Meng Yayi KT88 Mono's?

skeeter99 · « **on:** 14 May 2011, 10:43 pm »

I was looking up KT88 Mono Amps and came across the Meng Yayi KT88 amps on Ebay (and many other sites). I know nothing of the brand and not much comes up with a search. Does anyone have any experience with these amps or this brand?

Here's a link to the pair of Mono's: http://cgi.ebay.com/MINI-YAYI-KT88-Mono-Block-Integrated-Power-Amplifier-/260782818338?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb7de0422

Here's a pic of them:

I'll be powering either my Strata Mini's or the new Mark Audio Alpair12's in SuperPensil12 boxes that I am building. I have listened to th Melody MK88 and LOVED the sound of it which turned me on to the KT88 sound.

Thanks!

Scott

richidoo · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 May 2011, 12:37 am »

The tube itself is only partly responsible for the sound of the amp circuit. The quality of the circuit design, output transformers, coupling capacitors and power supply all have huge effect on the overall sound.

Since you have heard and love the Melody, it makes more sense to buy that. Auditioning a tube amp before buying is mandatory to make sure it is compatible with your speakers and tonal preferences.

skeeter99 · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 May 2011, 12:57 am »

I understand it isn't quite that simple

I've heard a number of mid-high tube amps and like the sound of the KT88's the best. I'd love to get the Melody Mono KT88's but they're $3200 +/- so over 4.5x the cost. Can't quite compare like that. I'm more curious if anyone has experience with this MFR or even these particular amps. I'm don't have the best ear in the world, although they aren't "bad" but do enjoy good sound. I'm wondering how these do overall

Thanks!

Scott

BobMajor · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 May 2011, 01:34 am »

Found these comments or descriptions:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/188121-meng-yayi-kt88-monoblock.html
http://www.hi-end.on9mart.com/cart/MENG%20YAYI%20Pair%20KT88.html
will need to do a translate for this one:
http://www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-111-3722.html

richidoo · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 May 2011, 01:36 am »

With commodity prices as they are I highly doubt the value of the EBay amps. The marketing jargon is highly dubious. IMO, It is a sucker play.

SlushPuppy · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 May 2011, 01:48 am »

I saw those amps on eBay a couple of weeks ago. They do look nice, and the price is great, but I wouldn't buy Chinese electronics unless they had a reputable importer. At best you'll get a 30-day in-home trial, but return shipping is probably on you - and shipping those back to China won't be cheap. Look at the stuff from Ming Da. They have two U.S. importers and the reviews are pretty good.

skeeter99 · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 May 2011, 02:07 am »

Quote from: BobMajor on 15 May 2011, 01:34 am

Found these comments or descriptions:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/188121-meng-yayi-kt88-monoblock.html
http://www.hi-end.on9mart.com/cart/MENG%20YAYI%20Pair%20KT88.html
will need to do a translate for this one:
http://www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-111-3722.html

LOL yup those were all the ones I found too

Thanks!

skeeter99 · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 May 2011, 02:11 am »

Quote from: SlushPuppy on 15 May 2011, 01:48 am

I saw those amps on eBay a couple of weeks ago. They do look nice, and the price is great, but I wouldn't buy Chinese electronics unless they had a reputable importer. At best you'll get a 30-day in-home trial, but return shipping is probably on you - and shipping those back to China won't be cheap. Look at the stuff from Ming Da. They have two U.S. importers and the reviews are pretty good.

Well they have a 1 year warranty and the seller has a very good rating (99.3%).

What I really want is an affordable set of KT88 Mono's for under $1k. I'm not even 100% sure I'm going to get anything but wanted to start doing research in case I do decide to buy

Scott

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 May 2011, 02:33 am »

If I were in the $1000 price range, I'd give up on the monoblock idea and get a JoLida 502P. Underwood Hi Fi has them on A'gon for $950. You get a proven design and USA support. Easily modded/upgraded too if you want to go that route down the road.

Also, budget a few extra dollars for new small signal tubes. Chinese 12A whatever tubes (except the Psvanes) generally suck.

SET Man · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 May 2011, 03:02 am »

Quote from: skeeter99 on 15 May 2011, 02:11 am

Well they have a 1 year warranty and the seller has a very good rating (99.3%).

What I really want is an affordable set of KT88 Mono's for under $1k. I'm not even 100% sure I'm going to get anything but wanted to start doing research in case I do decide to buy

Scott

Hey!

Not a monoblock....

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=94206.0

US made and the company is still around also.

