Very low powered tube amps

EndersShadow

Being stupid like I am, I am looking at a very small inexpensive integrated tube amp to power some really small nearfield speakers at work. Dont have the speakers selected, but likely to be something really small as I dont crank it much if at all. Probably 3.5" drivers like maybe overnight sensation type speakers, should be decently efficient speakers....

I came across some options to my surprise so, anyone have any experience with any of the following:

Qinpu Q2: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=QIQ2
Qinpu Q3: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=QIQ3
Qinpu A3: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=QIA3
Qinpu - A-6000 MKII: http://www.amazon.com/Qinpu-A-6000-Integrated-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0057OI448/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Miniwatt: http://www.amazon.com/APPJ-mini2013-Original-miniwatt-Amplifier/dp/B00JSNLT28/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1412714591&sr=8-5&keywords=Miniwatt

Any comments on those ones and any others that can be found in the 200 dollar range much appreciated.

Not looking for the best sound money can buy, but want some tubes at work to break up things. If its got a headphone output even better, but not required.

mhardy6647

Dang -- here I was ready to into full-on proselyte mode on fleapower amplification... but I don't know nothin' 'bout any of those. Sorry.

Yes, you will need high sensitivity speakers. You might want to consider something like these...




https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/fostex-p1000e-diy-kanspea-4-full-range-speaker-kit-pair/
or
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/fostex-p800e-diy-kanspea-3-full-range-speaker-kit-pair/

I have a pair of the 4" morph (loaded with the FE-103En drivers) - bought when they were on sale a year or so ago - and they're pretty decent.

You probably know I am a semi-fleawpower (3.5 wpc) kind of guy; but my speakers wouldn't work too well sitting on a desk flanking a monitor...

DSC_8925 by mhardy6647, on Flickr

EDIT: as an aside, the Fostex FE-103En is the modern-day version of the long-popular FE-103 4" "fullrange" driver, which was also sold (as cat. no. 40-1197) for years by good ol' Radio Shack, starting in the mid 1960s -- when they used to sell interesting stuff.


source: http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/html/1967/hindex_050_001-050.html

Mikey081057

I have a Qinpu A3 as my desktop system that I will send you to try if you are interested. PM Me if you are.

Msabot1

You are aware that you are fixing to go down into one of those 'rabbit holes' aren't you?

mhardy6647

naah - a good SE 2A3, 45, or 300B stereo amp... and you're all set.

EndersShadow

Mikey081057 wrote: »

I have a Qinpu A3 as my desktop system that I will send you to try if you are interested. PM Me if you are.

I may take you up on that.

Msabot1 wrote: »

You are aware that you are fixing to go down into one of those 'rabbit holes' aren't you?

Lol... Yeah I've heard that.....

But you realize my 2 channel speakers (Infinity rs-ii) would require a tube amp that's in the 1k range right lol...

They need some serious wattage even for tubes and are not super sensitive....

Hence a smaller rabbit hole for me lol.....

@mhardy6647‌ sorry to dissapoint....

mhardy6647

ehh... you'll wise up some day...

;- )

Msabot1

The Amazon River starts out as a trickle....you are in for it my friend!!

EndersShadow

Msabot1 wrote: »

The Amazon River starts out as a trickle....you are in for it my friend!!

Lol... Have to actually step in first......

So anyone have any other input?

@mhardy6647‌ any suggestions in my price range? I am open to other amps.

Budget is really tight so that's likely the limiting factor.

mhardy6647

not really -- Good old Maggotbox (Magnavox) once made low-end consoles equipped with a nice little stereo, single-ended EL84 (6BQ5) amplifier. IF you stumble on one of those restored and rendered safe enough for prime time 1) it should be less than 200 smackers and 2) it will sound just dandy. These amps used the pentode EL84 in its native (pentode) mode; not as linear but more power (ca. 4 wpc) than using a single-ended EL84 wired as a triode 2 wpc or less).

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=119027

Steve Deckert (Decware) used to sell essentially a modern version of an amp like this (actually copied off of a Zenith console amp) but it was considerably more expensive even way back in the 1990s (500 smackers when I got one in 1999).

EDIT: here's a halfway-housebroken version of one of the Maggotbox amps, the AMP 196 chassis, by an AK and AA contributor called "Raul" :- ) Raul does nice amps.


source: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=259607

voltz

reminds me of those Bottlehead kits. if I had better soldering skills I would build a couple of there mono amps and a preamp. then I'd have to go find some speakers for them

mhardy6647

yes, well -- does Bottlehead still make the S*E*X amp kit? If so, and if the OP is of a mind to sling some solder... that wouldn't be a bad choice. More than his 200 Samoleum budget, though.



EDIT: Yeah, way over budget now :- ( http://bottlehead.com/?product=single-ended-experimenters-kit-2-1-for-headphones-sensitive-speakers
A few years ago, the Paramour SE 2A3 monoblocks were $500 the pair. OK, maybe a decade ago... well... maybe 12 or 13 years ago... but still... ;- )

paramours 112413 by mhardy6647, on Flickr

voltz

yes, but its $540

http://bottlehead.com/?product=single-ended-experimenters-kit-2-1-for-headphones-sensitive-speakers

EndersShadow

@mhardy6647‌

Your killing me lol....

I may have a local contact that might have something lying around that would meet my criteria....

mhardy6647

voltz wrote: »

yes, but its $540

http://bottlehead.com/?product=single-ended-experimenters-kit-2-1-for-headphones-sensitive-speakers

Yeah -- I looked. I saw. I edited.
(that previous line would look much better in Latin)