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Jumping into tubes

gunpoet

gunpoet

Chris Hewitt
Subscriber
In the next 3 to 6 weeks I will be purchasing a tube amp and have literally no clue what I am doing or looking for. I like the look of the Yaqins I've seen. I would like at least 40 watts per channel. I will be hooking it up to a pair of optimus T100 cabs that have been modified with advent woofers and infinity tweets as well as a total replacement of the crossovers. The speakers at the terminal are reading 9.8 and 10 ohms. Are there any issues running a higher ohm speaker set up at 8 ohms?? What amps sound good? What ones are good starters that have nice aesthetics? What should I be looking for or considering?? I am willing to go used as well but only from someone on AK The other sites I use simply cause too many problems. I'm looking to spend around $500 a bit more for the right system if I have to. :music:
 
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Lots of good questions. I've been looking for some tube mono blocks or a nice integrated so I'm curious to see what others say.
 
gunpoet said:
The speakers at the terminal are reading 9.8 and 10 ohms. Are there any issues running a higher ohm speaker set up at 8 ohms?? :music:
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Any tube amp with 8 ohm taps should be fine with your speaker. Don't concern yourself too much with the readings you're getting. That's DC resistance at 0 Hz - the speaker's Z impedance while playing will be another story, and that is what matters to the amp.

If your speakers have a nominal impedance higher than 8 ohms, you'll hear a bit of high-end roll off.

40 watts in a tube amp for around $500 means you'll probably have to find a nice used amp.

Check out Barter Town on this site.
 
Thank you for the replies. I'd be willing to spend a bit more if I have to. That said I'm not against going used by any means!
 
It depends on weather you will be tinkering with it,or if you just plan to use it and leave it alone.The dynaco 70 is about right if you want to reconfigure,and swap boards for modifying, it's great,otherwise there are several chinese 40 watt,possibly a vellerman (sp?)but they are (my opinion)less researched as far as modifying,but still sound good.
 
You might consider posting a "WTB" (want to buy) thread in the subscriber section.
 
I am a believer in Yaqin. I have had my mc100b for just over 2 years and love it. Although its only rated at 25 watts in triode mode. I run it through JBL L80t3s just under 1/2 volume and it is sweet with good solid bass delivery. Brought from that dude on ebay in Canada. He imports and QAs before delivery. $750 I believe to my door. Good stuff. Good luck.
 
whell said:
You might consider posting a "WTB" (want to buy) thread in the subscriber section.
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:D
I plan on it after I get a little info and this forum has been great for that! There are so many good threads I've read through today! I love it here!
 
ggrey said:
I am a believer in Yaqin. I have had my mc100b for just over 2 years and love it. Although its only rated at 25 watts in triode mode. I run it through JBL L80t3s just under 1/2 volume and it is sweet with good solid bass delivery. Brought from that dude on ebay in Canada. He imports and QAs before delivery. $750 I believe to my door. Good stuff. Good luck.
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I have been looking at the 1I read about him.00 b as well and I know the seller you are talking about. I've really liked what
 
Off the top of my head; The Yaqin MC-100B is rated to deliver 30 WPC in triode mode and 60 WPC in ultralinear @ 8 ohms.
 
gunpoet said:
Any opinions on the YAQIN MC-13S? I lik the way it looks and the wattage is rated at 40.
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I had the MC-10L for about a year and at it's price point was a great amp. I Think it was the earlier version of the MC-13S you are looking at. About 600 bucks delivered.

Mike
 
Poultrygeist said:
Why 40 watts? That lots of tube power and lots of heat.
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Was thinking for the size room and the speakers I plan to use that anything less than 30 to 40 wouldn't just be enough and for the money I have much more may not be attainable..
 
Poultrygeist said:
Why 40 watts? That lots of tube power and lots of heat.
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Which brings me to another question. I plan on using it for 1 to 3 hours at a time and occasionally for 5 is heat an issue? What are the effects of heat and how long do the tubes last? What are the downfalls of owning a newer tube amp if any?
 
The Advents I recall were fairly efficient. A few years ago I re-foamed a pair of Legacy's which played loud with a 8 watt t-amp. Tube amps have more usable power than ss amps due to there ability to soft clip.

If I were jumping into tubes I think the Music Angel 6AQ5 ( 24 watts ) or the Music Angel EL34 ( 35 watts ) would be a good choice for around $300 shipped from China.

If your speakers were 92 dbs or better I'd suggest the APPJ N3 which is right at $200 or the Musical Paradise MP-301 which is not much more.
 
Poultrygeist said:
The Advents I recall were fairly efficient. A few years ago I re-foamed a pair of Legacy's which played loud with a 8 watt t-amp. Tube amps have more usable power than ss amps due to there ability to soft clip.

If I were jumping into tubes I think the Music Angel 6AQ5 ( 24 watts ) or the Music Angel EL34 ( 35 watts ) would be a good choice for around $300 shipped from China.

If your speakers were 92 dbs or better I'd suggest the APPJ N3 which is right at $200 or the Musical Paradise MP-301 which is not much more.
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The advents were from two sets of Prodigys that Leesonic from here at AK redid for me. They sound great even at low volumes with the configuration they are in. The infinity tweets are the polycells and they sound nice and clear yet not "shrill" even at lower volumes. I don't know the actual sensitivity but am guessing it is up at least 92dbs
 
Just checked out the music angels and they look good as far as ratings looks etc. What kind of sound could I expect from them as far as warmth and high end? Sorry! I'm full of questions!
 
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