XS-225 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier 2X25W on E-Bay

[sasha70]

Hi, saw this amplifier for sale on E-Bay:
XS-225 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier 2X25W RMS + USB MP3
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1706961863...ht_2035wt_1346
Is any one have any information about this little amp?
Price is £79.98 including postage, good project for modifications?

[planet10]

As always the question comes down to "why are they being sold so cheap"?

If you have the £80 to take a flyer go for it.

Note that it is not a tube amp but a hybrid, likely with a chip amp doing the heavy lifting. Nothing wrong with that approach

dave

[kevinkr]

It seems awfully cheap for what it purports to offer. Note also that it is a hybrid tube amp so the speaker output I suspect is class D. There is a fan on the back, likely to be noisy in use. The knobs, chassis and other stuff look obviously cheap..

I would suspect that most of the circuitry is on cheap pcb and uses SMD components widely.. Perhaps not so easy to work on..

[Soonerorlater]

Postage is double what it should be - IMHO

good project for modifications?

If someone already had the iron and valves for a 4 valve amp then this could provide the case. Remote control, usb dac would add to the value. It looks cheap but no worse than some of my home build efforts..........

[kevinkr]

Originally Posted by Soonerorlater

Postage is double what it should be - IMHO



If someone already had the iron and valves for a 4 valve amp then this could provide the case. Remote control, usb dac would add to the value. It looks cheap but no worse than some of my home build efforts..........

Postage here is through the roof lately so I was not sure what to think about the post cost.

WRT to your home build efforts, I bet they generally prove to be reliable - I'm not so sure about the amp discussed.

I purchased a very good Chinese dac a few years ago, a Zhaolu, and it continues to give its new owner satisfaction. It cost a great deal more than this whole ensemble, and I thought it a steal.. In this particular case it might be, but not necessarily in the good sense of the word..

The wise amongst the Romans said "Caveat Emptor" I have to agree..

[Soonerorlater]

WRT to your home build efforts, I bet they generally prove to be reliable

Only because of the kind help of forum members.

My Chinese CD and DVD players seem to go on forever. My Cambridge Audio CD player ( British ) on the other hand is once again awaiting major surgery ( transformer this time ).

As far as the above amp is concerned I could be tempted by a used/faulty one going cheap on Ebay. Suffice to say it would be seriously gutted..........

[planet10]

Originally Posted by kevinkr

so the speaker output I suspect is class D. There is a fan on the back

With a fan i suspect it unlikely that it is a class D. Like the HCT (Dared, FatMan) likely a class B chip amp.

dave

[planet10]

Originally Posted by Soonerorlater

My Cambridge Audio CD player ( British )

But made in China?

dave

[Soonerorlater]

But made in China?

Mmmm......

My Hammond OT's ( from the USA ) were labelled " Made in Canada " but the box said " Made in China ". I myself have built units with Chinese boards and metalwork, tested them and labelled them " Made in the Usa ", and shipped to Eastern Europe!

Not sure how I would feel if my CD player was Chinese built....

[sasha70]

Thank you all for your comments.
I have bought this amplifier will update when it will arrive.
For £80.00 (two week of cigarettes supply) good bargain I think, only one left at this moment.
Best regards.