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APPJ 1502A Tube Headphone Amplifier

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ALL PRODUCTS / AUDIOPHILE / APPJ

APPJ 1502A Tube Headphone Amplifier

Name: APPJ 1502A Tube Headphone Amplifier
Brand: APPJ
SKU: appj-1502a-tube-headphone-amplifier
Price: 144.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

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Product Description

Featuring a 6n4 preamp section and two 6p6p power tubes in a dual Class-A configuration, this APPJ audio tube headphone amp offers high resolution, sweeping soundstage presentation, and full tonal quality. Compact and elegant, with solid housing, the amplifier is designed to drive high-impedance headphones all the way up to 600 ohms with little clipping or distortion Read More

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overview

specs

photos1

discussions273

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scottlu

345

Mar 24, 2021

For those who want to mod the amp. 1, the amp power stage use a constant current source with 4n60 tl431, the C10 acting as very important role to bypass the AC. so C10 need to be a good cap, head fi guy recommend to use a 1000uf 25v audio grade. 2, coupling capacitor E07, may need to be replaced with good one.

ddd_80

Aug 2, 2018

Setup: iTunes ALAC --> optical/TOSLINK cable --> Schiit Modi 2 multibit DAC --> APPJ tube amp --> Sennheiser 6xx headphones or HiFiman HE-4xx headphones. I've only been listening for about an hour now, but so far so good. The sound is deep and rich while maintaining mids and accentuating highs. I bought some Mullard NOS preamp tubes and 6v6 replacements, but haven't used them yet. I'm sure they will add even more depth and clarity to the sound.

rastus

1395

Mar 24, 2019

ddd_80How were the NOS tubes?

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rastus

1395

Mar 25, 2020

ddd_80How were the NOS tubes? I still use my APPJ, even though it competes with a 300B. Upgrading the caps was a big step.

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dbsylvia

115

Jul 30, 2018

Didn't think it was shipping till August 14th but today I received my tube amp. Did not arrive in usual Massdrop box. Of course no power cord so I have to wait until my ordered cable arrives. I have some Electro-Harmonix tubes coming also. High hopes abound for this little tube amp. I am looking forward to see if it will pair well with my Advanced Alpha's as the Little Dot MKII did not.

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dbsylvia

115

Aug 1, 2018

oh bummer, I hope that you find the package. If not, I hope that Massdrop will work with you on a replacement.

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dbsylvia

115

Aug 1, 2018

Wonder who signed for it, the neighborhood cat? Sorry that you have to deal with a stolen shipment. I hope it all works out for you quickly so you can enjoy your tube amp.

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MakisV

Jul 19, 2018

Is there any decent DAC i can connect this tube amp because i want to connect it to my PC?

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AdrianL

123

Jul 20, 2018

MakisVTopping D10, D30, D50 are not bad options

rastus

1395

Jul 20, 2018

MakisVThis would be an interesting pairing; a "low" cost, $476, Soekris R-2R. Feed it some 24/192 or DSD, missing for me on the MD R-2R,,, into the 1502A and a nice pair of cans,, damn now I want to try this... You would want to give it clean separate 5V on the USB -< a split cable or completely separate, so as to excel here.

http://www.soekris.dk/dac1321.html

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econaut100

Jul 16, 2018

is this the best tube amp you can get at this price point? That can adequately power HD6XX/ HD650?

rastus

1395

Jul 17, 2018

econaut100It is just about perfect (at this price point):

Output voltage: 18Vp-p
0.13W / 600 ohms 0.26W / 300 ohms 0.5W / 100 ohms 1W / 32ohms

zbells

235

Jul 18, 2018

econaut100There's a few OTL Tube amps you can also get at this price point. If you don't mind building one yourself, you can go with the Bottlehead Crack which pairs absolutely amazingly with the HD600 series. I haven't tried this APPJ amp, so I wouldn't be able to compare the two.

rastus

1395

Jul 16, 2018

My budget "starter" tube amp, read; start spending money... that with a little help - is still with me, sounds just wonderfully, sonically, lubricious (musical) with the Elex's... a nice DAC and DSD...
Keep the tubes that come with it for test purposes, esp. if you replace caps.
Listen to those tubes first though, it's a baseline, then move on, i.e. ship the unit back or replace them (the move to prepare for).
Needful things to get your reward:
Replace the interstage caps with 0.47uF; Mundorf supreme's will allow you to put the cover back on (retain shielding), got mine here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/0-47-uf-1000VDC-MUNDORF-M-CAP-Supreme-Capacitor-0-47-uf-600-VDC-for-Audio/192319064599?hash=item2cc71c0a17%3Ag%3AH4QAAOSw2s1Uz5Na&_sacat=0&_nkw=mundorf+0.47uf&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

