Faith, Conviction, Cheap Amps

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Letter from Shenzhen (24-7): Faith, Conviction, Cheap Amps

This article is on some thoughts I have been having lately. It kind of all started with some items I just picked up from Douk, a bit of reading, and then one thought led to another. I shall start with a quote from Prestomusic's Interview of the phenomenal Korean pianist Yunchan Lim:

PM: You’ve cited pianists such as Friedman, Cortot and Horowitz as influences on how you approach the Études - what is it about these pianists that you find so particularly powerful?

Lim: People who make brilliant sounds of warmth. People who play with faith without hesitation. It's more important to play with faith than conviction. Conviction can't change, but faith can always change and develop.

Faith and Conviction Lim's words are fascinating, and amazing from such a young man (obviously in his youth he hasn't been dumbed by apps like Tik-Tok, whatever). It led me to contemplate on how these inner qualities affect audiophiles. What does Lim mean? In the case of Lim, I think he means those iconic musicians were guided by their beliefs in their mission as messengers for music, much less so by how a particular piece must be played in a particular way. Certainly, for students of piano playing, from the recorded legacy of these masters the same Chopin Etude sounds drastically different from one account to another. There's a lesson for audiophiles here. Audiophile Convictions To my thinking, conviction is usually arrived at after some experience, observation and reasoning, hopefully with a degree of objectivity, which however can vary greatly with individuals. Audiophiles are quite a vocal bunch, and harbor many many convictions, like "Analog is superior to Digital", "LPS is superior to SMPS",  "Solid Core is better than Stranded", not to mention those caricature-like "puritans" (in quotes only because the term elevates these idiots) in the Audioscience forum: "absolutely no tube!", to cite just a few. LOL! Me? Yes, I have my convictions, like "Tube rules" (yes, I'm not much of a sand lover), "Direct-heated better than Indirect", "Triode Operation better than Ultralinear", "Thorens TD-124 is the best TT, bar none" etc. And it would take a lot to convince me otherwise, impossible actually, as it's a lifetime's distillation, for me, along in my years. BUT, it's very important to note here that I use horns and other fairly easy-to-drive loudspeakers (another strong belief) but I can and do make allowances for situations that demand deviations from my norm (e.g., Maggies are wonderful loudspeakers, but SET ain't going to work at all). Audiophile Faith First, what is Faith? From terms like "Blind Faith" and "Leap of Faith" one knows, more than "Conviction", it's not entirely "Rational". Faith has a glow, a look towards the future (even afterlife) and a comforting aura or cushion for those immersed. I don't knock it - it keeps many going. What then is Audiophile Faith? I'd say the Belief that as we go along (and keep spending money) our system shall improve, or even achieve Nirvana; problem is how we choose to go about it. Many audiophiles, especially those with relatively short experience, are inquisitive and avid readers who cast their nets wide, but with the hugely diverse audiophile populations out there choosing who to believe and what path to follow is basically impossible - one frequently ends up choosing someone or something on faith, at least at first (I reckon one will drift away if the preaching's or recipes don't work the second, third time...). DIY people have hugely misplaced faith in "quality" components, all thinking that just because they use expensive components that the usual audio manufacturers don't, their products shall of course be better. Problem is, few of them know how to voice something - too much "science", not enough art. It's simpler, at least for those with money, to fall into certain manufacturers' bloated system and level upgrade approach. A full ANUK system (or even worse, for that matter, Burmester, Linn, whatever,) will however only get you so far. These companies demand you to have faith in their approach, and your loyalty (and your dough). But come on, while ANUK can sound OK, all that money for their top AN-E, which will not thrill me enough (in NYC I'm used to 15" horn woofers with my SET)? It's as laughable as the full metal jacket Linn LP-12. All ridiculously hyped, perhaps reasonably decent products that unfortunately are contorted to offer ridiculously overpriced upgrades and inflate themselves way out of proportion to pretend to be giants (see my ANUK summation here). My Faith? In terms of Audio, although I do have my many convictions, I am a pragmatist and agnostic and, more and more, cheapskate. But My Faith is that Audio will deliver Better Music for me and it's worth the occasional struggle (make sure it's not too often, not to say everyday). I rely on it, and it delivers! Even here in SZ, where my cheap stuff have forced me to diversify and re-invent my approaches, I remain faithful. The important thing is enjoyment. At this point, after bringing back tubes from HK etc, my humble SZ setups provide me with sound that is almost on par with HK. Satisfied. There's another kind of Faith that is important for us music lovers: Faith in the continuing emergence of musical talents. To be honest, many audiophiles (including some friends, and critics) really bother me. They listen to the same songs, or alikes, repeatedly. Take Ken Kessler, he praises every re-issue of old albums. The same things over and over. We should at least devote a good portion of our time to stream new music, new artists. Otherwise, there is no future.

