Affordable Valve Company.

[southall-1998]

Has anyone on here purchased an amp direct from the Affordable Valve Company through ebay? They are based in Kent, UK.

This EL-34 amp sure does look nice, but the complex description is sure overwhelming :eek::stalks: Sometimes I wonder about this company .....:scratch:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-AS-3iENGLAND-EL34-Triode-Connect-VALVE-amplifier-/310701121312?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item48573adf20

Anyway, I've no exp with their products.

[istari_knight]

On the positive side they are very good value for money valve amps [I had an EL34 "silver" fitted with KT66] On the negative side the owner isn't very pleasant to deal with...

[southall-1998]

On the positive side they are very good value for money valve amps [I had an EL34 "silver" fitted with KT66] On the negative side the owner isn't very pleasant to deal with...


Yup, I've read in some place that the owner is a bit hard to deal with.

[Reffc]

Yup, I've read in some place that the owner is a bit hard to deal with.

Yup

A few years back I made serious enquiries and politely challenged some of the gobbledegook before committing further but received some rude responses so my business went elsewhere.


It's also WELL worth bearing in mind that many of the claims made are based on pseudo science (eg bigger transformers doesn't always mean "better" as the ads seem to infer). I know a few people who've bought these on the basis of value. None still has them. Never heard one myself so can't comment of SQ.

[Andrew B]

Hi Shane. I've had no dealings with Lim, personally, but the chaps on Hfi Wigwam hit the roof when I recommended an Affordable Valve Company EL34 amp on there. Worth reading some posts on Wigwam to get an idea of why they got upset, then make your own mind up. I hope it's ok to mention wigwam here. Apologies in advance if I've transgressed in any way.

Now, as for the amps themselves, I really rate them, having owned a couple and regretted selling them, but you don't ned to buy them from AVC, as they are available in other guises. They are designed in Germany, I believe, and made in China, so the cheapest way to get them is to change your EBay search settings to search "European Union". Be aware you may need to paste the text into Google translate to be sure what you're getting. I've seen new amps selling for less than £300 at times. The most popular model is the VR-70e and the names of the manufacturer vary, although you will see names such as Audio Institute and Dynavox. Check out my Gallery pics and you'll see an AVC amp I bought off Wigwam. It's branded Audio Institute though. Be aware though, they aren't self basing so you'll need a multi meter to rebias them if you change valves etc.

Someone on here with more knowledge may be able to say definitively, but I'd heard the circuit is based on the Dynaco ST 70 amp of old. There are other models but VR 70e and VR 80e are both very good IMO. Just don't spend too much on them. BTW replacing the valves is a good step. I really like them with Electroharmonix EL34 s.

[Oldpinkman]

Woof. What a crazy listing. NOT professionally trained in marketing. Lets hope he's better at electronics. How confusing?

Since they are just down the road (assuming they're not really in China) it would be interesting to hear what you think of them

[synsei]

The reputation of the proprietor certainly precedes him. I've heard good and bad reports concerning his amplifiers but all agree the chap is an absolute nightmare to deal with. Even if I was not aware of this I'd steer clear due to the confusing nature of his listings. His descriptions are full of flannel and the cost of the product is never clear as there are always multiple price points posted on his listings.

[walpurgis]

Similar amplifiers were being imported to the UK years ago by VAA. I bought the EL34 version and that was called the Stereo 70, so definitely a nod towards Dynaco. It was a surprisingly punchy unit.

[John]

The guy a bit of legend in many ways he started the whole cheap Chinese valve import to the UK. He certainly has a passion for his products. I was in correspondence with him many years ago but could make no sense to his ramblings so never bought the amp

[daytona600]

looks very much like a audiospace as-3

http://www.audiospace-hifi.com/detail.asp?Screen=1366&catid=2270&subcatid=0&pdtid=3622&private=

[User211]

I'm sure lots of people have been reading his ebay ads for years with some amusement. I know I have:)

He does have a unique selling style the like of which I have not seen elsewhere.

Bless.

[zygote23]

You can have my Icon Audio EL34 and save yourself the bother of dealing with Lim.....his listings are like a bizarre Python sketch.

[spendorman]

About 6 years ago, I bought an EL34 amp off ebay from The Affordable Amplifier Company. Special offer then, think it was around £230. It came very well packed. When unpacking, I noticed one of the EL34's had come out of its socket. An easy job to fix, just remove the valve cage and refit the valve, but I noticed a seal on the cover and a note that breaking it would invalidate the guarantee.

