Chinese Direct vs Chinese Made Tube Amps

[jaybee]

So as most of you know, I'm on the lookout in a long term fashion, there being no rush, for a tube integrated...

My budget is limited by new house expenses at present so I've been looking at the likes of

PrimaLuna, IconAudio, Puresound, Ariand etc in the second hand market

Of the above, you can buy a very similar version direct from china (ie made by the same factory using a lot of the same components)

IconAudio are MingDa made to spec
Puresound are Bewitch made to spec
Ariand are Yarland made to spec

Has anyone ordered direct? ie cattylink or some such site?

Are the shipping and customs/VAT very high?

I know you get no warranty, but I'll be buying used anyway, and probably from the UK so that's not much different!

long term ( next 3 years or so) ill upgrade so it needn't last a lifetime!

[Adrian]

Hi Jaybee,

Well stuff from China was traditionally regarded as "cheap" and poor quality. Whilst that may be true for some products... quality of goods now is very very good. I currently own a Ming Da MC 3008 AB 40 W integrated. Using 300 B and 805 Triode's in the output stage. Down side is that it is v. heavy... and runs HOT. Then again most valve amps do run hot, but transmitter power triode's designed for radio use really do produce the heat.

Here is a picture of the inside and you can judge for yourself the quality of workmanship.





If you want to give different valve types a go, but without spending huge wads of cash... then Cayin or Ming Da can offer a big selection of amplifiers working with different valve types.

In relation to quality... I think most components are standard... the big reliability issue would be in the design of the circuit, so that circuit components are not overstressed and burn out etc. If the design is good, and standard components are used, then the amp should last a long time.

I've had my 805 since 2008, no problems... however I don't use it that much, as 805's are reduced in lifespan everytime you switch them on. Having said that ... I have spare 805's up in the attic which I got on ebay for not too much money.

Alternatively.... if you are feeling flush... there is the Wavac in Champagne Gold...



I have no idea about the price of this baby... but must be well well into five figures, maybe even in the low sixes.

[JAW]

This is on adverts.ie at the moment. Maybe one of the valve guys here might know the name? Seems like a low price for valve gear.

http://www.adverts.ie/home-audio/tube-amp/2948227

[Ivor]

This is on adverts.ie at the moment. Maybe one of the valve guys here might know the name? Seems like a low price for valve gear.

http://www.adverts.ie/home-audio/tube-amp/2948227

Looks like a typical but decent Chinese amp. Certainly worth €270

[jaybee]

I thought dynavox ver German!

I'm all for simplicity, but I don't think I could handle one input!

this one

http://www.ornec.com/meixing-mingda-mc-34a_QQC100038C

is the "same" as the IconAudio stereo 40i which is £ 750 s/h

http://www.china-hifi-audio.com/bewitch ... 3s3tirsil1

this one is almost identical to the puresound A30 (Guy Sargeant of Audio Innovations fame)

which is £1600 new and around 550 s/h!

[jaybee]

Hi Jaybee,

Well stuff from China was traditionally regarded as "cheap" and poor quality. Whilst that may be true for some products... quality of goods now is very very good. I currently own a Ming Da MC 3008 AB 40 W integrated. Using 300 B and 805 Triode's in the output stage. Down side is that it is v. heavy... and runs HOT. Then again most valve amps do run hot, but transmitter power triode's designed for radio use really do produce the heat.

Here is a picture of the inside and you can judge for yourself the quality of workmanship.



g]

If you want to give different valve types a go, but without spending huge wads of cash... then Cayin or Ming Da can offer a big selection of amplifiers working with different valve types.

In relation to quality... I think most components are standard... the big reliability issue would be in the design of the circuit, so that circuit components are not overstressed and burn out etc. If the design is good, and standard components are used, then the amp should last a long time.

I've had my 805 since 2008, no problems... however I don't use it that much, as 805's are reduced in lifespan everytime you switch them on. Having said that ... I have spare 805's up in the attic which I got on ebay for not too much money.

Alternatively.... if you are feeling flush... there is the Wavac in Champagne Gold...


I have no idea about the price of this baby... but must be well well into five figures, maybe even in the low sixes.

Did you buy direct Adrian?

[Modest]

I had dodgy situation 3 years ago with http://www.ornec.com/ bought amp the same like this in ebay now http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Consonance-CS ... 20d0cab776 no amp no money no nothing tracking number indicates error .Their excuse was that they don't have amp in stock at the moment, next week we will ship it and on and on ...after 3 months fight got the money back ...No answer to emails had to call every week or so ... echhhh after that said to myself feck them no more such shops :)

[cybot]

I had dodgy situation 3 years ago with http://www.ornec.com/ bought amp the same like this in ebay now http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Consonance-CS ... 20d0cab776 no amp no money no nothing tracking number indicates error .Their excuse was that they don't have amp in stock at the moment, next week we will ship it and on and on ...after 3 months fight got the money back ...No answer to emails had to call every week or so ... echhhh after that said to myself feck them no more such shops :)

My sentiments entirely. Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole! Stick to the people you know...

[Adrian]

Hi Jaybee,

I was in Shanghai at the time... working on a project, went shopping around and came across a shop selling hi fi, where I auditioned the Cayin A 50 I think and the Ming Da. I fell in love with the 805 and had it air freighted home. Cost a fortune... in fact cost nearly 500 euro via air freight.

There is quiet a few videos on Ming Da amplifiers on Youtube... some chap in Hawaii I think... well USA anyway discussing the various amplifiers. Hi Fi Wigwam have a few threads about Ming Da... in fact I think it was about a pre amplifier, some chap in Wales I think... but they are getting more common now.

These days China makes everything... well almost everything anyway.

I was impressed with the Cayin A 50... a tidy compact 30W amp ( I think)... choice of 6CA7 or EL34 valves, Remote Control, can be operated in Triode or Ultra Linear modes and sounded great with B&W 685's, and in the shop in Shanghai, it only cost 400 euro or so. Probably cost a lot more now due to the euro being weak.

Do a google search for Cayin A 50... there are loads of photos and reviews, this amplifier has gained considerable respect in the Hi Fi world.



Other suggestion for a amplifier... is a Jadis Orchestra 2nd hand... there were a a few around some years back... nice amplifier and you will always be able to sell it on again. Desirable piece of kit.

[paulb]

At one point was looking for a valve amp and found this site, at least they are in uk so should be no taxes and cheaper postage, www.hifiandaudio.com in the end got a jungson ja88d class a amp on this forum and don't think will change again...