Reddit mentions of Nobsound NS-08E Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier Hi-Fi Valve Headphone Amp Stereo Audio Preamplifier

This cheap POS. It's what I use at my desk at work. Does alright really.

While you will certainly get better value from a ss amp in that price range here are some tube amps...

[i have this one and am quite impressed with the sound] (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/32443111524/32443111524.html)


["portable" but has bad reviews] (http://s.aliexpress.com/b6BB7Bbu)

Has a dac but is more expensive

[more expensive] (http://s.aliexpress.com/Znmumi67)

[bad reviews] (http://s.aliexpress.com/A32EZJJn)


[probably bad] (http://s.aliexpress.com/NvYzUVvu)


[called a guitar amp but im sure it could drive headphones] (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/32748157846/32748157846.html)

[very bad reviews] (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251876015253/251876015253)

[Looks okay] (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271969184294)

[Really good video reviewing several candidates. Definitely watch this before purchasing] (https://youtu.be/22kx0q5j-JA)


EDIT:Just read amazon only

Here are some amazon links to the above ones. They are a little bit over budget but are the cheapest ones.

[1. Recommended] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B014FASL1A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482186554&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=Tube+amp&dpPl=1&dpID=41llpyTU%2BIL&ref=plSrch)

[different one] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M7101CY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1482186722&sr=1-3&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=Tube+amp&dpPl=1&dpID=41QGAaW2nnL&ref=plSrch)

[good reviews] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ADR2DTG/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1482186784&sr=1-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Tube+amp&dpPl=1&dpID=51CV4EXJUzL&ref=plSrch)

[another one] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01I19SBK2/ref=mp_s_a_1_61?ie=UTF8&qid=1482186981&sr=8-61&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Tube+amp&dpPl=1&dpID=41zNfkGPeGL&ref=plSrch)

You wont need any amp for those headphones and it will have nearly no effect on the sound. I understand it looks nice but if you really want to improve your Audio, invest in new headphones.

In my experience if they're under powered they have like 0 bass and you gotta have them at a decently high volume even fully powered to get the bass to kick. What genre are you listening to?

Also for a cheap amp I gotta suggest https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ used it for a while with my 650 and while its not true tube sound, its definitely a strong amp for 50 bucks.

but yea, if you're listening to bass heavy stuff you're gonna want a different headphone. 650s are great all around but not for that new age rap and trap or whatever that is just purely bass driven with random stuff mixed in.

The Behringer U Phoria is a soundcard. Even if they sell it talking about "audiophile quality" i don't believe it...
Maybe if you spend some bucks more you can afford the Nobsound NS-08E. It's a decent tube amplifier and it's very, very cheap.


https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ref=sr_1_17?crid=R1MTCDPOFMVB&keywords=headphone+amplifier&qid=1556805776&s=electronics&sprefix=headphone+amp%2Caps%2C276&sr=1-17


To be honest: this is only an amplifier. Your next step could be waiting to have the money for a decent DAC, so you'll enjoy a liquid audio quality at 192khz. I've recently purchased the SMSL Sanskrit 10th anniversary and i can say it's a damn good cheap bargain.

this one looks pretty solid actually for 50$

http://www.amazon.com/Nobsound%C2%AE-Vacuum-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A?ie=UTF8&keywords=headphone%20amp&qid=1464386957&ref_=sr_1_4&sr=8-4


http://www.head-fi.org/t/794796/nobsound-ns-08e-also-know-as-nobsound-6j9-hybrid-tube-amp


Some people talking about it on head fi saying they're impressed


if you want to spend 100$ its pretty hard to beat the Schiit which would let you add a DAC later... I use the Schiit M&M stack and its glorious. I got an amp first and a dac later


http://schiit.com/

edit: I also feel like I should mention, if you have a soundcard you will need to use a line out instead of a headphone jack when you get your amp. The headphone jack in your soundcard will already have an amplifier. So you will be double amplifying which will make your sound not so good. I had this problem originally and had to switch to a line out

I have them as well. They punch WAY above their $34 pricetag. If you want to get real fancy, run them off this: Nobsound NS-08E Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier Hi-Fi Valve Headphone Amp Stereo Audio Preamplifier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014FASL1A/

Some possibilities to start things off?

Nobsound NS-02E Vacuum Tube Headphone Amp


Nobsound NS-08E Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier

SMSL T2 2X6J9 Super Low Ground Noise Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B014FASL1A/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1480969874&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=DAC&dpPl=1&dpID=41llpyTU%2BIL&ref=plSrch

Would this work?

