Unbeatable at Under $200?! Our Nobsound B100 Hi-Fi Amplifier Review!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- Looking for an inexpensive amplifier with good sound and plenty of inputs? The Nobsound B100 might be just right for that small office system you've always wanted or it makes a great gift that looks awesome and won't break the bank!
In this video, Kevin goes over our experience putting this little "tube" amplifier through the paces. We try it on a wide variety of vintage and new speakers. We even have some of our customers sit down and compare it with some pretty heavy hitters.
We were surprised at some of our findings. Watch this week's video and find out our final verdict. It's gonna be another fun one!
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Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we’ll receive a small commission.
We have owned and used every product we recommend
Nobsound B100: amzn.to/3ujwFIO
Nobsoound B100 Replacement Tubes: amzn.to/3MM9QnA
Recommended Subwoofers with high-level speaker inputs:
$100 6” Acoustic Audio (with speaker level) amzn.to/3d0YVaR
Recommended Bookshelf Speakers:
Klipsch B100 bookshelf speakers amzn.to/3xk9dd6
Elac Debut 2.0 speakers amzn.to/3LeI4y4
Recommended Turntables:
Audio Technica LP60 Great entry-level “fully automatic” turntable for under $150 amzn.to/3eAPC1B
U-turn Orbit Plus- Skylabs favorite new turntable with a 3 year warranty for under $350 amzn.to/3delM2H
Recommended Phono Cartridges:
Grado 3 series- Made in Brooklyn NY since 1953 amzn.to/3L9t8B7
Ortofon 2M Blue amzn.to/3d9fBNw
Recommended Phono Preamps:
U-turn Pluto- awesome little preamp for under $100 amzn.to/3RHm01k
Kinter Phono Preamp amzn.to/3T1sZCm
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What a cool thing to offer in your store. It's a great low cost way to get people involved and still have a nice sound. It's neat that you let folks a/b it against a really strong amp too. I think this would be really cool if you could run it into a vintage receivers preamp ins.... What a great an inexpensive (and quick) way to change up the sound from time to time. It could be like a side car to a vintage receiver or integrated. Really cool, and I think it makes a ton of sense in your store. I hope it increases the interest in all of this!!
Thanks for reviewing this Nobsound class a/b amplifier.
Having been immersed in home stereo gear since 1972, some 51 years now, I’m satisfied with what I use everyday.
Being old school, this is probably not a piece of gear that I would have ever chosen, but for someone on a very limited budget, it would serve a purpose.
Great review. Thanks for this!
Has a nice vintage look to it. Would make a nice Christmas present for someone that likes something different
I have one of their even smaller amps the NS 01 G and for a Bluetooth amp that literally fits in the palm of your hand it’s amazing it can rock a set of Paradigm atoms quite well. I use it as a super handy garage amp.
Nice review! I think this was a very even handed summary of the pros and cons. It's hard to believe they can sell a product like this for less than $200.
Having said that, I'm also amazed that I can buy a vintage amplifier that I would expect sounds just as good for under $100. While not for everyone, I'm sold on the value of vintage gear, especially the mid-range stuff, WHEN IT IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. Sorry to yell ;-). Vintage gear is of little use if it's not running right, i.e. like it did when it was new.
In summary, this inexpensive new gear gives aspiring two-channel enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy music how it should sound (not from a mono BT speaker).
I have several vintage amps and receivers. I use Sabaj A10h headphone amps plugged into the tape 1 monitor loops and use the remote control to adjust volume. There are many headphone amps out there that can do the job but I like the Sabaj units.
Looks like a great starter amplifier for someone new to home audio equipment.
7:25 I spy a Pioneer SA-9100! I’m actually using one right now as my main amplifier. Got it from Aural Hifi in Denver and it’s in as near-perfect condition as it could be for being 50 years old, it’s absolutely beautiful. Bypassing the preamp stage, I put the Pioneer head to head against the Schiit Vidar 2 expecting it to get blown away but much to my surprise it held its own and as a result I sent the Vidar 2 back to Schiit. Newer isn’t always better.
Nobsound centre speaker most perfect from branded other speakers 👍👍👍👍👍👍
I actually walked in and saw this little amp playing in the store and was pretty impressed with the sound. I should have asked about it but glad to see this full review with pros and cons. For 180 bucks, and especially after hearing and seeing it, I have to agree its pretty cool!
yeah they are
Good review, I like some of these products that Nob sound/Douk audio are coming out with. I picked up their amplifier speaker switcher with the cool Vu meters, I think I saw one in your video. I have one amp for TV and movies and I run my vinyl and CDs through my Fisher x101 St tube integrated and it works really well and even comes with a remote. If I were looking for one of these tube integrated amps around this price point I think I would go with the Dayton HTA200, It is a really cool looking integrated amp.
