APPJ tube amplifier (Miniwatt N3) and choice of tubes

[Gints]

Hi here,
Recently on ebay came up APPJ miniature tube amplifiers (oem for Miniwatt N3) for a good price, about 170 pounds with standard tubes, delivered. Never had any experience with tube amplifiers and I am a little bit tempted to take one to try what it is about. Is it worth to do? They have quite good reputation on internet. By design they are single ended and if understand correctly that is a good thing for listening vocals and acoustic instruments.

If it is worth which tubes to take? They offer:

2*6N4+6P14

2* JJ/TELSA EL84 + 1* TUNG-SOL 12AX7/ECC803S

2* genalex(GOLD LION) EL84 + 1* genalex(GOLD LION) 12AX7/ECC83/B759

There is also option to take amplifier without any tubes.
Originally Miniwatt N3 is sold with TungSol 12AX7 and Sovtek EL84

[Ali Tait]

I'd buy without valves and buy your own. You're not paying their mark-ups that way.

[Ali Tait]

Unless of course it works out cheaper to buy it with the valves!

I'd go for the Genelex option, their EL84's are very good IMHO.

They can be had here-

http://www.hotroxuk.com/el84-n709-genalex-gold-lion-14040-0.html

[Ali Tait]

I can vouch for Hotrox, having bought from them myself.

[Gints]

without any valves is about 145 pounds and option with Genalex valves is about 210 pounds. About the same if I purchase valves myself from Hotrox.

[Ali Tait]

In that case I'd still buy the amp without the valves. At least then you will have the guaruntee from Hotrox on the valves.

[Gints]

Bought this amplifier, listen for one day and on second day switching on it blow fuse. Looks that something inside also burned. So, I need somebody to repair it. Any sugestions who can do it? London would be nice.

[Ali Tait]

I know someone in Wokingham who would sort it for you.

[Gints]

Maybe I can post if there nobody else localy.

[John]

I just discovered this guy in London
http://www.tube-electronics.co.uk/amprestoration.htm

[Gints]

Thanks for a suggestions. I ended up buying another one and faulty goes back to seller. He said he will sort it out and will send it back to me. I have to pay only delivery to China, that is about 40 pounds. Or can repair be done for less?
Unless somebody ready to buy it as it is now, I will have one for sale in few weeks time.

[Gints]

Got in trouble again. There was flashing lights, sound went distorted and stoped for a moment. One channel recover, other not. No burning smell. Switched off, switched on - left chanel working, right not. Switched places el84 tubes - right channel working, left not. Is one of tubes definitely dead? Or it can be something else? Both el84 tubes still glowing, just sounding one is hotter than other.

[HighFidelityGuy]

Hi Gints. I'm sorry to hear about your run of bad luck. :(
Personally I'd try to get the amps repaired in the UK by someone with a good rep. It might cost a bit more but it's more likely to provide a happy ending. You can also get them to check the amps over and make sure there's nothing else wrong.

It could be that you have a faulty valve that's blowing something in the amps. So I'd recommend that you get them tested. If you need new valves I'd recommend Watford Valves (http://www.watfordvalves.com/home.asp) as they are very well trusted.

Good luck sorting it all out. :)

[Gints]

Yes, I will get checked over when I decide if I keep it. I had a plan for them to work with fullrange speakers, but I still do not have them.

Got back from China my first amplifier, swap tubes and this time it was faulty Genalex EL84 tube, amplifier itself is fine. What to do with other EL84 tube? Can I send it to shop and they will match other one for me?

As now I have a two amplifiers and I need tubes, how about two sets of matched tubes and use them to biamp my current speakers till I get a proper fullrange speakers. Is it worth to do? Do not want to spend too much for it. I see that original Miniwatt N3 use TungSol 12AX7 and Sovtek EL84. Should I also use them or there is a better option in that budget.