Impossibly Affordable 300B Tube Amplifier + Top Notch Build + Rich Sound
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2024
- The Boyuurange A50 MkIII stereo integrated amplifier specs:
Voltage amplification and promotion tubes: 6N8P (6SN7) × 2
Power output tube: 300B × 2 (brand PSVANE)
Rectifier: 5Z3PAT × 1
Output power: 7.6W x 2 (Class A) (No negative feedback)
Frequency response: 30Hz-42KHz
Output impedance: 4Ω, 8Ω
Total harmonic distortion: ≤1% (1kHz)
Input sensitivity: 750MV
Input impedance: 100KΩ (3 groups of input jacks)
Volume: 375 W x 290 D x 180 H mm
Packing volume: 500 W x 450 D x 290 H mm
Signal to noise ratio: 89DB
Net weight: 18 kg
Gross weight: 21 kg
From Amazon, www.amazon.com...
From China Hi-Fi www.china-hifi...
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I review a significant number of US made products, the Decware Zen Triode amp, Rogue Sphinx, and Sutherland Little Loco, to name just three recent ones. But a lot, MOST, affordable audio isn’t made in the United States or Europe. that’s reality, it’s hard to think of too many under $750 speakers made in the US, other than the Magnepan LRS. Other than Schiit (and Zen Triode), I can’t name another US company that makes electronics for under $1000. Of course once you’re spending a lot more money the choices of U.S. and European made electronics and speakers grows. But when I cover higher end gear some viewers complain about the prices, hey, US and European labor and the cost of doing business is MUCH higher! In any case, this channel will continue to present product choices over a broad price range.
Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac The global manufacturing marketplace is what it is.
Economics 101 will suggest that less expensive manufacturing costs will allow for a more positive profit margin for the Company.
Consumers will buy quality products at good price point. Politics usually isn’t the issue but in view of recent events it has slipped into the debate.
One issue with low cost manufacturing processes is the lack of quality control testing. Products made with low cost production techniques and low labor may usually skip the QC testing stage and go straight to packing and shipping since the modern electronics marketplace is now developing disposable products.
My vintage gear is doing very well after 40+ years with basic maintenance and minor repairs. A modern piece of consumer audio gear could possibly be resting comfortably at the bottom of a landfill after 15-20 years (if you are lucky) and other aficionados of quality made vintage audio will be still enjoying our old “stuff” for a few more years to come.
We have choices. As a reviewer you Steve provides the loyal followers information on the interesting products available in the modern marketplace regardless of where it is built. That’s important information we all need and it’s of interest even if we choose to buy or not to buy. That is the .... ok My job is done 😂
You don't need to look too hard to find the various Chinese outlets on the net. Leaving aside US and UK brands having their designs manufactured in China, in many ways it's the tweaky gear where one really starts to think about things. One example would be that there's a huge variety of support pods and isolation devices on offer - most of it under $50 for a set of 4. Compare that to prices in the West for very similar products and and you really do start to wonder about the snake oil thing. I've no doubt in my mind that just about every tweak can make a difference - but having recently seen some isolation supports for sale in the UK at £1800 for ONE - ie: over £5k for 4... it's the pricing which I believe sees buyer's cynicism starting to set in.
I know of one UK brand of power cables that is clearly importing straight from China, adding a logo and a nice heat shrink tube... suddenly the price is 8 times more. With NO mention of what the cable is constructed of, no technical details, no mention where they're manufactured - just the usual pretty prose as I call it.
The problem is that these Chinese marketplaces have such a bewildering choice of tempting gear at such attractive prices, you really don't know where to start. Nobody is reviewing these products anywhere.
Love your channel Steve, it's excellent.
Fat Rat that is so right! and quite tragic at the same time
Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac well said Steve
Fat Rat Nixon went to shake hands with Mao because Russia was neither getting along with china or the US, US wanted to be in good books of China so that Russia could be influenced. China wanted to develop and wanted US to invest. I think US was trapped. Westerners thought that they would give current technologies to China while they would keep on developing new ones. Well, that has failed and u see 5G. 6G is now in pipe line. The dream of US of controlling china is over. China will never be humiliated again. I ain’t pro-Chinese but I see what is happening on world stage
Beautiful music can move people, and high-quality products will also move people. We have always been sincere.
Steve, thanks for this review. Based on this I bought one last week. It arrived late Friday. I set it up and spent most of the weekend just listening and enjoying. This is my first experience with a full tube integrated amp, pre-amp tubes, power tubes and tube rectifier. Even with a set of quite inexpensive Jamo S809 speakers this presents a full-wall soundstage. It works best if you keep your eyes closed. Now I'm probably going to upgrade the speakers to the Focal Chora 826, then maybe some higher end Psvane tubes. But this video started the process.
