Jumping into tubes
- Thread starter gunpoet
- Start date
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Here's the insides of the Chinese Bada tube hybrid I once owned. The quality and craftmanship of this unit is as good as anything I've seen from the West. I ran mine topless. 
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
Sadly there's no advantage to buying Chinese gear from a US dealer other than keeping the business in this country. You'll pay much more for what amounts to drop shipping. All those rumors about gray market gear were just that and probably perpetuated by US dealers to justify their huge markup.
Chinese gear is rugged over built and so reliable these days that a warranty is an afterthought. But unless you live close to the US seller the price of shipping a 40 lb amp back for repairs is a deal breaker. You're pretty much on your own either way.
Chinese gear is rugged over built and so reliable these days that a warranty is an afterthought. But unless you live close to the US seller the price of shipping a 40 lb amp back for repairs is a deal breaker. You're pretty much on your own either way.
zandru
"Hard At Play"
Dear Poulytryghost,
Within the Chinese Bada; the pure essence of "Tube Audio Character" is
lost in that myriad of excessive parts that comprise this hybrid monstrosity.
Attachments
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
zandru,
You are so correct and that's why I sold it. Good power but SS sound.
This is a review on the Sophia Electric which is the same amp as you'd find on many Chinese ebay sites but for hundreds less. Here it's compared to a ST70.
http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/sophia_baby_e.html
goldleaf
Super Member
Funny you mention the Sophia. I picked up 2 used Sophia output transformers (91's) to build an amp in the future because I thought there are too many parts in their design plus it is cost prohibitive for me. Nice iron though if you can find it. I may be tempted to get their mesh 300B's at some point but I am not convinced of their superiority v. cost yet. I feel 300b's are overpriced at the moment and may have to wait for the fad-status to calm down.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
gunpoet,
An amp you could build a great system around for many years to come would be the Music Angel XDSE 845. This puppy at 20 watts will give surprising headroom. It's listed at $500 plus $208 shipping. I'd bet you can get it for $350 plus shipping with the "make offer" button. This would be an upgrade to the Yaqin.
The Music Angel 6p1 on ebay for $200 looks the same as the Sophia Electric Baby.
An amp you could build a great system around for many years to come would be the Music Angel XDSE 845. This puppy at 20 watts will give surprising headroom. It's listed at $500 plus $208 shipping. I'd bet you can get it for $350 plus shipping with the "make offer" button. This would be an upgrade to the Yaqin.
The Music Angel 6p1 on ebay for $200 looks the same as the Sophia Electric Baby.
cogitech
Full Ranger
The deal to beat right now is the Psvane TS-66 from Grant Fidelity.
25 watts per channel EL34 push-pull, loaded with very good starter tubes. (4 x Psvane Hi-Fi Series 6CA7 (EL40), 2x generic 12AX7, 2x generic 12AU7)
Regular price, $750. Sale price $400 including shipping.
It has $140 worth of tubes in it when it arrives, which means you are getting the amp for $260. It is an insanely good deal!
I bough the Shuguang I-25 (basically the same amp, but sold out) and it is incredible. 25 tube watts drives my 88dB speakers way better than my 50 watt SS amp ever did.
These amps sound incredible and the build quality is unreal.
25 watts per channel EL34 push-pull, loaded with very good starter tubes. (4 x Psvane Hi-Fi Series 6CA7 (EL40), 2x generic 12AX7, 2x generic 12AU7)
Regular price, $750. Sale price $400 including shipping.
It has $140 worth of tubes in it when it arrives, which means you are getting the amp for $260. It is an insanely good deal!
I bough the Shuguang I-25 (basically the same amp, but sold out) and it is incredible. 25 tube watts drives my 88dB speakers way better than my 50 watt SS amp ever did.
These amps sound incredible and the build quality is unreal.
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forgotteng
Member
Agree with cogitech. I just got my Psvane TS66 from Grant Fidelity today. It was drop shipped from China. I love it. It sounds great and seams to be built solid. I'm glad I pulled the trigger.
Shadowdog
Super Member
I don't think that's a fair comparison of the Sophia EL84 PP amp to an old in need of recapping Dynaco ST-70 as it's hard to find a bad sounding EL84 PP amp. What's under the covers as the output transformers are what are important for the sonics?
