I am intrigued by this amp as it has been getting rave reviews. My question is has anyone ever paired this little guy with a Dynaco ST-35? I am currently using a SS pre with it with awesome results. I read how most seem to think if you have a tube power amp, then you should use a tube pre with it so the complete chain is tube. I’m in no hurry to change to a tube pre because as I have stated what I’m using is blissful.

I just thought for just south of 50 smackers I could give it a whirl, but if someone has tried it with less than ideal results then I will save my time and energy and coin.

The FX-Audio TUBE-03 tube preamplifier delivers tube sonic character in a compact, sleek, retro-infused design. Complete with large front panel volume, bass, and treble controls the TUBE-03 provides ergonomic control of your audio.

Key Features

• Authentic tube sonic performance for a warm, classic sound
• High quality chipset delivers impeccable audio fidelity
• Compact aluminum alloy housing with a beautiful vintage flair adds a class aesthetic to any listening environment

Featuring two 6K4 tubes, the TUBE-03 delivers the authentic warmth and character that we have come to except with tube amplifiers. Complete with the highest-fidelity chipset, the TUBE-03 provides exceptional clarity. Producing a classic sound, the TUBE-03 is the perfect preamp for your listening room or desktop.

The TUBE-03 provides a stereo RCA analog input that allow you to connect to virtually any source while stereo RCA output gives you the ability to connect to an amp or powered speakers.

Where vintage sound meets modern accommodates, the TUBE-03 delivers outstanding performance without breaking the bank. Add sonic character only tubes can deliver to your audio system with the TUBE-03.

Specifications:

• Amplifier type: Tube preamp • Inputs: 1 x stereo RCA • Outputs: 1 x stereo RCA • Output level: 2 Vrms • Tubes: 2 x 6K4 • Replacement tubes: 6J1 • Chipset: NE5532 • THD: 0.03% • SNR: 100 dB • Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz • Power supply: 12 VDC, 1.5A (included) • Color: Black • Dimensions: 3.9" x 3.7" x 1.3"

(peFXT03)

SKU peFXT03 Brand FX Audio Shipping Weight 0.9000kg Shipping Width 0.270m Shipping Height 0.080m Shipping Length 0.210m Shipping Cubic 0.004536000m3

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The first config is the way to go. I have the same tube buffer. Adds a bit of warmth to the sound with the stick tubes but they do not sound clean and the bass is bloated. Get GE tubes which tone down the warmth quite a bit compared to the stock ones but relatively still more full bodied sound than if there was no tube preamp and but the sound is becomes much more cleaner.

• 3

  You mean AVR Front Pre outs > Tube Pre Amp > Crown XLS I assume.

The first config is the way to go. I have the same tube buffer. Adds a bit of warmth to the sound with the stick tubes but they do not sound clean and the bass is bloated. Get GE tubes which tone down the warmth quite a bit compared to the stock ones but relatively still more full bodied sound than if there was no tube preamp and but the sound is becomes much more cleaner.

Yes my bad, your right. Can you tell me how to source the GE tubes ? have you tried changing the IC amp too ?

Can you post picture and how have you geared it ? new to all this.

• 4

+1 to the above. If you think the ge tubes are pricey, there are russian equivalents which are cheaper and are better than the Chinese and have 95% of the ge sound.

I don't have a fixed config. I use it in between any digital source and amp. (Which I've been playing around with to find different configs)

• 5

I am able to find the GE tubes on Amazon only, any leads to other tubes would also work out. But need authentic and real ones, lots of fake stuff out their.

ssf

Well-Known Member

• 6

  I came across this super cheap Tube Amplifier on Amazon, always wanted to listen how these tube amps sound. Bit the bullet and ordered this.

Now some say this is a Tube Pre Amp some call it Tube Buffer, what I was looking was to add my own personal coloration to the sound when I wanted to. Heard Tubes sound warm, I would like it that way, but a tone control on this opens up more options.