Cheaptubeaudio Modus Operandi For the longest time, this blog was only me writing about whatever crossed my mind or just acquired. Then we have a few more writers and contributors, all writing about stuff they have purchased themselves (sometimes I solicit the commentators). Here in Shenzhen, I eventually started writing about cheap stuff that I bought from Taobao. Only in the last couple of years have things changed, just a little, in that I (we) get to test some loaner units. Some Points: 1) Shenzhen and adjacent areas happen to have a lot of low-end manufacturers, like Aiyima, Douk and Fosi; 2) these companies are keen to let others try their (very low cost) stuff, so after I made the acquaintance of Aiyima and Douk once in a while I pick up a few of theirs for testing; 3) they never force anything on me, and I only pick up what on features or looks appeal to me - like the latest (and surprisingly accomplished) Douk equalizing preamp T8 Pro. You shall note that, even in this low end world, aside from an occasional sand power amp, I tilt towards products with tubes; 4) I don't write about everything I've picked up and tested, not even close. Many are OK but lack a stand-out point for me to write about, while some others fail to entice; 5) Peer Review Occasionally, I'd decide an item should be reviewed by someone else (too), and so is passed to HK (I also engage with my NYC friends). It started with the Aiyima A-08 Pro, which was sent to ELO. Now that crossing between HK and SZ is easy (and fun if you avoid the crowds), I can even bring them over myself if I deem it worthwhile. That happened with my own (paid for) UMI and Reisong Transformers, which are still with my HK friends. Some earphone amps (admittedly far from our priorities) are with Shawn P, as he has a much greater variety of earphones. More opinions, maybe some dissent and, just perhaps, more interesting.

Cheap T(D)-Amps etc In Perspective Given the recent periodic prominence of these things in this blog (judged by readership stats and comments), a bit of the mandate of the "Cheaptubeaudio" has been obscured perhaps. That's OK. Even prior to T-amps, I have written enough on good (discrete) solid state stuff too, especially classic integrated amps (especially UK ones like NAD 3020, Naim Nait, Cyrus etc, see my comprehensive Overview)! Even prior to my return to HK/SZ, way back in NYC I've started my foray into T-amps with the Lepai 2020A+ (2015) and later the SMSL SA36A Pro (2018), so you can say I have long (but not deep) experience on T-amps. Why not deep? Simple - SET still sounds better. And, more recently, during the lockdown of course I on impulse bought the Aiyima T-9 (which has 2 tubes), which gave me something to play/do.

