Dirt cheap "Chi-Fi" APPJ Mini2013 Versus HD800

Got this APPJ Mini2013 from China for 130$ (90$ on Massdrop), its the same as the Miniwatt S1 SET amp(Which APPJ was the OEM) which got pretty good reviews overall
Upgraded stock tubes to Russian 6P1P-EB + WE403A like recommended, let's say i'm very impressed. Compared to Schiit Vali 2+Amperex 6922 Holland driving my HD800(SDR modded), APPJ sound much clearer (Vali 2 got a hazy sound which becomes apparents when compared dirrectly to the APPJ)


Overall
APPJ: Clearer, more extended, much more seductive
Vali 2: Fuller sound, hazy, rolled off high, a little bland

Bass
APPJ: Leaner but more defined
Vali 2: Hit harder but more one note

Mid
APPJ: Very clear, have a seductive quality (SET?)
Vali 2: Fuller but a little bland(too laid back for me maybe)

High
APPJ: More extended, airy
Vali 2: Rolled off

Soundstage
APPJ: More holography
Vali 2: It's ok but the hazy sound doesnt help

Dynamic
APPJ: Better, more PRAT

Details
APPJ: Both is good but APPJ is just clearer while Vali a bit muddy


Overrall i prefered the APPJ(with this setup), its colored but doesnt have that typical syrupy Chifi tube gear sound. Vali 2 is solid(with better tubes who know ), i actually got the Vali 2 after the APPJ cause of good deal and intend to keep both.

P/S: An important note that you should use a suitable power cords for this amp, with some cords its sound too lean and harsh for HD800, i'm using a thick ofc cords which help bring a much better tonality.

Thanks for readings.

 

One of you Mods are really on the ball!

 

What do you expect exactly?

 

I don't understand the question.

 

@Minbeo you may want to go here : http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17/
Nice to read your review. What kind of DAC are you using ?

 

Thanks i will,
I'm using an Aune S16 for this setup, also got a Momby but with Vali 2(same Amperex tube) its too dark for my taste.

 

The impression sound like i'm trying to shit on the Schiit. I'm not, actually i'm waiting for adapters to try Vali 2 with other tubes i got (some 6sn7 big boys ) after reading Vali 2 thread.

 

-50 DKP for "more PRAT", argh.

 

Hope i farm enough DKP to obtain the Mjolnir for even more PRAT!

 

but. Uh.... Isn't it a speaker amp?

 

It is, i'm using speaker taps to driving cans straight out of its speaker out, with cans which are both high sensitive and low impedance its gonna be noisy(you need a resistor box in this case), with HD800 it's very quiet to my ear. It's only 3W/8ohm so it's safe to use without a resistor box.
APPJ are also selling headphone amp(PA1502A) but for 60$ more, pricier tubes to roll, this is a safer choice which actually got some legit reviews (Miniwatt S1 version)

 

How dare you give a positive review of a Chi-Fi amp which is cheaper than a Schiit amp here!

 

Alright, we get it. You don't like Schiit. Surprised you haven't earned a nickname from it yet.

 

The term PRAT needs to die in a fire. Utterly meaningless.

 

For those who don't get the OP's name, his name is a parody on a famous Vietnamese pedophile:
https://www.usnews.com/news/enterta...e-comic-minh-beo-sentenced-in-sex-crimes-case

Read: it's basically a username that a troll would take.

But that aside...

OP, please note:

1. HD800 with SDR is good (better than HD800S), but not the last word on clarity. And it's a bit on the laid-back/distant side as well. I'm guessing a combination of laid-back + Vali 2 sound, which is also laid-back, is not good enough for you. This is why the HD800 is a "special case" around here.

2. "More PRAT" is not very helpful. Please don't use the word "dynamic" loosely as it has a very specific meaning around here, that's probably very different from how others would define it.

3. You seem to prefer a more "cleaner" sound, which is cool. But please don't make blanket statements like "syrupy Chi-fi tube gear sound" because this is most likely not true. "Chi-fi" or random gears obtained from China just has way too wide a range of sound so people just tend not to like that. It's just not consistent, and this is due to the way components are chosen to reduce costs for these things for the most part. You may actually get lucky and something from China may sound good. It's a lottery. Not that everything is trash.

4. You may want to try something other than Aune S16 as a DAC and report back.

5. Please introduce yourself and get your gears "verified" per se so that we know what to calibrate towards. This is not Head-fi. It's not a place where you just waltz in and drop impressions like you're a God. Even for seasoned members, we get questioned multiple times on what it is we are hearing, and this is normal.

 

"We"....... ooops!

 

He's a Schiit troll alright!

 

If I recall from my youth the term was used 'invented' in the 70's as marketing B.S. salesmen from Linn and I think Thorens used to try and use to sell us their turntables. Sometimes they didn't get the meaning of the letters right. One guy would say one thing the other something else. So yeah meaningless mythology.

 

I have this amp, with the aforementioned upgraded tubes. It's really good.

The description is spot on: slightly lean but with a sweet seductive tone and great clarity.

Good stuff for warmer headphones/efficient speakers.

 

Wait... Schiit amps worth 5x to 10x their prices, so Vali 2 should worth usd845~usd1690. And Chi-Fi is worth 1/10th to 1x (if you hit lottery) of their actually price, that's usd15~usd150. Are you telling me usd15~150 is > usd845~1690? Check your maths!