Boyuurange A50 mk iii, 300b

[Old Guy8]

EDIT: I REMOVED "VS A10 EL34" FROM TITLE. As A10 disappeared from this conversation.

I've had a (Boyuu) Reisong model A10,. EL34 SET integrated for close to a year. Rolled Voshkod 6n2 and reissue Tungsol EL34b tubes. Quite pleased with it for small room listening. It has a little grain. It's not perfect. Quite nice, especially for cost

Wondering how Reisong A50 would compare, sound wise against A10. Without rolling in 300b tubes that cost more than amps price.

A question:
Would the Auto Bias (or Cathode Auto Bias?) on A50, versus manual bias adjustment designs, be an inferior method to bias? Possibly shortening life of pricey 300b tubes?

Edit: According to thetubestore site, 5Z3 is not compatable with Chinese 5Z3P. (Used in the A50.) Instead they say 5U4 would be compatible.

Thanks
OG

 

[Old Guy8]

Ordered: Boyuurange A50, 300b today. Should receive next week, from USA stock.

Ordered: 6SN7GTB, NOS CBS/Hytron D side getter Angled T plate tubes, for rolling.

Rolling the 300b tubes can get real pricey. So sticking with stock set for now.

 

[eickmewg]

Let us know what you think about the amp, and a comparison to your A10 EL34 amp.

 

[Old Guy8]

Boyuurange A50 Amp received today. Triple boxed and suspended in formed soft foam. Tubes safely packaged.

Con: First of all there's a question of 300b sockets don't firmly hold tubes. Pins are in contact in sockets. But, you can easily move tubes top side to side in socket with fingers. I saw online reviews where a couple showed tube movement.

Pros: Rest of build quality looks very good, alike the A10. Aluminum knobs feel substantial. Chrome plated stainless body. Turned Aluminum legs. 4 and 8 ohm speaker taps. Heavy.
A50 looks like a larger A10.
The A10 is 24#s.
The A50 is 40#s.
Switch for 3 inputs and volume pot on front. Power switch on right side.
Included a power cord. My A10 didn't include one.

First impression:
Immediately apparent A50 is warmer than A10. Maybe more bass. Sounds very nice with stock tubes and no break in.

VU meters barely move with my speakers and volume.

Stock Psvane 300b tubes. Which model don't know. I assume thier entry tube. Edit: Psvane Hifi model.


Jazz vocals, guitar and small group accompaniment.
Rachael and Vilray

 

[Old Guy8]

 

[68db.]

Also interested in comparison on sound differences. I've two amps with play in the sockets. They are both console pulls but both have
two tube and sockets newer but still loose.
Looking forward to updates.

 

[Old Guy8]

Also interested in comparison on sound differences. I've two amps with play in the sockets. They are both console pulls but both have
two tube and sockets newer but still loose.
Looking forward to updates.

My hearing is about normal for age. A little tinnitus. I can't A/B them unfortunately.
A50 feels more powerful. Although just 1.6 watts more. Less volume knob rotation for same volume. A50 seems a little more forward. More sparkle. I mentioned maybe more bass, think it does. A touch of treble harshness. The PSvane 300b tubes are likely thier entry level tube. Psvane Hifi marked. I've seen them for $140- $170 a matched pair. I do believe in tube/amp breakin. So I expect tubes will loose some harshness with time.

I upgraded the A10 with Russian Voshkod Rocket input tubes and Tungsol EL34b tubes.

Next week I should have pair of NOS CBS/Hytron 6SN7GTB side-getter tubes to roll in A50.

Just two albums in I like it. I noticed a little background noise with stylus on vinyl on new Krall album. I may have to reposition Mani preamp or interconnects. Don't notice with CDP.

 

[68db.]

Glad to hear you enjoying your new amp. I can't believe the cost of the tube your using, more than I've given for either of my amps.
I'm an old fart my self and have suffered from tinnitus since 2000 was getting to point couldn't listen very long. After getting the Maggie
9301 I now listen for hours and believe hearing is improving. HUH what?
edit.
Diana Krall sounds really sweat on tubes.

