Yaqin,...any users out there in the UK?

[ListeningEar]

There was recently a Yaqin MC-100 valve amp for sale on flea-bay which I was watching, as it turns out I got talking to the seller who decided to end auction early, keep the amp but change the valves to Gold Dragon instead of the cheap stock ones supplied.

Seller is a really nice chap, have built up an interesting email exchange with him and this week he said he gave it a good run with some David Gilmour, he said the difference was outstanding, like having David in the room playing live.

Now, 1) I really like the look fo the amp and 2) it's rather affordable even factoring changing the valves but are there any users here who can shed their experiences etc?

I have been circulating a want ad on various forums for a power amp/monoblocs but I keep thinking whether I should go down the Yaqin route. Would be great if someone had one I could listen to, I am in Buckinghamshire (my new email friend lives some distance away).

Thanks ;)

[Sovereign]

Yes I am currently using a 100b
It depends what you are using now and what you are looking for.
I couldn't be happier, the amp is outstanding. Mine came with stock valves and the amps power and tonality were
Spot on to my ears then I upgraded the valves just last night and I nearly fell off my chair. The amp has got to be the bargain of the century .MAKE SURE YOU ARE RUNNING IT OFF A STEPED DOWN TRANSFORMER THOUG!!!

[synsei]

http://images49.fotosik.pl/37/daa8ae6c7b293505.jpg

Pause for some audio porn, t'is a mighty fine sight for sure ;)

[brian2957]

Do you know where I can get a 240v-220v step down transformer James.

[istari_knight]

I bought a Yaqin MC-10L when they first came out in 2005 I think it was ? Anyway, cracking amp & even better with Russian tubes fitted.

I've only ever heard good things about the MC-100B... As long as you use a step down you cant go wrong.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/Old%20HiFi/88cc92c9-4325-4b97-a71e-3e2cebbe4779_zps73053eb7.jpg

[walpurgis]

I've got one of those little buffer units.

[Mr Kipling]

Is it The Bum Duffer buffer?

[ListeningEar]

Yes I am currently using a 100b
It depends what you are using now and what you are looking for.
I couldn't be happier, the amp is outstanding. Mine came with stock valves and the amps power and tonality were
Spot on to my ears then I upgraded the valves just last night and I nearly fell off my chair. The amp has got to be the bargain of the century .MAKE SURE YOU ARE RUNNING IT OFF A STEPED DOWN TRANSFORMER THOUG!!!

Hi Sovereign,

Many thanks for taking the time to respond, why do I need to use a step down transformer when I can source one with the correct 240v transformers (not 220v)?

I am using a pair of ProAc Studio Towers MK I, Heybrook TT2 turntable with solid silver wired RB300 tonearm fitted with Denon DL110 cart. Phono stage is a Talk Electronics setup,...Breeze and Whirlwind (two box phono stage and power supply). I have a variety of different cables to try ranging from solid silver, silver plated and copper.

The above system is currently connected to an Audiolab 8000LX integrated, I am very happy with the sound and I also use it to make digital rips which others tell me are of very high quality (subjective I know).

When I think back to when this series of ProAc's were current I remember that alot of the high-end mags used to partner them with valve gear so I thought I would give it a try.

Anyone open to me coming round to listen? Pleeassseee!!! lol

[istari_knight]

Quite often the seller's will lie to clinch a deal, even if you specifically ask for 240v primaries they will agree & then put 220v one's in regardless. Thats what I've found anyway...

[ListeningEar]

Yes, I hear you on that but I have used these people before for audio parts:

http://www.audiocrast.com/

My contact there (Leo) states that primaries are correctly wired for 240v. Is there some kind of photographic evidence he can provide to confirm this? Sorry, I am not technical on all valve related matters hehe.

btw. my email buddy got his wired for 240v which he had professionally checked when it arrived in the UK ;)

[Sovereign]

Hi Sovereign,

Many thanks for taking the time to respond, why do I need to use a step down transformer when I can source one with the correct 240v transformers (not 220v)?

I am using a pair of ProAc Studio Towers MK I, Heybrook TT2 turntable with solid silver wired RB300 tonearm fitted with Denon DL110 cart. Phono stage is a Talk Electronics setup,...Breeze and Whirlwind (two box phono stage and power supply). I have a variety of different cables to try ranging from solid silver, silver plated and copper.

The above system is currently connected to an Audiolab 8000LX integrated, I am very happy with the sound and I also use it to make digital rips which others tell me are of very high quality (subjective I know).