I also replaced the cathode caps with 1000uF Elna SIMIC II's: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/elna-america/RFS-25V102MJ8-5/604-1059-ND/970220
The CBS (Hytron) 6V6GT's are the best I have used in the 1502A, a very open stage: https://www.ebay.com/itm/CBS-6V6-GT-NOS-MATCH-PAIR-1950s-5E3-ORIGINAL-BADBOY-RAUNCHY-OVERDRIVE-C05/223058149948?hash=item33ef4d423c%3Ag%3A9m0AAOSwKGpa53Rg&_sacat=0&_nkw=6v6gt+nos+pair&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.A0.H0.X6v6gt+nos+pair.TRS1&LH_TitleDesc=0
Preamp tube,, many choices,,, mine now goes between a 12BH7A or an E80CC: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NIB-1962-Vintage-Amperex-E80CC-6085-GOLD-Premium-TESTED-STRONG-96-96-NEW-NOS/332689683988?hash=item4d75d9b614%3Ag%3AgCkAAOSw9gRaNS6u&_sop=16&_sacat=0&_nkw=E80CC+NOS&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0%7C0
Thread fyi: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/any-opinions-reviews-on-gemtune-appj-pa1502a.780178/

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scottlu

345

Mar 25, 2021

I placed order for pair of golden lion 6v6, and jj 12ax7. looks like all None NOS, I will keep eyes on ebay. any recommendation for NOS?

(Edited)

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rastus

1395

Mar 26, 2021

scottluI like the value in a lesser sung great sounding manufacturer, Hytron, later acquired by CBS as a house brand supplier to the market, though also as a quality internal captive shop supplier. I have not seen one branded as Weber, guess I can find a 12ax7 labeled blue rhino to complete your amp. My favorite tube in the APPJ is a Hytron, so something like this pair, look to be identical internals to mine. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-1956-Hytron-USA-Black-Plate-6V6GT-6V6-Vacuum-tubes-Tested-Guaranteed/353428571731?hash=item5249fc0653:g:HQcAAOSwPZxfa~B3 I do like the detail from Sylvania, mind goes right to sonar applications. https://www.ebay.com/itm/6V6GT-SYLVANIA-USA-Matched-Pair/114588674821?hash=item1aae046b05:g:ZXAAAOSwtMVeovSY

Alejandro508

May 10, 2017

Doe anyone have any idea if a 12BH7 could be dropped in for the 6N4?

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Alfa24V

May 30, 2017

No worries. The 12AX7 can be run off 6V or 12V so I can see what the thought process was.
It should be noted the preamp socket on this amp actually supplies 12V instead of 6V like most other headphone amps. So you can't use 6V-only tubes like 6DJ8 or 6FQ7. You must use their 12V equivalent instead (like 12FQ7) or a dual-voltage tube like the 12AX7 and 12BH7. The good news is 12V-only tubes are often cheaper than their 6V-only equivalents but sound the same.

Alejandro508

Jun 1, 2017

Alfa24VThanks, that is very useful to know!

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Gugliermo

1317

May 5, 2017

The ad says RCA input and output, the specs show only RCA input and 1/4" jack out?? Which is it, I'd use this primarily as a preamp in stereo setup so I need RCA out.

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Sloblo

409

May 13, 2017

Looks like it's using a Lynn Basik cartridge ~ do you have any recommendations as far as tube phono stages?
As I mentioned before I was looking at the PS audio sprout or the Deckard Class-A (Audeze) since I definitely appreciate the source switching and headphone out on the front. Would I need an additional Phono Stage preamp to use them with the Lynn? or would those work without?

Thanks again for the help, trying to wrap my head around what gear is ideal for my needs.

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Gugliermo

1317

May 13, 2017

SlobloThe Sprout claims it has a built in Phono stage so you would not need an additional outboard phono stage with that unit. The Deckard however has no such thing so you would need an outboard phono stage with that unit. I would suggest looking into Yaqin or Little Bear for budget tube phono stages. If you are not familiar with how tubes work, do look into it before you buy, they are not for everyone. Tube equipment is often accused of "distortion". This is misuse of the word. What they do is introduce harmonics into the sound. Even ordered harmonics, octaves, fifths. These are subtle (and natural) but add a dimension to the sound that is hard to describe. "Magical", airy, three dimensional, are good ones. These results can be obtained with really fine tubes, the ones made during the heyday of tube production, 1940's-1980's before the transistor boom killed the tube. Poorly made tubes or bad tubes will sound awful. They need TLC to function properly and will need to be replaced eventually. Many people can't be bothered and opt for the transistor sound. Phono stage amps are needed to amplify the extremely small signal coming from a moving stylus in a record groove. The phono stage increases that tiny line signal for further amplification by the Pre-amp stage which then sends that signal to the amp for further amplification and out to the speakers. It's a LOT more "hassle" than digital sourced sound (-; Also, the turntable will have to be set up properly, leveled, skating and tracking pressures properly adjusted, and the stylus kept CLEAN. (-; A good disc washing system for the vinyl is also very desirable. I know that's a lot of stuff one needs to go through but please realize, VINYL was the true and original High-Resolution sound reproduction system, considerably outperforming the 44khz/16bit standard chosen for Compact Discs. Enjoy.

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stolikat

Sep 30, 2016

This amp has terrible static. I just looked at massdrop's return policy and found I have no hope of returning it so I am stuck with a piece of junk. If this drop becomes active again stay away. Far away. Massdrops crap return policy has me thinking hard about ever ordering from them again.

demize

157

May 4, 2017

stolikatYou can try buying a $10 ground loop isolator and using it. If this is anything like my Little Dot, it could have ground loop issues and that'll get rid of the static.

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