APOS GREMLIN： A Little MONSTER of a Tube Amp for ONLY $120!

ByChris

United States of Analog | December 18, 2024

🎙️ Early Video Analysis

What is this video about?

This video is a review of the APOS Gremlin, a compact tube balanced headphone amplifier priced at $120. The host Bob from United States of Analog is doing an impromptu review after seeing the product go on sale, having previously previewed it before getting hands-on experience.

What gear, products, or brands are discussed?

  • APOS Gremlin compact tube balanced headphone amplifier: $120 with core tubes, $270 with select tubes (on sale from $300+), combo pack available with XLR cables [00:02:18-00:03:17]
  • Ray Tubes: Basic tubes supplied with the core version [00:02:33-00:02:39]
  • XLR cabling: Required for balanced connections [00:03:10-00:03:31]
  • Macintosh gear: Brief mention regarding tube lighting [00:04:27-00:04:30]

What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?

  • The Gremlin is described as “very cool, very transparent” [00:02:21-00:02:29]
  • Considers it a “very cool, small and inexpensive component” [00:02:07-00:02:12]
  • Notes it’s “very niche” – high-end but inexpensive and compact [00:03:33-00:03:42]
  • Expresses personal attachment, saying he’d like to keep it [00:01:57-00:02:07]

Funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?

  • Opening about audiophile addiction: “being an audiophile is a very unique addiction. Not everyone is afflicted. In fact, none of my friends within a 50-mile radius or whatever get any of the symptoms” [00:00:00-00:00:11]
  • Humorous subscribe pitch: “If you don’t care for what I’m doing here, you can really get back at me by liking, subscribing, and hitting that notification bell. It’ll build up my confidence, but falsely” [00:00:53-00:01:05]
  • About sneaking gear: “you can sneak in the house right under your jacket” [00:00:25-00:00:28]
  • On keeping the review unit: “I’d like to just kind of put it in my pocket. Well, no, the tubes are very hot” [00:01:59-00:02:06]

Summary:

The video opens with host Bob from United States of Analog discussing the unique “addiction” of being an audiophile and how sometimes you need new gear to “feed the beast.” He introduces the APOS Gremlin as something small enough to sneak into the house, setting up an impromptu review triggered by seeing the product on sale online.

Bob provides detailed pricing information for the Gremlin, starting at $120 for the basic version with core tubes from Ray Tubes, $270 for the version with select tubes (on sale from $300+), and a combo pack that includes necessary XLR cables. He emphasizes this is a niche product that’s simultaneously high-end yet inexpensive and compact in form factor.

The host then provides physical measurements of the device (about 5 inches wide, 4+ inches deep, under 3 inches tall) and describes its weight as comparable to a stack of four or five CDs. He notes the tubes have an artificial glow created by LEDs, similar to McIntosh equipment, and expresses genuine enthusiasm for the product, mentioning his desire to keep the review unit while acknowledging it will likely need to be returned to APOS.

⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?

  • [00:04:32-00:09:41] APOS Gremlin tube amp (Core and Select versions)
  • [00:06:56] Jeschelle Labs Daisy DAC
  • [00:07:14] Weem Streamer
  • [00:07:18] Varum headphones
  • [00:08:03] Ray Tubes (tube supplier)
  • [00:06:47] 12AU7 tubes (selector core version)
  • [00:09:05] 6922 tubes (also compatible)

What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?

  • [00:05:36] The amp is “a nice conversation piece” that “sounds great” with “everything here balanced and good quality”
  • [00:05:45] Describes quality as “higher end of lower end”
  • [00:07:37] “You’re not going to hear a monumental difference between the Core and the Select” versions
  • [00:07:51] “You can have fun with this unit at 120 bucks”
  • [00:07:22] Calls Varum headphones his “favorite go-to headphones”

Were there any listening tests or sound quality observations described?

  • [00:08:18] Notes getting “more air and detail from the Select tubes”
  • [00:09:00] Confirms “there is a difference in quality for sure. A lot more air, a lot better high end” (comparing tube versions)
  • [00:06:25] Technical specs mentioned: 100 dB signal to noise ratio, 104 dB separation at 1 Hz

Were there any price/value assessments?

  • [00:07:48] Core version at $120 is excellent value: “you can have fun with this unit at 120 bucks. I mean, that’s nothing, right?”
  • [00:07:03] Notes the Jeschelle Labs DAC pairing is “not exactly price appropriate”
  • [00:08:25] Select tubes cost more money but provide better performance

Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?

  • [00:04:44] Safety warning: “don’t throw a towel over it or something, it’ll burn up”
  • [00:05:19] Handling caution: “be very careful when handling this because you could damage the components or maybe burn yourself”
  • [00:06:50] Cable planning: “make sure that you have the cabling you need in-house”
  • [00:08:03] Tube rolling options available from Ray Tubes or any 12AU7 choice
  • [00:09:23] Tube installation tip: remove acrylic top by removing four nuts for easier tube access
  • [00:09:35] Tube handling: “use gloves or a microfiber cloth” when installing tubes

Any memorable quotes or strong takes?

