Shengya A216 - Integrated Amp

[RobbieGong]

Has anyone experience or views regarding this one http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue42/shengya_a216.htm looks like a lot of decent amp for $800. Anyone with recommendation for similar powerful integrated amps that are said to sound 'good' without breaking the bank ? :)

[Effem]

According to the link in your post the price is quoted at $1800 not $800 :eek:

I would like to point out too that most chinese made amps are configured for 220vAC not 240vAC so be aware you might need a (Is it a "buffer") transformer to match it to UK mains voltage.

An amp I can recommend is the XTZ Desire which is a lot more affordable at 850 Euros and has great sound too.

http://shop.xtz.se/bild-ljud/xtz/forstarkare/rubrik_3?stat=1

[Ali Tait]

Bucking transformer. :)

[Ninanina]

Has anyone experience or views regarding this one http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue42/shengya_a216.htm looks like a lot of decent amp for $800. Anyone with recommendation for similar powerful integrated amps that are said to sound 'good' without breaking the bank ? :)

Hi Robert
I don't have any views of the amp you mention but I do have experience of a hybrid amp, I owned a Copland CSA28 for quite a while. I have also owned both ss and valve amps (which is what i use now). The trouble i found with the Copland was that it wasn't one thing or the other, what i mean is it didn't quite have the drive and sharpness (best i can describe it!!) of ss and had none of the organic, smoothness (again best i can describe it!) of valves. In the end it left me a bit cold to be honest

Now that just might be the Copland sound and other hybrids may be different, but maybe my ramble may be of use :)

[Effem]

Bucking transformer. :)

LANGUAGE!

[Ali Tait]

:lol:

[daytona600]

$1850 USD generally means close to parity on $/£ conversion lot of money for a chinese hybrid amp ,
same money or less as something like a Croft int or pre/power Hybrid

[RobbieGong]

$1850 USD generally means close to parity on $/£ conversion lot of money for a chinese hybrid amp ,
same money or less as something like a Croft int or pre/power Hybrid

Around $800 here http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Shengya-A-216-Integrated-Hybrid-Amplifier.html and here
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Shengya-A-216-Integration-Transistors-Audio-Power-Amplifier-New/802295_496576087.html Around £760ish english + other charges i guess. Said to be a very nice amp for the money, just wondered if anyone had experience. Particularly looking for recommendations for powerful and 'very good' integrated amp £500 ish new or even used for bigger bang for buck. I'm getting itchy feet and may make a few changes in the future so putting feelers out :)

[Ninanina]

I've imported a few things myself you just need to be aware of shipping charges, import tax (can be 0% to 85%..just got that figure from hmrc.gov website) and the dreaded 20% vat

Some things seem to 'slip through' but don't bank on it

I've had some things sail through and been caught on others. Rather unfairly I seem to remember that import tax or the vat is charged on the shipping costs as well, but I may have remembered that wrongly ;)

ps. One of the sites you linked to only posts to USA and Canada, just a thought!
pps. Be very wary of any company only taking Western Union and other such payments. I would say if they don't offer Paypal payment, which gives some protection to you, I would not touch them. I would suggest maybe looking on ebay for a similar item ie Chinese amp and at least you can use Paypal and also have back-up to a degree from ebay too. I just would hate you to loose your hard earned money

[julesd68]

Has anyone experience or views regarding this one http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue42/shengya_a216.htm looks like a lot of decent amp for $800. Anyone with recommendation for similar powerful integrated amps that are said to sound 'good' without breaking the bank ? :)

Hi Rob, I absolutely lurve my hybrid integrated Consonance R150 - http://www.opera-consonance.com/products/REFERENCE150Linear.htm

I managed to get a fantastic deal on an ex-dem one with just a few hours on the clock from the UK distributor - AA Acoustics - http://www.aa-acoustics.com/

It has performed faultlessly ever since. Great synergy with my CJ valve phono-stage - I get a very sweet, lucid mid-range without any softness or loss of dynamics. The 120w solid-state power amp gives the bass great authority and slam. Responds very well to upgrading the stock Sovtek tube ...