[jackmonkeyhat]

Hi folks,

New to this circle so apologies for the novice question -

I'm travelling to Shanghai at the end of March, and was wondering if there are tube amps you feel represent especially good value compared to prices we pay in the US.

At the moment, I have a 2.1 set-up using Salk Song tower speakers, a W4S Dac-2 (very revealing) and an Emotiva SS amp. I'd hope that I could find a decent amp that bests the Emotiva XPA-2 for under 500 dollars. Greatful for any pointers here.

Thanks so much

[Guy 13]

Hi folks,

New to this circle so apologies for the novice question -

I'm travelling to Shanghai at the end of March, and was wondering if there are tube amps you feel represent especially good value compared to prices we pay in the US.

At the moment, I have a 2.1 set-up using Salk Song tower speakers, a W4S Dac-2 (very revealing) and an Emotiva SS amp. I'd hope that I could find a decent amp that bests the Emotiva XPA-2 for under 500 dollars. Greatful for any pointers here.

Thanks so much

Hi Jack and all Audio Circle members.

Why don't you shop for American products and
keep the American people at work.

Don't see this as something rude or impolite.

I am not even an American. (I am a Canadian)
but I think it make sense to give first priority to home made products, even if they are made with a high purcentage of Chinese parts.

I can recommend Niteshade Audio and Decware.
I own one of each of those brand.

Yes, their products are more than your 500 USD budget, but you get good, reliable and repairable products with a warranty.

Hopefully your Salk Song are more efficient than 90db.
Good shopping.

Guy 13

[jackmonkeyhat]

Thanks Guy, I'd love to give a US made tube amp a home - the plan is to stop by some US shops before I travel anyway.

However, to try and get my original question back on track - I only have one week in Shanghai, and would appreciate some recommendations for amps to listen to whilst I am there.

Thanks for your understanding

[sebrof]

Hey Jack,

The biggest problem you may have is finding a place to listen. They don't seem to use resources like Yellow Pages or City Search type things there, mostly it's word of mouth. It seems that when I ask someone I work with they start making calls to co-workers, friends and family to see if anyone knows what I'm asking for.

A few years ago they hooked me up with this place, it was a few years ago so I have no idea if it's still there:
Muse Audio: No. 3 Dong Hu Road. Post 200031. Shanghai. Tel: (021)64453551

They had Shenda (Shengda??) electronics, which looked almost exactly like Jolida on the outside. They had Harbeth speakers, too. And good beer.

Good luck.

[Redefy Audio]

most JOLIDA in china are not bad. but its abit more than $500. i think close to $1000.
other than that, is a very big question mark.

i can recommend a friend in guangzhou / hong kong, but not shanghai.

cheers
henry

[cheap-Jack]

Thanks Guy, I'd love to give a US made tube amp a home - the plan is to stop by some US shops before I travel anyway.

However, to try and get my original question back on track - I only have one week in Shanghai, and would appreciate some recommendations for amps to listen to whilst I am there.

Thanks for your understanding

Just listening is OK. Shanghai is the most expensive place to shop. Period.
The worst thing about Chinese made tube amps are their lousy O/P transformers. Frankly I am yet to audition any decent sounding tube amps built in China.

Also, don't forget the high cost of bringing the amp home on the airplane.
If you're flying on UA, good luck!

c-J

[cheap-Jack]

Hi.

i can recommend a friend in guangzhou / hong kong, but not shanghai.
cheers

Hongkong is probably the best shopping stop for audio stuffs over China. Most variety & cheapest pricing even for the most expensive audio brandnames in the world. That said, you should concern about the shipping cost of shipping back home & the customs duties for whatever best deals you may get there.

c-J

[Levi]

I agree with everyone.  My thoughts are even deeper.  What happens if your amp does not work when you get it home? 

Something to think about...

[JakeJ]

(SIGH)  This poor guy can't get a straight answer!

Apologies to the OP.  Normally I'd say Google is your friend but after my own miserable results I'd say you are going to need private contacts and inside information to achieve your goal, however it shouldn't be difficult.  You must have some contacts there, no?

[geowak]

Jack,

I will posting a review (non-professional) of the LM Audio 216IA that I bought and think is very good soon. LM-Audio is a Chinese company making mostly speaker drivers and speakers based on Western Electric designs of old (USA).