Now my Gear is Denon x3700 connected to Crown XLS 2002 powering Taga 606v3 Floorstanding speakers. I love the way they sound for music as well as movies. For Music I have a Preset which keeps fronts as Large and turns Audyssey off, Stereo Mode enough punch but slightly on brighter side. I mostly listen through Tidal HEOs App or sometimes Alexa Echo Dot.

Recently I acquired a Activo CT10 using it to play hi res and MQA on the go and use as a streamer plan is to connect this to the Tube Pre Amplifier. Had 2 Paths in mind will look something like this,

1. Activo CT10 > Tube Preamp > AVR Line In like CD or AUX ( 90% using this)
2. Crown XLS > Tube Pre Amp > AVR Front Pre outs (This can spoil the perfect movie setup I am having now)

Which one from above will be a good path? any other paths or ways around this?

Wanted to know how to source Vaccum tubes, I got few links on Amazon but most of them are coming from outside India. Any leads on Vaccum tubes or IC amplifiers or parts in Mumbai or source within India ?

Has anyone used this Tube Pre Amp before or something like this?

You could also try Activo CT10 > Tube Preamp - > Crown without the Denon AVR in the chain. You will just need a pair of additional interconnects which you can change at the crown side. This will be a pre-power setup for music.

Just to see the difference, you could also connect the Activo CT10 directly to the crown if CT10 has volume controls.

I listen to music in 3 ways:

1. Marantz in pure direct. 2. Marantz + Crown in pure direct 3. Zen Dac -> FX Audio tube pre -> Crown xls 2502

A bit of cable swapping is required but fun to listen to different flavors of sound.

I have two pairs of these: https://www.amazon.in/Riverstone-Audio-Matched-Fully-Tested-Replacement/dp/B01BFJDTW0

Last edited: Jul 8, 2021

• 7

  I am able to find the GE tubes on Amazon only, any leads to other tubes would also work out. But need authentic and real ones, lots of fake stuff out their.

I bought them from eBay. Com from a Ukraine seller a long time ago. Not sure if it's still allowed

• 8

+1 for CT10 to Tube to Crown. No need to involve AVR.

How much and what kind of difference this tube pre makes?

• 9

FWIW I got a chinese tube preamp (looks just like the FX audio ones. I think they are all the same) to pair with the crown xls2002. I was not a fan of the distortion they added to the chain. I find the sound from the Crown to be cleaner and I prefer it. I feed it from a Digione and Topping E30. Trying some EQ could be better than adding a tube preamp to the chain I feel. I got the tube preamp because I felt the sound in my system was lacking something. I think it is more to do with my speakers than the amp.

• 10

It is basically a tube buffer with a little extra gain through a SS circuit. The OE tubes are not good and the sound will improve with tube rolling. The gain stage though is below average. I would instead suggest a zero gain tube buffer like the Yaqin SD2 or SD3. Some cheaper Chinese iterations are also available

• 11

  Yes my bad, your right. Can you tell me how to source the GE tubes ? have you tried changing the IC amp too ?

Can you post picture and how have you geared it ? new to all this.

Will have to post multiple pics and it wont be clear as to how I’ve connected them. Plus, the back of the AV Rack with its tangle of wires is in need of a good and righteous cleaning.

The chain is Allo USBridge Signature Player +Digione Signature (streamer)>Chord Mojo (DAC)>FX Audio DP03 (tube preamp)>Cambridge Audio CXA81 (amplifier)>Quad S5 (speakers)

the connection is going to pretty straightforward.

haven’t tried changing the IC amp.

the GE tubes were carried back by a friend from the US as they were ridiculously priced on amazon india.

Last edited: Jul 8, 2021

• 12

  Will have to post multiple pics and it wont be clear as to how I’ve connected them. Plus, the back of the AV Rack with its tangle of wires is in need of a good and righteous cleaning.

The chain is Allo USBridge Signature Player +Digione Signature (streamer)>Chord Mojo (DAC)>FX Audio DP03 (tube preamp)>Cambridge Audio CXA81 (amplifier)>Quad S5 (speakers)

the connection is going to pretty straightforward.

haven’t tried changing the IC amp.

the GE tubes were carried back by a friend from the US as they were ridiculously priced on amazon india.

