OpenTube

I want that kind of sound quality for every anniversary: Aiyima T20 Tube Preamplifier Review

HiFi Zone

30,664 views

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Remote beer tap control :D
https://paypal.me/hfzytreviews
Behind the scenes photos:
Instagram: hifi_zone_yt
---------------------------------------------------------------------

I got that pre at the same time as A20, I wanted to hear them both - if you've seen any other reviews you probably already know that this preamp is a very interesting device. So i have one, I have done my listening tests in stock configuration and with some better tubes and opamps. And I've tested this little guy with Gustard, T9.4 and ML electrostats: to my surprise it scaled up nicely!

If you want to get one like I did here are the links:
https://amzn.to/3KWPZ6K
This is a new thing so there is a promo for Amazon 15% off with code 2NSXEDRV (should be valid until October 15th EOD)

Aiyima Facebook page says that there is also a kind of lottery or a contest where you can win an aluminum stand for anniverary set if you share your experience via social media.
Does YT qualify as social media? I may win one :)

Its also available on Aliexpress in Aiyima store there:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3R...

--------------------------
Audio setup used in my listening sessions (you can find reviews of most of these in my channel):

FLAC/DSD files - Foobar2k - Fully passive 11th gen Intel PCwih LPS - AQ Jitterbug -
Chord USB - X26III - fk Dragon XLR - T20 - fk Dragon XLR - T9.4 - AST Silver - Dali ikon 1 mk2, Dali Opticon 1, Oatlons (big and small) ML 15i, ML 35Xti, ML XT B100, ML Ascent I speakers.
Guest starring: M10 (yes, I was listening to them too!).

Power: two Pavalle power strips with additional DIY EMI filters, power cords: fk AQ Dragons Source (DAC) fk AQ Dragon HC (amplifiers) and RCore LPS with Sonic Scientific Hades 12V for Su-6 and OCXO power supply.

-------------------------
New set of Aliexpres codes valid untill October 31st only.
I've chosen some popular devices that I recommend (like Cary clones or C2860+ preamp) and you can reach them via collection page:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ew8...

Ali portal says these codes should be valid almost everywhere in the world, with few exceptions, and for almost everything (minus mobile phones but thats the way it is)
$15-2: 【IFPPJWWL】 $35-5: 【IFPKVWAG】 $65-9: 【IFP9OI52】 $99-14: 【IFPHCJVG】
$169-23: 【IFP7421X】 279-40: 【IFPNXV5Z】 $379-55: 【IFPTBFPT】 $559-80: 【IFPPYCF4】

-------------------------

20 Comments

@jakal1591 1 year ago

Slap some sparkos ss3602 as opamps and tung sol as tubes, this thing will sing. Class D and tubes would be a deadly combination in such a small form factor. It makes me sad and happy at the same time, I will miss those 70s style rectangular boxes of preamps and power amps, but at the same time happy for the way technology is evolving and bringing the form factor and cost small.

@Panslapper 11 months ago

2am obscure thread reading is a thing….😂

@maxrider2887 9 months ago

Anyone compare #Aiyima T20 pre amp to #Fosi Zp3 only in sound quality ?

@dougmcewen6738 1 year ago

According to Aiyima's own website the tube's are for amplification and the LME4562 on the XLR are for buffering. On the RCA side it is for signal conversion from the XLR LME4562. Other than that you review mirrors my thoughts on this bargain piece of equipment. I only paid £135 for it. The supplied power unit is a joke. I have replaced the stock ECC83s with PSVane Horizons. A massive improvement. Only cost £55 from Amazon and shipped quickly from the States. As I only use XLR I got 2 MUSES02s from Aliam's store. Reckoned to be the the genuine article on a few Aliexpress threads. Again a massive improvement of those LMEs. It feeds a Hypex 252MP amp and as you say the synergy with ClassD is excellent.
I always enjoying watching your Vlogs, well done !

@superspeeder 3 months ago (edited)

I’ve owned the T20 for a while now, and recently upgraded its internals by replacing the tiny electrolytic coupling caps with Wima film caps, and also bypassing all other electrolytic caps with Wima film caps. It’s on a whole new level now compared to the standard upgrades: upgraded LPS, Horizon tubes and Burson V7V op amps.

Image focus is WAY sharper and there’s slightly more detail with the caps upgraded. I can’t comment on soundstage as I have this in a desktop setup. Quite shocking what a few $ of capacitors can do for the sound, and makes me want to try it again with all the other mods undone just to see how good it is.

@CarloJ-k1h 9 months ago

Hi, I am from Germany and I like your reviews and recommendations very much🎉 You bring all important informations about the item. Your voice is very comfortable and has the right speed for me. I bought this little pre T20 and the power amp Aiyima A20 - perfect match! Thank u very much🎉😅

@kamykw4411 8 months ago

I got my aiyima t20 and I connected to my active studio monitors focal evo twin and I'm very happy with that. Sound is a little bit polish, more clear than with simple dac (I was shock), less bass but is more precise, sound is heavier and you can feel a little bit more "life" in music. Midrange more engage and calm. I get what I wish for. I recommend.

@myaudioquest321 1 year ago

There has already been several reviews on the T20, but, I find your review the most complete and detailed. Great job!

@joecharpentier6636 11 months ago

I replaced the XLR opamp pair with Muses02, the stock tubes with PSVane Horizon and a nice $175 Linear power supply. Now it performs at a $1,000 level.

@transcendentalapperception 7 months ago

Lamps + operating systems: you can't spoil porridge with butter !

@AsbjoernMartin 9 months ago (edited)

12:09 According to the Aiyima schematics, the RCA signal is processed by the OPA1612 and then routed to the XLR outputs. Could you please clarify this?

@CharlieNg-o5x 1 year ago

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

@MrK9thunder 6 months ago

Thanks, bought from Ali for $127.39 with free shipping to us plus 2 sx52b op amps for $18 shipped and used $23 coupon.

@AudioPilgrim 3 months ago

Great overview and review.
Thank you!

FYI - It DOES convert RCA to XLR and visa versa. I have a streamer providing RCA input and I am able to output through the XLR Out (and visa versa).

Love this little preamp!

Thanks again!

@Evolved_ue7 11 months ago

I'm the other way around, I use Topping pre90 into the MF 1000 class A amp, the sound is heavenly.. But I have an xtz a400 doing nothing so I may try this out .

@mohammedalomari1998 8 months ago

Thanks again for your great channel

Do you think this will improve the sound of Pioneer A-40AE Integrated Amplifier?

Kind regards

@annebokma4637 1 month ago

Hold on, no conversion between RCA and XLR? What good is the input selector? It is just a line buffer without conversion...

@wilde-w2s 2 weeks ago

It looks really promising! I’m wondering about the new Ampapa H1—which one do you think is better? I mean, this one has three 49720 chips, whereas the Ampapa only has two. Both of them feature the 1612s, which is great, but for some reason, I just get a better vibe from the Ampapa. What’s your professional opinion? Cheers!

@taho88 11 months ago

Has anyone tried this with the D50 pro? I was wondering if it be a decent match.

@tomcampagna4549 9 months ago (edited)

Can anyone comment on which tube is for the left channel and the right channel ( as viewed from the front of the T20? Also what size driver to remove front threaded locking nut for volume control.
Thanks....