I have seen a number of people with problems (getting parts & circuit boards) with that brand you mentioned in diyaudio over the last 4 yrs. How long do you keep an amp till you get another?
If you compared it to a Dynaco ST-35 that would be fairer as it's supposed to sound better than an ST-70.
With all the upgrades out there (boards & PS) due to decent Output Transformers the ST-70 can really shine.
If other Chinese amps can be had for much less, the ST-35 clones (Triode Electronics or Dynakitparts) shine in that department due to the proven Output Transformers 20-20KHZ @ a full 17W/CH with the EFB mod for fixed bias. Easy parts and service and the use of presently produced plentiful driver tubes. Read the recent threads on this form about them.
I know where you can get an unopened Bob Latino ST-120 kit if you are interested for a bit of a savings. That would give lots of headroom and the ability to run just about any speaker out there.
Randy
I have seen a number of people with problems (getting parts & circuit boards) with that brand you mentioned in diyaudio over the last 4 yrs. How long do you keep an amp till you get another?
If you compared it to a Dynaco ST-35 that would be fairer as it's supposed to sound better than an ST-70.
With all the upgrades out there (boards & PS) due to decent Output Transformers the ST-70 can really shine.
If other Chinese amps can be had for much less, the ST-35 clones (Triode Electronics or Dynakitparts) shine in that department due to the proven Output Transformers 20-20KHZ @ a full 17W/CH with the EFB mod for fixed bias. Easy parts and service and the use of presently produced plentiful driver tubes. Read the recent threads on this form about them.
I know where you can get an unopened Bob Latino ST-120 kit if you are interested for a bit of a savings. That would give lots of headroom and the ability to run just about any speaker out there.
Randy
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goldleaf
Super Member
Zandru, you have been hiding in Florida too long. The Asian manufacturers infiltrated us in November 1978 right after Deng Xiaoping opened the bamboo wall after meetings with Lee Kuan Yew. That was just the latest, after Taiwan, Japan, et al. We are no longer the only game in town, and haven't been for decades.
cogitech
Full Ranger
I am a Canuck in love with his new amp. Simple as that. I do not have any affiliation to Grant Fidelity or any of the products they sell and I do not have any other motive other than to encourage people to take advantage of what I feel is an insane deal on a great amp.
If you would like to verify that I am a legitimate buyer of this amp, you can check out my membership history and interactions over at DIYaudio.com under the same handle.
I could take photos of my amp and my setup if you like.
Anyway, these amps are regular $750, on sale for $400 because Grant Fidelity is liquidating all their "heavy" stock (amps mostly) due to the fact that Ian Grant has been diagnosed with (spine, lung, liver) cancer and his doctor has ordered him to stop lifting the heavy sh!t.
So, when you buy one of these heavily discounted amps you are also helping this guy pay for his cancer treatment.
Asian ploy? I think not.
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I will check it out! I've been looking at several sites and the Music Angels are right at what I'm looking for. The Yaqin MS20l is at a good price right now as well and I really like the looks of it as well.
I'd love to see photos!!! Absolutely and I don't have any doubts as to who you may be. I'm trusting, hahaha.
This would be a definite top choice if they have any left when I am able to buy. It is only 2 weeks at most 3 away (Taxes, or as I like to say.. My interest free loan to the government) I am finding some great deals the more I l search.
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
The Psvane TS-66 looks similar to a Meixing Ming Da EL34 which is a very good amp. Re-badged amps are the norm in the far east shell game. That's a great price.
"How long do you keep an amp till you get another?"
Since I discovered SET amps I no longer suffer from upgrade-itis.
"How long do you keep an amp till you get another?"
Since I discovered SET amps I no longer suffer from upgrade-itis.
I Have several Amps in my house that are "retired" at the moment. None are tube. I am fairly new to the hobby. I need to update my pics and my set up listings as I have changed and upgraded every unit in the house. I have 4 set up at the moment and running. This will be my first tube set up and want something that will last a while it may be 3 to 5 years before I upgrade unless something comes along. I would like to try a kit at some point but really am apprehensive at the moment due to my limited knowledge.