Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Bravo Audio hybrid headphone amp Preamplifier (Tube) by soldermizer

Model:	hybrid headphone amp
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$50
Description:	12AU7 & transistor hybrid headphone amp
Manufacturer URL:	Bravo Audio

Review by soldermizer on March 02, 2011 at 14:09:49
IP Address: 131.247.34.169 Add Your Review
for the hybrid headphone amp

Could anyone build a cheaper (hybrid) tube pre-amp? For under $50 delivered (in about 25 days) to your door, you get a tiny one-tube (12AU7) headphone amp. It's a hybrid, the tube's 2 sides driving two output transistors (No Op-Amps brag the adverts!) How does it sound? I listened via my Sony MDR-V600 ($100, ca. 1995) mainly to streamed/mp3 pop and some classical. It sounds good. I can't give any of the flowery adjectives that true golden ears use. With my two setups so far (output of a DAC, notebook line out) I get plenty of volume. (Only have tried RCA ins; also has mini headphone in); Output: only 1/4 headphone (but includes adaptor). Might be usable as a preamp but not tried.

Product Weakness:	None noted. Long term reliability unknown. Top of tube protrues about 3 cm, and thus requires special care when transporting, although small enough to carry around with PC, etc.
Product Strengths:	Artfully designed (plexiglass top & bottom); blue & red LED's shine nicely. Sounds good. Minimal tube pre, a good intro to this addiction.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: n/a
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): n/a
Sources (CDP/Turntable): streaming audio
Speakers: n/a
Cables/Interconnects: n/a
Music Used (Genre/Selections): electronic, classical
Room Size (LxWxH): n/a x n/a x n/a
Room Comments/Treatments: n/a
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): n/a
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): n/a

Amplifier:	n/a
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	n/a
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	streaming audio
Speakers:	n/a
Cables/Interconnects:	n/a
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	electronic, classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	n/a x n/a x n/a
Room Comments/Treatments:	n/a
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	n/a
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	n/a