I agree. Surrounded by its hand picked parts has got to be the best way.
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I agree, Andrew, but I know where Jo's coming from.
There are valve amps available for importing from China (which essentially some well-respected commercial designs now were born from), that once made 100% safe for UK mains [and that bit is essentially important, despite what any seller claims], can be judiciously modified by any competent EE into becoming seriously good amps - and notably, all in all, for considerably less than it would cost to get the same built in the UK from scratch, simply because as you mention, some of the core parts that cost money here are ridiculously cheap!
I did this myself at the very beginning, importing a Yaqin MC-100B [a dual-mono integrated 30W KT-88 P/P design), into the UK for £350, which I subsequently got Anthony to modify, by turning it into a power amp only, and upgrading key internal components (designed to improve safety and sonics), to which I then fitted some nice NOS valves, and all in cost me well under £2k - and afterwards, sonically, could compete with many much more expensive commercially produced valve amps from 'badged' high-end manufacturers.
It's certainly a viable (if not straightforward) route to take, but one that in the end can produce very rewarding results, especially in terms of maximising SPPV! :cool:
Here's a link to the amp in question I bought. This one is fitted with Psvane valves, and a bargain (based on the above provisos): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAQIN-MC-...cAAOSwymxVQe6~
It's the amp that (even in stock form) switched me from SS to valves, as once I heard what it did, musically, it was goodbye to sorry-state, erm sorry, solid-state [only kidding]!;)
Marco.
had an older one of those... good amp for money
Isn't it just! Especially when you consider that it's an integrated design, and also dual-mono:eek: which is actually one of the things that makes it more desirable than other similar Chinese offerings. I was initially alerted to it by a mate of mine, Duncan (tubehunter) who occasionally posts here.
I can assure you that, even in stock form it's stupidly good for the money, and suitably modded (as outlined above) a veritable giant killer!
*BUT*DEPITE THE CLAIMS OF ANY SELLER, IT CANNOT BE GUARANTEED TO BE 100% SAFE ON UK MAINS.
It may be 'officially rated' at 240V, but in my experience that's dubious (as mine went pop, before partnered with a suitable step-down transformer) especially if used in areas of the UK where the mains voltage can be as high as 250V (sometimes more), the internal components simply aren't built to handle that amount of over-voltage; indeed it's questionable whether they're even any good for 240V!
Therefore, the ONLY way I'd recommend anyone here buying this amp is for it simply to be purchased and shipped directly to someone like Anthony, without it even being switched on, whereby it can be tested and approved as safe. However, it will almost certainly need modifying before that's the case.
After it's been made safe, but otherwise remains in stock form, it could then be forwarded to the owner for assessment, and then if liked, at a later stage be turned into something rather special for the money!
Marco.
The Yaqin 100B is indeed a lot of amp for the money, and there are 230v versions, however; many of them coming in are designated for 220v, even then after testing; it was found that they only needed around 210v on them for the secondary voltages to be correct!
Hope this helps.
A...
Remember the Yaqin, Anthony, and what later turned into a full 'Tube Distinctions for AoS' amp? It was rather good, wasn't it? :)
Marco.