Chi-Fi amps

[Davidallen]

I have two Oldchen BL-02. I acquired both second hand but almost brand new at very low price because they had issues. The original owners quickly realized that direct import from China of heawy items basically means no warranty, due to high shipping cost. I use them as experimental chassis. Factory circuit is questionable. Point to point wiring looks good only superficially, but is a quick job with hum and huge safety issues. The transformer set is ok for a 6V6 / 6F6 amplifier, but not enough for EL34. Available power is lower than a regular amplifier with EL34. I am now running one of them with 6F6 and the power transformer does not overheat anymore.

Thanks plan, good to know.

 

[Davidallen]

A really good little single ended amp is the Almarro 205 A or 205A mk2.If you can find one.Also Sonic Art in Australia made the Legend which was excellent.Or the Silk Audio amps from Thailand.

Thanks jtgofish. I know of Sonic Art but was unaware he made the amp. I’ll look him up. And thanks for your suggestions. There is a Yaqin MS500b listed fs , any thoughts on this?

 

[jtgofish]

Sonic Art no longer makes the Legend amps but there might be some used ones around.I suspect he sourced the transformers from Silk in Thailand.
I have tried quite a few of the Chinese amps and never thought much of their sound.Even some of the better regarded ones like Cayin..The Elekit stuff is good.The Japanese seem to know what they are doing when it comes to valve amps.

 

[Davidallen]

Thanks jt, looks like these are rare beasts. I’ll keep looking.

 

[Davidallen]

I have owned one of these for 2 years and they drive my speakers (SB20FRPC 30-8) with no problems whatsoever.

Hi elb. Have you had any upgrades/mods to this amp? What speakers are you using may I ask?

 

[vinylkid58]

There is a Yaqin MS500b listed fs , any thoughts on this?

I heard one years ago and thought it was pretty meh. Probably depends on what tubes are in it. I'd give it a pass if it's still running the stock tubes. You'll be spending a few hundred dollars for decent tubes at this point. Go give it a listen if that's possible.

jeff

 

[elb]

Hi elb. Have you had any upgrades/mods to this amp? What speakers are you using may I ask?

No upgrades other than rolling tubes. The power transformer is very cool to the touch. No hum from speakers when the amp. is at idle.
The speakers are SB Acoustics wide range (SB20FRPC30-8)in a transmission style cabinet.
The amp. was bought from Doukshop on ebay Australia, so no return to China if there was a problem.
I hope that helps you.

 

[jtgofish]

(SB20FRPC30-8) .Could be two wrongs making making a right .I have a pair I wasted money on .And then time building a box for them.How anybody can listen to them is beyond my comprehension.

 

[Davidallen]

The Yaqin has Electro harmonic gold 300b tubes.

No upgrades other than rolling tubes. The power transformer is very cool to the touch. No hum from speakers when the amp. is at idle.
The speakers are SB Acoustics wide range (SB20FRPC30-8)in a transmission style cabinet.
The amp. was bought from Doukshop on ebay Australia, so no return to China if there was a problem.
I hope that helps you.

Thanks elb. I have much to consider.

 

[Davidallen]

Jtgofish, I’ve made contact with Sonic. Had a very interesting discussion. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[elb]

(SB20FRPC30-8) .Could be two wrongs making making a right .I have a pair I wasted money on .And then time building a box for them.How anybody can listen to them is beyond my comprehension.

There is a thread here on the SB Acoustics speaker. I and others would disagree with your statement