Which chinese amp should I go for ?

[FullRangeMan]

The GU50 amp say 12.5kg.
The other amp only 7kg.
This is 5.5kg lighter!!

 

[Mickocool]

I know lighter might mean lower quality but in this case I don't think it applies. Maybe the measure is wrong, who knows.

 

[12E1]

Maybe one includes the shipping carton and packaging...

 

[gabdx]

Why a chinese amp? because it is cheap? You should listen to the amplifier before, and completing a ocean wide transactions is not easy to return the product.

 

[Mickocool]

Because it's cheap and because anything can be improved with modding. I'm not ready to put a thousand dollars on an amplifier. I prefer buildimg it up as time goes on.

 

[vinylkid58]

I can name a couple amps off the top of my head you can build for ~$500. Pete Millet's DCPP (push-pull 18w/ch) and George Anderson's tubelab SSE (single ended 8-12w/ch) using common tubes.

Both amps can be used with Edcor transformers, or others. No modding required.

jeff

 

[FullRangeMan]

Why a chinese amp? because it is cheap? You should listen to the amplifier before, and completing a ocean wide transactions is not easy to return the product.

These guys work 12 hours a day to ear $30USD per month, I take my hat off for these guys they are great, as seen on Prima Luna, Line Magnetic, Melody or Ming-Da, when I can I buy Chinese. In western countries also there are lazy and negligent people as well.

 

[Mickocool]

Sadly the seller of the second amp doesn't want to give the schematics because it's a "finished product". I think I have made my mind as to what I will do. I will buy the second amp and replace the tubes with 2x RCA 6SN7, 4x RCA 6AQ5A and one RCA 5U4G.

I will buy a RCA switcher and take it out of its case and put it inside the amp and wire it to the amp. I will drill holes for the rca inputs on the case. For the bluetooth I will buy one of those car bluetooth receivers that has a 3.5mm output. I will connect that to a rca male to a 3.5mm female and wire it to the amp.

I will use one of the switchers inputs to wire the bluetooth so I can switch it at will. Will try to keep it as clean as possible.

 

[6A3sUMMER]

The 5U4 rectifier tube filament takes 3 Amps.

If the rectifier tube that comes with the amp has a filament that only takes 2 Amps, then do not replace it with a 5U4.

 

[Mickocool]

People say they are compatible tubes and have tried. I will try if it sounds good I'll keep em.

 

[6A3sUMMER]

What is the rectifier tube type that comes with the amp? Loading a transformer filament winding with 3 Amps that was made for 2 Amps is not a good idea. It will overheat, and reduce the life of the transformer.

(some tubes are more compatible than others)

 

[Mickocool]

It comes with a chinese 5Z4P tube.

 

[kodabmx]

Will try to keep it as clean as possible.

You will need to adapt the sockets. 6P1P is only ELECTRICALLY equal to 6AQ5. It is a 9 pin tube not 7 pin. FWIW I've used both and much prefer the Winged C 6P1P from old Soviet stock.

 

[Mickocool]

They cell tube adapters. I don't trust 6P1P tubes, i'll experiment with tubes down the road.

 

[vinylkid58]

What's wrong with them?

jeff

 

[Mickocool]

I've bought a lot of chinese and russian tubes before since this will be my 4th amp. Except for some Voshkod tubes all the other chinese tubes or Russian tubes I did not like the sound. Chinese tubes generally focus on the highs and don't have as much bass as American tubes(from my experience) american made tubes sound better all around especially 1950's tubes. I usually go with brands I trust like Western Electric,RCA and GE.

 

[kodabmx]

If that's the case why not adapt for 6V6...

 

[Mickocool]

Is 6V6 compatible electrically? If so I did not know.

 

[kodabmx]

Yes, but higher Pd. Also 6P6S is the same. And if you're interested a 6L6 (6P3S) is the same pinout with a different OP.

 

[Mickocool]

If that's the case why not adapt for 6V6...

Holy cow ! The 6V6 are as big as the 6SN7's. Will I need to mod the internals ?