Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: kasperbergholt on June 20, 2024, 10:16:27 am

Title: Aiyima SMSL KSL M7 preamplifier
Post by: kasperbergholt on June 20, 2024, 10:16:27 am
Clever people,


I came across this Chinese preamplifier:
aliexpress.com/item/1005007184624544.html

Apparently it's a clone of the Audio Note KSL-7, or at least that what's the naming suggests. The listing comes with a circuit diagram, a language I'm not fluent in.

I know a lot of people here are. So would love to hear your impressions. I know ordering one is a risky project, but it'd be very interesting to hear how it sounds.

I have a few ECC81/12AT7 tubes in stock from different brands (from use in an Audio Note UK M1), but no 5Z4P rectifier tubes.

There's no photo showing the bottom of the amplifier, but I'd guess it would similar to the layout of this ECC82 based preamplifier from the same brand:
aliexpress.com/item/1005006966951704.html.

It's compatible with 6X5GT (https://bergholt.net/6x5-tubes) tubes which I have a lot of (for use in my RS30EQ RIAA by Japanese Leben (https://bergholt.net/tubes).

I don't need any balance control, bass/treble adjustment, reverse fuction, bass boost, etc - so their minimalistic desgigns appeal to me.


Thanks in advance!

Kasper
Title: Re: Aiyima SMSL KSL M7 preamplifier
Post by: acheld on June 20, 2024, 04:39:03 pm
It's often hard to know what you're going to get from Aliexpress. 

You have to laugh when they throw in the word "ALPS" in the description.  I like the chassis!

I suppose it could be a good value.   I wouldn't hold my breath. 
Title: Re: Aiyima SMSL KSL M7 preamplifier
Post by: kasperbergholt on June 21, 2024, 08:30:36 am
It's often hard to know what you're going to get from Aliexpress. 

You have to laugh when they throw in the word "ALPS" in the description.  I like the chassis!

I suppose it could be a good value. I wouldn't hold my breath.

Thanks for the feedback! Stuffing 'Alps' in the product description might be a way to match more product searches on the portal better, perhaps. But yes, it sticks out.

I'll give it some thought and report in if I get one of them.