Steve, thank you so much for the good mood, the great tips and your kindness in sharing your experience with us!
Sold out on Amazon! Was available when I checked in this Saturday morning. All gone by afternoon! Call it the Guttenberg Effect!
China promoter, maybe he owns the ones on Amazon.
@@n_dawson How do you know?
Go with your Gut! 🤦♀️😉😏😎
Hi Steve,
Thank you for the excellent reviews which I never miss.
I too have the same Boyurange A50. I did a few mods to it as recommended by your compatriot Steffie of Skunkie Designs, like replacing the coupling capacitors with Audionote caps and introduced two resistors to the output stage. Both these mods improved the soundstage and headroom. It's a significant change from the original set up. I still use the stock Psvane 300B tubes but replaced the rectifier and the 6SN7 with Electroharmonix. I live in Sri Lanka. Please keep up your good work.
Thanks, Steve for the test Boyuurange A50 III.
I am very happy with my amplifier after I switched to Shuguang 300B-98B (power tubs) and JJ Electronica 6SN7 (first stage tubes). I have got an airy more three-dimensional sound with lots of details. I also tried the TAD 6SN7GT. This tube also provides very detailed sound but with a flatter sound image. The rectifier tube has II kept the original tube. This amplifier gives me a lot of joy every day.
The world has never seen such a hype with tube amplifiers as with the boyuurange a50 mkiii 300b. This is really the bomb in the hi-fi world. China is tearing up competitors, they simply have no chance.
$800 for an eight watt tube amplifier. That's insane! Around 1970 I had a Knight 80 watt all tube integrated amplifier, pre-amp and power amp on one chassis. That had 22 tubes, including two driver tubes and 4 power tubes. I could heat the basement in the winter with that amp. It developed a short in the main power transformer. I wish I still had the amp.
What’s power got to do with it? You can get a Behringer NX6000 for much less than $800 that puts out just north of 1,000W - but you can also easily pay 10x as much for a 45 based tube amp with 1.8W output. I know which one I’d rather listen to… on the right speakers. If this amp is as good as a pair of Audion Silver Night 300B mono blocks, which you can find for just bit more 2nd hand, then they’re indeed a steal. Even if not, it sounds like it’s capable to at least give you a taste of that incredible world of 300B SET and beyond.
$800 is low end for any really good sounding tube amp, single ended or push pull. I could sell my Scott 222-D for more than that for sure
Some people get it...Some don't...You want power for cheap. this ain't the amp (See: Class D).....But you want sound that will bring tears to your eyes....Here it is!
I've BUILT a 300b amp.. I can attest that it's a GREAT sounding audio tube.
Bought one of these a little over a month ago. Sounds good with the stock tubes but I did swap tubes after 40-50 hours and the grain that Steve mentions is gone. I found some affordable tubes on Tube Depot from Electro-harmonics and Tung Sol and I'm a little over $1000 in. I have to force myself to shut this amp off and go to bed! I have to work in the morning! This amp is just a blast to listen to! I am driving a pair of Tekton Mini Lore's, all my listening is digital sources. The A50 Mk III has brought my listening enjoyment to higher level! My system has never sounded so alive! This is my second tube amp, the A 50 is a big step up in quality of build and sound!
what tubes ?
I bought this amp as I never had a tube amp have a tube pre amp. It is beautiful and comes with tube cage but looks so nice at night with the tubes glowing. I haven't tried vinyl yet as my turntable needs work.I have Klipsch RF-7 II Reference speakers with emotiva bridged amps as monoblocks at a 1000 watts per channel. I like high volumes burned out one of my golden ear speakers one night when I had too much alcohol. Bought the klipsch not for their 101 sensitivity but their ability to handle 1000 watt peaks. Today is my third day listening to this 799 delivered amp with free shipping and the cage Steve. I sat 10 feet from my speakers listening to pink Floyd the wall and was blown away. No hiss or distortion had volume at 1 oclock and was very loud at the uncomfortable hurts my ear level it starts to have distortion. I highly recommend sound fantastic, When I unbocked the amp I heard a metallic rattle as there is something loose inside the amp. I tried to take off the bottom cover to see what it was a loose nut or something but what I thought was philip head screws I was unable to get a grip with various screw drivers I did some research and learned there is a Japanese screw head called Jis screws I think I have to buy a 3-piece set if I want to find the cause of the rattle
I bought this amp, and I am ecstatic. I do want to warn tube rollers. I tried EH 6SN7 tubes in place of the supplied 6N8P tubes. They are NOT a "replacement," nor do they sound right for this amp. I then ordered two 6N8P tubes which arrived today. Without any breaking in they sounded like the original 6N8P tubes which came with the amp. They also came beautifully packaged in a metal box.
