Haha. Yep. I was equally excited and annoyed to have to make that edit. 😁 (Not annoyed at Apos, just that I hadn't thought to confirm and assumed their normal shipping limitations applied)
@@MaZEEZaM seconded! It was also kind off funny, because 1hr30mins later Joshua valour also released a Halloween themed Gremlin review. I preferred this one though! All the best!
Edit (Lucky I immediately watched the review again as you were talking about the MT-604 having separated volumes) Oh Wow, this separation of the volume is fantastic for people like me who have good hearing in one ear but terrible hearing in the other. This little amp would allow me to massive increase the volume going into my left ear, i just have to make sure i pair it with very well sealing earphones so my right doesn't hear it as i found when my hearing was tested.
@@MaZEEZaM I was actually just talking about this in my own comment on this video. For me it’s the other way round, it’s my right ear that has about half the volume of the left ear. So the MT-604 could be great. Just a word of warning though, you may already know, but I found out the hard way and was informed by my surgeon. Overly boosting volume to your deaf ear, or prolonged loud listening can still easily damage it even more, and you might make yourself even more deaf and not be aware of it at first. It can also cause earaches and pressure in the ear and near the temple, but after the fact hours later. The surgeon advised to go easy on the volume and Equaliser adjustments at first, and said to try to use the good ear to gauge the volume and equaliser settings in the other earphone before using it on the damaged ear, to avoid further injury to the damaged ear. He also said it’s like any other injury and it can often be more vulnerable to further injury’s. YMMV. All the best!
I hope it becomes available in the UK. It's got to be worth buying just for fun. Interesting on the power supply. When I first bought my Topping D50 III I was running it from a standard phone charger. I changed it to a 46800mAh battery bank and could hear an improvement, or at least to my ears. 3 hours uses about 4% of the battery, so constant recharging isn't an issue.
Just buy a MT-602 which was (conveniently) left out of this comparison for 99 dollars... You can tube roll all of the Xduoos. Itsounds great and is a better budget option for hybrid tube amps. To me this reviews sounds a lot like promoted content, especially when leaving out the mt-602 of the comparison. It has a whopping 1300mW @ 32Ω so you can basically just throw any headphone at it.
The MT-602 was left out because I sold it due to preferring the 601 and 604. In other words, the Gremlin is (IMO) comfortably better than the 602 and uses a much more accessible tube.
Yes, the TA-66 is great in that regard and sounds better than the 604, but it's OTL rather than hybrid so not a good match with lower impedance headphones.
When paired with the select tubes how close or far would you say this is from one of the Geshelli amps when focused on clarity, resolution and image separation?
That's a tough one! I think something like the E3/A3 Pro would be comfortably better, but it would give an E2 or an Archel 2.5XL a run for their money.
Okay, but how would you compare it to the sound of the TA-22? It has that hybrid tube amp with the addition of a DAC built in, way more power output as well (for a bit more money, admittedly)
Some of the emails and pages for the Gremlin mention 6922 tubes, were you able to test or can you confirm if the Gremlin is able to run 6922/e88cc tubes?
Ive now watched the MT-604 review and you specifically mentioned that its Not suitable as a preamp, I have two questions to ask then, firstly I have just received my Burson Audio Timekeeper 3i Headphone & Speaker Amplifier but had the opportunity to try it yet, can a pre-amp be connected to the Burson? My second question is if it can, could a preamp that has the independently controlled such as the MT-604 but not that specifically, be connected to the Burson to give it the channel volume separation? If so, could you suggest a similar hybrid or valve amp up to the value of $1,200 AUD?
You could attach a preamp to the Burson, but you'll end up with dual volume controls which isn't generally ideal. I'm also not sure of any tube amps that give you balance control AND preamp capabilities although you probably could take a 4.4mm to twin 3-pin XLR from an MT-604 and make that work.
Great review! Sorry for the dumb/newbie question,…but I take it I can’t just use an appropriate adapter to run a single ended dac with a balanced headphone amp? I didn’t think it’s possible, but became confused when recently Amazon showed me ads for adapters that seemed to be for a similar purpose. Thanks again! All the best!
Running RCA to XLR cables MIGHT work, but it's not guaranteed and I wouldn't recommend it because it can cause noise issues and could potentially short the input circuit depending on how it's designed.
@@PassionforSound That’s what I was afraid of, I don’t think I want to risk my mojo2 and poly combo. I just wish it was safe to try, as I have a moderate hearing loss in my right ear after having middle ear tumours removed. Basically, it hears near half volume compared to the left ear now. Something like the xduoo mt604 could’ve been a fantastic option for me to try. Thanks again, for taking the time to reply! All the best!
