giving Yaqin a try

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #60 on:** 1 May 2016, 09:41 pm »

The SQ Products also made in CHina:
So, with this as the context we come to the Sound Quest SQ-88, a classic KT-88 based, modestly designed and executed integrated amplifier, OEM'd from China by Quest for Sound.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue30/emm.htm

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #61 on:** 1 May 2016, 09:49 pm »

Further ahead this review says:
No, this is not a high-resolution amplifier, but neither are its competitors. The Ming Da integrated I reviewed a few months ago was an exception, but so far as I know, its distribution is still a major unresolved issue. Caveat Emptor.

PDR · « **Reply #62 on:** 1 May 2016, 10:13 pm »

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=74

Thats Canadian dollars......probably $1K US territory delivered to your door.

Talk to Gary....hes a great guy and his products are good quality...I've had/have his products
and readily recommend them

restrav · « **Reply #63 on:** 2 May 2016, 12:24 am »

Quote from: PDR on 1 May 2016, 10:13 pm

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=74

Thats Canadian dollars......probably $1K US territory delivered to your door.

Talk to Gary....hes a great guy and his products are good quality...I've had/have his products
and readily recommend them

very interesting products. honestly this one is seems more up my alley:
http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=69

it has a fan though. i dont know how i feel about a fan humming in the background. it's not a big deal i have my computer there that has two very quiet fans in it. but still this is the only one that i have seen with a fan.

restrav · « **Reply #64 on:** 2 May 2016, 12:27 am »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 1 May 2016, 09:41 pm

The SQ Products also made in CHina:
So, with this as the context we come to the Sound Quest SQ-88, a classic KT-88 based, modestly designed and executed integrated amplifier, OEM'd from China by Quest for Sound.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue30/emm.htm

thank you for the heads up. honestly the Chinese ones seem to offer more value. even the construction looks qiute impressive not just the features.

restrav · « **Reply #65 on:** 2 May 2016, 12:33 am »

Quote from: maty on 1 May 2016, 09:31 pm

Minotaur Direct-Coupled Hybrid Integrated Amplifier

-> https://tavishdesign.com/products/minotaur

and... 30 days trial

very nice. but if I could pay this much there are so many other options. like the one that when i heard i decided that i need tubes: Alamarro which is actually cheaper if i could find one and also afford it

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #66 on:** 2 May 2016, 12:58 am »

Quote from: Dadbeh on 2 May 2016, 12:24 am

very interesting products. honestly this one is seems more up my alley:
http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=69

it has a fan though. i dont know how i feel about a fan humming in the background. it's not a big deal i have my computer there that has two very quiet fans in it. but still this is the only one that i have seen with a fan.

This is the best tube amp so far in this thread KT88 and KT150 in Triode are great and it cheap at $600, only prob its ugly it hide the tubes, if you can live with it

I would run it without the cover and unplug the fan.

restrav · « **Reply #67 on:** 2 May 2016, 01:37 am »

but not kt120? that's the dud in the family?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #68 on:** 2 May 2016, 01:47 am »

Quote from: Dadbeh on 2 May 2016, 01:37 am

but not kt120? that's the dud in the family?

The page say it accept the KT150.

restrav · « **Reply #69 on:** 2 May 2016, 01:50 am »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 2 May 2016, 01:47 am

The page say it accept the KT150.

also KT120. you dont see it? its the option about KT150

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #70 on:** 2 May 2016, 02:29 am »

Quote from: Dadbeh on 2 May 2016, 01:50 am

also KT120. you dont see it? its the option about KT150

Yes more $150, I referring more about the amp, it accept the KT150, many amps has a small PS that does not support the higher current of the KT150 filaments.

restrav · « **Reply #71 on:** 2 May 2016, 03:14 am »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 2 May 2016, 02:29 am

Yes more $150, I referring more about the amp, it accept the KT150, many amps has a small PS that does not support the higher current of the KT150 filaments.

I see. well with upgrade to KT120 it is $650 and with KT150 it is $750. which one would you recommned.

also just for your veiwing pleasure .... this thing looks gorgeous
http://www.fezzaudio.com/#techdata

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #72 on:** 2 May 2016, 03:50 am »

Quote from: Dadbeh on 2 May 2016, 03:14 am

I see. well with upgrade to KT120 it is $650 and with KT150 it is $750. which one would you recommned.

also just for your veiwing pleasure .... this thing looks gorgeous
http://www.fezzaudio.com/#techdata

For 6-8W I suggest KT88 cause the supreme harmonics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRsDAzpOqnc
For 25W I suggest KT150 great for prog rock.

maty · « **Reply #73 on:** 2 May 2016, 03:07 pm »

Tavish Design Minotaur Hybrid Vacuum Tube Amplifier by Ron Nagle

-> http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0516/Tavish_Design_Minotaur_Amplifier_Review.htm

Quote

Lesson Learned

Before we move on, at an Audio Society meeting we used a Minotaur amplifier to drive a set of Pipe Dream's speakers. They are impossibly difficult to drive seven foot tall multi-driver speakers. All who attended experienced a remarkable and unexpected high level of performance, no problems. Not a typical hollow state tube amplifier and not your typical solid state sounding amplifier either.

You have the option to operate the Minotaur in Class- A normal bias up to one Watt or change the amplifier bias point to operate (still in Class A) up to five watts per channel. This unusual option allows the user to tailor the sound to compliment their favorite music genre. At the five watts bias setting the sound is noticeably warmer with a wide and deep sound stage. Those who share my love of air and space will agree the Hi Bias Minotaur amplifier speaks more to the Audiophile who listens to classical music and acoustic ensembles...

sunnydaze · « **Reply #74 on:** 2 May 2016, 03:18 pm »

Why in the world would you recommend an amp that is 3x the OP's budget?!

maty · « **Reply #75 on:** 2 May 2016, 03:59 pm »

Before I linked two very interesting Yaqin (with very good output transformers, essential element in this technology).

The point to point wiring is not necessary if the PCBs are well designed as is the more expensive Tavish.

PDR · « **Reply #76 on:** 2 May 2016, 07:17 pm »

Quote from: Dadbeh on 2 May 2016, 03:14 am

I see. well with upgrade to KT120 it is $650 and with KT150 it is $750. which one would you recommned.

I have the original MP-401.
It is much nicer looking than the revamped 401MKII.
It takes up to KT120, but all my speakers are in the 97db sensitivity range
so I stick to the 6550....15w is all I need.

I think the 401 may be a bit weak for your speakers....24w....why I linked to the 402

The original 401 was all point to point, and was a real looker.
Not sure why he added the cage and the fan....

Heres mine:

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #77 on:** 2 May 2016, 07:59 pm »

Quote from: PDR on 2 May 2016, 07:17 pm

Not sure why he added the cage and the fan....
Heres mine:

Seems to be for less cost and easy assembly.
Made a point to point amp takes many hours on the solder.

restrav · « **Reply #78 on:** 2 May 2016, 08:20 pm »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 2 May 2016, 07:59 pm

Seems to be for less cost and easy assembly.
Made a point to point amp takes many hours on the solder.

guys trust me, i have already tried my speakers with a 15 watt tube amp and i couldnt turn half way up. im pretty sure it will be fine with both KT88 and KT150. i will probably just go with Tungsol KT150s if i can afford it and if not with gold lion KT88.

restrav · « **Reply #79 on:** 2 May 2016, 08:46 pm »

im not sure about how i would go about adding a subwoofer with the musical paradise amp. right now i dont have a sub but im adding one soon. the yamaha has a sub out so its easy. but with 401 MKII and this is the back of my DAC:

how would i add a sub? there's no other line level outputs!!!