I have been listening to this amp since the beginning of October. For my listening tastes (mainly jazz, blues, folk, early rock, classical) this is the one I listen to most. I do not consider myself an audiophile. My main focus is on the music, and I want my equipment to capture the emotional power of music. I'm not interested in specs. How a system communicates vocals, tenor sax, and piano are my main concern. This amp does it for me. I have literally wept while listening to music through this amp.
So, Steve, thank you, thank you, thank you for your recommendation.
“Impossibly affordable”? That’s my jam!
To the < 10 people who might read my comment and are considering purchasing this unit:
I got my A50 a few days ago. The first thing I noticed was that the volume knob is inserted with subtle slant. It's not straight. This is only noticeable when you turn the volume knob.
The second thing I noticed is that the unit makes a sort of quiet to moderately volume crinkling noise like a toaster that's heating up. I made sure all the tubes were 100% inserted. The noise went away for the most part but can resurface in a light manner. This goes away if you fidget with the rectifier tube. This noise comes back if the unit receives any form of movement.
The third thing I noticed was there was a 60hz hum present (96db speakers), 100% noticeable during silence, less noticeable during quiet passages of music, not noticeable with loud music. There are comments on the Amazon page saying you can make the amplifier "dead quiet" by removing a grounded screw from the rectifier board. Doing this made my ground noise issue go from 'light' to 'completely unbearable'. Needless to say I put that screw back in.
I'm still unsure how to get this amp to go 'dead quiet'. I've sent an e-mail to China Hi-fi and I'm still waiting for a response. I'm considering making a standalone review of the unit. If something will get the manufacturers attention, that will.
Besides all of that, the amplifier sounds amazing. You get what you pay for.
Thanks Eric, good to know.
Thank you for coming back to post - a very thorough and useful update.
I have about 15 hours on this A50. It’s dead quiet at 12pm. At 3pm the hiss is loud. But at 12pm it’s louder then I listen in my room. It’s a perfect match with Heresy 4. Bass is amazing I had a few other KT88 amps and eL 34. This 300b tube will keep me happy for years to come. Soundstage. Imaging. It’s amazing.
So you're saying the amp got noisy? Noisier as time went on? 15 hours later would be 3am. Not sure what you meant about the sound or noise at that time.
Michael Shibata I am referring to the volume knob. I am saying the amp is not noisy at all with my 99db speakers. There is no hum or hiss up to 75% of the volume level. After 75% of volume there is a clear hiss when there is no music playing. It’s a wonderful amp.
Rudolfo Grease this is the Mark iii. From Vinh at china hifi: “you will have to get rid of the ground noise by isolating the rectifier board from the chassis. If you do that, the amp will be dead quiet” . I have not done that. But I will contact Vinh to see how to do that. The bass is good enough. Not salid state good.
Rudolfo Grease Vihn is the guy from the hifi store.
Rudolfo Grease so far so good. Heat dispersion seems normal. To the touch the middle and right transformer are a tad bit warmer then the left one. My only concern right now is that the 3 tubes in the back are really loose. The front two are stiff as I think they should be. How are your tubes set?
The Amazon description is epic. "Some of Senior audiophile optimization the electric circuit，it is better at aroma, intermediate frequency and bass. '' LOL
Great review Steve, if I was in the market for another valve amp I'd seriously consider this one.
Asians describing their products in English...it's definitely a confusing comedy.
@@SG-ji5ij I have a Chinglish instruction manual I saved somewhere that has sentences ending with the the word “the” and other delights :-)
All Chinese (and Japanese) manufacturers really need to spend a bit of money to get their text properly translated into English, it would help considerably.
Thanks for the Review Steve! It's always refreshing and contagious to hear someone talking with gusto about, actually, pretty much anything. It is enjoyable too to listen to a simple praise that plainly focuses on an engaging product, rather than the politics or moralistic ideologies. At the end of the day, this was made by passionate people who also need to put food on the table.
P.S. I'm so going to get some shirts like that!
Just found this channel, and I am so happy to subscribe! Never knew Nicholas Flamel is an audio expert.
:))
I have a simple approach when comes to purchasing decisions. Budget + Performance + Reliability = Value!
Lots of huge expansive gaps and Grey areas in your theory, nothing objective is defined.
I just listen to hifi - not being a technical person at all - and have had various tube amps - and the 300B is just so special by comparison with its peers... There are different tube manufacturers in China - and many small, bespoke tube amp manufacturers who are making some amazing equipment - sadly not all selling internationally - but I would urge westerners to lose any snobbery toward ChiFi Many apologies to any reader who has already has reached this point in the hifi journey... Also, I would happily be an intermediary for anybody seeking some recommendations.
