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?

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Just to be accurate for searchingfor......The Carver Crimson (it also comes in black) 275 has a very high tech board.  The Carver Crimson (also avail in black) 350 is 100% hand-wired and wound in the USA and also almost $7000 more than the 275s. I have the 350s in my main system as some of you know but I also have a pair of PrimaLuna Prologue 6 monoblocks (Chinese built) in my 2nd system.  Now the Sixes are not the 350s re power, sound, etc but they are hand-wired and their quality is excellent.  They are also self biasing so it's fun to roll tubes with them.  As a side note they sound very good with KT88s but really open up in the mid-range with EL34s.  I hate to say it but IM unprofessional O the build quality is very close to my 350s. The sound quality is also very very good driving my MB Quart Veras, (vented speaker), or Epicure 3.0 pyramids which is a sealed speaker..  I don't believe they can drive under 2ohms very easily but very few speakers need that.

What?   You mean that there are still amps NOT built in China?

 

Seriously, a lot of very good circuits are now in the public domain and it's many of those circuits that the Chinese use.  The Shure M65 phono preamp is excellent and will run you about $500 or so on EBay.  But you can get a Chinese clone for about $150 fully assembled and less if you're willing to build a kit.  Tubes make a HUGE difference in sound, so if you get a cheap Chinese tube amp, plan on trying other tubes.

I also 1  million % heartily agree w/gkr7007 if your going to buy an amp start with Carvers Crimson (or black) 275. for $2750. 5 yrs on everything they pay to ship it back if repairs are needed (almost never) made in USA, plays well above its power rating, tubes stay well below most others heat radiation, you can put your hand on them.  It's a no brain er. No reputable Carver dealer lowers the $2750 price btw,so don't waste time looking, it's an agreement with Bob, everyone sells at the same price