RRP: $379

The Qinpu A3 tube amp is the next model up from the Q-2 reviewed elsewhere on this site. At around twice the price of its little sister, the question that arises is what you get for your extra cash. Well, straight off the bat, it must be said that the A3 looks much better than the Q2. The design is more in sync with traditional tube amp looks and the build quality is good. The amp is clad in a brushed aluminium chassis with a cherry wood panel on top on which the complement of tubes and transistor are found. The transistor is housed in black in contrast to the Q2 which gives the A3 a more refined air. The volume and source controls are found on the front panel and to the rear, we have a power switch, 2×8.5 W speaker terminals, an RCA stereo input to connect a CD player or whatever other input you prefer and one mini-jack for an auxiliary input. The amplifier comes with two 6N3 tubes to power the output and they are protected by a retro looking oval fitting. Blue LED’s light up the tubes when the amplifier is powered on which gives the amp a unique appearance.

Sound-wise, the Qinpu A3 performs well for the price. The treble is clear and sounds better than the Q2, the bass is quite powerful and the midrange has the warmth and fullness associated with tube amps. Female vocals especially stand out when played through the A3 with great expression and emotional tone at times making it seem like the singer is in the room with you. While the 8.5W power output is not earth shattering, it powers a pair of Wharfdale 9.1’s at mid volume levels without problem. Again, when the price is taken into consideration, this is not surprising and is not a major drawback.

In conclusion then, the Qinpu A3 is a decent little amplifier that performs well at low and mid volume levels and adds character and depth to the sound that similarly priced solid-state amps might struggle to. The fact that it will drive both speakers and headphones makes it a decent option for those looking for a desktop amp or amp for a mini-system. It’s not going to bring down the house with volume but other than that, we approve!

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