How much and what kind of difference does FX Audio DP03 make?

• 13

Thanks guys for the suggestions, won't be removing the Crowns from AVR. As I am totally satisfied with the sound i get from them while 2ch listening music or movies. Instead will keep the Tube Pre amp on aux and use it when I need to listen tube sound.

I am trying to find the Vaccum tubes in Mumbai, got one shop in Lamington. He is Checking if they have one.

Will keep you guys updated on the build.

ssf

Well-Known Member

• 14

  Thanks guys for the suggestions, won't be removing the Crowns from AVR. As I am totally satisfied with the sound i get from them while 2ch listening music or movies. Instead will keep the Tube Pre amp on aux and use it when I need to listen tube sound.

I am trying to find the Vaccum tubes in Mumbai, got one shop in Lamington. He is Checking if they have one.

Will keep you guys updated on the build.

I would suggest that you try the connection without the Denon in the chain at least once. I see quite a difference between the two.

• 15

Yes sure, i do keep fiddling with setups. Surely try it once.

I was going to try a integrated amp before ending up on tube pre amps, tube amps are cheap and they look cool too.

I would suggest that you try the connection without the Denon in the chain at least once. I see quite a difference between the two.

Found a shop in Mumbai which sells 5654 Vaccum tubes for 700 each.

Is there anything I should check particularly while buying the tubes?

ssf

Well-Known Member

• 16

  Is there anything I should check particularly while buying the tubes?

Sorry, I don't know how to check a Tube before buying other than making sure that they glow and they work when inserted into the pre amp and that the preamp stops working when the Tube is removed.

fLUX

Well-Known Member

• 17

  Yes sure, i do keep fiddling with setups. Surely try it once.

I was going to try a integrated amp before ending up on tube pre amps, tube amps are cheap and they look cool too.

Found a shop in Mumbai which sells 5654 Vaccum tubes for 700 each.

Is there anything I should check particularly while buying the tubes?

As suggested for stereo listening try using your ct10 as source and use the tube pre and crown.

Also while buying replacement tubes go for well known makes in.the model, you will notice good difference. Also buy gain matched tubes if you need a pair.

• 18

  It is basically a tube buffer with a little extra gain through a SS circuit. The OE tubes are not good and the sound will improve with tube rolling. The gain stage though is below average. I would instead suggest a zero gain tube buffer like the Yaqin SD2 or SD3. Some cheaper Chinese iterations are also available

Have you had any experience with Yaqin CD 03? How much and what kind of difference does it make?

ssf

Well-Known Member

• 19

  How much and what kind of difference does FX Audio DP03 make?

I have a FX Audio DP-02 tube preamp wit GE 5654W tubes. To my ears, it makes the sound a bit laid back and the mids a bit thicker. A good match for my Crown amp.

What are tube preamps good for?

In short, the job of the preamp tube—when used in an actual preamp stage rather than an effects or phase-inverter stage—is to take a low-voltage audio signal that comes into it and ramp that up to a higher-voltage signal that is sent along to the next stage of the amplifier.

Do preamp tubes make a difference?

Good tube preamps cost a lot of money, Very cheap ones are making a little or no difference at all. Tubes can warm up nicely the sound of any source, and you can clearly hear the difference when you try to saturate you preamp on guitars because of the characteristic distortion tubes can give you.

What is the best tube for preamp?

Best Overall Preamp Tubes.

Telefunken Smooth & Ribbed Plate 12AX7/12AU7..

Mullard Long & Short Plate 12AXY/12AU7..

Raytheon, RCA JHS Sylvania Black Plate 12AX7/12AU7..

Telefunken 6DJ8/E88CC Gold Pin..

GE 12AY7/6072A Black Plate..

Mullard 6922/6DJ8..

Sylvania VT-229/VT-231..

KENRAD VT-229/VT-231..