Hi, good reviews. I found in Amazon a Boyuu HiFi that goes for $441 cdn vs the A12 at $689 cdn. The only difference is 2x 6N9P for HiFi vs 2x 12AX7 for the A12.
Can you educate me on the difference ans if it worth the $248 difference.
Thanks!!
The difference is not really big but there is. If you get the A10, people said they were able to get an adaptor to tube roll like the A12.
@@ThomasAndStereo sorry Thomas I was not very clear. I was referring to a Boyuu product Branded HiFi Exquis so I assume it is not the same as the A10. Please take a look at Amazon
Those are low power amps. Tubes can give excellent sound, but any stereo needs power to punch out the thud of a bass drum. The peak power this requires instantly will exceed the amps. Tubes operate at high V, but only mA. For the bass drum punch, A are needed, which exceeds the capabilities of the tubes.
Sounds like an amp you may end up with later on in life when the ears have gone! Have you tried the Sophia el34 or kt88 with the Doge 10 and if so did you hear a marked improvement?
I still don't know wut Voltage for USA...115 ot 120V???
120v for Canada. Google it for your state?
@@ThomasAndStereo FYI: All power sockets in Washington provide a standard voltage of 120V with a standard frequency of 60Hz.
I have your Resisong 10. What output should I use For 6 ohm speakers? 4ohms or 8ohms
I asked that same question to Mcintosh and they told me it depends on the measurements of your speakers. I guess if it is stable at 6 ohm, you can use 8 ohm, if it dips frequently down to 4 ohm, then use 4 ohm.
no bass?
Skunk design I think with this amplifier they show how some of them are built different in the quality ain't consistent some of them have problems with ground noise and other things what do you think about this
I would say that sucks, I would tend to believe Skunk design's findings. Pro and cons of buying from Asia. Pro is you get a lot of sound for cheap, cons, there is a risk and you have to assess if it is worth it or not.
@@ThomasAndStereo there's some good ones out there but one big problem it's a simple fix too is that sometimes the transformers say 115 well the box says that the volt is 115 but it's actually 110 and with tubes it can be a problem I'm a big problem cuz it burns your tubes I have a Japanese made integrated amplifier and I bought a step down well not a step down but I bought a transformer that takes 115 to 1:10 cuz I don't want to have it any more stress. There's a few Chinese manufacturers that are really good and they have all their stuff together but it's just scary cuz like. It could be a knockoff I forgot the brand that I like the most because when I moved I sold it but it was really really good one for what it cost
Can I use the12AX7 in the A10?
Some people have tried it with an adaptor.
I changed the retifier from 5Z4P to a 274B and found improvement on speed and clarity.
Thomas, I just bought my first tube amp(reisong a10), and got the klispch Rp-600M , but for some reason the sound/volume is super low, no sure what is going on…any idea? Hopefully you see this message .
You should get around 70 ish db.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thank you, I put the volume all the way up and the sound is really, really low, Though I was doing something wrong, but the set up is straight forward, do I need to hook it up to a tuner or pre-amp? Against thank you for your time!
@@manuelduluc322 what is your source? If it is a DAC, is there a volume on it?
@@manuelduluc322 you sure you are in the right input? I think there is a button at the back to change the input. BE CAREFUL before you do it. The reason you might hear some sound is because of crosstalk from the other channel. You are on the wrong input at the back.
@@ThomasAndStereo My source? That my be the issue, all I did was connect my speakers and turntable to the reisong, I guess I need another source? I will do some more research in the internet, thank you for your time, really appreciate it.
As a burgeoning Audiophile I have been putting together an audiophile system bit by bit.
I have my Logitech speakers (powered- bass module and 4 cubes) hooked up to my Acer laptop. On Tom's advice I have upgraded the speakers wires to the Monster's Cables which REALLY brings out the BASS and 3D surround sound aspect of the soundstage.
Any ideas to bring my Audiophile system to the NEXT LEVEL would be welcome!
If your laptop is providing DAC duties that needs to be replaced with a dedicated DAC. Built-in computer DACs are not audiophile material. Enjoy your journey!
“TEDDY-BEAR” THOMAS! I like it