China built tube amps


Well I had an interesting conversation today. I contacted a large dealer and let him know I would like to buy a certain integrated tube amplifier that is made in China. I was told he wouldn't sell me one. He said they are all junk.  Prima Luna, Line Magnetic, Cayin, etc, etc, he said forget it. If you want a tube amplifier buy an American or European built unit that can be serviced.

So, I am new to valve amplifiers and I want to try one to understand what they're all about and sort of get my feet wet with tube rolling etc. I don't want to spend a lot of money at first which is why I was looking at Chinese built integrateds. So my question is, without getting into any particular brand other than what I have already mentioned, what is your experience with Chinese built tube amps? As a whole are they reliable? Am I wasting my money if I buy one according to this dealer? I have to admit I was rather taken aback by how adamant he was. Thoughts anyone?

128x128falconquest

@falconquest

So you are saying this dealer caries the particular line of ‘built in China’ amplifier in their portfolio but wouldn’t sell one to you ! Odd …

Addendum , I have just read your response to a similar query on the mirror thread which sheds more light on the matter.

 

 

@chorus 

 

A friend of mine has hear the Audio Research I-50. He says it sound fantastic, much like the ARC VSI 75… only cheaper. I love the sound of the VSI 75, if I needed an integrated in this price range, I would be buying one. $5K.

@ghdprentice 

Yup, an amazing sounding piece of kit for the price … Less sure about the styling however that is secondary to the fidelity for and all in one for $5K 

Tunes4HIFI can get you there for less, but upgrading the components can make Roy's gear really sing. Stay with 6SN7'S, Toroidy transformers for amp outputs, a KT88 design, meaning that the circuit can't just accept KT88's but is powerful enough to fully drive them, and uses Miflex copper foil caps as coupling capacitors. Don Sachs would be better, but he is in semi-retirement and may take longer to make them than you may like. Roy knows Don's upgrades, and would be faster.