Chinese tube amps

[Marktdac]

Anybody purchased one of the cheap tube amps off the net or Ebay ,if so what are they like?

Mark

[Jason P]

I bought a Yaqin MC10L, off the 'Bay but a private sale not a chinese/hk import.

Now I'm no expert, but I have to say to my ears it sounds bloody good, even stock. Plenty of power and a gorgeous wide soundstage with excellent tonal quality. I'm sure that tube aficionados will be spluttering into their tea right now, but for the £175 quid it cost me I think it's a good low cost entry to the world of tubes. I figured that if I didn't like it I may loose £25 quid selling on.

Now for the caveats - there have been some reports of 220v models having problems with UK mains, which can go up to 250+ volts in some places. Problems range from not working slight inconvenience to worrying incendiary tendencies. Replacing transformers with pukka 240v ones is expensive (£150 ish AFAIK) but there's a step down transformer I saw advertised for around £80. However, what it sounds like is anyones guess. My Yaqin has 240v on it and has so far, touch wood, been reliable. I don't leave it on unattended though - as much for the cost aspect as reliability worries, but I understand you shouldn't leave tube amps anyway.

I've tube rolled with some cheap (but reportedly good) russian ex-mil EL34 replacements with interesting results; not better, just different. Will have to try input tubes next.

So - if you can get a good one (240v compliant) there are some bargains to be had IMHO but caveat emptor, as ever!

Have fun!

Jason

[Jason P]

Oh and I forgot - I'd be wary of buying from HK as the shipping charges can often be astronomical. I saw an MC10L for £150 but the shipping was over £200 - and you'll get stung for import duty if your unlucky.

I'd look for a secondhand UK sourced model. Ask the right questions of the seller and you should be fine.

Jason

[jonners]

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...ighlight=yaqin

[Ali Tait]

The Mr Liang 845 SE is a very good amp.Built like a battleship,and good quality components.

[al3700]

I bought a Yaqin MC 100b second hand from a UK seller on ebay and I love it. It had original Chinese valves but I did a bit of rolling and ended up with Russian Electro Harmonix all round.
I run mine off a Variac variable transformer (210v) because UK mains was producing 7.4 volts across the KT88 heater pins (should be 6.3) with a bias of 600mv.
It sounds great IMHO. I for one will never go back to SS (previously had a Cyrus 7)

Cheers

[Mike]

Anybody purchased one of the cheap tube amps off the net or Ebay ,if so what are they like?

I may well be about to do just that!... I'll let you know how it goes.

[Ali Tait]

What are you after Mike?

[DSJR]

I may well be about to do just that!... I'll let you know how it goes.

I thought you made your own amps mike

[Mike]

What are you after Mike?

Audioromy FU13 of course!

I thought you made your own amps mike

Yep, done that from kits and a 'cloned' phono stage. But the above is SO cheap I couldn't even buy the parts for the price. I'm treating it like a (probably not very well) ready built kit. An 'organ donor' if you will!