Shuguang vs. Yaqin

[cubdog]

I'm considering a new tube integrated specifically the Shuguang Classic S8MK or the Yaqin MC-30L. The Shuguang would cost me around $75 to $100 more than the Yaqin.
The Shuguang is a KT 88 integrated, 2 x 50 wpc, ultralinear with point to point wiring. A remote is included.
The Yaqin is an EL34 integrated that puts out 50wpc in ultralinear and 25 wpc in triode. It also comes with a remote and gets bonus points for the headphone jack.
Since I can't hear either unit I have to go by cost, features looks and build quality. Since the cost is close and I like the way both amps look it comes down to build quality and what you guys think of these two. Hopefully someone has heard one or both of them. Thanks for the help.

cubdog

 

[peterh]

Schematics, spare-parts ( are there any unique or hard-to-get parts), do they have the needed inputs&outputs, how do they sound ( ought be the only question imho) , and finally price ( but for an audiophile price is only relevant if one cannot afford it)
Another question might be "are there any amps that fits" in my neighborhood, this will make any guarantee issues easier to resolve, and deliver time.
But first of all comes "how does it sound with my speakers?". If that cannot be answered then it's all a guesswork.

A humble question : what's wrong with us-made amps ?

 

[Hyfi]

A humble question : what's wrong with us-made amps ?

I am guessing the price. Can you point to any USA made units with Remote and Headphone jack for under $700?

 

[peterh]

I am guessing the price. Can you point to any USA made units with Remote and Headphone jack for under $700?

I do not consider price an issue when purchasing an amp, i would put a good sound as first priority. If price is the most important i'd visit nearest radioshop and get something cheap.
Neither do i count headphone jacks or remote as anything important, i still have to walk to by gear and turn the record over.

We seem to have different priorities so there is no use trying to argue.

 

[Hyfi]

I do not consider price an issue when purchasing an amp, i would put a good sound as first priority. If price is the most important i'd visit nearest radioshop and get something cheap.
Neither do i count headphone jacks or remote as anything important, i still have to walk to by gear and turn the record over.

We seem to have different priorities so there is no use trying to argue.

No, please don't get me wrong. It was a guess on my part of the OP, not how I would be shopping. It seemed he was looking at a certain price point and the 2 he noted intrigued him.

I just thought that when you asked why he was not interested in something made in the US, that you could point him to something comparable.

In no way was I looking for an argument.

 

[skynyrd77]

I'm really digging my jolida 502crc I got a month or so ago.

 

[cubdog]

Schematics, spare-parts ( are there any unique or hard-to-get parts), do they have the needed inputs&outputs, how do they sound ( ought be the only question imho) , and finally price ( but for an audiophile price is only relevant if one cannot afford it)
Another question might be "are there any amps that fits" in my neighborhood, this will make any guarantee issues easier to resolve, and deliver time.
But first of all comes "how does it sound with my speakers?". If that cannot be answered then it's all a guesswork.

A humble question : what's wrong with us-made amps ?

Thanks for your response but did you read my post? I wasn't asking for advice. I ask if anyone had heard these two particular amps and for their opinions on them. There is nothing wrong with US made amps. Why do you ask?

cubdog

 

[cubdog]

I do not consider price an issue when purchasing an amp, i would put a good sound as first priority. If price is the most important i'd visit nearest radioshop and get something cheap.
Neither do i count headphone jacks or remote as anything important, i still have to walk to by gear and turn the record over.

We seem to have different priorities so there is no use trying to argue.

I do consider price important. I also take headphone jacks into account since I enjoy headphones. Your radioshop comment is insulting at best. Thanks again.

cubdog

 

[Hyfi]

I do consider price important. I also take headphone jacks into account since I enjoy headphones. Your radioshop comment is insulting at best. Thanks again.

cubdog

Interesting in how price is no object yet all his amps are homebuilt or antiques...ahem...Vintage. I don't see a high cost amp in his list.

Sorry Cubdog, I wish I could help more as I have been interested in several of these lower cost units. The Chinese amps I have heard and liked were JAS Bravo and Raysonic, in different tube configs for each liking.

