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First Tube Amp

I have been listening to a 90's SS amp(200 wpc @ 8ohms) for 25 years and thought I would finally give a tube amp a try.

I ordered a $500-800 chinese push pull(40 wpc) integrated tube amp, with 4 El34 tubes, and  2 12AX7, and 2 12AU7 tubes. 

I figured this would introduce me to the so-called "tube-sound", perhaps an exaggerated version, that I have been reading about on this forum, then after a week of exposure, most likely return it for a full refund and decide if I want to go down the hole further with more prestigious versions.

To my surprise, I am floored by the quality of sound it produces. I wasn't expecting this at all. Initially, I thought it had some distortion of the high frequencies and a bloated low end but after 75 hours of break-in this essentially disappeared. The bass is thunderous, contrary to the limited reviews on the internet. The quiet passages are dead silent. I am hearing very different interpretations of CD's that I have listened to for years(classical) on my SS amp. Particularly when single instruments are played the sound is unbelievably sweet. Pizzicato is more forward. Part of this new experience I owe to the newly acquired speakers, which have opened up a sensitivity to recordings that I have not known to exist - I hear musician movements and breaths in the orchestra at 98.82dB 2.83V@1m .

I am struggling with returning this amp, in the midst of a paradigm shift: chinese junk has become on par with high end, how can it get better than this? What would other types of tube amps of better quality offer? How would other types of tubes("rolling") sound. How would a SET amp sound different(a 300b SET). A PL(also chinese made) with an array of tunes versus some of the boutique models that have half as many tubes?

Thanks for your help.




recluse
johnss
569 posts
 
Recluse, your experience is more common than you think. about 5 years ago was in similar boat. used only high end SS power since I had super inefficient speakers. Sold the speakers, but kept the amps, until one day a friend let me borrow his chinese amp. Like you, was floored at the sound quality I was getting.

That event set me off on a whole series of trials with Chinese tube amp purchases, including a model similar to the EL34 amp you have. With a few exceptions, all of the Chinese tube amps I tried sounded good, some better than others.

But you still have not heard your Yaqin amp yet. Solder in some Jensen copper foil coupling caps to replace the inexpensive caps installed by the factory. You will be floored again at the sonic improvement, especially with speakers as efficient as yours are.

best.
recluse OP
270 posts
 
Thanks for the detailed information and suggestions. I am intrigued by these tube amps, especially the SET - however wondering if I would tolerate it's limitations - as you mentioned with large orchestras.

Many of your descriptions/positive traits of the SET seemed to parallel my impression of the push pull amp: I picked up more low level detail versus the SS amp, single instrument solos seem to stand out better in the symphonies I listened to. The distortion was overly pronounced during break-in and when it was cold - ear-catching to say the least, but finally  leveled out to a pleasing level. I wondering if all of this will be even more pronounced with an SET. I will be looking at  some that have been mentioned over and over again on the forum like CJ, Cary, PL, etc - unfortunately I will have to stay away from items that will need upgrading or soldering and the used market is non-existent where I live. 

Still trying to rationalize the decision to send back the Yaq. Been listening to it biased at 40. I noticed not all three of the cylindrical transformers where equally hot- just the one forward one of the trio. The volume adjuster is a little too sensitive. And there is no phono stage. These issues are minor as I mainly listen to CD's.

Lastly, took the chinese amp off-line and have been listening to a powerful hybrid amp(3-4 times the cost of the Yaq amp)and am not as impressed except for the strong bass, holding up very well, albeit clean and sterile, at at high volumes. It fall short on too many other levels.

Thanks again. If anyone can recommend an SET or 300b amp that works well with DI's or speakers of similar sensitivity - please chime in :-)
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,784 posts
 
My speakers are 98 db 1 watt 1 meter as well and I find 30 watts to be the minimum power to use! My room is about 17' x 21' and moderate liveliness.

If your room is smaller and more lively you might be able to get by with an SET, but if it were me I'd go with an amp with more power. Our M-60s would work nicely on that speaker and perhaps our S-30 as well; if on a bit of a budget I would look at a refurbished Citation 2 from Jim McShane, a Dynaco St-70 or the venerable RM-9 if you can find one.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
@recluse, like so many Chinese amplifiers these days, Yaqin makes fairly good ones.  It's no surprise at all that you have enjoyed it since it arrived.  And it probably has improved since break in.

As so many North American and European entities have shifted production to China, the manufacturers there attained a lot of capability.  In real world terms, tube amplification reached maturity long ago, and many companies can turn out good sounding products.  In fact, a good friend of mine imported Yaqin a while back, and as you and other mentioned, they sound more than decent.  Ultimately, he gave up the line for the same reasons most Chinese companies struggle in this market.

Some mentioned Chinese products having lesser levels when it comes to parts or build.  My experience has shown those things evened out in large measure.  Especially, in the upper-end companies, though Yaqin does not fall into that category.  Instead, what keeps a lot of these products from ultimately rising to the very same level is the Chinese companies include far too many products in their lineups.  Very few if any products see the degree of design and revision / improvement / iteration Western companies put into their products over time.  It's sort of another example of quantity versus quality.

As for your situation, you may find happiness living with this amplifier.  Over the long-term, most audiophiles on sites like this find themselves on a quest to continually improve.  If you fit that mold, you'll move on from the Yaqin at some point, and the question becomes, how close to now does that day arrive for you?
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
@recluse- Not sure why you need to shy away from the used market based on local availability. This site’s classified ads are a global market for high end, mostly very gently used goods. If you stick with long time members with lots of positive feedback, you will be amazed with the quality of the gear and the people here

as far as recommendations go, give us a budget or look at the comments in the forums and virtual systems sections and you will see what others are using with your speakers.
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