Alan Wilkinson Thank you for the tip. Can you please post some links for the brands you’re talking about ?
@@JohnDoe-sp5jd Hi - suggest you send me an email if feasible? I have discovered these small companies who have allowed me to build some normally, for me, unaffordable dream systems... I believe some of these manufacturers are pretty much two guys making something in their workshop. Anyways, fyi I am an expat living in China - hence my discoveries over the last couple of years...
Love the fact that you delve into some of this chi-fi stuff. I went through quite a few US branded amps till I finally found bliss in the Muzishare X7
@Pong Yang I've owned solid state amps, several Peachtree audio, some recievers...
@Pong Yang I use a Schitt Loki w the X7. Takes care of the 3% adjustment in sound I desire. I also use Zu Dirty Weekends which are pretty efficient and pair well w the X7
@Pong Yang Ive got a BRAND NEW still in box R8 if you want one much CHEAPER than buying direct from China Hi-Fi
@@billiondollarbaby3276 Alice Cooper says hello
@Pong Yang it's very noticeable and for $149 incredible bang for the buck. Schitt really did an amazing job w it.
Just ordered one! I recently purchased a used pair of GoldenEar Triton 2+ speakers to replace a pair of Magnepans that didn't fit in my new dwelling. Overall, I've been pretty disappointed in the sound, and I think the problem is in part my amplifier. I have a Peachtree Nova 220 that I got to power the Maggies that need a ton of power. But with the GoldenEars (91 db sensitivity with built in subwoofer amps), I can barely turn the knob up, and there have been few recordings that I actually enjoy listening to. So, hoping that a switch to a tube amp will do the trick, and this one seems like a great value. Hope it's powerful enough to drive my Triton 2s.
How did you like this with your Tritons? I have a pair of Triton Sevens and am considering it... I think it's time to replace my old Kenwood KA-601...
@@chrisoquistmusic Hi Chris. You know, I replaces this 300b amp with a push / pull wilsenton R8 that everyone was raving about. Thought I wanted more bass. Well, the wilsenton definitely has stronger bass than. The bayorange, but I find I really miss the midrange sweetness and overall warmth of the A50. It’s a great little amp!
@@chrisoquistmusic Hi Chris. A50 is a great little amp. I sold it because I thought I needed stronger bass than I was getting, and so I bought a Willsenton R8, push / pull AB amp. Does indeed provide stronger bass but you know, I really miss the sweet midrange and more liquid sound of the A50. It is a bit noisy and doesn't have a remote. But if you don't mind that, it's a great value. I never tried upgraded 300b tubes either but that would probably make a difference. I'm presently waiting for an Elekit TU-8600 300b amp. So I want to get back to the 300 b sound!
This guys reviews are as stylish as his shirts !
Yes! I want to be a cool older smart classy guy like him at his age.
True 👌👌
I guess we all have different standards...
I bought a beautiful, great sounding tabletop radio a few years ago. The wood cabinet was designed in the U.S. and the internals were designed and assembled in China. I think it was around $400. It stopped working after a couple months so I took it to a really good repair technician. He opened it up and said that all the components were garbage. He couldn’t repair it because some of the components were proprietary, he didn’t have the schematics, and the company refused to respond to multiple emails.
$799 for a 300B SET amp? Let’s see how long it lasts before it craps out. And let’s see what kind of tech support is available in the States. No free lunch.
Thanks, the amplifier works fine and with my Klipsch Heresy IV make a good combination.
Made in China used to be something that put off audiophiles and was jokingly called ChiFi... good to see that Chinese manufacturers are achieving quality that's on par with audiophile expectations nowadays.
And supporting the CCP.... Never would I buy anything from China
@@nelsondav100 You don’t possess a telephone then...
Jonathan Sturm my Samsung was made in Vietnam. Evidentially you have an iPhone that was built by CCP slaves
@@nelsondav100 I'm in the same camp. I'd rather wait until I have 5x the money to buy something made in the USA. I won't compromise my principles.
I don't care how good it is -- we shouldn't be supporting Chinese companies. Buy American or one of our allies!
So, you got me again with having a tube amp before you kick. This really got me hooked and reeled in. Then, I watched the A10 review. Yep, the order is in... cannot wait.
Hi Howard! Which amp did you pickup? the A50 or the A10? Thoughts? (I am on edge about to jump on one of them!)
@@TheHouheightskid, I got the A10 figuring it would be an affordable amp to test the waters. It's in my living room, used daily with a Denon DN350ui internet radio player and Yamaha CDS300 cd player. Speakers are Klipsch R41m ( baby speakers). Rounded out with a Yamaha YST 105 sub. Pretty basic, but I have about $800 invested. Won't shatter windows, but the sound quality blows me away every single day. Wouldn't change a thing.