Hybrids are part solid state so you don't get the total ease and fluidity of tubes. An OTL amp tends to be a little smoother and more fluid or natural sounding whereas hybrid bring a little warmth and smoothness from the tubes, but not the same sense of fluidity. Sorry that I don't have a better way to describe the sound other than "fluid" but it's hard to describe.
That depends. It has a higher level of technical capabilities and a different type of sound because it's pure tube and output transformerless, but that also means it's less versatile with different impedance headphones and less powerful.
Nice Review! I own the MT604 and wonder if it too would benefit from an upgraded power supply? Probably so eh? With a slight hearing imbalance the dual volume controls on the 604 have been idyllic for me. Many mention that they just set the two volumes and then use a dac with a volume control to control their volume from there on out. That's basically what i do. To find any amp these days with a balance control is just about impossible. There are exceptions but certainly not many. This amp would have been of interest to me but alas....no balance control....lol. Have a great day/night!
You're the second person to remind me of the value of twin volume controls. Looks like I missed a trick on that one! As for the power supply upgrade, the 604 would benefit, but I question the value of spending hundreds of dollars to upgrade a $160 amp. 🙂
Can someone please recommend to me the cheapest headphone amp that can comfortably run Audeze LCD4? I picked up a set ex demonstration and my mojo 2 barely touches the sides. I will happily give money to the charity of your choice for an answer I can make work. Please help. Paul
I'd suggest running the LCD-4 from a better quality amp than the cheapest that can drive them or you'll have a wonderful headphone performing like a much more budget one. Perhaps take a look at the SMSL H400 as a nice sounding, but affordable option.
@paulcathcart7896 yes, that's also an excellent choice at the lower end. Do be aware that the LCD-4s have more to give with higher end amps, but the Jotunheim will be great. (I.e. not shaming your choice, just providing context)
12AU7s are more commonly used in this type of design - perhaps due to their low distortion, but I don't know that it has anything to do with the solid state stage of the amp.
@@PassionforSound not at all but I noticed hybrid systems are very common in audio. You see it also in guitar amps but with guitar amps all tube is a must. Even in higher scale like Schiit frya and vidar together is a similar system in a big scale of things.
@@Chuckster0 hybrid could mean different things. There are amps that have both power and pre amp tubes and still be considered a hybrid depending on its circuitry
@@crate718 I think you are getting a little too in the weeds. It is a cheaper hybrid tube amp that people are meant to have a little fun with. I believe if they are that concerned with the fine details, just like you, they will probably purchase something else.
does it play a arya stealth? I have a collection of real 6922 NOS paired Telefunken, Siemens, Mullard and original retro yellow tesla's (made on telefunken equipment). could be a fun amp to play around with
"Only available in US and Canada" Oh Bugger ..."Disregard what I just said". Phew
Haha. Yep. I was equally excited and annoyed to have to make that edit. 😁 (Not annoyed at Apos, just that I hadn't thought to confirm and assumed their normal shipping limitations applied)
just incredible that the little tuba amps are so affordable
Absolutely. The price and performance is crazy.
@@PassionforSound thanks for reviewing it 👍
@vaneast411 my pleasure!
I really enjoyed this review, it was a lot more fun than usual.
@@MaZEEZaM seconded! It was also kind off funny, because 1hr30mins later Joshua valour also released a Halloween themed Gremlin review. I preferred this one though!
All the best!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, MaZEEZaM!
Apos are branding the Gremlin with a spooky, monster vibe so it seemed appropriate 🙂
I agree about the little Xduoo amp sounding very good, it was a keeper.
Edit (Lucky I immediately watched the review again as you were talking about the MT-604 having separated volumes) Oh Wow, this separation of the volume is fantastic for people like me who have good hearing in one ear but terrible hearing in the other. This little amp would allow me to massive increase the volume going into my left ear, i just have to make sure i pair it with very well sealing earphones so my right doesn't hear it as i found when my hearing was tested.
That's a good point as one area where the twin volume controls ARE very handy. What to buy my 604 and spare tubes (3 sets in total)? 🙂
@@MaZEEZaM I was actually just talking about this in my own comment on this video. For me it’s the other way round, it’s my right ear that has about half the volume of the left ear. So the MT-604 could be great.
