In this article, I review the KGUSS T3 Pro tube amplifier. The T3 Pro features dual 5725 tubes, hi-res Bluetooth connectivity and a subwoofer output. It’s priced at $109.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by HiFi College for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
KGUSS T3 Pro
In the Box
- T3pro tube amplifier
- 24V/4.5A power supply
- Acrylic transparent board
- Bluetooth antenna
- User manual
- 5725 tubes x2
Features
The KGUSS T3 Pro is a versatile amplifier that blends modern technology and classic tube design. Its QCC5125 chipset supports high-quality audio codecs like LDAC. A GE 5725 tube adds a warm, analog character to the sound, which can be customized using various tube types (5654, Ef95, 403B, 6*4N etc.)
The T3 Pro can drive most home speakers and offers a 3.5mm AUX output that can connect to a subwoofer. Additionally, it features a built-in headphone amplifier with adjustable treble and bass controls with a maximum output power of 130mW.
Design
When I first laid my hands on the T3 Pro, I was impressed by the T3 Pro’s solid construction. With its smooth matte finish and substantial weight, the aluminium chassis makes it feel like a more expensive device.
The front panel features two switches: one for power and input selection, and the other for choosing between orange, green, or no lighting. The tone and volume knobs have significant damping and they feel very premium when you turn them.
The clear perspex panel sits in a slot on top of the device. When the lights are turned on, the KGUSS logo lights up with a cool effect.
Sound
I tested the KGUSS T3 Pro with a variety of IEMs and headphones and I also tested it with my NHT C3 speakers.
The T3 Pro introduces a subtle bloom and adds dimension to music notes. The effect is mild, so don’t expect a thick, syrupy tube-like sound—just a gentle touch of second-order harmonics with minimal colouration. Overall, I’d describe the T3 Pro’s sound signature as neutral-bright.
The sound is quite energetic and vibrant, though, of course, you can adjust the sound to your preference with the tone controls. I was impressed by the clarity of the T3 Pro and its ability to reveal details in the music.
The T3 Pro doesn’t skimp on bass, delivering punchy and robust low-end performance with an impressively fast decay. Adjusting the lows via the tone control noticeably impacts the quantity, whether you’re boosting or cutting, but the overall quality remains intact and undistorted, but this will, of course, depend somewhat on the quality of your speakers/headphones.
Bluetooth quality is fantastic, especially with LDAC. It’s almost indistinguishable from the wired input but you can notice a little degradation with some critical listening. However, for casual or non-critical listening, the Bluetooth audio sounds fantastic.
Select IEM/Headphone Pairings
Simgot EM10: Buttery smooth sound with excellent detail retrieval and a wide soundstage. Solid bass response with good impact and density. Vocals sound vibrant and intimate and surround the listener. Good clarity and articulation. With some subtle tweaks, you can bump up the bass for immersion or lift the treble slightly to create a more expansive and detailed soundstage.
Sennheiser HD650: The T3 Pro brings out the details in the HD650 thanks to its lively tonality. Bass notes were punchy, impactful and nimble. The midrange with this pairing sounded great too, enhanced by the extra spatial depth generated by the T3 Pro.
Verdict
The KGUSS T3 Pro is a versatile and budget-friendly speaker and headphone amplifier that is perfect for building or upgrading your audio system. It features high-quality construction and easy-to-use tone controls that allow you to customize the sound to your liking. Whether you are using it for speakers or as a headphone amplifier, the KGUSS T3 Pro delivers excellent sound quality and value for the price.
Specifications
Chip architecture: MA12070+QCC5125+CS4344+5725 tube
Maximum output power: 80W+80W
Matching impedance: 4-8Ω
Maximum output amplitude: 2Vrms
High and low adjustment range: ±6db
Distortion: 0.01%
Working voltage: DC15-24V
SNR: greater than 96db
Input sensitivity: 0.755V
Frequency response: 20HZ-20KHZ (±3db)
Adaptive headphone impedance: 16-300Ω
Headphone Max output power: 130mW X 2 (32Ω load)
Weight: 1.2KG