Ok. How does this one look? Or could you recommend one around that price range?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B014FASL1A/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492915062&sr=8-2-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=tube+amp&psc=1

Also note the Nobsounds tubes are known for not being correctly wired on all devices they sell i.e the vacuum tubes are only eye candy. This means that replacing the tubes with better ones will have no effect...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B014FASL1A/R3A31KV0I3LWUH/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_rvw_1?ie=UTF8&cursor=1

Hate to be the bearer of bad news -- but. Here.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B014FASL1A/R3A31KV0I3LWUH/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_rvw_1?ie=UTF8&cursor=1


Basically the tubes aren't even wired for proper preamp effect so they are just there to look cool and provide a placebo.

I have a Fluance RT81 record player, will this headphone amp work for Audio Technica ath-900x headphones and will it sound accurate? I have very little knowledge of this so any help would be appreciated.

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=tube+headphone+amp&qid=1556484202&s=electronics&sr=1-3

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-10P-Audio-Pre-Amplifier-Control/dp/B07719G56B/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_3/130-2292965-6016208?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07719G56B&pd_rd_r=57742008-69f6-11e9-bef6-397a2872612d&pd_rd_w=iQ5Ks&pd_rd_wg=1XevG&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=RE93AHASAZ1BZ83PDWMX&psc=1&refRID=RE93AHASAZ1BZ83PDWMX

> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014FASL1A?psc=1

has no DAC, OP is asking for an external DAC, not to look 'cool,' when actually, this fake tube amp (yes, they tubes are doing zero amplification) makes you look the opposite lmao

> https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2

has no line out, and we don't know if OP has a stereo, or a headphone setup, this only works for headphones (or active studio monitors)

Just pony up a little more and get this.

https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2

I hook up my cheap ANC headphones to them, it makes them sound better, use the rear port to hook up to my sony bluetooth speaker, it works great.

Or if you just wanna look cool and don't care about anything else...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014FASL1A?psc=1

Then just use the onboard sound, send wire to the amp's input, then plug headphones into the amp's output.

I don't think it's lower end... I'm not familiar with yours, but it looks about the same, no? It's similar price-wise anyway.

It's connected via USB, yes. It's powered by USB, so there is no separate power cable.

It has an integrated amplifier, so you can just take headphones straight out of that.

In my case (I left this out before) I'm not using the amplifier, just the line out from the dac to this amplifier - https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1502805110&sr=8-2&keywords=nobsound

I only have this because I bought the amp first, and then later got the dac to feed it a cleaner signal.

The headphones are nice and comfy... but it's the sound that sold me. Certainly not flat response, they aren't for mastering. pronounced bass (but tight and big, not boomy) - nice highs, subdued mid. Great for electronic music and gaming.

You didn't mention it, but you do know that it's only a low powered headphone amp right?

It's manufactured in China and usually retails for around 50.00 + shipping on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Nobsound%C2%AE-Vacuum-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A

Check the ebay seller's feedback rating to see if they are a good seller or not. Also; check to see how high their shipping cost will be compared to Amazon's. Many ebay sellers jack up the shipping in order to entice customers with a low starting bid\price.

Hey, I wondering if you guys had any recommendations for a budget tube amp. Ive been intrigued by amps lately and I was thinking of getting into trying some out.

Ive been looking at this amp, anyone know anything about this?

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1482878608&sr=1-1&keywords=audio+amplifier&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011%2Cp_72%3A1248879011%2Cp_36%3A1253504011

I ended up buying this amp, noob question but how do I connect this sucker to the DAC I already have? It doesn't seem to come with any cords

This one seems to be well received.

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482297486&sr=8-1&keywords=headphone+amp

I had Fiio E10K and ended up returning it after I got this hybrid tube amp, felt bad for recommending the Fiio to a friend after I got the tube amp and am still trying to get him to return it and try the tube amp.

The stock tubes are pretty mediocre but still better than the Fiio in my opinion. I immediately swapped the stock tubes out for GE E180F NOS new old stock tubes which gave significant improvement after they burned in. Planning on getting some Valvo Holland E180F new old stock tubes in the next few weeks as a Christmas present for myself. The GE tubes aren't lacking in any way, especially after burning in, so the Valvo's are really just for epeen sake/hobbyist mentality type shit.

Keep in mind that a hybrid tube amp is not a DAC but I personally think it sounds better than the Fiio did. I'm outputting lossless files from my motherboard's onboard audio (Realtek 1150) at 24bit 192khz and I get no chatter or background noise at all even when I turn everything all the way up so realistically I don't need a DAC at all as my output device is fine. If I ever start having problems with my onboard audio it I plan to get a JDS Labs standalone USB ODAC unit.

Oh yeah, headphones are Sennheiser PC350SE's which are 150 Ohm and I can't turn amp up too far past half or I'll blow my eardrums out with the volume tray on side of headset at 75% and PC output at 95%. EQ just barely boosted from flat, it could use a little more bass, considering Hero mod but still doing research and may just end up getting a dedicated headset instead of headset mic/combo. Only have the PC350SE's because I snagged a brown box special on Amazon for $66 on Black Friday.

