We've posted our review of the AOpen AX4B-533 Tube Motherboard. Have a look & let us know what you think.

AOpen AX4B 533 Tube Motherboard Review

My thinking is that the AX4B-533 Tube is more targetted at a specific niche; those people who do have some desire for Tube sound, without actually being a full blown audiophile or hardcore enthusiast (most of whom might already have their computers hooked up like you do).

At around $200US, it's definitely a cheaper way to get the basics of Tube sound. The only other option is to pay try and find a $100 mobo with relatively good integrated sound, and then pass it through to the cheapest external tube component that you can find. But then woudn't your audio already have been preamplified by (possibly cheap) solid state components on the motherboard?

I think a waterblock leaking is a problem on ANY motherboard and not something most overclockers or enthusiasts do purposely, so thats not really a valid concern. Water and LOW voltage do not mix well either. Besides, anyone who has a waterblock in their system is probably not going to buy a mobo with integrated sound, although thats completely a wild guess. I personally would not and I consider myself a enthusiast.

-Gxcad

Upon what authority do you base your comment that tubes have more harmonic distortion than transistors?
Sincerely,
David Sarser
Otherwise, I enjoyed your review.

quote Redemption

But then woudn't your audio already have been preamplified by (possibly cheap) solid state components on the motherboard?

No, not if you have a sound card with a standard line-out. A line out by itself it not amplified, so if your sound card has a true line out, you will need an external amp to get sound from it.

Like myself. I have the ESI Juli@ sound card (which has a very good DAC, the same as the M-Audio Audiophile 192) which has a standard un-amped line out. I have a [url=http://www.wooaudio.com/products/wooaudio3.html]WooAudio 3[/url] tube headphone amp hooked up to it powering the Sennheiser HD650 headphones.

The sound is amazing.