When I think back to when this series of ProAc's were current I remember that alot of the high-end mags used to partner them with valve gear so I thought I would give it a try.

Anyone open to me coming round to listen? Pleeassseee!!! lol
I have no idea where to get a step down transformer, Ali Tait is the man to ask here. I know Marco has a lot to say in this regard as well.
I didn't know you could source a 100b with a 230/240 tranny.
Regarding coming round to listen where are you?

[Ninanina]

Hi
I didn't have this make but I did own a Chinese integrated amp for a while, I think it was a Ming Da MC34-B, pictured

It was super, especially for the money which I think at the time was just a couple of hundred pound

I would say it was 75% of my Audio Note Oto, which considering the Oto is now about £2,500 that's a real achievement

It's one amp I would definitely own again. It was also extremely well built and very heavy

[Mr Kipling]

I like the look of this one - 'cos it's got a meter! I liked their "Dan Dare" designs from a couple of years ago. Sadly they've been redesigned and lost the stylishness they had.

[daytona600]

Do you know where I can get a 240v-220v step down transformer James.

brian electrical products s sold in europe Must be 230volts & 50hz ( cylces )
whether a toaster or hifi
with CE certification & ROHS restriction of hazardous substances
like 845 tube amps have strontium in them which is radioactive
europe/uk has been 23ov/50hz since harmonism for over 10years

anything 220v is not current european spec
and will not have a CE & ROHS mark on the back
if it does they are just worthless stickers & have not been fully tested
220v best using with a small variac see rscomponents / farnell
to adjust 230/240v down to 220v or will shorten valve life
or even cause a fire with line overvoltages . lightning
non approved products could/will affect your house insurance
in a fire , in USA/Canada products have UL approval
underwriiter lloyds ( which is fire insurance )

nb - brian yours is 230v/50hz fully certified & has a dual voltage selector
to switch to 110v/60hz for usa/canda

.........

variac from farnell @ tenner
zero to 240v - turn the knob ( oh missus ! ) 2.4kilowtts ten amps

MULTICOMP - MCCMV 10E-1 - TRANSFORMER, VARIABLE, 10A

Image is for illustrative purposes only.
Please refer to product description
Manufacturer:
MULTICOMP
Order Code:
1824804
Manufacturer Part No:
MCCMV 10E-1
*
Technical Data Sheet (205.67KB) EN




Product Information
*TRANSFORMER, VARIABLE, 10A
*Input Voltage: 240V
*Output Current: 10A
*Knob Rotation: CW
*AC Power: 2400VA

..........
The CE marking as it has been legally called since 1993 (per directive 93/68/EEC)(Decision 93/465/EEC), or formerly EC mark,[1] is a mandatory conformity marking for products placed on the market in the European Economic Area (EEA).
With the CE marking on a product, the manufacturer declares that the product conforms with the essential requirements of the applicable EC directives.[2]
The actual meaning of "CE" has been disputed. It is often taken to be an abbreviation of Conformité Européenne, meaning "European Conformity".[3] However, "CE" originally stood for "Communauté Européenne", "Comunidad Europea", "Comunidade Europeia" and "Comunità Europea", meaning "European Community". In former German legislation, the CE marking was called "EG-Zeichen" meaning "European Community mark". According to the European Commission, the CE logo has become a symbol for free marketability of industrial goods within the EEA without any literal meaning, which appears contradictory to what they say today (cf. above reference no. 2).
Legally, the CE marking is not a quality mark. But, depending on the applicable directive, the CE marking can actually be considered to be a quality mark. Deviating from sectoral directives regulating other industrial goods, medical devices have to comply with "essential requirements" as described in Annex I of Directive 93/42/EEC. According to this, medical devices must not only be safe but also function in a medical-technical way as described in the manufacturer's "intended purpose". Compliance with these requirements is proved within a certified quality management system according to EN ISO 13485.

.........
The Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment 2002/95/EC (commonly referred to as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive or RoHS) was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union.[1] The RoHS directive took effect on 1 July 2006, and is required to be enforced and become law in each member state. This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. It is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) 2002/96/EC which sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods and is part of a legislative initiative to solve the problem of huge amounts of toxic e-waste. In speech, RoHS is often spelled out, or pronounced /ˈrɒs/, /ˈrɒʃ/, /ˈroʊz/, or /ˈroʊhɒz/.

[ListeningEar]

Regarding coming round to listen where are you?

I am in North Buckinghamshire, just outside Milton Keynes.

