Amazon Retro Styled Hybrid Tube Amplifier with VU Meters? Infi IF-AD05 Amp Dyno Test
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- čas přidán 3. 10. 2020
- #Amplifier #AmpDyno #AmpTest
I recently was intrigued with these retro-styled, new generation hybrid tube amplifiers. Several companies are selling budget models such as Nobsound, Dayton Audio, Rockville and Infi. The amp I really wanted to try out, the Dayton HTA100BT was out of stock and not available for a couple of months. Figuring there must be some options, I headed off to Amazon for an alternative. This is when I came across the Infi IF-AD05 Hybrid Tube Amplifier. Watch the video to find out more about this intriguing home audio amplifier.
Shop (affiliate links):
Infi IF-AD05 Hybrid Tube Amplifier - amzn.to/3iu3rLJ
Nobsound MS10D Mk3 Hybrid Tube Amp - amzn.to/3jtCfxX
Nobsound 6P1 Full Vacuum Tube Amplifier - amzn.to/3juhK3Y
Elac Speakers - amzn.to/3kQdJHp
Subwoofer Plate Amplifiers - amzn.to/3cSTMx4
Powered Subwoofers - amzn.to/3iwLgF4
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-------- Test Bench Equipment ------
SMD / D'Amore Engineering Amp Dyno: goo.gl/sJTcf7
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DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase from one of the product links, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Shop (affiliate links):
Infi IF-AD05 Hybrid Tube Amplifier - amzn.to/3iu3rLJ
Nobsound MS10D Mk3 Hybrid Tube Amp - amzn.to/3jtCfxX
Nobsound 6P1 Full Vacuum Tube Amplifier - amzn.to/3juhK3Y
Elac Speakers - amzn.to/3kQdJHp
Subwoofer Plate Amplifiers - amzn.to/3cSTMx4
Powered Subwoofers - amzn.to/3iwLgF4
Williston Audio Merch - teespring.com/stores/BigDWiz
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase from one of the product links, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
I bought the rockville one back in January and I'm running 4 jbl Northridge bookshelf speakers and a certain vega 10" powered woofer off of it and it gets down! It's almost too much for my garage haha easily as good as other "300w" traditional head units out there for the price.
Hello plz make review and test of subwoofers like rockville punisher and or other better and cheap subs im looking to buy rockville punisher 6000w peak if u know better at same price power and also good looking sub let me know
Can you test the logitech z906 home theater?
@@fadisrour3546 I had that...
@@fadisrour3546 settled on the Z5500
Yes! Team "test more home audio equipment" all the way! I loved your mini amp board tests.
Thanks for the feedback
@@wal I agree more home amps!
Yeah I'm not into car audio, but I love to watch this channel in case I get a wild hare, I'll know what to get :)
(Corrected)*
@ *dave lehti*
You mean Wild Hare?
@@Bassotronics Yes, I knew it looked wrong when I typed it out... LOL
3:38 Someone's gotta peel that protective layer off. I think that warrants its own video for the OCD crowd.
I'm just the opposite. I have several products which still have this film covering. My thinking is, if I ever sold the device, it would look pristine.
@@jamesplotkin4674 that´s the way i think
agreed. enjoy life. peel the peel! you deserve it
I love the home audio tests. Do more of these too man! I’m loving the old school tube amps! 🙌
Bought the same amp, appreciate your professional validation that for that price this amp sounds GREAT.
heck yeah bro! These are interesting as hell! Keep them coming. It's always good to explore new stuff.
I have always enjoyed watching the dyno test videos you produce. Thanks!
I'd love to see more home products tested on the channel, even reference or recording studio quality stuff. I would recommend creating a space without so many reflective surfaces to get a better idea of SQ though. If you had a reasonably deadened room, you could measure frequency output with a spectro using white and/or pink noise and be able to show frequency response, etc.
Im always giving you a big thumbs up Derek on these tests. That amp actually sounded really clean with those power ratings. Im very impressed on the tests there from the dyno.
It did what it was rated to do, can’t ask for more. Sounds great too 🤟
You can hear the genuine happiness in Big D's voice when he was describing the features ")
Awesome demo music too best yet!
😝👍
"All you need is a good 5W amp"
- Paul W. Klipsch...
