A-6500 Desktop Vacuum Tube Hi-Fi Amplifier

I recently purchased this amplifier due to its price and it ability to effectively drive both headphones and a pair of bookshelf speakers for near field listening at the desk. I am still in the process of evaluating this, and really haven't explored it's headphone capabilities. However, it is very similar to the previous Qinpu A-6000 MKII amplifier. I think the reviews on that particular unit are very accurate for this model. I will update as I learn more about what this unit is capable of. I currently have it paired with a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 bookshelf speakers, which is drives to very satisfying volumes. I also utilize the Audioquest Dragonfly DAC v 1.2 as a DAC and source from my Lenovo x200 laptop. I have everything connected with Audioquest Evergreen RCA to 3.5 mm jack and Audioquest Type 4 speaker cables with banana plugs.Two Week Update: I just wanted to update a bit more of my review after having this piece of equipment for a little while now. I am probably heading towards the 60 hour listening mark (I work a lot so don't get much time with it during the week). I don't really consider myself an audiophile, but I do have a background in classical music and enjoy quality sound that is reproduced well. This unit is just amazing for a desktop system. It has really opened up quite well (both the amplifier and the 10.2s were brand new and are just now getting broken in). Listening to the London Cast of Phantom of the Opera places the performance right in front of you with ample volume to provide a lifelike performance in your small space (my bedroom). I find myself just stopping to listen to the quality of sound that is produced. Next think I know, I have been listening for three hours. I can say that this unit is well worth its price. I will say that the aluminum housing of the amp will get a LITTLE warm behind the tubes adjacent to the transformer when pushing at higher levels for an extended period. However, nothing so far has been alarmingly warm or compromised sound quality. I would highly recommend this unit for someone just starting out into the arena of mid-fi/hi-fi sound reproduction while on a budget as a great starter piece to build a system around (my entire system with cables was about $,100... not including headphones). I don't feel that you have to compromise on speaker sound quality.I will say though, that I am a bit disappointing with the sound quality that I have gotten out of the unit on my HD 700 headphones. The headphone sound seems a bit too dark and muffled and really takes some of the excitement and life out of the HD 700s. I am curious if rolling the tubes will enhance this fault. However, if I do decide to just listen to the headphones, I am still able to get a very decent sound utilizing the headphone amplifier within the Dragonfly DAC and bypassing the Qinpu for now. I will keep playing with it and let everyone know what I can find out. I will probably start looking into compatible tubes within the near future. I am thinking the same tubes for the A-6000 would be utilized in this amp. However, being new to this, I will have to confirm. If anyone has any comments in this regard, feel free to comment here and let everyone know.One month Update: This unit seems to be breaking in very nicely. I will preface this comment by noting THIS IS A $250 AMP!!! It isn't perfect but it is outstanding for that price point. However, I have noticed that if I am listening to something with very complex orchestrations with detail in the bass, it isn't the most perfect at resolving all of the detail in my setup. This may improve by rolling the tubes as it seems to based on the comments on the A-6000. Would I recommend this amp? ABSOLUTELY!!! At $250 it is a steal. Would I buy it again? YES! Now I think it may be time to roll the tubes and see how that helps things.Tube Rolling: I just put in a pair of GE5670W tubes. Definitely a noticeable improvement. Improved gain, detail and more detailed sound. Definitely well worth the $10 spent on tubes. I may investigate the merits of better tubes in the future.

It's a very good amp for the price. If you like the look, go for it. Sound will not disappoint!

This amp is now a paper weight. The sound quality was fantastic considering the price point, when it worked.

For 250 bucks, this amp is really a great value! Does not embarrass itself even side by side to my $3000 OTL Tube Amp (Transcendent Sound T8-LN). The T8 does better at bass, better in applause (a very telling indicator of ability of an amp to reproduce high frequency and high speed sounds), better in voice, better in strings, better for horns.BUT, not all that much better!!This is my 3rd Qinpu, the first was a 6000 that died recently after a couple years of on and off hard use, and some abuse by my wife (don't ask).The 2nd is still going strong. And now I am listening to the 6500 and loving it with high efficiency speakers (Reference 3A DeCapo I).I would not recommend 16 w amp with any speakers less than about 90 dbw efficiency, or with speakers that go much below 4 ohm impedance, in other words, "hard to drive" or not very efficient speakers. I listen to Reference 3A DeCapo speakers which don't even use a crossover and are rated an 90dbWith proper speakers however, this is really a gem! I'm still amazed at the value. Although I should add that the volume control and input switch are not exactly high-end quality. You'll need to treat them with kindness.The Qinpu compares reasonable favorably to other amps I regularly listen to (considering it is 1/5th or less the cost!) :Transcendent Sound Tube OTL amp (20wpc)Musical Fidelity A1 Class A amp (30wpc)QUAD 909 (120wpc)

Quite wonderfully sounding revealing plenty of details...though it does make different recordings sound similar. Regardless, one will not be disappointed.