Just a word of warning though, you may already know, but I found out the hard way and was informed by my surgeon. Overly boosting volume to your deaf ear, or prolonged loud listening can still easily damage it even more, and you might make yourself even more deaf and not be aware of it at first. It can also cause earaches and pressure in the ear and near the temple, but after the fact hours later. The surgeon advised to go easy on the volume and Equaliser adjustments at first, and said to try to use the good ear to gauge the volume and equaliser settings in the other earphone before using it on the damaged ear, to avoid further injury to the damaged ear. He also said it’s like any other injury and it can often be more vulnerable to further injury’s. YMMV.
All the best!
@aj8ky great points!
I hope it becomes available in the UK. It's got to be worth buying just for fun. Interesting on the power supply. When I first bought my Topping D50 III I was running it from a standard phone charger. I changed it to a 46800mAh battery bank and could hear an improvement, or at least to my ears. 3 hours uses about 4% of the battery, so constant recharging isn't an issue.
It will be available globally as far as I know.
Just buy a MT-602 which was (conveniently) left out of this comparison for 99 dollars... You can tube roll all of the Xduoos.
Itsounds great and is a better budget option for hybrid tube amps. To me this reviews sounds a lot like promoted content, especially when leaving out the mt-602 of the comparison. It has a whopping 1300mW @ 32Ω so you can basically just throw any headphone at it.
The MT-602 was left out because I sold it due to preferring the 601 and 604. In other words, the Gremlin is (IMO) comfortably better than the 602 and uses a much more accessible tube.
😂
Great video, I own the mt-604 and hate it because of all the pops, does the Xduoo TA-66 have a better tube sound and no pops?
Yes, the TA-66 is great in that regard and sounds better than the 604, but it's OTL rather than hybrid so not a good match with lower impedance headphones.
@@PassionforSound Great thank you!
sounds like a winner to me
Definitely!
When paired with the select tubes how close or far would you say this is from one of the Geshelli amps when focused on clarity, resolution and image separation?
That's a tough one! I think something like the E3/A3 Pro would be comfortably better, but it would give an E2 or an Archel 2.5XL a run for their money.
Still rocking the 604 😎
Such a cool amp!
You sold me. Placed an order.
Congratulations! I'm sure you'll love it!
Okay, but how would you compare it to the sound of the TA-22? It has that hybrid tube amp with the addition of a DAC built in, way more power output as well (for a bit more money, admittedly)
I haven't tried the TA-22 so I can't comment - sorry.
Looks like a nice little Gizmo.
Nice one. I see what you did there.
Some of the emails and pages for the Gremlin mention 6922 tubes, were you able to test or can you confirm if the Gremlin is able to run 6922/e88cc tubes?
I didn't have a pair of 6922 or equivalent on hand, but I have no doubt it will run them perfectly.
Ive now watched the MT-604 review and you specifically mentioned that its Not suitable as a preamp, I have two questions to ask then, firstly I have just received my Burson Audio Timekeeper 3i Headphone & Speaker Amplifier but had the opportunity to try it yet, can a pre-amp be connected to the Burson? My second question is if it can, could a preamp that has the independently controlled such as the MT-604 but not that specifically, be connected to the Burson to give it the channel volume separation? If so, could you suggest a similar hybrid or valve amp up to the value of $1,200 AUD?
You could attach a preamp to the Burson, but you'll end up with dual volume controls which isn't generally ideal. I'm also not sure of any tube amps that give you balance control AND preamp capabilities although you probably could take a 4.4mm to twin 3-pin XLR from an MT-604 and make that work.
Great review! Sorry for the dumb/newbie question,…but I take it I can’t just use an appropriate adapter to run a single ended dac with a balanced headphone amp?
I didn’t think it’s possible, but became confused when recently Amazon showed me ads for adapters that seemed to be for a similar purpose.
Thanks again! All the best!
yeah just use rca to xlr cables!
Running RCA to XLR cables MIGHT work, but it's not guaranteed and I wouldn't recommend it because it can cause noise issues and could potentially short the input circuit depending on how it's designed.
@@PassionforSound That’s what I was afraid of, I don’t think I want to risk my mojo2 and poly combo. I just wish it was safe to try, as I have a moderate hearing loss in my right ear after having middle ear tumours removed. Basically, it hears near half volume compared to the left ear now. Something like the xduoo mt604 could’ve been a fantastic option for me to try.
Thanks again, for taking the time to reply! All the best!
lol I love the intro
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I read what you said about the TA66 and Gremlin in other comments. Could you describe the difference in sound of a hybrid vs otl?