That would rock the house on a pair of Klipschorns! :-)
I was thinking the same for my Forte IIs! The fixed sub output would be a huge deal killer for me, but I wouldn't really neeeed to add in the sub for the Fortes, either. Though...I'd still want to. That fixed sub output really stinks.
@@williams6550 Has to be on oversight on design.
My main concern with this amp would be on highly efficient speakers is quiescent state noise. On typical 89dB (1v/1m) speakers it's inaudible. But with high efficiency compression HF drivers it would become very apparent even in the listening position! That bloody hiss.
i woudl use these small tube amps as a sort of preamp/dsp. only to run the signal tru, to larger amps.
@@williams6550 The sub out RCA is a low level input. Use speaker wires to go high level input from the L/R of the amp directly to the line-in of the sub, then OUT from the sub to the speakers.
It's surprising how many people think that 5W is a joke! And if you are impressed with 5w, wait to you try one of those cheap eBay PAM chip based class D amplifiers! They are rated for 3W per channel and can be powered by the 5V USB phone charger! I have drove 15" three way speakers with it and it just blows me away! It's barely bigger than my thumb! It's bloody tiny! You can easily connect it to a couple of lithium batteries for power and an equally small Bluetooth module and you would have to be careful to not loose it lol. I haven't heard a 3W tube amplifier but if it's anything like the Pam amplifier modules then it should definitely rock the house! Oh and did I mention that you can get them for around a dollar! Some listings bundle them five for $5AU, cheaper if you are in the US! Best five bucks you will ever spend! Your friends and family won't believe that it's actually that tiny little thing making all that sound, just ask them to guess what they think that it's capable of running off a USB phone charger LoL...
Yes I'm a car Audio bass head installer.over 20 Year of costom installs for friends an family.even my own car.i really enjoy your information videos.I remember the smile I get when I'm cleaning up after it's all done and taking pictures of before and the finished out come.i always draw a picture of what it's going to look like before I get started so they have an idea of what it will look like when I'm done.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Nice job BigD. Enjoy your videos regardless of home or car. Keep 'em coming!
Thanks brother 👌
Yeah I wanna see more of these tube amps!!! Cool video as usual mate!
Very nice review, you provided far more detail than other channels that I've watched on this type of equipment. I've bit the bullet and picked up the Infi IF-AD05 I must have missed your part about how large this is Oh My God yeah it's large. Please keep up the great work...
I could watch your videos all day Big D. Shame I’ve got to go to work lol. Keep it up brother, love the channel ✌🏻
Big D, making old school great again.
Yeah boi
Thanks big d been curious about these for a while. Great content as usual.
Just wanted to say thanks for doing the Dayton Audio 250 vs Yung 300 video. It helped me make up my mind on a project of mine. I ended up getting a Dayton Audio SA-100 and goes well with what I have. So once again I pass on praise and thanks.
👌😝👍
so happy u started testing these. i have always wanted one
She’s got the looks 👌
Big D we knew you would jump on anything with some cool vu meters 😄 Looks like a decent value and a perfect match for the ELACs. Unfortunately the sub outs are useless if they're fixed!! Cool amp and great video as always
Very awesome review. I still have my Scott Receiver tube stereo and the KLH speakers that my folks gave me several years ago. Something about that tube sound. It even has slots in the back of the Scott for the fuses. Everything still works perfectly, and I've been able to hook up a cd player, dvd player, and any modern day audio component to it. I've had to replace a couple of fuses over the years. No more Radio Shack, so I had to go to an electronics repair shop the one time that fuses blew. It's kind of like how younger folks and even some of us old school guys are buying record players again. I wish I still had the record player that they had purchased along with the Scott and KLH speakers. I forget the brand of the record player. Bullet proof components and built to last.
This vid makes me want to buy one. Such a cool little amp. I love the vu meters and how they light up the same color as the tubes.
WoW- What a pleasant surprise! Thank you for covering audiophile realm, non cookie- cutter equipment. Made my week, seriously
Thanks for the feedback 👌
Tube amplifier, wow, it's cristal clear out put 50 years ago
I am from India, thank you 👍👌
I love seeing these home amplifier videos.
More coming, although many will be from the 90’s. I recently got a few Sony ES receivers and amps.
