If you haven't already, you'll want to take a look at the Pacific Valve website.
Be sure to read their "AboutUs" page for some things to think about before deciding who to buy from. They also have some good descriptive videos on many of the products they sell.
My one experience with Chinese-made gear has been very positive -- a Paxthon VTA-160 80w/ch 8 x EL34 integrated amplifier. I purchased it (new) from an eBay seller in the USA who seems to be the only one selling it in the USA. I've noticed that what appears to be a nearly identical amp is offered in Germany under the Twinsound name. It is sweet sounding, harmonically rich, and throws a very big image. Although its chassis is not particularly big (10.5 x 17 inches), it weighs 56 pounds, which I take to be an indication of transformer quality and general build quality.
Concerning that particular model, a fellow Audiogoner was nice enough to let me know that he resolved a problem on his unit which caused it to crackle on high volume peaks, by putting a 10K resistor in series with the grids of each of the low-level tubes. I haven't noticed that problem with mine, though, perhaps because I haven't ever driven it significantly past the clipping point.
If you buy directly from a Chinese supplier, make sure of course that what you are getting will work on USA line voltages, or else be prepared to use an ac transformer.
Regards,
-- Al
Be sure to read their "AboutUs" page for some things to think about before deciding who to buy from. They also have some good descriptive videos on many of the products they sell.
My one experience with Chinese-made gear has been very positive -- a Paxthon VTA-160 80w/ch 8 x EL34 integrated amplifier. I purchased it (new) from an eBay seller in the USA who seems to be the only one selling it in the USA. I've noticed that what appears to be a nearly identical amp is offered in Germany under the Twinsound name. It is sweet sounding, harmonically rich, and throws a very big image. Although its chassis is not particularly big (10.5 x 17 inches), it weighs 56 pounds, which I take to be an indication of transformer quality and general build quality.
Concerning that particular model, a fellow Audiogoner was nice enough to let me know that he resolved a problem on his unit which caused it to crackle on high volume peaks, by putting a 10K resistor in series with the grids of each of the low-level tubes. I haven't noticed that problem with mine, though, perhaps because I haven't ever driven it significantly past the clipping point.
If you buy directly from a Chinese supplier, make sure of course that what you are getting will work on USA line voltages, or else be prepared to use an ac transformer.
Regards,
-- Al