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59% would recommend to a friend 
FX Audio TUBE-03MKII BT Tube Preamp & Headphone Amp
01 / 08
FX Audio TUBE-03MKII BT Tube Preamp & Headphone Amp
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232 Sold
Product Description
Between your audio player and your headphones, several pieces of equipment can improve your sound. If you’re looking for signature tube warmth, you can get them all in one device: the TUBE-03MKII from FX Audio Read More
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Customer Reviews
3.1
(37 reviews)
5star(9)
4star(6)
3star(10)
2star(4)
1star(8)
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keyboard_arrow_downJesus420
5
May 7, 2023
checkVerified Buyer
Mediocre at best
Not bad but also not great. Would recommend something from Xduoo instead.
Recommends this product? No
wrom_farmer
6
Sep 17, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
3 stars but really 2 stars if you like quality
First, let me tell you that this thing sounds pretty good and I'll be using it until it dies. <fingers crossed> I only use it for 2 things. The pre-amp to drive my AudioEngine A5+ speakers that are connected to my PC, or the headphone output. Even with cheaper headphones I can hear a difference. When I turn up the volume the music opens up, it doesn't just get louder. The sounds that were faint and distant are more apparent and clear.
The BAD:
What is wrong with it? Let's start with the red LED lights under each tube. They make it light up like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Between a black Sharpie and some black duct tape I was able to block out all that BS light.
The tubes I got in mine were some generic 3rd party tubes that have no identifiable information on them. I contacted customer support and they were not able to replace them as I wanted, but they made the situation right. Customer service friendliness and response time was a 10 out of 10.
***update***
After using this for about 2 months - It still works, most of the time. If I move it, touch it, or just give it a bad lok in general, I get loud static out the right channel and it starts cutting in and out.
I still love it. Cheap as hell but it still sounds dreamy. I doubt it makes it to 2023.
(Edited)
FX_Audio_Rubbish
0
Jul 22, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
Doesn't work after a few uses - don't bother buying it
The odd time that it worked it was okay, it is what it is, cheap. The right channel only intermittently works. I used it only a few used however never got through a full listening session without it cutting out numerous times. Also, it did not arrive with the GE5654 tubes as advertised.
After contacting DROP support I was advised I only had 30 days to report any problems to them. Therefore I have no recourse in getting a refund/replacement. Apparently this unit does not come with a warranty.
Don't waste your money.
Recommends this product? No
lualcuso
1
Jun 28, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
Useful Equipment
I gotta say this gave extra life to my vintage equipment, I can stream using my computer and use the bluetooth receiver.
Recommends this product? Yes
darkstormyrain
35
May 22, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
Noise noise and and wrong tubes.
This is a get what you pay for situation.
First thing after I put the tubes in (wrong tubes sent and pins bent) I do is plug in my Dunu SA6 IEMs and set up Bluetooth.
I swear I was listening to the snap crackle and pop of rice crispies cereal.
It is simple enough to use and nice for the bedside but that's about all I can say.
Oh no lag when playing beat star on my phone. That is a plus
s4918
2
May 22, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
Great stuff
Initial review: The difference is significant whether you use it with a solid state or a tube amp. Yes there are only two inputs: one is the bluetooth input, the other is a standard RCA input, but the difference is remarkable with and without this little unit in the chain. I typically am not a proponent of bluetooth connection. I think that they cause too much loss to the signal. I like a simple but nice set up with good quality cables between the components. The ESS sabre DAC makes the bluetooth connection really that good for me not to miss the wired one. The sound is clear, transparent, and added to your amp of choice it has the potential to increase your soundstage considerably while keeping the sound very neutral and beautiful. I also like that it adds the bass and treble control to the mix. I have had it paired to a Kinter 2020A+ which provides some beautiful tube like sound (mellow, entirely not fatiguing yet neutral enough) and excellent power too. If you need more inputs, and would like to add a phonopreamp to the mix, I highly recommend to pair it, using high quality RCAs just the same as your connection to the amp, to a Technolink TEC-754 from https://www.phonopreamps.com/ . This was favourably reviewed as the "T-preamp" on TNT-audio. If you only want to add sources without a phono preamp and without (or with minimal) loss of signal/quality, choose the very simple Technolink TC-716. When I am not using the fantastic little Kinter, I hook the FX-audio to a Cayin CS55a. I could not recommend more the FX audio Tube-03 MKII. Also note that I am using it with the GE tubes you can get from Amazon, but I also like(d) and still like the standard 6K4 Chinese tubes. I think that they sound very neutral and beautiful too, in their own way. Purists beware, though, that from time to time (not too often!) the bluetooth pairing disconnects with a click, then typically comes back. Not all the time, just from time to time, but when this happens that can be annoying. Not sure what the cause is when that happens. I can live with this little quirk for the beautiful result otherwise.