  • [00:05:45] “Higher end of lower end” quality description
  • [00:07:56] “That’s nothing, right?” regarding the $120 price point
  • [00:08:30] “You do you” when discussing tube upgrade options

Summary

In this portion, the host provides a detailed overview of the APOS Gremlin tube amplifier’s construction and features. The amp features an eye-catching acrylic construction with exposed components and a distinctive green LED that cannot be turned off, which may be problematic for nighttime listening. The host emphasizes the unit’s open-air design as both visually appealing and functionally sound, noting its fully balanced architecture and impressive technical specifications including 1250 milliwatts at 32 ohms and compatibility with headphones ranging from 8 to 600 ohms impedance.

The host shares his listening experience using a high-end setup including a Jeschelle Labs Daisy DAC and Weem Streamer, paired with his beloved Varum headphones. He provides an honest assessment of the sonic differences between the Core and Select tube options, noting that while the Select version offers more air and better high-end detail, the differences aren’t monumental and may only be apparent to listeners with acute hearing skills.

From a value perspective, the host strongly endorses the $120 Core version as an excellent entry point into tube amplification, emphasizing that users can always upgrade tubes later through tube rolling. He provides practical advice about handling the acrylic construction safely, planning for appropriate cables, and proper tube installation techniques. The overall tone suggests this is a fun, accessible product that offers genuine tube sound at an remarkably low price point, making it ideal for newcomers to the hobby.

🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?

  • [00:10:13] APOS Gremlin tube amp ($120)
  • [00:10:25] Weem (DAC with equalization capability)
  • [00:10:52] Core tubes vs Select tubes for the Gremlin
  • [00:11:14] Nagaoka 110 cartridge (comparison reference)
  • [00:11:17] Ortofon Blue cartridge (comparison reference)
  • [00:11:39] Schiit Audio amps (mentioned as comparison)
  • [00:11:44] JDS Labs Atom amps (specifically the Archill Pro 3)
  • [00:12:23] Heresy amp (black and red model, no longer manufactured)

What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?

[00:12:09] The host concludes “This is very good” regarding the Gremlin, stating it’s close to JDS Labs Archill Pro 3 quality but maybe not quite there. [00:12:42] His final assessment: “for $120, just out of your pocket, on sale, got to go for the Gremlin.”

Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?

  • [00:12:42] Strong buy recommendation: “for $120, just out of your pocket, on sale, got to go for the Gremlin”
  • [00:11:03] Suggests starting with the less expensive core tubes for those wanting warmth and punch over detail
  • [00:12:34] Recommends the discontinued Heresy amp if viewers can find one and prefer detailed sound

Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?

  • [00:09:42] Handle tubes only when the socket is cold
  • [00:09:44] Avoid getting fingerprints on tubes due to oils from fingers
  • [00:10:03] Don’t want tubes smoking
  • [00:11:32] Suggests starting with core tubes and expanding from there
  • [00:12:49] Positions this as potentially “your first tube component” for new audiophiles

How did the video wrap up?

[00:13:03] Standard YouTube channel outro directing viewers to watch another United States of Analog video, with the host pointing viewers to YouTube’s recommended videos and asking them to click on the suggestions.

Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions?

  • [00:12:44] “This thing is super cool. Maybe not to the touch, but it is super cool.”
  • [00:12:49] “I think this is going to be the door opening component to the tube universe for a lot of new audiophiles.”
  • [00:13:00] “This could be your first tube component. And it’s a good start.”

Summary

In this final portion, the host provides practical advice about tube handling, emphasizing safety precautions like only handling tubes when cold and avoiding fingerprints. He then delivers his sound impressions of the APOS Gremlin, particularly praising its bass performance – describing it as clean, punchy, and warm rather than artificially enhanced. He notes that the amp effectively takes the edge off digital sound, though switching from core to select tubes brings back more detail and edge.

The host explicitly avoids extensive comparisons with other amps in his collection, arguing that differences between components under $500 are minimal and not worth detailed analysis. However, he does position the Gremlin as close to JDS Labs Archill Pro 3 quality while acknowledging it may not quite reach that level. He mentions his fondness for the discontinued Heresy amp for those preferring detailed sound but ultimately recommends the Gremlin for its current $120 sale price.

His final assessment positions the APOS Gremlin as an excellent entry point into tube audio for new audiophiles, calling it a “door opening component to the tube universe.” He emphasizes the amp’s appeal as potentially someone’s first tube component and gives it a strong buy recommendation at its current price point, wrapping up with his standard channel outro directing viewers to additional content.

Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.

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