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Anyone have experience with Maverick Audio "TubeMagic A1" hybrid integrated amp?
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Posted on June 26, 2012 at 23:46:15 | ||
Posts: 1010
Joined: November 30, 2010 Contributor Since: December 24, 2011 |
Now that I've given up on keeping my laptop speaker system portable, I'm considering the idea of giving the wonderful sounding Bifrost DAC an even nicer amplification partner than the current Dayton DTA-100A Tripath amp (primarily chosen for its tiny size, decent wpc, and convenient features). Honestly, the little Dayton is surprisingly non-irritating, though now that "portable" size is no longer as pressing an issue, I just can't help but wonder what a hybrid tube/ss integrated amp might be able to accomplish along with the already wonderful Bifrost DAC. While trying still to keep the budget pretty low, I've stumbled upon Maverick Audio's "TubeMagic A1": Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1 I have read some early discussion and reviews--from around the time of the A1's initial release (sometime in 2010)--and while a few "kinks" were discussed at that point (especially concerning inconsistent chassis quality/fit, and the occasional unit with other "minor" faults), I expect that by now, those minor issues should be well sorted. So then - the sound... Anyone here with some TubeMagic A1 experience care to offer their opinions? Finally, here's how I would plan to use it: As the amplifier for my laptop's 2.1 speaker system (driving 86dB "inefficient" NHT Super Zeros), running speaker level cables to the HSU STF-1 powered subwoofer, and as a "desktop" headphone amp. I'll be running a digital USB cable from the computer to the Schiit Bifrost DAC, and good quality stereo RCA ICs from the DAC to the amp. You can see my current computer speaker system listed in my profile. The idea here is to simply replace the Dayton integrated amp with something else - like the TubeMagic A1. Thanks for any opinions you may feel compelled to offer! |
RE: Hello, Kayak, posted on June 28, 2012 at 17:41:50 | |
What did you decide to do about this amp? If you get one, will you post? I'm interested, too. Sorry about the spitting contest! |
My TubeMagic A1 arrived yesterday..., posted on July 10, 2012 at 18:14:12 | |
Posts: 1010
Joined: November 30, 2010 Contributor Since: December 24, 2011 |
Just a little while ago, I posted a message on the computer audio forum, with a bit more detail on the TubeMagic A1 performance (preliminary impressions only, as tubes haven't had much of a chance to burn in yet): My computer's new audio system You'll see in that post that I mentioned some humming issues, which may, according to my best wild guess, have something to do with "noisy tubes". I've written to Maverick Audio, and hopefully, we can sort out this issue. In general though, I'm favorably impressed by the sound of this inexpensive tube/SS hybrid "miniature" integrated amp. The post I mentioned above has the rest of the system listed, so you can see which components are currently working with my TubeMagic A1. Perhaps I'll return and offer more "musical" impressions after several days of tube burn-in... |