I contacted Lim, said that I was happy to put the valve in if he would accept that the seal had to be broken and it would not invalidate the guarantee. No, he waned the amp back. It was collected FOC, and returned FOC to me very quickly. All was OK.

The amp is made very well, sounds good too. I did a comparison with my Radford STA25 III, and there was little difference in sound quality. The amp was actually bought for a friend of mine, it's still working perfectly, feeding a pair of Tannoy 12" Monitor Golds. My friend is very pleased with it.

I must admit, I had some discussions with Lim on speakers and did not really agree with him, still, everyone's ears are different.

[realysm42]

Lol, wtf at that listing.

It all seems like a lot of hassle, tbh.

[Mr. C]

Now there's a blast from the past, Lim is still trading :stalk

If there was ever a case for a person being 'Mar-mite' then Lim is the epitome of that vegetable base spread!

[Spectral Morn]

You can have my Icon Audio EL34 and save yourself the bother of dealing with Lim.....his listings are like a bizarre Python sketch.

Now there is a cracking offer. Fantastic amp - I sold this to Steve from new when I was in the audio trade - he ended up buying the 'electric fire' as he called it, it seduced him and sold itself to him lol


Regards Neil

[zygote23]

It's been sat on the rack unplugged for a couple of years now Neil. Hell I might even hook it up for a break from the SS amp ;)

[stupinder]

I have a Tube Amp Company 300B (PSE) amp which looks like a German company's rebadge of the AVC range.
I have been told, and you can take this with however many grains of salt you wish, that the TAC 300B was upgraded in Germany before being sold. Certainly everyone who has heard the amp has been full of praise for it.
As I understand it TAC became, or were, the same company as Vincent Audio.
AVC are still listing their 300B PSE and 300B PP amps but as far as i'm aware they are no longer able to supply them.
TAC in Germany has a great reputation by the way and they do occasionally pop up on Ebay over there!

Here's a snap of mine
http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o433/Stupinder/ROOM/amp1.jpg (http://s342.photobucket.com/user/Stupinder/media/ROOM/amp1.jpg.html)

[southall-1998]

You can have my Icon Audio EL34 and save yourself the bother of dealing with Lim.....his listings are like a bizarre Python sketch.

Can't afford anything at the moment mate. Did you change the tubes on it?

[Spectral Morn]

I have a Tube Amp Company 300B (PSE) amp which looks like a German company's rebadge of the AVC range.
I have been told, and you can take this with however many grains of salt you wish, that the TAC 300B was upgraded in Germany before being sold. Certainly everyone who has heard the amp has been full of praise for it.
As I understand it TAC became, or were, the same company as Vincent Audio.
AVC are still listing their 300B PSE and 300B PP amps but as far as i'm aware they are no longer able to supply them.
TAC in Germany has a great reputation by the way and they do occasionally pop up on Ebay over there!

Here's a snap of mine
http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o433/Stupinder/ROOM/amp1.jpg (http://s342.photobucket.com/user/Stupinder/media/ROOM/amp1.jpg.html)

Sound Of Music (now closed) were the distributors of Vincent once and TAC first in the UK. Samples were sent to where I worked at the time, the Vincent items were mostly nice for the money but the TAC amplifiers were poor - in all the staff and owners opinion - and were not stocked (this is about 5 years ago). Several others have since had ago at distributing Vincent and TAC, Ruark, a one man operation MV Audio (now gone) and I think Missing Link have also had ago too but not now I think.

I think personally I would avoid TAC, AVC and look at Ming Da, Opera, Icon Audio or the Pure Sound amplifiers, I think in general Chinese stuff is hit and miss and more miss than hit (it is getting better though) but at least those I name have good reputations for sonics, reliability and serviceability, others don't.

I think one of the biggest issues still with a lot of the Chinese items on the market is tracing the lineage of who did what, who designed, who built etc and to what - more importantly - standard. Caveat Emptor applies still I feel

Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

It's been sat on the rack unplugged for a couple of years now Neil. Hell I might even hook it up for a break from the SS amp ;)

You should Steve, a break from the sand is always nice. How are you keeping?


Regards Neil

[stupinder]

Sound Of Music (now closed) were the distributors of Vincent once and TAC first in the UK. Samples were sent to where I worked at the time, the Vincent items were mostly nice for the money but the TAC amplifiers were poor - in all the staff and owners opinion - and were not stocked (this is about 5 years ago). Several others have since had ago at distributing Vincent and TAC, Ruark, a one man operation MV Audio (now gone) and I think Missing Link have also had ago too but not now I think.

