I need a cheap amp

[Mike]

Preferably a valve one! :)

I'm looking at cheap Chinese jobs on ebay, inevitably, and wondered if anyone has experience of any good ones?

I'm aware of the potential pitfalls of this approach and I'm going in with my eyes open having owned a Mr Liang 845 before. Shame I sold it really!

At the moment I'm favouring an 'Audoromy FU13' like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUDIOROMY-FU13-813-tube-Valve-Tube-Integrated-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ260507799470QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ Vintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item3ca7798fae

But there are loads of different options about, any recommendations?

It may well be only an interim solution as I've hankered after a certain 300B pp amp ever since hearing one last year at the 'Chester fest'. If I can find one for sale, or the bits to build a clone then that's the way I'd like to go.

But 'for now'? :scratch:

[Covenant]

Mike if you dont want to spend real money look at this:
http://www.suppomodel.com/audio/EL84.html
There is a review on DIY Audio which basically says they are amazed how it can be produced for the price.

[Themis]

Why not a MiniWatt that Dave spoke about he other day ? : http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/miniwatt_amplifier_e.html

[Mike]

Bloody hell, they're cheap!

But I could do with 20W+ :(

[Ali Tait]

Mike,
The Audioromy is a great amp IMHO.Buuut,check your PM...

[Mike]

Mike,
The Audioromy is a great amp IMHO.Buuut,check your PM...

Hi Ali,

Done!... you have replies. :)

[Jonboy]

You can't go wrong with a Leak stereo 20 it uses el84 as well and you will always get your money back, no dodgy pcp's or transformer issues over voltage on these.
I use a Ming-Da pre amp and have the matching 845 se mono blocks, i've had no problems with the pre amp but the mono blocks have developed a distortion problem, what about the Icon Audio amps these always seem to get good reviews but look like they are made in the Ming-da Factory

[jandl100]

Well, it looks like Mike is sorted, and I know this suggestion isn't valve, but those infamous Behringer A500 solid state power amps are darn good. Even better when doubled up for bi-amping. I have two. :) Tested at 120wpc each into 8 ohms, 200wpc into 4 ohms.

£164 each from GAK http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/behringer-a-500/68618. Superb value - remember that Spanish blind test where a Behringer A500-based system was indistinguishable from a fancy hi-end hi-price setup? ;)

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/Behringerbi-amp-1.jpg

[Mike]

You can't go wrong with a Leak stereo 20

Funnily enough, I've been following this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330377231814&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I don't think it's going to quite fit the 'cheap' criteria though... ;)

The idea, at this stage, was just for something to use as a stop-gap solution to keep me going while I keep looking for the amp I've wanted for quite some time. But it looks like Ali might just have something 'up his sleeve'!

"Watch this space", as they say! :eyebrows:


Well, it looks like Mike is sorted, and I know this suggestion isn't valve, but those infamous Behringer A500 solid state power amps are darn good. Even better when doubled up for bi-amping. I have two. :) Tested at 120wpc each into 8 ohms, 200wpc into 4 ohms.

£164 each from GAK http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/behringer-a-500/68618. Superb value - remember that Spanish blind test where a Behringer A500-based system was indistinguishable from a fancy hi-end hi-price setup? ;)

Bloody hell... I had no idea they were so inexpensive!

That might just be the ticket if I still need a 'stop-gap' amp. Money's in short supply this close to Christmas and nothing is sorted out yet.

Cheers...

[Themis]

Behringer are very good power amps. There are some other bargains at the pro market, often (wrongly imho) "snubbed" by a lot of audiophiles.

[Alex_UK]

Behringer are very good power amps. There are some other bargains at the pro market, often (wrongly imho) "snubbed" by a lot of audiophiles.

Would you be able to elaborate on what these are, Dimitri?

[Themis]

Would you be able to elaborate on what these are, Dimitri?
First of all some other amps, then some dacs, some headphones, cables, EQ device and even (good) CD players... ;) Never mind some speakers, but then, there're others who can speak about studio monitors (active or passive)
I will try to make a small list this weekend en post in a separate thread, if you like.

[Alex_UK]

First of all some other amps, then some dacs, some headphones, cables, EQ device and even (good) CD players... ;) Never mind some speakers, but then, there're others who can speak about studio monitors (active or passive)
I will try to make a small list this weekend en post in a separate thread, if you like.

Not necessarily for me (though the Sound-Per-Pound-Value is appealing) but it could very useful for some people - I'm thinking a Behringer A500 fed by a Caiman, with a cheap transport (or PC) for instance could be a giant-killer... A nice set of value speakers (monitors) on the end...

[Ali Tait]

I really don't wanna sell it!! Buuut,it is just sitting packed away in the cupboard,and I need to fund the other amp build :(

[MAD]

Preferably a valve one! :)

I'm looking at cheap Chinese jobs on ebay, inevitably, and wondered if anyone has experience of any good ones?

I'm aware of the potential pitfalls of this approach and I'm going in with my eyes open having owned a Mr Liang 845 before. Shame I sold it really!

At the moment I'm favouring an 'Audoromy FU13' like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUDIOROMY-FU13-813-tube-Valve-Tube-Integrated-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ260507799470QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ Vintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item3ca7798fae

But there are loads of different options about, any recommendations?

It may well be only an interim solution as I've hankered after a certain 300B pp amp ever since hearing one last year at the 'Chester fest'. If I can find one for sale, or the bits to build a clone then that's the way I'd like to go.

But 'for now'? :scratch:

Cayin A88-T is a pretty good one, just under 30k, so shipping is not a problem. I paid £750 for my one and sold it for £1k. It is £3000 in Germany and regarded as something better than the Macintosh MC275