@@howardgreenfield1255 According to China Audio HiFi, The A10 also has auto-bias!
I am from Brazil, and here there is no option, all things are to costly.
China made possible for me to get into the audiophile world
North America or Europe just send garbage to sell here (out of date products that cost a leg and a arm), party express don't delivery here.
Course that i will love to buy things from Europe or USA... but... most simple don't care to send to the Brazil or South America using any excuses what so ever.
If there is a option out there will be amazing... but...there is nothing.
Great video Steve, As always .
Thank you.
Wow! Not only sounds good but a work of art.
$150 per tube. Been there, done that. It gets so that you're listening less just to save hours on the tubes. However, as an 'extra' amp to listen to when the mood strikes, it makes sense since there is nothing like the sound of a class A tube amp.
Get an EL34 tube amp .... Also it's the switching on off cycles that wear tubes .... Not the hours on
Ditto. Get an EL34 single ended amp. Buy NOS Chinese valves made in the 1970’s for $10 a piece. Now you can turn it on all day long as long as you’re listening without a deep pocket.
We want to be able to buy those amazingly designed shirts you wear! 😃
Steve made a video about subwoofers around a year ago, where he provided a link to the store in the video description.
Considering the consistant level of interest, it would be good for him to put the link in the description of all his videos.
@Fat Rat
No need, as the store owner where he buys them is doing that already. ~_^
@Fat Rat
Lol!
That's pretty good!
OMG Steve. So right. This little amp is worth every penny. I purchased after seeing your review. No it’s not the loudest. No I probably don’t have the most efficient speakers (Polk Audio LSi9’s). But sound, you nailed it. Also can’t forget it’s absolutely gorgeous. My first tube Hi-Fi amp and it’s a 300b. Bass is even. Treble isn’t piercing. Great soundstage just like you said. Thank you for turning me on to this little beauty. I’m subscribed for life. Paul
Lazy Sunday afternoon in my quiet little village just north of Frankfurt and this Yank browses upon this review and takes it for another spin. Yep, it ages well (like you), and the amp is beautiful. So, I did some price checking. With cage and VU meters, shipping to Germany, taxes, and duties Ali Express sells it for just under $1200 U.S. A German company that (for whatever reason) is hauling it in from Americuh for just over $1900 U.S.!
I often lament about not realizing how good I had it in the U.S. when it comes to electronics and related supplies. Taxes and fees here are murder, and when you import stuff you die twice. BUT...for a FEW hundred a month I have an exceptional healthcare plan that I'd be paying ten times more for back at home. And, I've been here in this village of 5-thousand people since 2014 and cop cars cruise through no more than once or twice a year. Two break-ins reported in six years.
Like audio (and life), everything involves a TRADE OFF. :)
A perfect reason to go home on holiday and buy up! If you knew someone with a private jet, maybe stick it in hand luggage!😂 just kidding, I’m a dreamer!
P.S. do you prefer the Mc Feast, or the Big Mac?
@@michaelkoloc-jx6kv Actually, to help lower shipping costs when I came here I gutted my huge desktop PC and put the parts in my suitcase, figuring I'd buy another chassis once I got here. Also brought along some new stuff (like RAM and Intel chips) which I removed from the packaging and mixed with the old stuff in ziplock bags. No fuss, no muss...and no import fees. No wrappers and a little dust can go a long way. With Customs, it depends on who's at the controls when you come through. 😄
@@michaelkoloc-jx6kv Speaking of fast food...I haven't had ANY since I came here 9 years ago! Those places are as scarce as hen's teeth in these small and medium towns. Most of my meals are cooked by me. Translation: Mo Money Fo Der Stereo!😁
@@ronaldmcdonald2456 you became a healthy man, I like it. To me, fast food is for the youth.
I have the Willsenten R300 amp. Around $1000 all in. Very happy with it.
Steve, there you go again with low powered amplifiers. You ignore us (300W +) high power amp lovers 364 days of the year and you pay us attention on the balance of one day and you expect us to forgive you? Okay, make it 2 days out of 365 and we will not feel ignored. Love you regardless. 😁👍👌.
I enjoy my six Class A Mono Amps with Svetlana 572 B Tubes ! Total retail $ 150 000 ! Made in Columbus Ohio ! And yes they are very beautiful !
Hoping someday to own that kind, God pls help me...
Very exciting! I hope they don't raise the price now. I noticed yesterday on Amazon that the Pioneer SP BS22 LR Andrew Jones bookshelf speakers jumped in price over $50.00 from an already elevated $122 (If memory serves) to $179!! Over fifty bucks in one day! Took all the fun out of a great bargain priced quality speaker. Jerks!