I think personally I would avoid TAC, AVC and look at Ming Da, Opera, Icon Audio or the Pure Sound amplifiers, I think in general Chinese stuff is hit and miss and more miss than hit (it is getting better though) but at least those I name have good reputations for sonics, reliability and serviceability, others don't.

I think one of the biggest issues still with a lot of the Chinese items on the market is tracing the lineage of who did what, who designed, who built etc and to what more importantly to what standard.

Regards Neil
Shame you're not nearer to have a listen to this - one guy whose opinion I value highly called the TAC 300 the stand out bit of kit in my system....perhaps he was being kind and meant the rest was crap :-)

[julesd68]

I think personally I would avoid TAC, AVC and look at Ming Da, Opera, Icon Audio or the Pure Sound amplifiers, I think in general Chinese stuff is hit and miss and more miss than hit (it is getting better though) but at least those I name have good reputations for sonics, reliability and serviceability, others don't.

I'm a big fan of Opera Consonance. I have one of their hybrid amps and cdp's which I cannot fault - first rate build quality and sound. Distributed in the UK by AA Acoustics who are excellent to deal with and there are now a few UK dealers across the country selling them.

[Spectral Morn]

Shame you're not nearer to have a listen to this - one guy whose opinion I value highly called the TAC 300 the stand out bit of kit in my system....perhaps he was being kind and meant the rest was crap :-)

Indeed.

The items - as with all ever sent - were fully run in and tried with various bits of kit to check out suitability for system matching. Vincent did well the TAC items didn't and were returned to sounds of Music.

I did hear the TAC high end CD player C60 and matching amplifier when MV Audio were the distributor at the Hi Fidelity Heathrow show, and thought they were good and warranted a review, but I was not able to sort that out at the time as MV Audio went tits up not long after I spoke with Mark Viveash about reviewing them.

Regards Neil

[zygote23]

You should Steve, a break from the sand is always nice. How are you keeping?


Regards Neil

Keeping well Neil.......off for the hollers and pending nervous breakdown at ongoing hassle with BT broadband infinity......has completely destroyed my network streaming lol.

Other than that...still buying vinyl and still searching out the obscure. How have things been with you?

[Spectral Morn]

Keeping well Neil.......off for the hollers and pending nervous breakdown at ongoing hassle with BT broadband infinity......has completely destroyed my network streaming lol.

Other than that...still buying vinyl and still searching out the obscure. How have things been with you?

Not too bad Steve. My Dad died suddenly in Nov last year and that kicked the crap out of me, I have good and bad days but more good these days than bad. Thanks for asking. Hope you have a good holiday.

Regards Neil

[zygote23]

Sorry to hear that Neil....Loss is never easy :(

[Reffc]

I'm a big fan of Opera Consonance. I have one of their hybrid amps and cdp's which I cannot fault - first rate build quality and sound. Distributed in the UK by AA Acoustics who are excellent to deal with and there are now a few UK dealers across the country selling them.

Agree with that. Opera Consonance are one of the few, if the only Chinese brand I'd touch with a very long bargepole. As for most of the others, reliability for many wholly Chinese made is not a strong point. There will be exceptions, but my experience (and that of many of my customers) suggests that most are poor copies of old circuit designs (it's rumoured that there's around 200 old circuits being copied in China and being re-badged). Its a generalisation but few have adequate circuit protection built in; few have anything approaching decent transformers and few (although there are some) have decent pre-amp stages, quality of workmanship or consistency between batches. Given the cost of a decent valve amp on the used market is likely to be less than the cost of a new Chifi amp, I can't really see the attraction in buying something that poor in hifi terms, although many are blinged up to tempt with glowing bottles and fancy casework these days (which tells you nothing of the design or craftsmanship...lack thereof!).

[Spectral Morn]

Sorry to hear that Neil....Loss is never easy :(

No its not, doubly hard as my Mum died 8 years ago :(


Regards Neil

[User211]

I'm happier with a Cayin pre than I was with an EAR 868. I wish I knew if the stock SC10 was as good as the modified one I have. I suspect it is but I just dunno.

One of he finest systems I have ever heard using £500 quid speakers, no make that THE finest, was driven by all Cayin electronics. It can't be total shit, I surmise.