{"product_id":"ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes","title":"iBasso PB6 Amplifier with 4 x JAN6418 Tubes","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe iBasso PB6 Macaw is a portable headphone amplifier built around four military-grade Raytheon JAN6418 tubes in a fully balanced, four-channel design, with a Class AB solid-state mode as well. On battery it gives 1,600mW per channel into 32Ω from the 4.4mm output; with the 12V DC input that rises to 2,300mW, for performance comparable to a good desktop amplifier. It is an amplifier only: connect it to the line or headphone output of a player or DAC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-hero.jpg?v=1791361071\" alt=\"iBasso PB6 Macaw quad JAN6418 tube headphone amplifier\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-lifestyle.jpg?v=1791361077\" alt=\"iBasso PB6 Macaw with a music player and earphones\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFour fully powered JAN6418 tubes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe PB6 uses four military-grade Raytheon JAN6418 directly heated pentodes in a fully balanced, four-channel architecture. A custom 22.5V anode supply gives them headroom and dynamic authority, and iBasso tests and matches every set of tubes on an APX555 analyser for channel balance and consistency, for a rich, warm, natural tube sound that is powerful yet effortlessly musical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-tubes.jpg?v=1791361083\" alt=\"The four JAN6418 tubes of the iBasso PB6\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTube or Class AB\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Tube mode, the four JAN6418s are the amplification cores, giving a delicate, rich, warm and smooth sound. In Class AB mode, a classic op-amp plus buffer circuit with four BUF634A chips for current amplification gives more resolution and dynamic range. A switch on the end panel changes mode.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-modes.jpg?v=1791361088\" alt=\"Tube and Class AB output modes of the iBasso PB6\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-diagram.jpg?v=1791361093\" alt=\"Block diagram of the iBasso PB6\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHigh or low bandwidth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo selectable output stages tailor the sound further: high bandwidth for excellent transient response, control and resolution, or low bandwidth for a softer, warmer soundstage, switchable at any time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-bandwidth.jpg?v=1791361099\" alt=\"Selectable high and low bandwidth on the iBasso PB6\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePrecise four-channel volume\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA high-precision NJW1195A four-channel volume chip adjusts in fine 0.5dB steps. As a hardware volume control it also helps lower background noise, and it keeps the left and right channels balanced across the whole range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-volume.jpg?v=1791361105\" alt=\"The NJW1195A four-channel volume control of the iBasso PB6\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSuspended against microphonics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll four tubes are suspended in PORON damping material, isolating tube vibration from the sound, and a metal mesh cover shields them from electromagnetic interference in specific frequency bands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-poron.jpg?v=1791361111\" alt=\"PORON suspension damping and mesh shield for the iBasso PB6 tubes\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePurer power, battery or DC\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn 8.4V high-voltage polymer battery pack improves efficiency and transient response and, compared with standard 3.7V designs, reduces ripple from DC-DC conversion, for purer, more stable power and wide dynamic range. Connect the 12V DC supply and the voltage swing reaches 24V, unlocking the full 2,300mW per channel to drive full-size headphones with ease. On battery it plays for up to 13.5 hours in Class AB or 9.5 hours in tube mode, and charges in about 2.5 hours; a light shows the charge level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-battery.jpg?v=1791361116\" alt=\"The 8.4V battery pack of the iBasso PB6\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-dc.jpg?v=1791361122\" alt=\"12V external power input on the iBasso PB6\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-led.jpg?v=1791361128\" alt=\"iBasso PB6 battery indicator light colours\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e3.5mm and 4.4mm inputs and outputs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced inputs and outputs are provided, so even a source with only a 3.5mm output can drive the PB6’s balanced 4.4mm output, with an extra 6dB of gain, and benefit from balanced amplification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-io.jpg?v=1791361134\" alt=\"The 3.5mm and 4.4mm inputs and outputs of the iBasso PB6\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/IBASSOPB6_1000x586_3.jpg?v=1767221937\" alt=\"iBasso PB6 Macaw tube headphone amplifier\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAmplifier\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 × Raytheon JAN6418 (22.5V anode) · Class AB op-amp + 4 × BUF634A · NJW1195A volume · high\/low bandwidth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e4.4mm in → 4.4mm out\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2,300mW @ 32Ω (12V DC) · 1,600mW (battery) · 9.5 \/ 8.5Vrms max · 1.2Ω · noise 2.3µV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e4.4mm performance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTHD+N −112dB (Class AB) · dynamic range 125dB (AB) \/ 116dB (tube) · crosstalk 135dB (AB) \/ 100dB (tube)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e3.5mm in → 3.5mm out\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e660mW @ 32Ω · 4.6 \/ 4.5Vrms max · 0.5Ω · noise 1.8µV · THD+N −110dB (AB) · crosstalk 121dB (AB)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGain\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClass AB +6 \/ +12dB · tube +8 \/ +14dB (4.4mm), +9 \/ +15dB (3.5mm) · +6dB more from 3.5mm in to 4.4mm out\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFrequency response\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10Hz–80kHz (−0.1dB, Class AB) · 15Hz–80kHz (−0.5dB, tube)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBattery\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.4V polymer · 13.5h (Class AB) · 9.5h (tube) · 2.5h charging · 12V DC input\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize and weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e140.7 × 78.9 × 19.6mm · 293g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes-photo-package.jpg?v=1791361139\" alt=\"iBasso PB6 package contents\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt is an amplifier only, with no DAC: connect it to a player’s or DAC’s line or headphone output.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBattery figures are iBasso’s, measured from the balanced output on high gain and low bandwidth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the box (iBasso’s list): PB6, 12V DC power adapter, USB-C cable, 3.5mm and 4.4mm interconnects, three soft pouches, quick start guide and warranty card.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"iBasso","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57117531701635,"sku":"IBASSOPB6","price":399.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/img_proxy_8a852a9e-5ad5-49c0-843a-33eccd3932ed.jpg?v=1767221965","url":"https:\/\/www.advancedmp3players.co.uk\/products\/ibasso-pb6-amplifier-with-4-x-jan6418-tubes","provider":"amp3","version":"1.0","type":"link"}