I ordered one from Amazon. I sent it back! After a couple hours of use the vu meters go dark and hissing and popping sound from speakers. It was a cool looking, cheap little amp, I gave it a shot!
Nice job been running Monoprice hybrid 50 watt since 2016 in my garage. Went with high level inputs on 2x12 inch powered subs by energy old school es-12 sealed. Runs 2 sets of bookshelf 8 inch drivers also from 1990’s into 4 ohms. Completely satisfied with the hybrid amp. Recently replaced tubes. And little amp still runs strong 53 watts per channel I would like to see it on the dyno. Sounds like my mtx2300 seems way more than advertised. I appreciate you. Michael
thanks for all your work Williston labs !!
Yes please more home audio! Was a pretty cool amplifier but I think volume controls would kill it for me. But hopefully you will find that jem!
Interesting change of pace. Enjoyed the vid 👍
1/19/2024: Cool. Because of your demonstration, I just ordered a pair of the UB5 speakers that you are using.
Best Regards.
A Savard sub woofer, man that takes me back to 1988 and high school. With 2 12inch savards in the back of my 71 bug. I have a big pair of their home speakers in my house, from 1983. They weigh a ton. Great video btw!
Friend of mine,in the 90s built his own tube amplifier and he has some super high-quality Cerwin Vega Towers honestly it was some of the strongest low-volume sound I've ever heard! Not bad turned up also!
My love of bass started with home audio and then progressed to car audio, so I would love to see some more home audio videos.
I have been soooo interested in upgrading my home amp! This looks like a good upgrade and the price is more than right. THANKS!!!!!
And look hella nice while doing it
Great review! Please keep reviewing this type of home audio products.
Yes more tests like this. Thanks I appreciate this one.
Thanks brother
Home audio is always welcomed need to setup the theater room. Thanks you
Keep them coming, love the content
Good review Dr Phil, thanks
I love it when you do other stuff it's very very interesting thank you
Very cool Big D! I've been interested in some of these small amps for a pair of computer speakers and for plugging in a nice pair of headphones. This kind of content is awesome. Let's see some more of these little amps. Monoprice tends to have decent stuff for cheap. Good luck finding that gem amplifiers you are looking for!
It would be a perfect amp for your computer and favorite bookshelf speakers
My day is finally complete. Big Derek old school for LYFE!
Word 👆
You big dummy.. haha jk. Old skool audio 4 lyfe
Thanks for video, love the unit!
You do excellent work. Love watching your videos. It would be interesting to see what an old stereo receiver from Kenwood, Optimus and Onkyo would do compared to new models. It seems like everything was rated at 100W per channel, but now Sony and other brands are stating over 200! At 10% distortion of course, so it would be interesting to see a comparison. Especially since those old ones are all over the thrift stores.
I've had it explained to me by a professor who ran the physiological acoustics lab at my undergrad that most of the what people say is bs and the two are more or less the same.
He did say there is a small difference in the harmonics created by the two which could have some effect, but the average person wouldn't be able to tell the difference
I doubt many people could pick out tubes vs transistors in a blind test
Amazing video buddy keep up the great work
I could recommend this for someone who only has $500-$750 for a home setup....$200 for the amp, $300 for a pair of Klipsch high-efficiency bookshelf speakers new or used Synergy floorstanding speakers, and $200 for an Onkyo CD player (or just get a used dvd player, blue ray player, or any generation Xbox or Playstation from a garage sale or Ebay)......YOU GOOD TO GO !!
I love the amp sound.....would LOVE to hear some E-40 instrumentals on this thing !
Yes love all kinds of audio... keep it going. Now if only parts express would have stuff in stock. I'll be ordering the tube amplifier from parts-express once it's in stock. Hopefully they send you one to test before I order mine....
I firmly believe that Chi-Fi is the way to go for the modern audio file on a budget. Some of these import tube amplifiers are just terrific. I have a Yaqin That I picked up from eBay Canada on the cheap and one of their preamps that’s been heavily modified for my Carbon turntable. This set up runs a pair of Klipsch RF 280 twin 8 inch driver floor standing speakers, and it sounds incredible! Are use an older iPod classic for the primary source loaded with non-compressed audio files. It’s been running for about four years now and never needed a tube or even a bias adjustment. Color me impressed!
