Inexpensive Tube Amps

" I want to try one just to see how the sound compares to my Yamaha and Denon solid states."

the nobsound will sonically blow away your solid state gear, if you have very efficient speakers. If not these SE amps will run out of headroom pretty fast.

Also need to remember the Chinese amp manufacturers have come a long way in the last 112 years. I tied some of the earliest Chinese models that did not work right out of the box. Had to redo a few solder connections before they would work.

If you look beyond the SE amps, the music angel amps offer more power and sound really good, even better if you hot rod them with better parts.   

If you are looking for pure value, the best value in Chinese amps are the RFTLYS brand. Its amazing what they offer for 400 bucks.

If you are looking to just try one of these inexpensive amps out, just make sure your speakers are easy to drive before you buy, otherwise you will not be happy.

If you buy the cheap Chinese garbage, make sure your house has good fire insurance.

I have a Line Magnetic integrated amp that is made in China. I also borrowed a SET amp from the same company that really got hot. I think this is a good company, but I would be very concerned about the safety of much cheaper budget amps. There are some companies that have oversight and quality control but they are few and far between in China. I had read a couple of articles about workers swapping parts and the inferior parts goes into an amp, the quality parts gets stolen to be resold later.
You can go super budget, but for anyone offering safety advice, like myself, I would take heed????

Hi will62,

Trying to answer the question you actually asked.  There were a couple of threads on these amps over at Audio Karma.  Here they are:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/nobsound-el34-single-ended-class-a-tube-amplifier.669...

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/aiqin-oldchen-tube-amps.720003/

I have the second amp, the 5-tube Oldchen (Aiqin).  It is single-ended and has point-to-point wiring (rather than a circuit board).  It has a good tube sound and ~10W of power.

That said, I have mostly been listening to TPA3116 and TPA3250-based chip amps lately.  Although the Oldchen sounded better for some types of music, I feel the chip amps sound better overall.  But they are all fun!

I hope this helps a little bit, happy shopping!

 

It’s so easy for people to look down upon audiophiles that are new or have a minimal budget . In the price range you listed , avoid circuit boards . Also get something that uses common tubes that you can keep for a better amp when you move on . Get what you can adford and enjoy the learning experience . Someday when you move up/on, this will be the second system in your office . I had a Yamaha RV-X 1400, 105 wpc x 7. I changed it for an Anrique Aound Labs 30 wpc integrated. Had a really fun time . They were in the same price range and the 30 watt tube amp sounded better . If you can get to the $1k range , build a Bob Latino or buy a Will Vincent . You will love it , especially with upgraded driver tubes . New production power tubes are really quite good . Quicksilver is one of many quality affordable amps too . On the used market $1k will get you something that will have adequate power and decent sound quality . Interconnects , cords and tubes will be useful when you move on . As far as the sub $500 stuff , listen to the advise and don’t be afraid to return a couple . You fill find a synergy that will please you . And remember , like alcohol , drugs and women , tubes are highly addictive . Enjoy my friend , life is too short . Regards , Mike B.