I own the HTA 200, I really like it a lot. However it does cost $350.00, and is 100 watts per channel. and at least it does have a remote. I was going to purchase the HTA100, which is more in line with the price of the Nobsound with twice the power. But it doesn't have a remote either. I have larger speakers so I sprung for the 200. And it is pretty to look at.
Definitely gonna be a fun one
Looks interesting, thanks
Another great honest review. I agree this would make a great
2nd system with the right speakers. Also I want to thank you for your tiered list of speakers a few weeks ago. I picked up a pair of ADS 470 's
In great condition I hooked them up to my Willsenton r8 and was blown away with the sound and clarity. They rival my Wharedale lintons at $1500. and the best part is I only paid $50. Now I am looking for a pair of L 710 or 780's which might be my end game speakers.
Nossir, if you think the 710 is good, just go for the 630, 730, 780, 880, or 980, or the famous 810, those could possibly be endgame, all those are a tier above the 710, 710 rolls off hard below 50 Hz, the others do very well on the low end.
@@ericschwartzberg5083 no problem, too many years in this game lol
Great review, Kevin. I really like Nobsound and Douk Audio products for there price poi t to performance. I almost got one of these but decided on the Oldchen EL34 instead.
What made you pick the old Chen....? I'm going to grab a tube-y amp and 50.00 is not a big deal.
@TimeForTacos I've been looking for an El34 amplifier for a while and the opportunity presented itself to me and I really like it. If you found one for $50 dollars that's in working order, I'd go for it for sure. If you don't like it, I'd buy it..
@Kevin. Not sure if you know, but Nobsound has a new amplifier coming out called the A3. It looks like it addresses some of the problems with the B100. I think it has the same 25wpc amplifier and it costs a bit less at $170.
try one of these Dayton Audio HTA100 Integrated Stereo Hybrid Tube Amplifier 100 Watts . got one from parts express ,,my old amp went bad an i put this in my barn to drive two t15 polk speakers ...it does a great job ..my boy has one too ,,they make a 200 watt one that has a remote ...
I have looked at this unit a dozen times. The only reason I have not purchased it is tube availability. I have another brand tube amp that started having a hum in one channel after about 50 hours of use. Bad tube. Swapped it out and unit was good to go. I checked out the possibility of a tube upgrade before I bought this unit and could not find ANY tubes for it at all.
Update: just checked again and currently there are tube replacement on Amazon.
I really like the I\O configuration. Since it's not really a tube amp as we know them, then I could do without the tubes TBH. But I also haven't seen one in real life and I do like eye candy so it might be really attractive.
It looks good...I would think you could or should be able to get other tubes and be Rolling.
For some reason the Tubes are not available in Canada, but the unit is? Are these units shipped from the US? And likely made in China? The wattage - RMS? Peak power as in headroom. Hope they also make a tuner, perhaps even a receiver. All in all impressive for efficient speakers.
It'd be Nice if you could try the Juson Audio Jta35. Seems like an upgraded version of this. Jta50 even better.
Desktop application/ majority geeks and their gaming desktop/laptop in room, you can't go wrong with all these features for all your audio needs.
I'd love your opinion on this - I was thinking about getting this or a similar amp (50wpc) to hook up my Bozak B 302As. Do you think it may be a good match?
I'm currently running a Luxman TP 114 pre amp to my Pioneer VSX 9500s as a power amp at 125wpc.
Hello folks.Headphones, Grado PS500.
Now is it better then an headphone amp as this brand purfur tubes vs SS?
All my Yamaha, Carver, Kenwood 9400.
I believe the jack just taped into the amp power output rails?
Yep I'm still crazy
Ride Easy
Hi just got a pair off Jamo S801 PM Active Speakers would i need to still use thr power cable for them or will the nobsound b100 power them or woupd i het a better sound if i powered them and used the nobsound ? Thanks
Would a set of B&W Cm5 be a suitable for this amplifier?
I have a set of JBL L60T's. Would this be able to power them? I am an extreme noob when it comes to home audio. Thanks!
Could you please do a video on speaker phasing. I seen in my Harmon Kardon 330C owners manual it had a section on how to phase your speakers by switching from FM stereo to FM mono and listening for a change in sound. Then switching +- on one speaker to get it in phase. Thanks
Why not just make sure your positive and negative wires are correct going from amp to the speakers? If I remember, I'll look in the manual to see exactly what they are talking about. Thanks
I use the SMSL AD18. Smaller footprint
Have you seen any HeathKit AS 153 Speaker.. I have a pair in custom cabinets... one of the speakers is not working... any ideas? I think the crossover capacitor in bad.. no signal from my multimeter....