That was an Amazon move most likely and if you look on a Monday or Tuesday, the price may be back to where it was, I see that all the time.....🤔
@@FelixtheMetalcat I appreciate your response letting me know that! Will keep an eye on them.
I got my BF 22s for $49 eBay online brand new in the box😁. The towers went on sale six months later for $69 for a pair not each. Now you know that’s still making profit so you can imagine what the true prices
@@coldfinger459sub0 You get what you pay for.
Chris Larson yep, but you can modify if you know how. Use it as a base platform because you never could build the chassis and the layout for such a cheap price and just start tinkering and modifying.
That sound you hear is Steve Deckert grinding his teeth ;)
To be fair, his prices are for 'Made in USA' but for most companies that would mean at least triple the price of this amp. Thanks for the review.
I have one of these and I have undertaken some simple mods as per a YT site - Skunkie Designs. These are fairly simple and cost very little to get the 300Bs performing near where they should.
One only needs modest skills and I am very happy with the results
Loves me some 300B’s. The guts of that thing are pretty impressive.
Nick look at Primaluna... Not $800 buck though
jsmctch I had Primaluna Evo 200 for two months. It’s a glorified solid state sound. It’s good. But it’s not tube sounding. This A50 is way better sound. I’m keeping this as my daily driver.
@@Staybrown11 I have Dialogue Premium separates. they are far from SS sounding. Let me ask you, did you use Chinese (modern) tubes like the stock ones? I use nothing but NOS Vintage tubes, Mullard EL34s made in the Blackburn factory and a host of 12au7 variants ,Telefunken Mullard, RCA, CBS Hytron and Amperex. Made a big difference from stock... The EVO 200 is more on par with the Prologue series, the EVO 300 and 400 are on par with the Dialogue series
jsmctch I used gold Lions KT88. Telefunken 12AU7 in the preamp section and Brimmar. I still have the tubes just collecting dust in their box. I am 100% sure your $10k primaluna separates blow away this $800 A50. I agree with you. But at $800 for this 300b tubes i have to say that compared to the $3k primaluna + $600 in tubes, the A50 is jaw dropping. And out of the box the A50’s tube sound is just, to my ears, better then the Evo 200. Again, for the price this A50 is just phenomenal.
@@Staybrown11 Thats what its all about, what sounds good to YOUR ears. I glad you you found an amp you like. Ive spoken with and done business with Andy Bowman from Vintage Tube Services. He's a wealth of tube knowledge for over 50 years. and if you ask me he hit the nail on the head with his suggestions based on what I was looking for. Something to keep in mind.... Enjoy the music
Very much enjoyed your review and understood your comparison to the First Watt, and here it is, but I would really have appreciated you doing a comparison with a Decware Zen Super Triode amplifier. Both are relatively low watt and very affordable.
Good review Steve! I wish I had heard about this $800 300B back in April when I received my $1400 from Uncle Sam! I would have bought one! That is a bargain price for sure! My SET 45 custom-made amp cost $1600 - and is far less useful! Good for headphones though! Too bad you don't live near me in Florida. I'd lend you my three single-end amps to try out! The 2A3 MIJ by Sanei is particularly impressive - it has all -Tango iron! The iron quality of a single-end amp is most important! The Sanei/Cornwall would be a rockin' killer combination!
A Funny Story: So in my pauper existence I took out the 'speakers' from my latest rebuild TUBE Amp. The Speakers are 1955 woven 4x6 made for the amp inside of a V/M 560A. I disconnect my crumby little Bose and plug in the 4x6 to my Sansui 5000A.... & for 2 1/2 songs it was glorious... Open Baffle really when you think about it all the speakers back in the 50s were Open Baffle designs and the Boxes were pretty much boxes.
So I'm hearing my 1st real Jazz album purchased early 1968 "Swiss Movement/McCann-Harris" and things are ring out I haven't heard in ages.
Next I plug in Frank Sinatra - in the WEE Small Hours, and I'm FLOORED I can't believe what I am HEARING... I think 'Wow, This guy has chops I've never never never heard before!'
About that time I hear some rattling (not much) and I look over at one of the speakers and it looks like something is open, broke just almost a little.....
So I take out the CD of Frank Sinatra ready to kiss the silicone wafer when I realize this isn't Frank Sinatra I'm listening to it's Louie Armstrong from his Greatest Hits Decca Album about 1965.
So I'm a FOOL, but I still heard FRANK even in the mistake I made listening to LOUIE and thought it was Louie that I was hearing in a FRANK Album....
