Chinese tube amps [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Marktdac

09-11-2009, 19:48

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

Mark

Jason P

09-11-2009, 20:18

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

09-11-2009, 20:36

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

09-11-2009, 22:25

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2752&highlight=yaqin

Ali Tait

09-11-2009, 22:36

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

al3700

12-11-2009, 13:17

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

12-11-2009, 16:44

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

12-11-2009, 19:12

What are you after Mike?

DSJR

12-11-2009, 20:23

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 :scratch::confused:

Mike

12-11-2009, 21:05

What are you after Mike?

Audioromy FU13 of course! :)

I thought you made your own amps mike :scratch::confused:

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! ;)

Ali Tait

12-11-2009, 22:09

You won't be disappointed Mike.Just put some nice coupling caps in,and lowering the feedback is a good mod-I may try removing it altogether when I get the chance.If I wasn't going down the direct-coupled route,I was going to try some new output trannies.

swampy

18-11-2009, 21:15

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

You can make a simple bucking transformer a fraction the size of a needed variac or step-down tx.

http://www.forum.diyhifisupply.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12

I made this for my old Mr Liang 845 then wrote this doc.

alb

18-11-2009, 22:32

http://www.forum.diyhifisupply.com/v...c.php?f=4&t=12

Neat idea Dave, not seen that before.

Marco

18-11-2009, 22:43

Ian made one of those for me when I had my Yaqin (MC-100B, same as al) - they work really well :)

Marco.

Jason P

20-11-2009, 13:05

I'd like more info on the bucking transformer - am I right in thinking that any 240 volt transformer that outputs between around 15-25 volts at about 1 amp will do? How can I best test the output? I'm not a complete electrical numpty and reckon I could wire one up. From the PDF linked it looks to me like a case of carrying the neutral through (bypassing the transformer) and re-attaching one side of the output, but is getting the right side a case of trial and error, or can I use my trusty multimeter for a more informed approach?

Jason

dim_span

26-11-2009, 20:19

been reading about these chinese amps ... found a very good site ... all about lampizator (guy is in poland and a fundi on cd players etc... he tweaks and mods them .... here is his site (have given the link for the mods he done on a chinese valve amp) ... makes for interesting reading ... may send my cdp there for some mods

http://lampizator.eu/AMPLIFIERS/CHINA/SET%20triode%20amplifier%20Music%20Angel%20845%20H ong%20Kong.html

here is the homepage
http://www.lampizator.eu/

anthonyTD

26-11-2009, 21:03

I'd like more info on the bucking transformer - am I right in thinking that any 240 volt transformer that outputs between around 15-25 volts at about 1 amp will do? How can I best test the output? I'm not a complete electrical numpty and reckon I could wire one up. From the PDF linked it looks to me like a case of carrying the neutral through (bypassing the transformer) and re-attaching one side of the output, but is getting the right side a case of trial and error, or can I use my trusty multimeter for a more informed approach?

Jason
hi jason,
one way round you will get the nescesary drop in voltage, the other way you will get an increase! if you have a variac then you can wind it up gradualy and test it before putting the full mains voltage through it.
hope this helps.
please be aware that mains voltages should only be handled by competent or suitably trained individuals, if in doubt do not attempt it!
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