FX AUDIO Tube Preamp with DAC HiFi Home Audio Stereo 6N3 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier for Home Theater System Active Subwoofer/Speakers with Bass Treble Control USB/Opt/AUX Input

Why Bother? This Tube-06 pre-amp unit uses 6N3 tubes. My other pre-amp uses different size tubes (6J1) which sound different. I bought this 2nd pre-amp unit so I could compare the tubes myself -- an opportunity to play with nuances of sound by switching the pre-amps (and subsequent switching tubes each time, which can yield different sound nuances.)Trustworthy? Yes.See photos, i.e. shipping box -- it tells me that the shipping company knows how to pack and respects the business transaction (relationship/rapport building) all that -- they get A+ for all those details sturdiness (protection)! Item (and lots of accompanying connectors), arrived as agreed - order placed on a Saturday afternoon & rec'd item 2 days later in Florida! In the meantime, I rec'd two gracious professional emails from them regarding receiving order & shipping notification.How Does It Look and Feel?When holding the Tube-06 there is legit weight to it. The knobs feel right..See photos of item displaying front view and back view of pre-amp all wired-up and ready to destroy lol...How Does It Work? Oh HELL YEAHThe introduction of tube pre-amp(s) into my intro-level audio system -- adds richness, clarity, and uniqueness. And now I can turn pre-amp knobs while I listen to the music and maybe even pretend I'm a Sound Engineer working a concert at MSG.With the pre-amp, the sound remains rich and clear yet at times there is a distinct 'coloring' to the music that adds beauty, i.e., at times I am surprised by a Tom Petty guitar twang that is layered with even more uniqueness (thanks, tubes) colors and subtleties. You can even play around with wiring the amplifiers intentionally out-of-phase - can be so incredibly interesting what a song or two from a live GNR concert sounds like out-of-phase. Or classic Zeppelin. The Billy Joel '08 Farewell Tour at Shea Stadium aka that debacle...$500/ticket, actually sounds better played through my system out-of-phase in 2021 than it did to attend it live way back 14 yrs ago.]Not shown in photos: I am running an audio system that starts with my laptop as the source; from there I use a (Hidizs S9 Pro) Dac dongle; out from here I use a Y Cable to split the sound into 2 directions, so I can run two amps - one for mids & highs & the other amp for low end.Speakers (3 - all passive): 2 x Elac DBR62 (6 ohms) that drive the upper and mids & 1 x Dayton Audio subwoofer (6 ohms)Amps: 2 x Aiyima amplifiers (the A07 and the A3001 subwoofer amp)These amps drive things solidly with plenty extra to spare. I have them running on their own dedicated power supplies (each getting a 32v5a dedicated power supply adapter bought separately.)The AUDIO FX Tube-06 Pre-amplifier comes with it's own dedicated power source - 12v1a adapter (U.S. compatible)My Conclusion: today 6N3>6J1Of course that victory is short-lived, for tomorrow brings a new day (and a new competition.)The FX AUDIO Tube-06 Pre-Amp unit fits perfectly into my system, and is doing the SIMPLE things INCREDIBLY WELL... (and it looks really good while supplying clean signals to my amplifier).Thanks, FX Audio, this is a love-letter to you! Congratulations for designing and offering a reliable and fun product. Remarkably, most of these items are sold for well under $100 as of September 2021.(Finally re: wiring...see photos if you decide to go the RCAs route - opt to make the red-colored plug go the the right - be consistent w wiring! It will create perfect left/right setup.)

ok. it does its job, but sounds a little thin and cold

Worth every penny.. if your considering buying one of these,go ahead.. you won't regret it. Its amazing what were capable of making today.. these sound incredible. Really nice. I also bought the amplifier with it. Both are great..

Unit does not work with an iPhone connected to it and outputs going to a home stereo. The unit did look nice lit up and was heavier than I thought it would be. To bad it didn’t work

Improve sound quality, usb and optical inputs

This tube Preamp DAC will give the solid state Amp more warm sound make you comfort listen to all music.The DAC also perfect chips to decode the digital signal and 3 output you choice. So it was a good 3 in 1 product in market.

Thought the sound was poor, tinny, and lacking bass response.

The sound gets crackley if you turn the volume up past ~68%. It also gets crackley if you bring the treble up past ~75%. To be expected for a cheaper preamp. But it's perfect for my Harman Kardon Aura. I would buy this again.