Confusing Right :)
It was a great experiment. the Speakers were 65 years old and powered by a Amp 45 watts per channel when they were originally designed for use with a TUBE Amp sharing 10 Watts for all 3 speakers in the V/M 560A. So it should be a surprise that I watched them self Destruct on 'Whole Lotta Love' by Led Zepplin.
It Was AWESOME watch them shrewd the paper as they played into Sonic Chaos!
I kept thinking while listening to Frank Sinatra if this was what STEVE meant when he said the Music was Hiding in the Grooves comment he makes often when he's happy about the equipment he's reviewing... lol
I think i should have changed that to I wonder if Steve and I hear anything alike while Stoned... possible denial can be made this way without harming reputations ;)
Steve, you've reviewed quite a few of these affordable Chinese-made tube amps now. Which of them would you choose for your home system if you could only have one? I know that there's a ton of technical issues to consider when answering that question, but let's cut to the chase and just have a bold choice. That would be super useful. Thanks in advance.
Dont feel bad, I dont get any responses from the 'master' either. Read the negative reviews on this amp before you fall down the YT rabbit hole. I love how one person reviews an amp, then they sell out. Some have had major issues. One video shows a chassis wobble on a flat table that would really bother me if I spent IMPOSSIBLY AFFORDABLE money.
We love you Steve! Keep'em coming.
I love your review of the Chinese gear. Please do something on more of the China Hi-Fi Audio stuff (Willsenton R8) or stuff like the Doge 10... there’s too much small-circle favorable reviews and too little information, it needs a pro like you to listen in! ;)
I might buy one IF I got a shirt like yours with it!
This is my first time to this channel.
Never thought I’d see someone review an item and just talk about it without ‘test driving’ it. For an amp review, you don’t even put it through the speakers and give the audience a taste of its sound? Strange, to say the least.
Great review just waiting for mine to arrive. You sold this amplifier. It will be my first tube amplifier, what I like you can forever upgrade in trying different tubes.
Question. Love the Cornwalls, so that’s my speakers especially with jazz and classic rock. Question is compare this 7W $800 Chinese 300B tube amp, $1400 Will Vincent US custom built tube amp, and (my expensive fav used) AirTight Japanese tube amp.. I’m sure you have heard and experienced all 3 !
Of course a good power supply is key, but in addition to having clean power, you mentioned one of two things that come to mind on tube amplifiers
I agree, changing tubes to derive a better sound is important. When I used to build these, the key to good linear sound lay with the output transformers. The overall cost savings to this kind of amplifier has to include the power and audio output transformers.
I think this is a large influence why McIntosh amplifiers sound the way they do. They do their own transformers and I'm sure they know exactly how to construct them.
I agree regarding the importance of power supplies and output transformers!
My Aunt and Uncle used to run a number of Seeberg 100s with booth boxes. In the right room some of the 45s sound absolutely amazing, especially stuff by The Platters. My aunt's brother used to service them - it's where I learned Rock n Roll, I got the worn out 45s. He was real excited when transistors were commercialized, but he used to also collect old floor standing tube amp radios. Tubes do produce an incomparable sound. I used to go on calls with him sometimes 6L6, and 12ax7 are burnt into my brain - he was a great source for our guitar amps too :D
Hi Steve the amp looks amazing but like most of the hifi you review I'll never find here in England but knowledge is a great thing & your videos are my must watch ,many thanks & keep them coming.
We can obtain most of the products in the UK.
Thanks so much again Steve!! I have the Boyun A10 EL34 amp.I love it! I also discovered a system math that was totally unexpected.my Klipsch Belle's were my first choice. S ounded great.but I stumbled on something much more magical.i have some old school Celestion DL6 's that I have always liked.when I played them through the Boyuun amp:::;;;;;Pure Disappearing Magic!! I never heard a combo quite like it!
You are an expensive friend to have, mister Guttenberg! :-)
WE 86-A amplifier used a 300a WE 91B used 300b wasn't the Japanese who discovered such for audio use. But they did embrace it since WE kit was the most favored among audio collectors.
Tube amps are life ❤❤. I have a Richter sorcerer with some sonus faber venere. Unfortunately they no longer make tube amps. I think my next upgrade will be to a unison research performance 😍.
I’ve owned this amplifier for years now. I’ve rolled in a Gold Lion GZ34, vintage GE 6SN7 GTBs, and kept the Psvane 300B tubes. The best thing I did was to add a Project-Audio Tube Box S2 pre-amp that I rolled some Mullards into. I have a Project Carbon Evo turntable, and Klipsch RP 600m. The next move is probably Heresy’s, but truly unnecessary.
