Chinese Direct vs Chinese Made Tube Amps

[jaybee]

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...

I had heard that about ornec alright, cattylink is apparently much better, and one or two sell via eBay... which at least gives you PayPal protection?

[jaybee]

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.

mmmmmmm Jadis

thats the ultimate destination on the upgrade path for me....

Jadis-SonusFaber-Michell

[tony]

If Jadis is where you want to be it is worth putting in the effort searching euro country hifi forums similar to wigwam and adverts. I had a few conversations with dutch and french owners and all came across as very genuine. You will find an orchestra for €800-950 secondhand.It would cost circa €120-150 to get shipped. It cost me €200 for a DA50S. Look hard enough and you might eventually get a DA30 for circa €1400-1600.

I wonder is it better to spend more on what you really want as you will have arrived at the point you want to be.Buying and selling is going to cost you on every transaction.

Just re the Cayin I had a headphone amp the HA-1A and they are certainly a well made amp.Quality is very high. I think they are a step above the entry level Prima luna's in terms of finish. On performance you will have to hear them.

IMHO the orchestra is the best bang for buck.No remote control but you have a Jadis for potentially under €1k. It doesnt have autobiasing but the pre is solid state so is powerful at 40watts but with the EL34's produces to my ears a lovely warm tone plenty of drive and full bodied sound.

Enjoy the hunt in some ways that's the most enjoyable bit of the journey

[jaybee]

I know what you mean, I love the shopping!

to be honest, I'd happily live with any of the amps mentioned for a little while , and hang on to it for a second system, but like you say for the end game ill happily play a waiting game!

Of course, now I know that there's a Jadis within range, I'm goosed!