Are you wearing a Jellyfish shirt?!! Automatic subscribe!!!
Nice Jellyfish shirt!
Spilt Milk =)
Whew. I'm so glad you opened it up and confirmed it was class AB! That's what the rep told me when I questioned the class A for my review and I was so nervous I would've been wrong when you opened, lol. Also, that power switch placement STILL boggles me, lol. Otherwise, I enjoyed the sound just like you!
Lol, your video is why I opened it! I would have sworn it was class D. Thanks for watching and thanks all your great videos!
@@skylabsaudio same to you! I have on my list to get to out your way and swing by one these days!
Bought one. Returned it. As of Feb 2024, replacement tubes are still not available, and it bugs me enough to weigh on my mind. Considering a Yamaha 1030 amp on ebay for $229.
Kevin,
How would you say the sound is compared to a 1970s Sansui Receiver? Comparable? Love my Sansui Seven, but curious because I might be able to use it in another room.
ofc weaker, but still get the sound which is great
in sense not the sound of midranges if you know what i mean
Title says n100 instead of b. Nice episode, refreshing to see something different
Thank you! We corrected it. Appreciate the help.
Really love the channel and this is a good review. I very well may grab one. Are you sponsored by noobsound? If so, you should disclose that in the introduction. NOOB - ALMOST AS BAD AS kNOB. Grado carts are sort of shitty. I guess that is my opinion....not to be a KNOB!
Thanks! No sponsor- we would have disclosed it.
Nobsound LOL reminds me of the PRS Horse Meat pedal. Some of these marketing people are baffling.
You mean lack of marketing ppl
Right, I remember one of the reviewers when PRS launched those pedals thought PRS was playing a prank on him. Nope - Horse meat - that's the actual name. lol
How do you switch inputs? Didnt see a switch?
On top
@@skylabsaudio Thank you
Wait. If there are 4 output A/B transistors then what are the tubes doing?
Preamp
@@skylabsaudio thx. Thought so but I also thought they may be completely fake . Glad it sounds good and I appreciate your unfiltered unbiased reporting on what you find.
In this hobby, a component doesn't have to be the best, it just has to be a different flavor to sample. That's where the fun is.
Ну это понятно 280 т.р хороший ламповый усилитель для наушников или по курсу 2 864$
If Nobsound is a bad name choice, what about Schiit? and they are from the US!
Agree
I have to stick with nob because their tools that we need in our life kinda like the ones we already have in our lives 😂
Well, for an extra $20 you can get the other model with controls on the front .....
What, you again 🤔🤔 Yea👍
Who again
The Dayton Audio HTA20 is currently $119 and sounds amazing, bet it trounces this thing 🤷♂️
No phono input?
That may be a deal breaker for me.
Would you really want to use a phono preamp in a $180 amplifier? Just sayin
@@skylabsaudio Just an observation......
How about an external preamp? Might have something then? @@skylabsaudio
ah man you never mentioned how it sounds as a headphone dac amp
it does its 'job', to enhance the built in amp, quite linear according to price
Knob end😂
12 thousand thumbs up and seven thousand views? That’s different lol
Hmm. I see 545 likes.
Its pretty obvious its a class-d if you are holding it on one hand LOL ..ok, edit: seems A/B Imho tubes are quite useless if its not fully tube amp, aka hybrids.
They could have picked a better name it definitely would have sold better
You do the best reviews of vintage gear.
There are more than enough wise guys reviewing every new product from the CCP.
Like who?
sell a so-called class A amplifier with tubes, with a seller unable to say what type of amplifier he is selling (lie obviously) while ultimately it is a class AB which does not sound at all like a Tube amp, Wouldn't that be called a scam ? for me the test stop here. just another chinese bullshit.
Class B? There are no audio amplifiers that use pure class B design. Distortion levels would be extremely high. Class AB is the most common because it is a compromise between pure class A, which is highly inefficient, and class B. Class D is becoming very popular with designers after years of rejection by audiophiles.
I think class D has a lot of benefits and they are constantly improving it. I still prefer my class a or class A/B, though.
@@skylabsaudio Same here.
Nobsound ... No BS Sound
Noobsound 😂😂
No turntable pre-amp so I am out.
I don't think I'd want to use a built in preamp on a $180 amplifier, honestly.
Should you care how to say it? You say em kay instead of mark. Rebel on dude.
Lol, good point!
Yet every dealer will tell you, you absolutely need $10k or $20k amp. Without these magic heavy boxes, your audio experience will be shitty. Hahaha. Avoid any dealers or sales sheeple at ALL COST
Obviously Chinese. Class A/B + 4 tubes, that sucker is going to get warm. $7.50 a Tube, Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.