Tube Noob asking for some help

[sthomas048]

Hello,

Just joined this forum and i love the community here, very helpful and informative. Im from South Wales, UK. Im looking for some kind help from you regarding valve amps especially Chinese ones. From reading through this forum it seems the most popular are -

Yaqin 10L, 300B.
Audioromy FU13.

There's a new model ive seen listed on Ebay the

YAQIN King 2A3 MS-2A3

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YAQIN-King-2A...ash=item3ca55c7e87&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

I must admit im most taken with the Yaqin 300B.

Well what im after is some advice on the best Chinese valve amp to choose from a Newbie point of view, an amp that's easy to maintain and use, an amp that you can change tubes easily. I listen to a very wide variety of music - pop, rock, jazz, classic and indie. Ive noticed how the Yaqin 10L is 52w, the 300B is only 9.5w and the Audioromy FU13 is 30w - my speakers are pretty average AVI Neutrons so i need an amp has the watts to power them. Who are the best Ebay stores to deal with ? It seems Tubestein is pretty solid.

Im hoping there are some Chinese Valve fans out there who can help !

Thanks.
Stephen

 

[becketma]

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1996_articles/may96/av1neutron.html

Used in the nearfield, the imaging and detail delivered by these speakers is beyond reproach, and there's no shortage of level either, providing you have at least 50 watts per channel to play with -- the quoted efficiency is 83dB for 1 watt at 1 metre.

I'm playing around with 14 watts, and integrated PP EL84s, into 89db 8 ohm speakers in a small area, my kitchen. Its just about right wattage for the speakers and the space.

Best from Tucson
Bob

 

[sthomas048]

Sorry my Neutrons are version 5, rate about 87.5db

 

[stoutblock]

I like the Primaluna amps. I've had both the prologue 5 stereo and prologue 7 monoblocks. They both sound exceptional with my 91db soliloquys.

I'm not a fan of integrated amps (with few exceptions), but prologue 1 and 2 are both integrated. I find the preamp is critical to making these amps sound good.

http://www.primaluna-usa.com/

 

[sthomas048]

Nice kit but unfortuntely i live in the UK, so i dont think they ship ?

 

[rooster18]

I would think it would be easy to pick up some old Leak gear back in the UK. That was always nice stuff.

rooster.

 

[sthomas048]

Leak is indeed one of the finest brands associated with valve amplifiers, no doubt. Prices range from £800 upwards unfortunately so its well out of my budget. In the UK there isnt a great deal of choice for lower priced valve amps. There's the Icon Audio Stereo 25 and the Pure Sound A10. This is why im interested in Chinese based amps.

Stephen.

 

[south43]

I'm new to the AK site as well and bid you a warm welcome. I use a BEZ Q3b tube pre. It uses two 6922 one 5z4 and one 0d3 tube(s). Also balanced and rca outs. Responds well to tube rolling. Brought this used but in great condition. Don't know if they ship to the UK. Good hunting.