LM Audio is available in the states via Tone Imports.

This amp is very nice and I auditioned it (last) after Parasound SS, Cary Tubed, Rogue Tubed and Primaluna. I also listened to the LM Audio one driver speaker. If you have the chance to listen to the LM Audio 216IA, I would.

Lastly my dealer stated there would be no problem with parts and service here in the USA for LM-Audio and he is selling these units (KT88 and EL34) very fast because they sound
great for the money and build quality is superb.

[OzarkTom]

Napa Acoustics made a huge impression at the CES show last month, they are very reasonably priced and should come with a US warranty.

http://www.napaacoustic.com/Electronics.html

[jackmonkeyhat]

Thanks for the willingness to help folks.

I had a good chuckle reading Jake's post, but ironically Shanghai might be the worst place for an audiophile on a budget to visit! I would never have guessed it.

I do have a contact over there, but there are some good leads to follow here- geowalk, OzarkTom thanks for giving me a reference point. Sebrof thanks for the address I'll follow up and see if they're still around.

If any others out there think of any other models I should listen to, feel free to add on.  Listening to some music should provide a welcome breather from work.

[OzarkTom]

Napa Acoustics made a huge impression at the CES show last month, they are very reasonably priced and should come with a US warranty.

http://www.napaacoustic.com/Electronics.html

I would love to have this Napa integrated amp in my system, this one is $699 though.

[jackmonkeyhat]

Wow... I'll have to hear this thing in action!

[dakkon]

When your in Shanghai, ask the concierge at the hotel you are staying at for a stereo shop, depending on the level of service they will either get you a taxi and tell the driver where to take you, or they will write your destination on a business card for you. On a side note, if you have never traveled to Asia before, make SURE you always have a business card for the hotel you are staying at, this way you can simply show the taxi driver the car and they will know where to take you. When i was in Hong Kong, i was able to find a couple stereo stores. The culture in HK is VERY different than the U.S. and Shanghai will be different as well. In Hong Kong, the high end stereo stores were in hole in the wall buildings... You enter a run down building and go up a dilapidated stair case, then enter a store that has a 150,000$ U.S. stereo rig in the first room you enter.... and go up from there....

Even the Cigar shops had 10-50k$ stereo setup's in their "smoke rooms"

That was my experience anyhow... 

Hope this helps.

[jackmonkeyhat]

Dakkon,

Thanks, that description makes this trip sound all the more appealing. Did you pick up any pieces yourself in HK or did it end up being too expensive with customs etc in the end? Kicking myself I don't have time to check out Hong Kong too

[goldlizsts]

Thanks Guy, I'd love to give a US made tube amp a home - the plan is to stop by some US shops before I travel anyway.

However, to try and get my original question back on track - I only have one week in Shanghai, and would appreciate some recommendations for amps to listen to whilst I am there.

Thanks for your understanding

Are you all set as to "where" in Shanghai you need to go to even see the equipment?  Those stores may not be easy to find.  The majority of people there would stare at you if you say you want to find amplifiers....  I've done so in Beijing a couple of times, including CD hunts.  May be Shanghai is different.  Good luck.

[SteveFord]

ProLogue is made in China, maybe look into that?

[ricardojoa]

If you happen to find one store and decide to buy an amp, make sure it works for the US voltage. China is 220v or 230v.

[doug s.]

Hi folks,

New to this circle so apologies for the novice question -

I'm travelling to Shanghai at the end of March, and was wondering if there are tube amps you feel represent especially good value compared to prices we pay in the US.

At the moment, I have a 2.1 set-up using Salk Song tower speakers, a W4S Dac-2 (very revealing) and an Emotiva SS amp. I'd hope that I could find a decent amp that bests the Emotiva XPA-2 for under 500 dollars. Greatful for any pointers here.

Thanks so much

if you are patient, you can get one of these for $500 shipped:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260967385669


wery nice amps; folks like grant fidelity were selling them for more than double that price, and they got excellent rewiews.  true dual mono, decent power tubes (replace the others), can be run triode (32wpc) or ultralinear (65wpc), allows for biasing of indiwidual tubes, can be run as a power amp, or an integrated...  also awailable in different color combos - black, silver...  and, for tweakers, there's lotsa info about moddng these for further improvements...

doug s.