@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?
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?