Thank you for sharing, very interesting and informative, just uploaded a few of my hand crafted tube Amps. I enjoy learning more about the world of tube Audio!
Yes on the full tube class A! Would be great to get your testing and impressions on one of those. CAn't believe what's possible with one of these lower priced hybrids. Curious what difference (if much) changing those only two tubes would make. Probably nothing, as these are typically solid state with the tubes that might as well be decorative lights. Also, why not try dedicated cables from the posts to the sub as opposed to the bass output? Avoid it altogether, some say that usually sounds better anyway (depending on whether the sub has that option). Great review.
Hey big D, I really like your home audio tests too :)
Great video Big D. Appreciate the upload ✌
I would love to see your review of a full tube amplifier!!
nice ive been wondering about these lil amps for years. wanted to get one to have something different
Super nice man, thank you for review.
Your viewership is with you. Your call Big D. I’m game for what you want to review. Stay safe mates!😊👍🏻😷
I have a Douk hybrid... similar top with tr, vol and bass knobs... Thanks for doing something a lil different 👍😊 Appreciate your channel
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great to see you're taking a look at more domestic amplifiers too. I'd also be interested in seeing video's on pro amps; I appreciate that's potentially a very costly venture though.
Yes that would be cool but yeah I’d need to partner with a local shop
,This was a good video, nice to see you doing home audio systems too Valve stuff would be good like this, as always good testing
Definitely do a full tube class A for sure!
I Love It
Big thanks for testing
Gretings from Germany
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Excelent Video looking forward for More of these
Awesome video yet again Big D.
For SQ comparisons, have you thought of recording the audio with a professional recording mic and run pink noise tests to check the sound signature of different amplifiers.
Sounded excellent on my studio monitors .
This is a cool video!! I always wondered about these type a amps
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I want to see more of these home audio reviews please!
Thank you !! This is what I was hoping you would do. More please. Class a home stuff and yeah the full tube version I would love to hear your input.
Cool amp for a computer sound system too
@@wal yup. I have a preamp version of this and I love it, great sound. But the full tube amp I didnt buy i bet i would if you reviewed it. Thanks again big D !!
Finally something other than car audio on the dyno......Getting closer to come pro audio amps.
Great video. Keeping it interesting, wasn't expecting a test of Amazon hybrid amp. Volume control issues on this amp need to be fixed.
Yeah just a few little flaws, overall really good
Excellent video keep making more like this !
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Excellent review. Thank you.
I would like to see more of these tests with these vacuum tube stereos I see all kinds of them and it's hard just choosing one based off of a picture
Tubes in the output stage are a must IMO for home audio if you already have them in the preamp section.
Also, toss the factory tubes in favor of some JJ's, Electro-harmonix or RCA's.
The 12au7 will give you less gain but, should sound smoother overall.
I liked this video. You betcha, I would like to see home audio tests as well.
Just as others have commented, the master volume needs to control the subwoofer too. This would be a simple fix for the designers. I'm surprised they let that go without thinking Sum-Ting-Wong ...
Very strange, they should have caught that.
I do see now this is a good product, and I definitely appreciate the teardown! Been curious about these budget hybrid units for a while now! They really could have left the USB, BT, DAC, fixed sub outs & tone knobs out of this thing though. As a simple power amplifier, very respectable product, all the other crap makes it confusing and look bad IMHO.
Thanks Big D!
Simple is better I agree
100😆% agree . Its a case of less would mean more
Cool little tube/hybrid amp
Love this testing of home audio gear.
Awe yeah!
Yes please!! Id love to see and hear some class A amps on the dyno
Put some PassLabs through their paces...
I am so impressed by ELAC speakers
Great thorough video brother, loved it👍👍
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Absolutely wonderful video. Hopefully in the near future full tube amps will come down in price. A lot of the reason for their high cost I think is because to use tubes on the output they run on such high voltage you have to have huge transformers on each left and right channel to lower the voltage to be compatible with speakers which requires a lot of copper and core steel. I was wondering when you were going to post another video I was going through withdrawals, again another wonderful video thank you.
Usually one vid per week, sometimes two 🤟
@@wal thanks again.