 

[peterh]

Interesting in how price is no object yet all his amps are homebuilt or antiques...ahem...Vintage. I don't see a high cost amp in his list.

Sorry Cubdog, I wish I could help more as I have been interested in several of these lower cost units. The Chinese amps I have heard and liked were JAS Bravo and Raysonic, in different tube configs for each liking.

Is audio research D-76 considered "cheap" ( as i bought it in 1980's) ?
Braun was topline ( i worked for them thus i used braun's) and really expensive. However the current vta-70 seems to be the best sound so far, and that is not very expensive.

Also, price has less influence on sound then most folks think. The ability to "solder" and modify is more important for "best sound" and "match to speakers"

But when price decides you get what you deserve !

 

[Hyfi]

I do not consider price an issue when purchasing an amp, i would put a good sound as first priority.

Also, price has less influence on sound then most folks think.

That is correct and why some of these lower cost units sound pretty good. So you have flip flopped on your stance.

Also, I never used the word Cheap. And sorry, I did miss the AR item in your sig.

 

[peterh]

That is correct and why some of these lower cost units sound pretty good. So you have flip flopped on your stance.

Also, I never used the word Cheap. And sorry, I did miss the AR item in your sig.

No a have not "flipped my stance" I still claim that price is not my priority.
Sound is, and that means "sound on my speakers". Hard to figure out unless you actually have the amp at home. That's whi it's more importent to actually hear it then try to create som kind of "RFP".

Now which one of those chinese vendors will loan an amp for test ?
In other words, which one has local support of any value ?

 

[StevenZ]

Though I haven't heard either, something tells me that the Shuguang Classic S8MK will be the better of the two. I have a feeling that a company who builds tubes surely wouldn't build a bad amp/circuit for their tubes to be played in.

-Steven

 

[Hyfi]

No a have not "flipped my stance" I still claim that price is not my priority.
Sound is, and that means "sound on my speakers". Hard to figure out unless you actually have the amp at home. That's whi it's more importent to actually hear it then try to create som kind of "RFP".

Now which one of those chinese vendors will loan an amp for test ?
In other words, which one has local support of any value ?

One of them is sold by Grant Fidelity and I know people who have posted about loaners and demo units.

The two brands I mentioned are available at a local shop near me.

 

[peterh]

One of them is sold by Grant Fidelity and I know people who have posted about loaners and demo units.

The two brands I mentioned are available at a local shop near me.

good, then you are closer to an evaluation of their sound.

 

[cubdog]

Though I haven't heard either, something tells me that the Shuguang Classic S8MK will be the better of the two. I have a feeling that a company who builds tubes surely wouldn't build a bad amp/circuit for their tubes to be played in.

-Steven

That's the one I'm leaning toward. Its' wiring, to my untrained eye, looks well laid out.

 

[StevenZ]

That's what I noticed, too. Looks like you can easily hot rod it if you wanted to. For another $100 the Shuguang S300I looks pretty darn good, too.

 

[cubdog]

That's what I noticed, too. Looks like you can easily hot rod it if you wanted to. For another $100 the Shuguang S300I looks pretty darn good, too.

I think I would enjoy the extra power of the S8MK. It would allow me to drive a greater selection of speakers. I've been known to change speakers like some people change underwear. Well, I think about changing speakers that often.

cubdog

 

[poconoman]

I think I would enjoy the extra power of the S8MK. It would allow me to drive a greater selection of speakers. I've been known to change speakers like some people change underwear. Well, I think about changing speakers that often.

cubdog

I have a Yaqin MC 10L and it's a HEAVY MF. It sounds really good and the trannys are BIG. I got it from the bay from seller tabnaac. He tests all the amps and tubes. Great warranty to boot. So, I don't have that particular yaqin, but the sound and build quality is top notch.

 

[villock]

I just bought the MC-30L with the blue glass tube upgrade on the gon. This thing is a beast and is driving my Polk SDA 2.3tls with plenty of power to spare. Absolutely love it