FiiO EA13 Launches as the Brand’s First Class A Integrated Tube Amplifier
From: Vitor Valeri
A headphone hobbyist for over 15 years, he founded the Hi-Fi Hub website and is an administrator of the "Fones High-End" and "Fones Low-End" groups on Facebook.
The FiiO EA13 was launched today (July 27) in mainland China. Designed for use with loudspeakers, the EA13 is a Class A push-pull integrated tube amplifier featuring a 6.35 mm headphone output. It delivers up to 28 W + 28 W of output power and supports speaker connections through dedicated 4 Ω and 8 Ω outputs. Below are the details of FiiO’s new integrated amplifier for passive speaker systems.
Update (August 2): The complete specifications for the FiiO EA13 have been added.
EA13 is FiiO’s first integrated tube amplifier
Designed for passive loudspeakers, the FiiO EA13 is a Class A push-pull integrated tube amplifier capable of delivering up to 28 W + 28 W of output power. Its preamplifier stage employs a matched pair of NOS Sylvania PCF80 (ECF80, 9A8, 30C1) vacuum tubes, while the power stage is equipped with four JJ Electronic EL34 (6CA7, KT77, E34L) power tubes.
Founded in the United States in 1917 following the merger of Nilco Lamp Works, Inc., Sylvania Products Co., and Hygrade Lamp Company, Sylvania is one of the best-known manufacturers of thermionic vacuum tubes.
About JJ Electronic
Founded in 1994 in Slovakia, JJ Electronic is a leading manufacturer of thermionic vacuum tubes for high-end audio and guitar amplifiers. The company produces a wide range of tube models, including the 12AX7, EL34, EL84, 6V6, and KT88.
EA13 construction
Featuring an all-metal chassis, the EA13 includes a protective cage that covers the vacuum tubes. The cage can be removed by loosening several screws.
Unscrewing the protective tube cage of the FiiO EA13 integrated tube amplifier (Image: 联动印象HIFI发烧音频馆/Rednote)
Once the tubes are exposed, a custom EI silicon steel-core output transformer can be found at the center of the chassis. The transformer incorporates a dual-layer vibration-damping structure filled with epoxy resin and fine sand. According to FiiO, this design provides “a quieter background, more authoritative bass, and more refined treble.”
FiiO EA13 integrated tube amplifier with the protective tube cage removed (Image: 联动印象HIFI发烧音频馆/Rednote)
EA13 controls and VU meters
The front panel of the EA13 features a pair of LED-backlit analog VU meters.
VU meters of the FiiO EA13 integrated tube amplifier (Image: 联动印象HIFI发烧音频馆/Rednote)
On the left side is the input selector, followed by a 6.35 mm single-ended (SE) headphone output. To use headphones, FiiO advises that you must first disconnect the speakers.
Output selector and 6.35 mm headphone output on the FiiO EA13 (Image: 联动印象HIFI发烧音频馆/Rednote)
On the right side is the volume control knob. The EA13 uses an analog stepped attenuator for precise volume adjustment.
Volume knob of the FiiO EA13 integrated tube amplifier (Image: 联动印象HIFI发烧音频馆/Rednote)
EA13 analog inputs and outputs
The rear panel provides four RCA analog inputs and two sets of speaker outputs, one for 4 Ω speakers and another for 8 Ω speakers. It also features a 120 V/240 V voltage selector switch.
Rear panel of the FiiO EA13 integrated tube amplifier (Image: 联动印象HIFI发烧音频馆/Rednote)
FiiO EA13: Specifications
General Specifications
• Product dimensions: Approx. 430 × 339 × 145 mm • Weight: Approx. 17.7 kg • Colors: Black / Silver
Hardware Configuration
• Display: Analog VU meter (mechanical needle) • Tube amplification circuit: 2 × imported SYLVANIA PCF80 vacuum tubes + 4 × JJ Electronic EL34 vacuum tubes
Speaker Output
• Output power 1: L+R ≥ 18 W + 18 W (4 Ω, THD+N < 1%, 8.5 Vrms) • Output power 2: L+R ≥ 28 W + 28 W (4 Ω, THD+N < 5%, 10.9 Vrms) • Output power 3: L+R ≥ 18 W + 18 W (8 Ω, THD+N < 1%, 12.1 Vrms) • Output power 4: L+R ≥ 28 W + 28 W (8 Ω, THD+N < 5%, 15.5 Vrms) • Frequency response: 20 Hz–60 kHz (attenuation < 2.9 dB) • Dynamic range: ≥ 97 dB (A-weighted) • Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): ≥ 97 dB (THD+N < 5%, A-weighted) • Noise floor: < 150 µV (A-weighted)
The FiiO EA13 is now available in mainland China in silver and black for 3,999 yuan (approximately US$591). The integrated tube amplifier is expected to launch in international markets later this week at a price of US$769.99. This article will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.
Thank you for posting, no pre outs to allow connecting to a power amp?!
J
J.Davis
Robert: Why would you expect an integrated amplifier to be able to be connected to a second amplifier and thence to speakers? 28 watts, 4 ohm or 2 ohm output is sufficient to drive many passsive speakers. As I once heard Paul Klipsche say to a group of us gathered for a lecture at his factory in Hope, Arkansas: "What this country needs is a good 10 watt amplifier."