Some Points: 1) I have subsequently tested some cheap separates, with or without tube buffers, digital preamps and amps, but few appeal to me more than the small "integrated" T9. It's not that it is that special really - perhaps part of this has to do with the formative experience and circumstance around it, part due to my favored small form factors too, but somehow... 2) I suspect T-amps (at least cheap ones, not to mention dirt-cheap ones) are not meant to be high-powered beasts. You shall notice that all my T-amps are not high in power. Yes, you can coax a lot more power out of some of them with a high Voltage PS (say, 48V) but I think you will for sure lose some critical refinement (same with any topology, be it discrete ss or tube). The relatively high powered Aiyima A-08 Pro is powerful, energetic and vivacious, yang, but it lacks (crucial for me) a certain degree of ying, smoothness and refinement. Mind you, unlike ELO, my loudspeakers are easy to drive and I more easily (and logically according to my convictions) prefer less power with them. On the other hand, my recent experience with the Douk H7 Pro is a surprise - something that I perhaps can live with if there's another lockdown and I'm caught without tubes, and it makes up for the potential downsides of the Beydas 11 ohm (full but less tactile bass compared to the 15 ohm). Still, from memory, the best T-amp sounds in my experience are still the flea powered Lepai and not-that-much-more-powerful SMSL (on which the estimable and honorable veteran commendatore Sg. Surdi had also put in a word in this blog) but then I was testing them on more efficient loudspeakers in NYC, and the Douk likely runs them close; 3) although I'm tolerant of sand amps, including T- and D- amps, they shall never be my main amps, even if I recognize and appreciate very much their Green Credentials; 4) I agree that better power supply and ancillary circuit tweaks can elevate the performance, as even high-end manufacturers are doing to humble modules (and selling for astronomical prices), but I think that's missing what's for me the esprit and raison d'etre of such devices - value for money. Cheapsandaudio - perhaps that should be a sister blog but, no, thanks...5) as a corollary, there's no point in investing too much money in what is ultimately (my conviction) technologies that do not (as no sand can) surpass what a good SET tube (or even an old classic integrated, see below) can do! Mind you, there have been quite some people who have left tube (including SET) for T- and D-amps. There are a lot of people who spend much more on upgrades on these cheap amps (Op-amps, LPS, expensive caps). IMHO no amount of overkill can elevate these significantly; 6) that said, there are plenty of bad tube products out there and these humble but good sounding sand devices serve as a reminder that there is no place for them; 7) IMHO, no matter how cheap these are, there is little point of acquiring several - they are more alike than different; 8) Suggestion for Reality Testing: I can totally understand people who do not want to get into tubes. But for those with less audio experience under their belt, a classic integrated mentioned above would be a good watchdog - meaning whatever complicated systems we drum up must surpass the integrated as a whole to be worthwhile, which is harder than you think! This is like my NYC friend Andy's ancient AR Turntable; he jokes that any new TT has to surpass the AR to be allowed to join his stable.

Cheap Preamps In Perspective In terms of actual usage out there in the wide world, these T- and D- amp products cannot be separated from their stable partner preamps and digital products. As is the trend, many products try to be everything, so we have increasingly preamps with built in DAC that allow for full digital inputs and BT, often with a headphone output thrown in. Most have a Tubed Buffer. Ponder why that is! Aside from potential sonic benefits, it offers the chance to tweak (just like opamps). There are literally hundreds of these out there, and I've heard a few. All these opamp based preamps with tube buffer (mostly with built in digital) sound pretty decent, so why don't I write about them? Well, because they cannot beat a pure tube preamp of my choice used with a DAC of my choice. The only exception I made is the Douk T8 Pro (which has no digital in), which has equalizing functions and can roll a lot of different tubes (which I already have). Even then, in terms of soundstage air, it is not quite on the level of all-tube preamps, not to mention the DHT Douk E6, but it makes up for that with its even performance and a commendably fast transient. (useful with Beydas 11 ohm). 

I remain firm on my general preference for all tube Preamps. But the cheap ones have their share of headaches. Even with my limited experience, I can say the cheap pots used in many of these cheap tube gear have a good chance of failing at some point. Witness my ETA 6N3 SRPP Preamp and BRZ 6L6 SE Amp (here). These use open dirt cheap pots, not the small sealed ones soldered onto circuit boards in most T(D) amps and opamp based preamps. Mind you, the sealed ones can fail too, but the chance is smaller (Douk boss says may be 1%). Despite the troubles, All-tube Preamps have in general superior soundstage and air, not to mention tonal allure. But there is another reason for the use of a (non-digital) sole-purposed Preamp - we can use a digital source of our choice, and that is very important! And don't forget, we can insert a 1:1 Transformer between (be it UMI or Reisong) and that can be a game changer!

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