 

[Old Guy8]

Glad to hear you enjoying your new amp. I can't believe the cost of the tube your using, more than I've given for either of my amps.
I'm an old fart my self and have suffered from tinnitus since 2000 was getting to point couldn't listen very long. After getting the Maggie
9301 I now listen for hours and believe hearing is improving. HUH what?
edit.
Diana Krall sounds really sweat on tubes.

I read the old Western Electric 300b tubes are reallllllllly pricey. That's a drawback to 300b amps, cost of tubes if you want to upgrade.
My tinnitus can get a little worse if ears get plugged. Hell getting old.

 

[68db.]

Hell getting old.

Beats the alternative.

 

[Ilikevinyl]

Great looking amp, Todd! Glad to hear your liking the sound! Which cartridges have you used with the new amp?

 

[Old Guy8]

Just the bedroom setup with Denon DP37F TT with ADC cart and Mani.

Useing Canton Karat 200 speakers. 8" three-way, 90db spl at this time.

Eventually will rotate ADS L880 10" three-way speakers @ 89db spl.

 

[Poultrygeist]

Glad it's working for you. If it makes you feel any better all four of my amps have tubes that wiggle in their sockets.

I've found the less expensive Chinese Shuguang DHT tubes to sound better than some of the vintage big bottles.

That's one handsome amp.

 

[Old Guy8]

Glad it's working for you. If it makes you feel any better all four of my amps have tubes that wiggle in their sockets.

I've found the less expensive Chinese Sunguang DHT tubes to sound better than some of the vintage big bottles.

That's one handsome amp.

Thanks Poultry.
I'll keep those tubes in mind. Read there was a fire near thier plant, that effected thier manufacturing. Don't know thier operation status currently. I think was reason my amp instead, was furnished with Psvane 300b tubes.
I think I hear some break-in change over 8 hours use. Or, I'm adapting to the sound.
Once the tubes are set in thier sockets, the cage should keep them from being moved.

If down the road i try rolling 300b tubes, I'll be researching tube reliability feedback from owners. Given what they want for the new production tubes, would be a big decision.

 

[Poultrygeist]

Steve really gushes over this amp.

 

[StepheK]

There are a lot of different 6SN7's to roll and likely will make more difference that the driver tubes.

 

[Old Guy8]

There are a lot of different 6SN7's to roll and likely will make more difference that the driver tubes.

Thanks Stephe.
I was wondering same thing. They can certainty be cheaper way to try to change sound. I dont know the logo on stock 6N8P input tubes and rectifier. It's a five pointed star.


I'm expecting NOS CBS/Hytron 6SN7GTB this week. And might try some reissue Tungsols later.

The A50 is sounding very nice with good recordings. A wide soundstage. But, with poor recordings it can get harsh. Maybe that will improve with input tube changes.

I'm sure Steve Guttenberg has a much better ear and expresses his opinion better than I. For his room and music with his speakers.

 

[Old Guy8]

From manuals:

Model A10 is rated at 6 wpc.
Power consumption rated 78 watts.
Signal to noise ratio: 85 db.

Model A50 is rated at 7.6 wpc.
Power consumption rated 230 watts.
Signal to noise ratio: 89 db.

 

[StepheK]

My 6P1 china amp was sounding "mushy/harsh" with rock and complex music but sounded amazing with jazz/horn music. I swapped out the coupling caps with some fast solen MKP ones (not super fancy, they were only $1.95) and some audio grade cathode bypass caps, and that fixed it.

 

[68db.]

Being new to the tube world when losing rectifier tube and a couple of 6BQ5"s . I bought a quad of Electro-Harmonix El84/6BQ5 on
reviews found on net. They work but sound was disappointing. Found here the descriptions and knowledge to be spot on.

www.audiotubes.com

Maggie sounding sweet again without spending big bucks. May be worth checking out for reference.