giving Yaqin a try

restrav · « **on:** 22 Apr 2016, 10:42 pm »

Guys im thinking of giving tubes a try. budget is limited and im not too crazy about the idea of buying second hand do im thinking of Yaqin

im trying to decide between this model: mc-84L that uses EL84 Tubes
http://www.amazon.com/YAQIN-MC-84L-Vacuum-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B011BO60S4?ie=UTF8&keywords=yaqin%2084&qid=1461363717&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

and this: MC-10T that uses EL34
http://www.amazon.com/YAQIN-MC-10T-12AT7X4-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B00A7IZODS?ie=UTF8&keywords=yaqin%20mc-10t&qid=1461363352&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

i dont know anything about tubes but ive been told that i need to also buy better tubes for it to sound its best. i hear a lot of good things about Mullard EL34. are they hard to find? expensive? any idea how much they cost?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Apr 2016, 11:23 pm »

Both EL34/84 are great tubes, the amp EL34 45W/pc seems too much,
looks good your speakers be very sensitive as 98dB or more.
NOS Mullard EL34 tubes are expensive and rare.
http://www.audiotubes.com/el34.htm
EL34/6CA7 Mullard nickel base $499/pair
KT77 (EL34 type) $275/pair
EL34/6CA7 Amperex Holland $450
EL34/6CA7 Mullard shield logo XF1 $425 pair
EL34/6CA7 Mullard made XF1 $175 in stock
Most these tubes are out of stock.

restrav · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 12:09 am »

oh wow ... they are so expensive .... darn .... i had no idea but i dont think i can spend more than 100 bucks on 4 bottles. lol i guess that would be more chinese!
and thats just the output tubes. the drivers might be replaces as well.

as for the power output, both amps are push pull but the EL84 ones puts out 12 watts. I demoed an amp with 15 watts output which was plenty loud so i think it would be fine really even though my speakers are rated at 86db.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 01:03 am »

Quote from: Dadbeh on 23 Apr 2016, 12:09 am

oh wow ... they are so expensive .... darn .... i had no idea but i dont think i can spend more than 100 bucks on 4 bottles. lol i guess that would be more chinese!
and thats just the output tubes. the drivers might be replaces as well.

as for the power output, both amps are push pull but the EL84 ones puts out 12 watts. I demoed an amp with 15 watts output which was plenty loud so i think it would be fine really even though my speakers are rated at 86db.

I sorry your speaker are only 86dB really, its a very hard load to a small tube amp.
If your speaker was 97dB as this:
http://images.klipsch.com/RB81IIcutsheet_635042118979170000.pdf
you could use a small amp and even use a Single Ended amp as this below to SET magic:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HD6MUMK?psc=1

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 01:05 am »

The current production Mullard EL34 are inexpensive:
http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/EL34-6CA7-Tube-Types/Mullard-EL34

Shogun · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 01:41 am »

IMHO, EL84 is the best sounding pentode, is widely available and cheap, but not as powerful as El34, KT88, ...

I own the Yaqin EL84, bought second hand. The previous owner told me that the Electro-Harmonix 13$ each made a noticeable difference and a good powercord wich I haven't try yet. This amp replace a DIY Paradise Charlize with Tripath2020. The Yaqin is in another league. To make it simple, Tripath make sound, that can be nice sometime and the tube amp make music that you forget about analyzing and just listen and listen until late in the evening.

I'm driving a pair of Visaton B200 Solo 20 with filter, with efficiency around 90db. I barely need to turn the volume knob up.

restrav · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 02:27 am »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 23 Apr 2016, 01:03 am

I sorry your speaker are only 86dB really, its a very hard load to a small tube amp.
If your speaker was 97dB as this:
http://images.klipsch.com/RB81IIcutsheet_635042118979170000.pdf
you could use a small amp and even use a Single Ended amp as this below to SET magic:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HD6MUMK?psc=1

trust me, with that 15 watts amp, at 1/2 volume it was too loud. im sure 12 watts in more than enough. thank you for the great links for tubes. now I have an idea about how much tubes will cost me. i will probably order the EL84 amp this weekend. not sure if i should order from amazon or ebay.

restrav · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 02:27 am »

Quote from: Shogun on 23 Apr 2016, 01:41 am

IMHO, EL84 is the best sounding pentode, is widely available and cheap, but not as powerful as El34, KT88, ...

I own the Yaqin EL84, bought second hand. The previous owner told me that the Electro-Harmonix 13$ each made a noticeable difference and a good powercord wich I haven't try yet. This amp replace a DIY Paradise Charlize with Tripath2020. The Yaqin is in another league. To make it simple, Tripath make sound, that can be nice sometime and the tube amp make music that you forget about analyzing and just listen and listen until late in the evening.

I'm driving a pair of Visaton B200 Solo 20 with filter, with efficiency around 90db. I barely need to turn the volume knob up.

thanks man. thats great. i have not been able to find any yaqin second hand.

rotarius · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 02:48 am »

If you must get a Yaqin, at least get one from the Canadian seller on ebay who tests them and warranties them. I think it is a huge gamble getting it from elsewhere.

Bigtom · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 05:44 pm »

I had a mc100b that i liked and got it from the seller on ebay from richmond hill. I think his username is tabnac or something similar.