Take care,
Buddy

Tubeburner · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 May 2011, 03:17 am »

Why deal with Ebay and the Chinese when Mike Sander's builds Quicksilver amps in the USA? Not one of his amps has a bad sound and the price is right. Buy in the USA.

skeeter99 · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 May 2011, 04:20 am »

I'd like Mono's so that I can use them with my current system as I don't have the space to have two separate systems. I can put Mono's on top of my subs (dual MFW's) and don't want to have a separate intergrated amp that I have to try and integrate. I'll be using my Onkyo 805 as the Pre-Amp and want to keep this as simple as possible. I understand Jolida and other companies make integrated amps and those wouldn't be that difficult to find. Maybe I'm being stubborn about wanting Mono's which could very well be the case

skeeter99 · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 May 2011, 04:26 am »

Quote from: Nels Ferre on 15 May 2011, 02:33 am

If I were in the $1000 price range, I'd give up on the monoblock idea and get a JoLida 502P. Underwood Hi Fi has them on A'gon for $950. You get a proven design and USA support. Easily modded/upgraded too if you want to go that route down the road.

Also, budget a few extra dollars for new small signal tubes. Chinese 12A whatever tubes (except the Psvanes) generally suck.

This is closer to what I'm looking for. I don't need an integrated, just an amplifier. Now they just need to build this in two chassis instead of one and we'd be good

SlushPuppy · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 May 2011, 04:55 am »

Well, you could always try the Meng Yayi's and see how they work in your system. Who knows, they might be great. I'd ask the seller all the questions I could before making a purchase. Find out what the failure rate is compared to other monoblocks/stereo amps he sells, number of returns, etc. Find out if they have a U.S. repair facility in case they fail. My biggest concern is the lack of a U.S. importer. They may have a 1-year warranty, but do you have to pay to send them back to China for repair? My first guess is yes - could be costly. The seller should answer that. There are two U.S. importers of Chinese electronics that I've looked at that I would feel safe buying from:

1. http://www.pacificvalve.us/

2. http://www.nysound.com/

and in Canada (supports the U.S. market):

http://shop.grantfidelity.com

Look on Audiogon. Sometimes you can some find crazy good deals there.

Nels mentioned Underwood Hi Fi. Try them too.

Good luck,

Slush

skeeter99 · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 May 2011, 05:03 am »

Quote from: SlushPuppy on 15 May 2011, 04:55 am

Well, you could always try the Meng Yayi's and see how they work in your system. Who knows, they might be great. I'd ask the seller all the questions I could before making a purchase. Find out what the failure rate is compared to other monoblocks/stereo amps he sells, number of returns, etc. Find out if they have a U.S. repair facility in case they fail. My biggest concern is the lack of a U.S. importer. They may have a 1-year warranty, but do you have to pay to send them back to China for repair? My first guess is yes - could be costly. The seller should answer that. There are two U.S. importers of Chinese electronics that I've looked at that I would feel safe buying from:

1. http://www.pacificvalve.us/

2. http://www.nysound.com/

and in Canada (supports the U.S. market):

http://shop.grantfidelity.com

Look on Audiogon. Sometimes you can some find crazy good deals there.

Good luck,

Slush

Thanks! I appreciate the heads up and good questions. I'll definitely ask them. I'll keep an eye out on A-Gon as well. I'll also take a look at those importers as well

Scott

SlushPuppy · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 May 2011, 05:14 am »

One last thing - watch the voltages. Some of the Chinese electronics sold on eBay are 220/240v only.

shadowlight · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 May 2011, 12:10 pm »

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1310357048&/Quicksilver-Mid-Mono-monoblock - Something closuer to you, but based around el34
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1310529356&/Quicksilver-Mono-90-Watts-quic
I believe they are based around KT88 or KT90

skeeter99 · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 May 2011, 03:18 pm »

Quote from: SlushPuppy on 15 May 2011, 05:14 am

One last thing - watch the voltages. Some of the Chinese electronics sold on eBay are 220/240v only.

Good point, I'll be sure to watch out for that! Thanks!

skeeter99 · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 May 2011, 03:19 pm »

Quote from: shadowlight on 15 May 2011, 12:10 pm

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1310357048&/Quicksilver-Mid-Mono-monoblock - Something closuer to you, but based around el34
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1310529356&/Quicksilver-Mono-90-Watts-quic
I believe they are based around KT88 or KT90

Wow, those are beautiful! Absolute beasts ... Quite a bit more than I'm looking to spend but 90W! WOW! I can just see my power meter spinning

LOL! I wonder if Quiksilver makes a lower wattage version ....

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 May 2011, 03:23 pm »

Skeeter,

I wasn't thinking last night. Although I don't think the JoLida is really on your list, I'd call Jim Salk for the JoLida. Besides making kick ass speakers, Jim is a JoLida dealer.