Chi-fi superstar - Aiyima T9 integrated amp

Discussion in 'Power Amps' started by k4rstar, Sep 25, 2022.

  1. Entropy

    Entropy Facebook Friend

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    Man, these companies are so confusing. Oems or the same company manufacturing stuff for different sub-brands?
    It doesn't help that most of these companies/brands are registered in china, making it difficult to trace the brands back to a company without somebody that is literate in Chinese. I've wanted to see where companies such as fosi, smsl, topping, and aiyma lead back to but I can't find a foothold.
     
  2. Gazny

    Gazny MOT: ETA Audio

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    They are tuned different.
    There is a small section on cheaptubeaudio about Aiyima.

    Yea they make some solar panels too but the t9 is tuned differently than the douk audio
     
  3. MegaKen

    MegaKen New

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    Does anyone have SQ impressions from the T9 Pro?
     
  4. sound67

    sound67 New

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    I recently purchased the T9, and while being rather happy with it, I immediately upgraded to the T9 Pro:

    [​IMG]

    Upgrades include:
    + stronger power supply (32V 5A, compared to 24V 4.5A on the T9)
    + different tubes (JAN 5725 - Don't know how much of an upgrade this is, but they don't protrude as much, and they're less wobbly)
    + BT upgrade from 5.0 SMBC to 5.1 APTX-HD
    + large LED display for volume, source and level

    [​IMG]

    The LED display takes away a little of the retro charm the original T9 had, but it comes in handy during operation, especially when you switch inputs.

    The remote is different, too (t9 on the left):

    [​IMG]

    Some users of the original T9 complained about overlaps with the IR's of their other devices (like Samsung TVs), but I had no such issues with either. Both only control the amps. Maybe they changed frequencies on the original remote, too, without making a big thing out of it.

    The remote now also controls not only the volume but also the bass/highs levels, too. With the "DISPLAY" button you can dim the brightness of the volume LED or turn it off altogether. That, too, comes in handy.

    I miss the knobs on the front of the T9 a bit, but not enough not to appreciate the easier operation on the new one.

    Another issue reported by reviewers on the original T9 were frequent relay clicks, not just when switching the input but during silent or low-level moments through the digital inputs. Again, I experienced no such clicks on the T9 during silent moments (the company did say they fixed that on later T9 samples), but the switch-clicks are also gone on the T9 Pro. Not that these bothered me much on the T9.

    Otherwise, they're basically the same: same connections on the back, including the 3.5mm output for an active sub. I might use that because my large bookshelves (Klipsch RB-75s) are a bit light on the deep bass.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Thankfully, the Klipsches are among the most efficient speakers out there (about 97db), and both amps drive them easily, and get loud enough to annoy the neighbors.

    An annoying issue on the original T9 was that you could only disconnect the coupled BT device with a trick, and I haven't tested yet whether this issue persists.

    The company's manuals do not cover BT operation at all and are almost completely useless overall. That's an aspect where the company should really improve.

    I have a kind of "audiophile" background in that I owned many hifi devices over the years, including a beautiful pair of KEF Reference 203 floorstanders for music at one point, and the largest Klipsch floorstanders (RF-7) from that same Reference series for home cinema, as well as an expensive ASR Emitter I amp from Germany and a large tube amp hybrid by Cayin. Can't say I'm missing much in my new, "impoverished" setup. ;)
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2023
  5. sound67

    sound67 New

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    Maybe someone could recommend a half-decent budget active sub for my setup (20sqm room, up to €200).
     
  6. sound67

    sound67 New

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    Finally found time to check the BT connection on the T9 Pro this morning, and I'm happy to report they've fixed the uncoupling issue found on the original T9. You can now simply uncouple the amp on your phone and then connect to another source. Unfortunately the amp accepts only one BT connection at a time, but I can live with that.

    The only thing I miss in both amps is a R/L balance because in my current bedroom arrangement I cannot create a perfect hifi triangle.

    All things considered I think the improvements they've made on the T9 Pro justify the higher price, so I will send the T9 back to the shop and keep the Pro.
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2023
  7. sound67

    sound67 New

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    Even with the improved BT I decided to add a Wiim Mini streamer to complete my setup. This, plus a Toslink splitter so I can run the Wiim and my TV through the T9 Pro, and with banana plugs replacing the raw cable connections - and I think it'll make me whole Hifi-wise. ;)
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2023
  8. Entropy

    Entropy Facebook Friend

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  9. sound67

    sound67 New

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    Thanks for the tips. Am I correct that with the Polk you'd need to run the stereo speakers through the sub, instead of the amp? If so, that would rule that one out.
     
  10. Entropy

    Entropy Facebook Friend

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    Naw, it has RCA line in and speaker inputs (for which you'd go amp ->sub->speakers, or amp->speaker->sub depending on how you configure it. it'd only take a signal, no power. I should also mention that the polk sub is named incorrectly, it's actually the polk psw10.

    There's also a video by Erin's audio corner comparing a few affordable 10" units. Main takeaway is that they're all pretty similar, but the top recommendations are the polk psw10 or elac 1010, Middle of the pack are the Yamaha NS-Sw100BL and Sony SAVS9, while the Klipsch kind of drags along at the back of the pack, primarily because it has the least extension of all the subwoofers, and essentially the least even in terms of frequency response. If you could get your hands on a jamo c910, that'd be best, but I can't find it for Germany.

     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2023
  11. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    Anything on 12" and up? I know the JL stuff is usually the king overall. I run two DIY setups. 2-CSS SDX12 and the other setup is a 15" Ascendant Audio Avalanche. XBL2 connection I guess. I still have some raw drivers I need enclosures for. Way too lazy for it all
     
  12. sound67

    sound67 New

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    Why do you think that this is a downgrade? I see nothing in the specs that suggests that.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    How is the noise floor on the T5 with the headphone out? Anyone with this amp have an LCD-X or S12 iem's to test for noise?

    Also, does the headphone out come directly from the speaker taps?
     
  14. sound67

    sound67 New

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    Since "k4rstar" hasn't bothered to answer why he thinks the T9 Pro would be a downgrade I can only conclude he has no legitimate reasons to back up his concerns. ;)
     
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    Last edited: Feb 12, 2023
  15. haywood

    haywood Friend

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    I haven’t heard either but there are enough differences just from the comparison chart you posted to think it wouldn’t have the same sound signature. One red flag for this forum is it uses an a/d on the analog inputs which means using an external dac is going to be compromised.
     
  16. sound67

    sound67 New

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    I gave another inexpensive Chinese hybrid tube amp a try to see how it compares to the Aiyima T9 Pro:

    The Douk Audio/Nobsound B-100:
    https://doukaudio.com/products/nobs...fier-usb-player-coax-opt-power-amp-w-vu-meter

    Sadly, it was a non-starter: After connecting all my sources and the speakers there was a noticeable humming sound independent of volume level on ALL inputs, and when I tried to connect my ELAC sub, there was a LOUD humming sound. My first guess would be that the unit isn't properly grounded. I'm gonna send it back tomorrow.

    Just to see a visual comparison:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Very disappointed. The Aiyima works perfectly so far, but the Nobsound has two additional connections (1x extra pair of RCA inputs and a headphone jack). But it was not to be. :(
     

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