I never had any issues. I only got rid of it to fund a finale audio f7189 integrated

cheech · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 06:35 pm »

Agree with FullRangeMan, this amp isn't made for low efficient speakers, and a consideration would also be the impedance of your speakers. Also, does the amp specs state that you can swap in EL34s , it is an EL84 based amp correct? Need to be careful as tube types are not necessarily interchangeable?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 07:23 pm »

Some years ago I listen in a friend house a 88dB DYN audio pocket monitor run by a integrated Rotel 100W solidstate amp, clearly the speaker ask for more power, the bass was shy.

So 86dB will need a 200W SS amp or a least a 50W tube amp w/a big power supply in a small room, and to drive it in loud sound a 80W tube amp.
Dont run a 86dB speaker w/a small tube amp.

restrav · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 08:18 pm »

Quote from: cheech on 23 Apr 2016, 06:35 pm

Agree with FullRangeMan, this amp isn't made for low efficient speakers, and a consideration would also be the impedance of your speakers. Also, does the amp specs state that you can swap in EL34s , it is an EL84 based amp correct? Need to be careful as tube types are not necessarily interchangeable?

These are two separate amps we are talking about. one is a push pull EL34 with 45 watts triode power output around $700 and the other is an EL84 with 12 whats triode output for less than 500.

restrav · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 08:19 pm »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 23 Apr 2016, 07:23 pm

Some years ago I listen in a friend house a 88dB DYN audio pocket monitor run by a integrated Rotel 100W solidstate amp, clearly the speaker ask for more power, the bass was shy.

So 86dB will need a 200W SS amp or a least a 50W tube amp w/a big power supply in a small room, and to drive it in loud sound a 80W tube amp.
Dont run a 86dB speaker w/a small tube amp.

ok point taken. my speakers are 8 ohm they are one full range 4 inch complemented by a tweeter.

rotarius · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 08:47 pm »

Get a new or used Jolida 102 or 202, these are super sounding and the folks at Jolida are very easy to reach if you have an issue. I was looking into Yaqin a while back and depending on the model, I read about circuit design issues, power output not as advertised and in one instance, a faulty grounding scheme. I don't mind getting Chinese gear but the grey market stuff on ebay and amazon is just a gamble, plain and simple.

cheech · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 08:53 pm »

Sorry my bad about my tube comment , didn't realize there were 2 separate amps should have looked harder

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Apr 2016, 09:11 pm »

Quote from: Dadbeh on 23 Apr 2016, 08:18 pm

These are two separate amps we are talking about. one is a push pull EL34 with 45 watts triode power output around $700 and the other is an EL84 with 12 whats triode output for less than 500.

STM these 45W are a bit inflated to only two EL34 p/c even in Pentode IMO.

maty · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Apr 2016, 08:18 pm »

Review: Yaqin MC13S Stereo Integrated Amplifier by Colin McKay

-> http://wallofsound.ca/uncategorized/review-yaqin-mc13s-stereo-integrated-amplifier/

Quote

The Yaqin is an integrated amplifier that gets all the fundamentals right. I feel it excels in tonal accuracy. It is able to reproduce detail without excessively exaggerating artifacts, digital or otherwise. It has a balanced dynamic bandwidth, and presents it with a realistic stage. I highly recommend the Yaqin MC13S.

Follow my tube upgrade path. Purchase a voltmeter, and adjust the EL34B bias to your ear. Just remember to respect Yaqin’s power tubes’ bias limits. I personally would not push it beyond 40 millivolts. Already, that is a hot biasing. Start with replacing the 12AU7 with a superior one of your choice. It does not have to be NOS. You will hear the big improvements here. Next, replace the 12AX7-B. You will hear more improvements. Remember, you already have a great deal of “audiophile” quality components already used in the amp.

Above all, you have top notch input and output transformers. These transformers are the principal reason this amplifier sings so damn well...

Customer reviews:

-> http://www.amazon.com/YAQIN-MC-13S-Integrated-Push-Pull-Amplifier/product-reviews/B00A7IZN70/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

restrav · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Apr 2016, 08:36 pm »

Quote from: maty on 24 Apr 2016, 08:18 pm

Review: Yaqin MC13S Stereo Integrated Amplifier by Colin McKay

-> http://wallofsound.ca/uncategorized/review-yaqin-mc13s-stereo-integrated-amplifier/

Customer reviews:

-> http://www.amazon.com/YAQIN-MC-13S-Integrated-Push-Pull-Amplifier/product-reviews/B00A7IZN70/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

thank you for the information. I am not sure if this model 13S is only ultra linear or can it be switched to triode? that is my main concern and the reason i was thinking about the older model. i dont mind if it has the UL mode but i do want to have the option of triode operation and that is how i plan to use it. on amazon it does not say anything about triode operation.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Apr 2016, 08:48 pm »

Quote from: maty on 24 Apr 2016, 08:18 pm

Review: Yaqin MC13S Stereo Integrated Amplifier by Colin McKay

-> http://wallofsound.ca/uncategorized/review-yaqin-mc13s-stereo-integrated-amplifier/

Customer reviews:

-> http://www.amazon.com/YAQIN-MC-13S-Integrated-Push-Pull-Amplifier/product-reviews/B00A7IZN70/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

In this Wallofsound link the output power informed is 40W/pc.
The ''input'' transformer that he mention seems to be the power transformer. Unfortunately most Yaqins use PCBs, his sound could be much better if it used point to point hard wiring copper, neither needed be silver, not to mention single ended Triode or EL34=7W.