Just a small point on ac mains voltage in the UK; 230v is a paper declaration only to fit in with the European harmonization directive, i.e. anyone having anything to do with electrical work where the 'nominal voltage' has to be declared the data which must be recorded is 230/400 (used to be 240/415).

However, the cost to upgrade all the equipment in the UK would have been so astronimic that this was never going to happen so all that was actually done was to change around with the tolerances so that the UK could not be accused of compliance failure.

This in real terms means that your Electricity supplier by law must deliver 230 volts +10% - 6% (between 216.2 volts and 253 volts). This allows Europe to remain at 220v and the UK at 240v.

;)

[Sovereign]

,

[ListeningEar]

Did you forget to type something Sovereign? lol

[Sovereign]

mmm not sure what happened there.

[daytona600]

I am in North Buckinghamshire, just outside Milton Keynes.

Just a small point on ac mains voltage in the UK; 230v is a paper declaration only to fit in with the European harmonization directive, i.e. anyone having anything to do with electrical work where the 'nominal voltage' has to be declared the data which must be recorded is 230/400 (used to be 240/415).

However, the cost to upgrade all the equipment in the UK would have been so astronimic that this was never going to happen so all that was actually done was to change around with the tolerances so that the UK could not be accused of compliance failure.

This in real terms means that your Electricity supplier by law must deliver 230 volts +10% - 6% (between 216.2 volts and 253 volts). This allows Europe to remain at 220v and the UK at 240v.

;)

240volts single phase for your house is phase to neutral on a 415v three phase system , europe changed all voltages to 230v single & 400v / 690v three phase , but agree most houses still recieve 240volts as changing all the HM/MV/LV transfomers in the uk would cost billions

230v is the latest voltage for all products should in the uk
i get all my products i import suitable for 230 to 240volts
to ensure correct operation & long lifespan

240v is a even bigger prodlem for equipment designed for 220volts

never mind the problem of overvoltages on the uk
i have seen 258volts on mine , anyone with a good meter or a mains regen
unit will see voltage is never at the correct voltage

my system is feed from the output of a solar inverter which always supplies
230volts under G83/1 uk regulations , pv systems have a inverter which
is basically a mains regen unit , converting dc from the solar panels to
clean mains power with very low Thd , generally under 3%

nb - you will also never get a electricity bill again for 25years
most power will actually be sold to the grid & you get paid
i get £ 1000 per year over 25years = £ 25000 tax free
PV system was installed for £ 3995 for a 16amp 4000watt system

RESULT !!

get your mains sorted , people spend thousands on mains cables/plugs/filters
but never fit class one or two arrestors for just over 100quid
these protect your house from lightning , power surges , transient overvoltages
the look like circuit breaker/fuses and fit in your consumer unit/fuseboard

[chris@panteg]

One thing that worries me about these Chinese made amps , aside from the voltage issue is the quality of the output transformers which are critical to performance .

As far as I know they can't be knocked off on the cheap and sound sublime can they ?

[Sovereign]

One thing that worries me about these Chinese made amps , aside from the voltage issue is the quality of the output transformers which are critical to performance .

As far as I know they can't be knocked off on the cheap and sound sublime can they ?

All I can say is I have had my fair share of very high quality amps and the Yaqin 100b is well up there.

[Ian Walker]

All I can say is I have had my fair share of very high quality amps and the Yaqin 100b is well up there.

SHHH dont tell everyone you'll have the price rocketing:lol:.

This is the amp that started a fair few of us here on the trip to planet valve.

The amp sounds fantastic just as it comes..dont overmod it.

Just use it with a stepdown transformer though or you will fry the caps.

Ian.

[Firebottle]

Just use it with a stepdown transformer though or you will fry the caps.

Ian.

Surely the caps aren't that closely rated? A decent quality cap should be able to stand +20%.

I'm NOT saying you shouldn't reduce the voltage though, as the heaters will be overvoltage as well.
IMHO of course,

:cool:Alan

[daytona600]

One thing that worries me about these Chinese made amps , aside from the voltage issue is the quality of the output transformers which are critical to performance .