Hybrids are part solid state so you don't get the total ease and fluidity of tubes. An OTL amp tends to be a little smoother and more fluid or natural sounding whereas hybrid bring a little warmth and smoothness from the tubes, but not the same sense of fluidity. Sorry that I don't have a better way to describe the sound other than "fluid" but it's hard to describe.
What would be a good DAC (sizewise) to stack this amp on top of?
There are so many out there, but probably something like an SMSL D-6S would work or a Geshelli DAC.
Lachlan is KING!
What dac did you test with the Gremlin?
I was using the Geshelli Dayzee with Sparkos 2590 op-amps.
Is the TA-66 worth the upgrade over this?
That depends. It has a higher level of technical capabilities and a different type of sound because it's pure tube and output transformerless, but that also means it's less versatile with different impedance headphones and less powerful.
Have you tried the Vali 3?
Unfortunately, no.
Does it Tungsten?
No, it won't be powerful enough for that. Very few tube based amps are
You might ask apos about the xduo xd05T for review.
It's already on the way!
@@PassionforSound
Mine too, theoretically.😊
So is this better than the Gemini?
No, this is still a budget amp and won't match much more expensive gear. It's just great value for its price.
How do you hook up input to these things?
A pair of 3-pin XLRs from a balanced DAC or a 4.4mm to 4.4mm cable from a dongle with 4.4mm output.
@@PassionforSound thank you
Most unfortunately, I happen to be a Single ended guy. Sorry, No Gremlins for me.
Nice Review! I own the MT604 and wonder if it too would benefit from an upgraded power supply? Probably so eh? With a slight hearing imbalance the dual volume controls on the 604 have been idyllic for me. Many mention that they just set the two volumes and then use a dac with a volume control to control their volume from there on out. That's basically what i do.
To find any amp these days with a balance control is just about impossible. There are exceptions but certainly not many. This amp would have been of interest to me but alas....no balance control....lol. Have a great day/night!
You're the second person to remind me of the value of twin volume controls. Looks like I missed a trick on that one!
As for the power supply upgrade, the 604 would benefit, but I question the value of spending hundreds of dollars to upgrade a $160 amp. 🙂
Can someone please recommend to me the cheapest headphone amp that can comfortably run Audeze LCD4? I picked up a set ex demonstration and my mojo 2 barely touches the sides. I will happily give money to the charity of your choice for an answer I can make work. Please help. Paul
I'd suggest running the LCD-4 from a better quality amp than the cheapest that can drive them or you'll have a wonderful headphone performing like a much more budget one.
Perhaps take a look at the SMSL H400 as a nice sounding, but affordable option.
@@PassionforSound thank you millions for replying. Would the schiit jotenheim 2 be a good fit?
@paulcathcart7896 yes, that's also an excellent choice at the lower end. Do be aware that the LCD-4s have more to give with higher end amps, but the Jotunheim will be great. (I.e. not shaming your choice, just providing context)
@@PassionforSound you are an angel
i think the reason they went with 12au7 instead of 12ax7 bc the amp produces to much distortion and 12au7 has almost no distortion
12AU7s are more commonly used in this type of design - perhaps due to their low distortion, but I don't know that it has anything to do with the solid state stage of the amp.
@@PassionforSound not at all but I noticed hybrid systems are very common in audio. You see it also in guitar amps but with guitar amps all tube is a must. Even in higher scale like Schiit frya and vidar together is a similar system in a big scale of things.
nice little thing, I like transparent design yet apos products do not exist in old continent so its a hard pass
This will be shipped globally
if it really sounds great, i'll put it in a aluminum chassis and swap out the vol pot.
it is not a tube amp lol it is a solid state amp with a tube pre amp. If it was a tube amp it would have either 6v6 or el84 tubes
He mentions it is a hybrid amp.
@@Chuckster0 hybrid could mean different things. There are amps that have both power and pre amp tubes and still be considered a hybrid depending on its circuitry
@@crate718 I think you are getting a little too in the weeds. It is a cheaper hybrid tube amp that people are meant to have a little fun with. I believe if they are that concerned with the fine details, just like you, they will probably purchase something else.
@@Chuckster0 okay did I say it is garbage? did I tell you not to buy it?
@@crate718 what are you even talking about?
Just don't pour water on it!!
Haha. Too late! It's already a gremlin!! 🧌
Insanely cringe intro
does it play a arya stealth? I have a collection of real 6922 NOS paired Telefunken, Siemens, Mullard and original retro yellow tesla's (made on telefunken equipment). could be a fun amp to play around with
Yes, it will be great with the Arya.