2. amps-preamps
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Upgrade my Yaqin MC-100b for $2,000 - should I or not?

The scenario:  The Yaqin MC-100b is my first real tube amp.  I'm using it to drive the panels only on a set of Martin Logan SL3.  The woofers are bi-amped on my SS Nakamichi 100WPC old-school amp.

I LOVE THE SOUND TODAY.  I've rolled tubes in the Yaqin and my room sounds wonderful to me.

I listen a couple of evenings each week...so the amp is turned on and off lets say four to five times a week.

If you want all the details on my room/system, here it is:  http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/showthread.php?17931-System-541-(SL3-Logos-Aerius-I)

Please don't give me a bunch of grief about the surround speaker placement...it's not gonna change...and I do have room treatment now.

What I want:  Real feedback about the potential of upgrading my Yaqin to a used Tube Amp.

I'm looking through the ads here and see plenty of options under $2K.  I am not going to spend more...I don't care if there is something at $4k that should be at $20k...I told myself I am ONLY going to spend my credit card rewards...not one dime more as I am pretty dang happy right now.

I feel like the Yaqin is hitting way above it's price tag.  Everyone that listens to my room is blown away.

So...would an Audio Research D-70 be a good option for an upgrade?  What about the Genesis Advanced Technologies M60 Mono's?  PrimaLuna ProLogue 7?  Rogue ST100?  Conrad Johnson LP-66s?

Thank you in advance to anyone that has feedback for me. 

The ML are said to be hard to drive as they have a pretty challenging impedance curve at the top end...but the little Yaqin seems to be doing fine.

-TooSlow
tooslowmonroe
freediver
1,158 posts
 
My first tube integrated was a Yaqin & I'm a big fan,no doubt they punch way above their weight class...They use excellent quality Japanese steel in the transformers & play clean.Your going to have to really step up to see a major improvement...
 As for upgrading what is the end game?Better bass,mids,resolution etc...?You say you like the way it sounds..If you don't have a clear end to an upgrade better to sit back & enjoy what you have..
newbee
4,767 posts
 
If you really do love the sound today relax and enjoy it. Audio systems are all about synergy. It is easy to say that there are many integrated amps available which may be constructed better and have potential to sound better than your Yaqin. But the operative word is ’may’. A different one may not sound different and could sound worse. Better to be ’happy’ than frustrated or unhappy.

Out of curiosity, your Yaqin is listed as an integrated yet you are inquiring about Amps. What will you use for a pre-amp? How will it interface with a different amp. I assume the Yaqin has a pre-amp out and you intend to use that but that could only complicate what you are thinking about because you would need to pin down whether or not your ’new’ amp would interface well with the Yaqin pre.

FWIW, unless you are prepare to really get involved with the ’audio’ issues potentially involved there is no way that I would make the change you are contemplating. If you’re just bored you could have a lot of fun exploring the differences you might bring just by changing tubes, small and large.
tooslowmonroe OP
4 posts
 
Awesome.  Thanks for the input.

I guess I was wondering if someone had been down this path already...and could give me insight as to if I would have another one of these WOW moments or not.

As far as the system goes, the Yaqin in mine is just doing duty as an Amp...all processing is done by my Anthem...which I totally love...it seems to hit way outside its class as well.

Looks like I am going to sit tight and just enjoy the system for a while.

Each time I fire it up, I have so much fun.  We're unpacking CDs that have been in boxes for more than eight years...it's great to rediscover our music again...and we have been through almost a whole bottle of record cleaner as we're firing up LPs that have not been played for years.

Thanks again for the input.  I appreciate all that have read and/or commented.

-TooSlow
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