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YAQIN MS-500B

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Dario

New Member
Hello everybody !!!
I am evaluating the purchase of Yaqin MS-500b integrated amplifier, but I did not find any tests and parameters measurements in the Web.
I know that it si derived from 300B and 300C models, but somebody can give me some feedbacks about this amplifier ?
I will match with high sensitivity loudspeakers (104 dB).
Thanks in advance for your attention
Dario
 
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I'll bet your speakers aren't 104dB over the first two octaves. And that's also where the larger SETs typically fall off due to the limitations of gapped transformers. My advice to anyone looking at a 300B amplifier is to carefully consider the types of music you listen to and the size of the listening environment.

From Amazon:
YAQIN MS 500B Specifications:
Output Power: 8.5W + 8.5W (4Ω or 8Ω)
Distortion: (8Ω time) ≤1.5% (1KHz)
Frequency response: 5Hz-40KHz (-2db)

Don't be fooled by this; no way can these amps produce 8.5W/ch at 5Hz, or even at 20Hz for that matter. The output transformers would need to be the size of cinder blocks.

Jack
 
I own and use a Yaqin MS300C every day for 7 years now. I think it is a very good amplifier for the price. And I have no plans to replace it.

I can't comment on the low frequency response of the amplifier. I will say that unless you listen to music like the 1812 overture response below 32-40hz is immaterial.

I use the MS300C as the high frequency amplifier (> 1khz) in a bi-amp setup. I use an EL34 push pull amp for the low frequency amplifier. I have a sealed box with port for the low frequency speaker. I haven't found an SE amp that controls the woofers as well as a push pull amp.

You may find that with high sensitivity speakers it is acceptable.

What speakers do you use?

Steve
 
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Thanks for all he answers !
@Steve
Currently I am using a SE Class A based on KT77 connected with Klpsch La Scala. I have good result but I have to equalize the bass through IFI I-Tube 2.
I am considering a SE Amp based on 300b because I am a curious guy ....
I evaluated different solution like ELEKIIT TU-8900 but I read that the sound is more SS than tubey.
Moreover Elekit is nice but I would like to investigate 3 stages solution like Yaqin MS-500B. This amp has a long history because at certain point it was made a Canadian version by Grantfidelity having EL34 like driver and higher power and the same model was produced in EU by DestinY Audio.
But it is strange that there is no complete review with parameters measurements in the Web. I noticed that, generally speaking, Chinese amps have a level of channel imbalance about 1 - 2 dB and residual noise about 1 - 1,5 mV. Perhpas this should be a problem for high sensitivity speakers. My current SE has 0.5 dB unbalance and 0.5 mV !
Which is your experience about those topics ?
best regards
 
That is IMO an exceedingly poor combination of components for hi-fi. The La Scala rolls off quickly beginning around 60 Hz. The Yaqin will lose dynamic range over those same frequencies, meaning it lacks the headroom necessary to equalize overall response. And this says nothing about the insertion of additional processing ahead of an amplifier type that purportedly shines due to its single ended simplicity. I can tell you from personal experience that even the Klipsch Cornwall lacks sufficient bass response to reproduce most music properly without a subwoofer. Much as I would hate to split the signal path, if I was forced to use a pair of La Scalas, that's the direction I would go. The lower octaves simply need additional power to overcome the La Scala's limitations, and there's no substitute for this that won't compromise the system.

KLIPSCH LA SCALA (response measurement by Stereophile)
Screen Shot 2024-11-28 at 9.08.22 AM.png
Jack
 
My first SE tube amp was the older MS-300B, and to be honest sounded great....
Bought it used (very used!) to compare to a PP yaqin and the SE sound was by far much more enjoyable to me.
Much more open, much warmer.. even if less powerful...
Some people knock yagin, my opinion is for the price you get quite a lot.
Is it gonna beat an amp at x2 or x3 the price, no. Will you feel like you wasted your money, I doubt it.
If your looking for your "end game" system, Im unsure if this is the one. Probably not.
If your looking to really enjoy a system for a few years (may be more) and the sub 2k price is an easy enough purchase wallet wise Id say go for it.
The one thing to be aware of is the cost of 300B tubes...
If you plan on tube rolling, you could very easily have a bunch of pairs that equal or exceed the entire cost of the amp...
Im guessing your speakers are plenty sensitive for a normal room.