Oh, I dont use the optical on the PS4.
I feed HDMI into my tv and it has optical out of that. I actually find my tv has a bit of audio coming before image so lips dont match up perfectly even on gamer mode so I run everything including my pc out that way since it has an option to add a tiny bit of audio delay.

It sounds ridiculous to say but you could connect an amp our your tv then plug your headphones to that. This way your not using your $150 headphones and it will only cost you like $30-$50 for a decent one.

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482389661&sr=8-1&keywords=headphone+amp

I read rule one but the sticky only applied to headphones, right? I think? I'm sorry :( The tube amp is here

It's "Amazon's choice", but I'll take your word for it. Thank you. Again, SO sorry for posting it here, it means SO MUCH that you responded.

I'll go from cheapest to most expensive here:

Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7GM - $199

AKG K702 - $232 (I have the older version of these, the K701s, and they've been going strong for ~8 years. Can't recommend them enough.)

HIFIMAN HE-400I - $249

Sony MDR1A - $298

Monoprice Monolith M1060 - $299

Sennheiser HD 650 - $315.99

AKG K712 - $379

Most of these headphones will really shine with a little headphone amp to give them a bit more power than your computer or phone's audio output can deliver. Something like a FiiO E10k works amazing. Or the FiiO A3 for a portable solution. Or if you want something that looks a bit sexier and is more of a stay on your desk kind of thing, you can go for something like this or this. Either way, any of these headphones will blow your Bose cans away no question - like not even in the same league of sound quality.

I recommended the Prozer above, which is a great "cheap" option. If you wanna pay a bit more, pretty much anything from FiiO will do you splendidly, and they even have some portable options as well. If you're wanting something like a tube amp, which uses "good" distortion to add warmth and saturation to the sound, then the Nobsound is a pretty good option.

Of course, there are far more expensive options, but I personally have never tried them as I'm kind of a cheap ass, but those are all great, and if nothing else, will at least hold you over for a while until you know you're ready to invest in maybe a $300 headphone amp.

Also, here's a Top 10 article that lists some options as well: http://www.wirerealm.com/guides/top-10-best-headphone-amplifiers

Nobsound Vacuum tube headphone amp

The cheapest one I've found that I like is the Fiio E-10. It's been reliable, powerful, clean and clear. But it's like $75 on amazon. You might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere.

The SMSL stuff is pretty good those get down into the $50-65 range. There is cheaper stuff out there but I've never tried them. Like the Nobsound stuff highly rated but can't personally speak on them.

Would one of these work well?

https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-T2-Headphone-Integrated-Protection/dp/B06XYJB7S8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517695276&sr=8-3&keywords=Headphone+tube+amp

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-NS-08E-Integrated-Amplifier-Headphone/dp/B014FASL1A/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1517695276&sr=8-8&keywords=Headphone+tube+amp

So here is my set up:

A JBL DCR600II sound reciever with 2 ARC1000 towers and the rest of the 5.1 speakers hooked up normally. It's great and I love it but the problem is that the receiver has such a puny little amp, so my speakers barely get that loud. I also would like to add bluetooth capability to this system, but I primarily want to increase the overall volume of the system.

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-980-000910-Bluetooth-Adapter-Streaming/dp/B00IQBSW28/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1473888530&sr=8-2&keywords=bluetooth+receiver
^ this bluetooth receiver I need to add bluetooth. My question is, can I add a tube amp (linked below) meant for headphones and plug the input to the bluetooth receiver and the output to my sound receiver.

I understand that the reprocessing of the signal inside the sound receiver defeats the purpose of the tubes in the amp, but would I still get a volume increase by doing this?
Basically, input device >> bluetooth receiver >> tube amp >> sound receiver, speakers.
I really want to make this work because I absolutely love that tube amp. its so pretty

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014FASL1A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ADPE7GPX91ORE

Sorry, total NOOB when it comes to audio. My brother has a vintage Marantz receiver which he uses to listen to Vinyl as well as Chromecast Audio. He has always wanted to add a little tube into the mix. Could he add something like a tube headphone amp between the source (vinyl or Chromcast) to the amp to get that tube sound (basically using a headphone amp as a pre-amp)? Or is there an issue with this logic (ohms, voltage drop, etc).
Normally he would do the do the research but this is a gift.

Alrighty, ordered this Nobsound Amp. It's an amp that can act as a preamp as well. This paired with the bluetooth module from the original setup and the MDRs, or just straight from the amp to the MDRs. If anyone's interested I'll report back.

Needed the bass and treble adjustment to adjust what pop's can hear.