Update after 6 months or so:
The FX Audio Tube-03MKII remains an essential component in my set up. Now that my Cayin CS55a has broken in (it took a few months but it is now where it should), and since I changed the preamp tubes in the Cayin to PSVane 12AX7 and 12AU7 -- taking the Cayin to a higher level of clarity and drastically also improving its headphone output, I continue to use the FX audio and am only satisfied with it in the chain. I currently use it as a welcome and necessary addition to a recently purchased ATOLL MS120 pre-amp, DAC and streamer, to warm up the sound of the ATOLL which, though a mighty and wonderful unit on its own, remains a digital product. I continue to use the FX Audio mostly as a preamp connected to the Cayin in the KT88 configuration. Also note that since my last review I upgraded the FX Audio by replacing all three op amps with Muse02. An investment that makes a world of difference both for the preamp stage and the headphone out of the FX Audio. I was however not taken by the headphone out on the FX audio, even with the new opamp configuration, until after I disconnected the RCA out from the amplifier. In this configuration (comprising the opamp upgrade) the Sennheiser 650 are now shining and I am not missing either the headphone out of the Cayin CS55a or my Cayin/Pier Audio PH5B (a stand alone headphone out with NOS 6J1 tubes selected by Pier Audio). Having discovered this tweak, I believe this shows a certain level of compromise in the design of this little FX audio wonder: the separation between the preamp and the headphone out is not perfect, but what should one expect from such a tiny little box that, in addition, does not come with a high price tag? With these updates, I would give the FX audio a 6 star rating if there was one. I urge all FX AUDIO owners to upgrade their op-amps. Oh and by the way: I have since my first review reverted to the Chinese 6k4 tubes which I now find I really prefer to the GE widely recommended on the net for the FX audio. I don't regret moving back to the 6K4S. they are that much more neutral and transparent. I use the tone controls to add a bit of bass (just a little) and I again find myself on a desert island surrounded , and transported, by my music.
Allow me to also reiterate my earlier advice: use these small inexpensive wonders as every component in your chain with the highest quality of cables you can lay your hands on. Triple shielded high definition copper recommended.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
John77
0
May 11, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
Muy bueno por el dinero
Por el tamaño y el valor este hace maravillas. Buena potencia para over-ear. Muy bueno para empezar con los tubos y ademas se ve muy bien
Recommends this product? Yes
luis.ryot22
50
May 11, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
Tubes tubes!
excellent entrance amplifier to the world of tubes. Clear and powerful audio. This little guy works wonders, I can't think of another for this value
Recommends this product? Yes
RipWyvern
0
Mar 24, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
good for the money
for 50 bucks a lack of a cable and be easily overcome but if it was double it would be bad
Recommends this product? Yes
Torresstoney
0
Jan 26, 2022
checkVerified Buyer
Falls description of package Contant
Falls description of package Contant The much needed cable that it’s supposed to be included is not!
Recommends this product? No
rspencer
0
Mar 10, 2022
TorresstoneyThat a little sad. You said nothing about the product..... For anyone to benefit from. A cable is pretty basic for most people who are into this stuff.
SpydieHolesForDays
216
Jun 1, 2022
rspencerNo, what's sad is that quality control is so bad they can't even get everything in the box. His review is totally reasonable and most people buying a $50 "tube amp" are not seasoned audiophiles with piles of gear and cables. Your response is the only thing here that provides no benefit.
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