Chinese amps
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FlaCharlie
Super Member
Welcome to AK!
Use the search function and you'll find lots of info on Chinese amps. I'd suggest searches for Reisong and Yaqin, not just for those particular models as well as Chinese amps, in general. And don't just search titles since most of the info on these is in threads that don't use the brand or model in the title.
@StepheK has a YouTube channel in which she evaluates some of them and suggests some very important mods. https://www.youtube.com/c/SkunkieDesignsElectronics/videos
Use the search function and you'll find lots of info on Chinese amps. I'd suggest searches for Reisong and Yaqin, not just for those particular models as well as Chinese amps, in general. And don't just search titles since most of the info on these is in threads that don't use the brand or model in the title.
@StepheK has a YouTube channel in which she evaluates some of them and suggests some very important mods. https://www.youtube.com/c/SkunkieDesignsElectronics/videos
Welcome....Willsenton are rated well.
https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/willsenton-tube-amplifier-c-77/
yea seems that ones legit quality.
if you're at all interested in a phono amp, the EAR 834P clone (the good one has a black board, gold traces and a shielded toroidal) straight from peoples republic is very popular. i got one i had been playin non stop til i bought, from an AKed, a custom build usin same PCB...the custom jobs even better, i mean real good
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I have the Yaqin MC84L and it is incredibly good. I was very unimpressed with it when I got it with the stock Chinese tubes (it sounded far worse than the high-end SS amp I was replacing), and I remained unimpressed after a month of burn-in with the stock tubes, but replacing all of the tubes (preamp and power) with "new issue" Mullards (not NOS) made it walk on water. I listen mostly to jazz, haven't really listened to a lot of rock on that system, so I can't really comment on that. But jazz and the clarity of vocals is crazy good. The quality of the construction is also very, very good. I also like that it has 3 input sources and a tube cage -- both are things that many of these smaller amps don't have.
so many of these budget chinese components sound real nice with good tubes. i ordered w/o tubes. waste of time--well, sometimes theres a psvane option. their art series is pretty good.
FlaCharlie
Super Member
Looks like Stephe just posted a video about a Willsenton R8 that was sent to her. She plans to do a complete series on it so all of you who own it, as well as prospective owners, might want to stay tuned.
I had a very simple little Gemstone X-1 EL34 amp several years ago, also as a way to try tubes without a major investment. It was around $250, really great sounding and put out 8wpc. I enjoyed it a lot but moved it later on.
One thing to keep in mind is the ton of heat that tube amps put out. When I see tube amps with eight, ten or more tubes, the first thought I have is how much heat they must crank out into the room. So, for me not a long term solution except in flea-watt form in a desk amp or such, but tube amps really are cool and the ChiFi stuff is pretty great IMO.
For OP, check Youtube for reviews on the Reisong. I remember there were plenty of reviewers who really liked one of the Reisong models.
One thing to keep in mind is the ton of heat that tube amps put out. When I see tube amps with eight, ten or more tubes, the first thought I have is how much heat they must crank out into the room. So, for me not a long term solution except in flea-watt form in a desk amp or such, but tube amps really are cool and the ChiFi stuff is pretty great IMO.
For OP, check Youtube for reviews on the Reisong. I remember there were plenty of reviewers who really liked one of the Reisong models.
Jon S
Super Member
Another vote for the Willsenton R8. I ordered directly from China-Hifi-Audio.com. The price was a tad under $1000 plus $330 shipping including Custom fees. You save a couple hundred dollars this way over Amazon. The interesting thing was that the amplifier was shipped from the west coast (I think it was California) from the same address as the Amazon seller so i got the amp in a couple of days. My only regret was that I bought the silver/black unit and now I prefer the all back amps.
If I am not mistaken, when you order from China-Hifi-Audio,com, you can actually specify the tubes you want over the stock Willsenton tubes which are pretty mediocre at best (you can only specify the Chinese tubes that they stock, no Mullards, Tung-Sols etc). It appears the Psvane KT88-T MKII and CV181-T MKII tubes are the ones to get. If you really want a warmer tone, opt for EL34-tubes over the KT88s which are not as smooth. But if you do opt for optional tubes, the amp may be shipped directly from China.
The Willsentons are really well made. The 25-watts is more than enough to drive most speakers other than Magnepans which are only rated at 84db/watt (it will drive them but not too loud levels). There are several videos on YouTube about the R8 and everyone raves about the sound and value.
If I am not mistaken, when you order from China-Hifi-Audio,com, you can actually specify the tubes you want over the stock Willsenton tubes which are pretty mediocre at best (you can only specify the Chinese tubes that they stock, no Mullards, Tung-Sols etc). It appears the Psvane KT88-T MKII and CV181-T MKII tubes are the ones to get. If you really want a warmer tone, opt for EL34-tubes over the KT88s which are not as smooth. But if you do opt for optional tubes, the amp may be shipped directly from China.