Man, I'm glad you reviewed this. I've been looking at the Dayton one since they released it.
Rockville has had one for a while but I feel like their QC is not up to par.
Thanks big D. I might just pull the trigger on one of these.
I love seeing the home audio stuff. One thing I wanted to say, while it's true that the fact of it having tubes or having transistors in the output stage doesn't really make that big a difference, and that the input stage can affect the sound quality, what does make a difference, is the fact that a tube output stage uses an output Transformer. The inductive coupling gives it a very firm grip on the inductive load, the speakers. Speakers are not resistive, but are inductive. The resistance is nominal, or DC, but the actual load is inductive reactance, and the output Transformer can match up with it very effectively, giving a stable output regardless of the inductive reactance of the load. Transistor amplifiers tend to vary their output, according to inductive reactance, and it can give an uneven quality on some speakers. When you have speakers that present a wildly varied inductive reactance , something like the classic multi driver Infinity Quantum or Kappa models, it's very difficult for a solid-state amplifier to deal with. Tube amplifiers, with their output Transformers are much less affected by these crazy loads. Also, tube amplifiers distort with even order harmonics, which our ears find Pleasant. The odd order harmonics of solid-state amplifier sound harsh. That even order harmonic is what is used to make a fuzzed-out guitar sound. That is literally an over driven
tube circuit. While a solid-state amplifier can sound fantastic , and produces much more power, output of a full tube amplifier has a much greater effect for the number of Watts driven because of the inductive coupling. Nothing against solid state, that's what I use myself , because I like the sound of really big Power. I grew up with tube amplifiers, Marantz 8B, bought at yard sales in the mid-70s. Those were the days!
Excellent point. Didn't know that. And btw I have Kappa 7.
Careful, the class a tube amp is a very deep rabbit hole. I would love to see you go down it!
Love the variety. Please test some popular powered mixers, like the Behringer 2000D.
Hope you do more home stereo amplifiers. Seriously please.
great review! Super detailed. Good stuff is also the price.
Home audio testing? Absolutely. I kinda like the oldschool stuff myself. I drooled all over the magazines back then, but couldn't afford anything that didn't come from a pawn shop. LOL. I still wish I had my old Rockford Fosgate amps and Petras Cardiac subs.
I would buy this just based on looks, visuals are stacked
It sounded super clean!!!
Agreed 👌
Thank you so much for this review, it helped me finalize my decision on which amp to get.
in my search and investigation about these amp I did find out an interesting tidbit that may account for the reason there is a mismatched tube included..
12AU7 has lowest gain @17db and is used more for pre-amp, 12AX7 has highest gain @100db and used as driver tubes.
now given this has a toroidal transformer ( the only one I have found in a hybrid amp), and you were only given one tube,
I wonder if one tube is pre, and the other is main, and by swapping out one tube it changes the sound,
this would also account for why it says in the description, 12au7or12ax7 or 12ax7x2
I may be way off here, but it also, does make sense too, and will be something I test when mine arrives..
Thank you again for this review, I am really looking forward to playing with this unit, and testing various combinations, and tube types
and I will let you know what I find out if you don't do it first.
**** Update****
I received my tube amp and it sounds great!
I am very happy with the sound and build quality, so happy I got this..
However, I was not able to test my tube theory because it came with a 12AX7 spare, so hopefully someone else can try.
OH MAN - watching now, super interested in these. I'll edit the review after I watch the video :)
Edit - better than I expected, would make a decent little test bench amp.
👌😝👍
Please please do more tests on these affordable tube amps. Want one so bad but have no idea which one. 😊
Love the meters. All amps should have the.
Agreed!! 🤘
nice looking amp. the tubes would make the tweeters come to life. would use transistor amp for subs(using the RCA outputs)
I can certainly hear the warm sound tubes provide, but the highs sound very off in the Bluetooth feed at least. A bit of a surprise to see what is very similar to a toroidal transformer (but the height alone makes clear it is not).
Interesting for sure, but I'm very happy with my Counterpoint pre and amp.
Nice little setup I like the way it looks
Me too 👌
That transformer threw me for a 6. It's Mahoooosive!. Lol. 😁 Good review. Definitely would like to see pure class A tube review also. 5 * 👍😊 Greetings from the UK!