As far as I know they can't be knocked off on the cheap and sound sublime can they ?


would not touch most chinese valve amps myself , but they are some
excellent ones , some are even superb

30wpc push pull , Vu meter , headphone socket , 3 line inputs , Ipod input , valve cover & 24bit Usb dac
weighs well over 30pounds , metal chassis , transformer wound in house - £550 for a hand built amp I-30 dared

http://www.amazon.com/Dared-I30-Tube-Integrated-amplifier/dp/B002CCSPGK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364151092&sr=8-1&keywords=dared+i30

[brian2957]

brian electrical products s sold in europe Must be 230volts & 50hz ( cylces )
whether a toaster or hifi
with CE certification & ROHS restriction of hazardous substances
like 845 tube amps have strontium in them which is radioactive
europe/uk has been 23ov/50hz since harmonism for over 10years

anything 220v is not current european spec
and will not have a CE & ROHS mark on the back
if it does they are just worthless stickers & have not been fully tested
220v best using with a small variac see rscomponents / farnell
to adjust 230/240v down to 220v or will shorten valve life
or even cause a fire with line overvoltages . lightning
non approved products could/will affect your house insurance
in a fire , in USA/Canada products have UL approval
underwriiter lloyds ( which is fire insurance )

nb - brian yours is 230v/50hz fully certified & has a dual voltage selector
to switch to 110v/60hz for usa/canda

.........

variac from farnell @ tenner
zero to 240v - turn the knob ( oh missus ! ) 2.4kilowtts ten amps

MULTICOMP - MCCMV 10E-1 - TRANSFORMER, VARIABLE, 10A

Image is for illustrative purposes only.
Please refer to product description
Manufacturer:
MULTICOMP
Order Code:
1824804
Manufacturer Part No:
MCCMV 10E-1
*
Technical Data Sheet (205.67KB) EN




Product Information
*TRANSFORMER, VARIABLE, 10A
*Input Voltage: 240V
*Output Current: 10A
*Knob Rotation: CW
*AC Power: 2400VA

..........
The CE marking as it has been legally called since 1993 (per directive 93/68/EEC)(Decision 93/465/EEC), or formerly EC mark,[1] is a mandatory conformity marking for products placed on the market in the European Economic Area (EEA).
With the CE marking on a product, the manufacturer declares that the product conforms with the essential requirements of the applicable EC directives.[2]
The actual meaning of "CE" has been disputed. It is often taken to be an abbreviation of Conformité Européenne, meaning "European Conformity".[3] However, "CE" originally stood for "Communauté Européenne", "Comunidad Europea", "Comunidade Europeia" and "Comunità Europea", meaning "European Community". In former German legislation, the CE marking was called "EG-Zeichen" meaning "European Community mark". According to the European Commission, the CE logo has become a symbol for free marketability of industrial goods within the EEA without any literal meaning, which appears contradictory to what they say today (cf. above reference no. 2).
Legally, the CE marking is not a quality mark. But, depending on the applicable directive, the CE marking can actually be considered to be a quality mark. Deviating from sectoral directives regulating other industrial goods, medical devices have to comply with "essential requirements" as described in Annex I of Directive 93/42/EEC. According to this, medical devices must not only be safe but also function in a medical-technical way as described in the manufacturer's "intended purpose". Compliance with these requirements is proved within a certified quality management system according to EN ISO 13485.

.........
The Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment 2002/95/EC (commonly referred to as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive or RoHS) was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union.[1] The RoHS directive took effect on 1 July 2006, and is required to be enforced and become law in each member state. This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. It is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) 2002/96/EC which sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods and is part of a legislative initiative to solve the problem of huge amounts of toxic e-waste. In speech, RoHS is often spelled out, or pronounced /ˈrɒs/, /ˈrɒʃ/, /ˈroʊz/, or /ˈroʊhɒz/.

For the sake of clarity here , I checked the dared I30 which Scott supplied to me , and it is indeed specced for use in the UK without the need for any step down transformers . This is also a very special amplifier which punches well above its weight and is upgradeable by fitting better valves . The DAC fitted in this amp is also excellent . Thanks for clearing this up Scott , great service as ever .

[chris@panteg]

would not touch most chinese valve amps myself , but they are some
excellent ones , some are even superb

30wpc push pull , Vu meter , headphone socket , 3 line inputs , Ipod input , valve cover & 24bit Usb dac

Looks nice , KT88's in there ?

[ListeningEar]

This has rather gone off topic of the subject at hand,...namely Yaqin amps ;)

Not a big deal as other comments have been quite interesting but I was only interested in the Yaqin brand and nothing else, plus, please remember, personal preference is an opinion only and I was really looking for real-time users of Yaqin.

Cheers guys.

[daytona600]

Looks nice , KT88's in there ?

no chris 6L6G output tubes , they do make KT88 amps
eg VP-99 Kt88 50wpc push pull - also 250wpc KT88 monos with 8 tubes
90kilos a pair
also just happen to look superb as well