[Ultralight]

Greetings. In China currently and planning to go visit at least one tube manufacturer and spend half a day perusing tube amps here.   Common brands that are well known in the USA as offering high value would include manufacturers such as Cayin, MingDa, Jolida and Daqin it seems. 

Are there any other less commonly known brands in the USA that I should look for?  I'm sure that there are brands that are good but do not get the distribution simply due to lack of advertising.   I can't haul a massive 70 lb unit back but can probably hand carry something in the 25 lbs range.  Or check in something up to 50 lbs as airline baggage with the tubes removed.   Thinking of a small SET unit like the Miniwatt N3 type tube.

Thanks,
UL

[FullRangeMan]

I remember Antique Sound Lab and MusicalParadise brands.   However light weight tube amps do not worth the hassle.

On ASL site there is various affordable amps, at MusicalParadise site too, as a solid 23kg 300B(or 2A3) Stereo integrated with mono(7/15W) option for just 700 Obamas.
http://www.musicalparadise.ca/mp/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=69&zenid=h0j16bfl32vn6f5coc64hlac34

[FullRangeMan]

Another shot is the Aspen 6C33 Stereo integrated, also made in China, weight healthy 60 pounds
http://www.aspenaudio.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AA&Product_Code=JASBRAVO2.3

[Ultralight]

Thanks.  I did visit a custom maker today.  I wanted to order one but I'm not here long enough to wait.  He does not do a website and do not ship so that's a dissapointment.  This guy is amazing - he's been doing it for 50 years and do some top end stuff for broadcast stations.   I saw a 805 SET that pushes 50 watts.  Huge 110 lbs monster.   He was also building a 1000 watt tube amp using tubes that were like huge coke bottles for a dance room.  I also saw one where he built a home amp but with an additional microphone input so that one can use it as a Karaoke system.  Point to point stuff using silver wire. Pricing are amazingly cheap for what he does - and he does mostly SET though he does have a push/pull.   Fascinating.

I also saw another prototype push pull amp from a different manufacturer that allowed the use of 10 types of tubes and have switchable headphone impedences from 35 to 600 ohm.  Just remarkable stuff!

UL

[rollo]

  Consonance in Bejing. I bought my Cyber 211s there for a song. Honorable people, great gear. Melody as well really nice stuff. Just be aware of parts used that are recycled or fake. Not a general scheme of things just a heads up. Not an issue with Consonance or Melody.
 


charles