Good luck with your decision, please let us know how you make out!
 
Cornwalls with 300B is not an unusual combination, and it seems that plenty of people enjoy it for listening to music as opposed to looking at test results.

I'm a little confused why the OP is so concerned with the specs. It is unlikely to show exceptional specs (just like the Cornwalls as described above) and the specs are unlikely to mean much in terms of the sound, say, comparing to the specs of another SET. It may satisfy you for the music you listen to and at your budget, but a higher quality 300B amp will cost you somewhat more. Either be satisfied with what you get at that price point for a 300B amp or shift your expectations to a different price point. The other 300B options at that price are going to be a similar situation, specs will be similarly meaningless, to have a preference you would have to listen.
 
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Selmerdave said:
Cornwalls with 300B is not an unusual combination, and it seems that plenty of people enjoy it for listening to music as opposed to looking at test results.
Click to expand...
I don't need to look at test results to hear the restricted bass response of Cornwalls. They represent a significant compromise between the inherently high output of the horns and the much lower sensitivity of the bass section. That's the only way Klipsch can advertise those numbers. Probably OK for jazz, but everything else suffers. And FWIW, my opinion is based on multiple pairs auditioned in dealer showrooms going back to the '70s (well before I ever saw a response chart) and two pairs of Cornwalls I've owned. It's not coincidence that the last pair I bought (used) came from a gentleman who was using them with a sub, or that many others also find that to be necessary.

Jack
 
I would like to thank you for your precious advises.
Summarizing, since I am quite satisfied of my current setup and the idea to buy Yaqin MS-500B was only due to my curiosity to test the "famous 300b sound" I can wait and for sure check in the future the tube amp features through a direct listening of possible alternative solutions.
Great music listening for everybody !!!
Dario
 
I am driving a pair of ESS AMTs with the Yaqin. They are 98+db efficient and a nearly flat impedance curve and frequency response above 1khz.

I went on a search for an amp to use with the AMTs. I tried 6V6s (SE triode, pentode and schade versions as well as PP), 6L6 PSE and PP, EL84 and EL34 SE and PP, KT88 PP triode and UL. I favored the EL34 SE in that line up and was using it when I bought the Yaqin.

When I tried the Yaqin it was a match made for these speakers. I liked it so much I did not even both to test it for distortion or frequency response. And I have been using it ever since.

A friend had Klipschorns and drove them with a low power tube amp. They sounded marvelous. I don't recall any specifics about the amp.

I have a pair of Klipsch KG2.5s that I used in my office. This is nowhere near the La Scala speaker. I tried them with the Yaqin and it was good match.

Steve
 
A
Dario said:
Hello everybody !!!
I am evaluating the purchase of Yaqin MS-500b integrated amplifier, but I did not find any tests and parameters measurements in the Web.
I know that it si derived from 300B and 300C models, but somebody can give me some feedbacks about this amplifier ?
I will match with high sensitivity loudspeakers (104 dB).
Thanks in advance for your attention
Dario
Click to expand...
lot of people here talk from their specs sheet knowledge and no actual long term experience with them.

It's called an entitled opinion vs an actual informed one.

Try it out, they are really good amps actually.
And I have no regrets owning a yaqin at all. Going in it with the information I read of it being "mediocre"

I don't share any of those "opinionated" thoughts. Worst case you can send it back for a full refund and move on. Trying yourself is just key to this hobby, don't hinge on others to tell what you should and shouldn't try. You're limiting yourself to their choices.

That's IMHO the wrong way of doing this thing we do.
 
I'm pretty fond of my system which uses a SET 300B power amp into Cornwalls. Without getting into the "hear-ability" of 40 Hz let alone 30Hz or 20Hz tones, I can say the Cornwalls do much of what bass frequencies need to do despite their limitations down there. But I will also say they have limitations down there and so, for things like the full movie theatre experience a bit of sub support fixes that problem. I use an ELAC RS500-SB.

But yeah, also.....a SET 300B amp needs to have good transformers to get the job done.
 
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