[eclein]

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/mp/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=75

I have had original and now MK2 its designed by Gary Huang in Canada, Made overseas, and shipped from the warehouse in Canada or directly. Its only 6.5 watts X 2 but it drives everything I have. Currently pushes some JBL-L830 that are 90db..vol on 1/4 is almost too loud for me, I listen nearfield at low volumes, I was given this amp by Lee Weiland who recently passed away (He said he wanted me to smile for a couple days and it worked). With the right tubes, I'm using some real old Mullards and some new runs...I love this thing. Just another option to confuse you more...LOL

[neekomax]

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/mp/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=75

I have had original and now MK2 its designed by Gary Huang in Canada, Made overseas, and shipped from the warehous in Canada or directly. Its only 6.5 watts X 2 but it drives everything I have. Currently push some JBL-L830 that are 90db..vol on 1/4 is almost too loud for me, I listen nearfield at low volumes, I was given this amp by Lee who recently passed away (He said he wanted to smile for a couple days) and it worked. With the right tubes, I'm using some real old Mullards and some new runs...I love this thing. Just another option to confuse you more...LOL

That's a great story you have there, sorry to hear about your friend.

Wow, the price is very right on this for sure. Might be a relatively painless option in that respect. You say 9:00 is almost too loud? Huh. It's hard to understand how these low wattage amps do that  .

[eclein]

Ask the tube guys what tubes to get that will give you some power, because different tubes bring some things to the table like power. I'm not talking alot, may .5 or 1.0 watts more but its amazing how loud this thing gets. My room is 12 X 17 ft. and my gear is in one corner of the room and fills it nicely no problem. I had 86 db speakers with the first version and it got plenty loud....really surprised me...Check out the thread over at head-fi we started and contributed too and it will explain a wierd hum some folks were getting, I got it, new old tubes and now fine after some breakin time so if your OK with checking it out for what...$260 and you can easily swing that I say go for it. But check out head-fi...I'll go now and see if I can find the thread and give you a link!!!

[eclein]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/536681/new-info-musical-paradise-mp-301-mk2/420#post_7714791

Read this, apparently the hum issue still raises its head so just wanted to let you know....enjoy whatever you get....Tubes are awesome!!!

[highfilter]

Cool. Nice little budget amp. I might give it a try for my computer setup. Have a pair of Klipsch RB-61s and they are 95dB @ 2.83V / 1m.

[raindance]

Jolida 102B is your best bet for starting out. It is very musical and sweet sounding, using EL84 tubes.

If you are not technically minded, you'll need to be careful as most tube amps need to be biased regularly and some require exposure to lethal voltages to do so.

Auto-bias amps also exist but are less efficient than those you bias yourself, so the power is less.

Don't be taken by where a volume control is set to for "enough" volume. Most low cost tube amps have WAYYYYY too much gain and reach full power by 12 o'clock.

[Ericus Rex]

One thing to consider is if you buy a KT88 based amp, you can roll in all sorts of other tube types like 6L6, 6CA7, EL34, 6550, KT66, KT77 and maybe even KT90.  Lots of different sounds to get.  If you get an EL84/6BQ5 amp, you can basically only run that tube and a couple of russian or chinese variants of that tube.  It would be far less versatile.  Something to consider.  But who knows, the EL84 sound might be exactly what you need.

[InfernoSTi]

If you are considering the Onix Melody SP3 MkII, there is one for sale right now on AC for $550. 

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=97653.msg989435;topicseen#new

I want to state I have no relationship whatsoever to the seller and I have not heard the amp personally.  Just trying to help your consideration...I apologize if that is overstepping in any way.

John

[neekomax]

If you are considering the Onix Melody SP3 MkII, there is one for sale right now on AC for $550. 

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=97653.msg989435;topicseen#new

I want to state I have no relationship whatsoever to the seller and I have not heard the amp personally.  Just trying to help your consideration...I apologize if that is overstepping in any way.

John

Thanks for the heads up... will have to research that amp a bit.

[doug s.]

Hey!
As for tube amp. I would avoid those bargain priced ones on eBay and etc. As for your speaker... sensitivity is only part of the equation, 87dB is not bad and if the impedance stay pretty flat across the the band than is would be even better because it will be easy to drive. I think something like 30-40 wpc minimum should be just fine for you in small  to medium room at sane SPL.

i strongly disagree about buying off-shore from ebay.  these are killer amps.  dual mono, decent power tubes, option of running pre, or bypassing the pre, can be run triode (32wpc) or ul (65wpc).  built wery well.  and, eye candy. grant fidelity sells them for a lot more...

here's one example; (search yaqin mc100b on ebay's world-wide setting to see others; different pricing and colors.):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAQIN-MC-100B-KT88-Tube-Vacuum-Integrated-Amplifier-GB-/290608516594


at a max of $700 shipped, it's hard to do better, imo...  a bud of mine got one for $500 shipped a while back...

doug s.