Upgrade your Audio ‘Stack’ with a Little Tube Warmth

Introduction

The Aiyima T1 Pro is a clever and versatile preamplifier, designed to add a touch of tube warmth to your audio setup. It pairs excellently with the Aiyima A70 or similar amplifiers from Fosi Audio, such as the ZA3 or V3 Mono. These amplifiers feature both XLR and RCA inputs, allowing you to switch between a clean, clinical sound and a warm, pleasant tube sound effortlessly.

This flexibility makes the T1 Pro an excellent addition for those looking to experiment with tube sound without fully committing to a tube amplifier.

Packaging and Accessories

The T1 Pro comes in a well-packaged box, containing the preamp itself, a power adapter, and a set of tubes. The supplied tubes emit a lovely blue glow, especially effective in a dark room.

Features

Versatile Integration

As a preamp, the T1 Pro can fit into almost any audio setup. I used it with a WiiM Mini connected via optical to an SMSL D-6s DAC and an Aiyima A70 amplifier. The DAC’s RCA output was connected to the T1 Pro, and the T1 Pro’s RCA output to the A70. The DAC’s XLR output was connected directly to the A70, allowing easy switching between the clean XLR sound and the warm tube sound.

Tone Controls

The T1 Pro features tone controls for bass and treble, which can be bypassed with a button. This allows for simple A/B testing to find the perfect balance for your listening preference.

Aesthetic Appeal

The tubes on the T1 Pro provide a visually pleasing glow, adding a charming aesthetic to your audio setup, especially in low light conditions.

Trigger Output

The T1 Pro includes a trigger output, which can automatically switch on the A70 when the preamp is powered on, adding convenience to your setup.

Bluetooth Codecs

The T1 Pro supports a full range of Bluetooth codecs, including AAC, SBC, APTX, and APTX-HD, ensuring high-fidelity wireless audio.

Tube and Op-Amp Rolling

Both the tubes and internal op-amps in the T1 Pro can be swapped, allowing for a customized and potentially upgraded sound profile.

Connectivity

The T1 Pro offers a variety of connection options, including RCA inputs and outputs, and a 3.5mm Aux input, providing flexibility in integrating with different audio sources and amplifiers.

Performance

Using the T1 Pro in my setup, I appreciated the subtle warmth it added to the sound. The tone controls allowed for fine-tuning, and the ability to bypass them made it easy to compare different settings. The Bluetooth performance was solid, with no noticeable latency or dropouts, and the variety of supported codecs ensured high-quality audio.

Conclusion

The Aiyima T1 Pro is an excellent addition to any audio setup, offering the warmth and aesthetic appeal of tube sound without the commitment of a full tube amplifier. Its versatile connectivity, tone controls, and customizable components make it a valuable tool for audio enthusiasts looking to experiment and enhance their listening experience.

I highly recommend the T1 Pro as a great way to add some tube magic to your audio stack.