Joined in 2023 
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63 About this deal
Where is the Factory The factory (in Guangming, 光明) is operated by Mr Liu’s friend, about an hour away in SZ from the headquarter. Mr Liu forwarded a few pics of the factory, but I hope to visit it personally soon. Practical funtions to simplify use: with input selection and indicators, clearly to show the working status in real time; aluminum alloy case is specially designed, cool and unique to decorate your desktop space.
For TV optical out connection, it worked when optical out was set to auto. With my other/previous DACs, I always had to set it to PCM. In contrast to Round 1, this time I listened seriously for much longer, in the hope to find out more about the amp section.
HiFi CD/LP 天碟一只
How was the Company Founded Founder Mr Liu loves music but is not at all an audiophile. He was in other businesses before as Yima, so when he decided to enter this business he just added Ai, love in Chinese, to the name. You can see that in the photos. But he obviously had found the right people to assist him. I got the feeling that this configuration sounds a bit like a tube system (including the feeling of being slighty slower), and I am a tube man! I was satisfied. So far, the only time I have ran into an issue with the Aiyima T9pro handling the Optical input is on the Sony Carosels. If they removed the internal DAC they would lose Coax and Bluetooth options.
THIS is a BIG JUMP. I used the exact same 3.5mm to RCA adaptor and MIT cable I use for my Meridian Explorer, through T9's AUX OUT. Of course, I removed the loudspeaker cables from T9's binding posts. Note the "Triple Threat" Unitek USB cable (brown). Below it is an improvised folded paper spring clip to secure the loose fitting PS plug. To the right generic cable for hooking up to the electronic keyboard. To the left of the T9, the diminutive Meridian Explorer. Far left is the MIT cable and 3.5mm adaptor used in Round 2.
When I connect the carousel to a Sony STR-DH790, there were no issues. The DH790 shows the connectivity info on the readout of C20C2./OC44.1kHz. Sony read the following optical output specs to me:
Just like A07, speaker connectors are small but I had no issues in connecting 4 mm banana plugs. I am using 12 AWG cables, might be difficult to put in bare wires! Nice little glowing amplifier, VU meter works. Left side display could be turned off, but not VU meter light. Line (RCA) In I tested this briefly with the Electronic Keyboard on my desk. Sound is good, but quite different than through the Revox system (cabling are different), more like a Bosendorfer to Revox's Steinway. Shall test it more usefully with my CDP in Part II or III (which can also test the Coaxial and Optical Digital Inputs with Red Book CD 16/44.1). I also have a 24V power supply that I might try later, if I manage to find a compatible connector. I'd expect results to sit in-between the other two). These sound like a skip, but they are cyclic, and it's a drop of connectivity. I was able to see this occur on 2 different CDP-CX355 units in addition to the 2 different T9 pros.Aiyima T9 Design At the heart of the T9 is the AC6926C Bluetooth chip, which besides BT conversion performs all control functions (volume, tone controls, selector and relay). Digital Inputs go through the MS8412. The 6K4 tube is basically a buffer (the Aux Out does go through it). Amplification functions are carried out by first the NE5532 and, of course TPA3221 chips. Comparisons with Similar Gears If I were in NYC, I'd have even more fun comparing the T9 to both my FX TUBE-01 ( here) and SMSL Amp ( here). And I'd have more tubes to play with. But, based on what I hear here, I am more than confident the Aiyima is at least comparable (if not better). I actually think the Aiyima is sweeter than both, especially the Preamp Out compared to the FX (even with better tubes). Revised 10/6/22: some more design process, including meters, added. Even if you have read it, you may want to re-read.
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