The Willsentons are really well made. The 25-watts is more than enough to drive most speakers other than Magnepans which are only rated at 84db/watt (it will drive them but not too loud levels). There are several videos on YouTube about the R8 and everyone raves about the sound and value.
yoder
Active Member
I don't have experience with those brands, but one of my best amps was a point to point wired chinese KT-88 integrated built like a tank from Grant Fidelity. Like everything you have to check out company and designs, but I'm pro there is good Chi-Fi out there.
There are risks/ downsides, but another way to go for low initial cost could be vintage. I was surprised by suggestions for Fisher amps and then ended up getting a great condition receiver/integrated that is ideal for classic rock, or at least design optimized to play it well at the time. For me $600 was one of the best values I've been able to find competing well versus more expensive, newer gear. Phono pre is impressive, tone controls can potentially cause problems, but are nice for older recordings, bass boost good for low level listening, fm tuner sounds great, and it just sounds very good period. Just an alternative thought.
There are risks/ downsides, but another way to go for low initial cost could be vintage. I was surprised by suggestions for Fisher amps and then ended up getting a great condition receiver/integrated that is ideal for classic rock, or at least design optimized to play it well at the time. For me $600 was one of the best values I've been able to find competing well versus more expensive, newer gear. Phono pre is impressive, tone controls can potentially cause problems, but are nice for older recordings, bass boost good for low level listening, fm tuner sounds great, and it just sounds very good period. Just an alternative thought.
Jon S
Super Member
I know what you mean. My father had some really good Fisher tube equipment, pre-amp and power amp driving a pair of JBL speakers. He really tried taking care of them but we lived along a beach and everything just rusted out from the salt air, I mean everything, TVs, washing machines, dryers, cars.
Isn't this like saying I want to go into auto racing, but I'll buy a Yugo first, to see if I like it? 
You'll be miles ahead with a vintage Western amp featuring vintage transformers. If the best there is doesn't impress you, you should be able to recover all or more than you paid.
Jack
You'll be miles ahead with a vintage Western amp featuring vintage transformers. If the best there is doesn't impress you, you should be able to recover all or more than you paid.Jack
nope.
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RGA
Super Member
Another option would be to try an ANKit EL84 amplifier $1100. IME EL84 sounds better than EL34 or KT88 - often much much better. ANKits use better parts than what you will find in Chinese made products at considerably more money.
Some other advantages is that all of these amps require no bias adjustments - they are all auto-bias.
Moreover, it can be upgraded later if you should desire to go down the superior parts path. Most of their kits were designed by Audio Note UK and shipping in the US is free.
Nothing against the Chinese - I have owned Antique Sound Lab, Audio Space, Line Magnetic, and KingKo but there is more know-how IMO with the quality of transformers from ANKits and AN UK and the parts quality is what matters.
$1100 for an integrated amp with EL84s is an attractive package - EL84s tend to last longer and cost less to replace as well. I believe they will build the amplifier for you for a small up-charge if you're not handy. Lord knows I'm not. If you are handy - you can learn a lot with a kit as well and will be able to upgrade it down the road for yourself. You tend to get much better gear as a DIYer because you're supplying the labour.
https://ankaudiokits.com/product/el84-l1-v2-integrated-amplifier/
Some other advantages is that all of these amps require no bias adjustments - they are all auto-bias.
Moreover, it can be upgraded later if you should desire to go down the superior parts path. Most of their kits were designed by Audio Note UK and shipping in the US is free.
Nothing against the Chinese - I have owned Antique Sound Lab, Audio Space, Line Magnetic, and KingKo but there is more know-how IMO with the quality of transformers from ANKits and AN UK and the parts quality is what matters.
$1100 for an integrated amp with EL84s is an attractive package - EL84s tend to last longer and cost less to replace as well. I believe they will build the amplifier for you for a small up-charge if you're not handy. Lord knows I'm not. If you are handy - you can learn a lot with a kit as well and will be able to upgrade it down the road for yourself. You tend to get much better gear as a DIYer because you're supplying the labour.
https://ankaudiokits.com/product/el84-l1-v2-integrated-amplifier/
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Carl Xu
New Member
This 6F2 tube amplifier can be a good choice. When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at it's overall appearance and feel. The tubes are already seated in the unit, and the tube protector posts along the side not only protect the tubes, but they are stylish in appearance as well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...ef=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0B4W36C7B
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...ef=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0B4W36C7B
u sure thats a tube amp? i think its a class D with a coupla tubes doin...i dunno what. headphone circuit? their own website claims its class AB, tube and class D. it also claims 50WPC, so, if thats true, not a chance its a tube amp.
e.g., "T3 is equipped with 6F2 tubes to get warmth sound and with class D efficiency. "
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i dont think ive eve heard anything usin el84. hmn.
before work i perused the page and looked at a good bit of their gear. looks fantastic. never heard of it seen it before. and, hoky crap, the output impedances on some of this gear (13ohms for one lf the DACs) is so low im dyin to hear more about that.
theres so much good stuff out there.