I have been having so much fun rolling el34s and kt77 with the A10. Investing in pairs seems so much more reasonable than swapping out four tubes or more. I have now settled with tung-sols el34b but have some gold lions kt77 on the way and I think I’ll stop there ;) The thing is tube amps let you fine tune your system in a way solid state can’t. And it is not only about the power tubes, it is about the preamp tubes and the rectifier itself. You also have the choice to use 4 or 8 ohms taps. I use four ohms taps to get the best midrange out of my klipsch Rp600m. When doing all this fine tuning carefully you can get closer to the weight, balance and finesse of more expensive SS amps. Thanks for the review Steve. Now I have an itch for another Boyuu.
Try some "real" Winged C (SED) EL34s...
I always wondered about KT77's in the A10. Nice to know you can...did you have to modify to do this?
@@xxlrg1 So far, the best tubes in my system. Tung-sols get closer, but the gold lions’ sense of space and extension is unparalleled. Music sounds bigger and more real. No need for adaptations here as they are technically El-34s. I also recently updated the preamp tubes to Voskhod 6N2P.
Carlos,
I just unboxed my A10 that I bought 3 years ago (I know, what the hell was I doing?). When you change the tubes, do you have to Bias them with the A10, or does it have Auto-Bias? Thanks.
Steve makes this very appealing - but the cost of those tubes is scary, and EL34 or KT 88s can’t be all that bad.
Steve what 300B amp would you recommend if a person didn't want to buy from China? Price range up to $4K. I have owned Klipsch Belle speakers for 35 years. I've always wanted to audition them with a 300B amp. Came close to purchasing a Cary integrated a few years ago but didn't. I do have a Cary 35wpc amp with EL34s which is great and a First Watt SIT3 which is also super nice. But I have the 300B bug. Thanks.
I would think that more B-roll would help your channel greatly.
Ive wanted a tube amp for god knows how long now! Been wanting to do a DIY kit tube amp, but I think I want the First Watt amp camp kit more now lol
Latest episode, #940, was a good one!
Wow! so cheap, I was looking into the Elekit DIY but this might be a good start
I bought the Boyuu A9, the earlier version of the A10 you talk about with EL34s and in my view and consider the 300B amp and similar to be power amps and work much better with a pre-amp.
I have an A9 as well. With my CD player and phono preamp (Little Bear T10), the gain and dynamics was fine with no separate preamp. But, when using my computer as a source, I couldn't quite get loud enough, and dynamics suffered. I bought a $36 Chinese tube preamp, which cured the problem. The A9 is a sweet little amp, but I'm seriously considering this 300B amp. Hmmm...
Dave
@@gurdyman1 Thank you, Dave, for your reply, it's all in the speakers! Since I was a kid was always interested in sound and when I was old enough (18) built two EL 84 based amps with help from a local radio shop who had a valve (tube) tester and lots of advice. Went on to sell Hi-Fi for most of my life and learned a great deal about speaker design and modified many off-shelf speakers and listening to many began to discover many fundamental flaws in driver and cabinet designs and began experimenting. In the early 1990s built a pair of small floor standing speakers to my own design and huge modifications to drivers which also have many compliance problems. In short, my cabinet has a true capability of delivering 20Hz to 20Khz with a 61/2 inch drive and mounted a paper cone ceramic high frequency mounted it in the apex and wove in pigtail wire and a Zobel network and simple resistor to the tweeter and an induction coil to the cone of the driver. I removed 50% of the basket and 50% of the spider and mounted it to the cabinet suspended by a combination with foam and silicon totally isolating the driver from the cabinet. Screwing the driver to the cabinet is a big no-no! I was using solid-state quality amps and they sounded like a million Dollars! Based on my design and custom made a pair for a BBC sound recording engineer and another for a recording studio who is a Doctor of Music at Brighton University. The story goes on much longer but, in short, I can reveal that single-ended tube amps are probably the best sounding and coupled with my speakers are almost holographic and single point source with an efficiency of 96dB. The deep bass is felt and accurate and reproduce sound comparable to any systems costing thousands more. Currently, I'm tube rolling. Are you in the States? Ian
@@ianforfun1Ian, I, also, have built many more speakers than bought ready made commercial ones. Some had complex XOs, some less so. I've used everything from six inch drivers to 15 inch drivers, and many different types of tweeters. I am currently using EV 12TRXC coaxial drivers from the early 80's in 4.4 cu ft enclosures. 100 dB sensitivity, and a single capacitor for crossover to the tweeter, 15 inch subs crossed at 50 Hz 4th order. I just love the huge dynamics and effortless sound. Not the last word in transparency, but they sound very natural to my ears. I'm a lifetime Folk musician and have been making and listening to live acoustic instruments for 50 years and love the effortless sound.
Guess it just goes to show that there are many ways to sonic bliss.
Dave
If it isn't already, perhaps "Chi-Fi" will become a colloquial term among audiophiles.
These tube amps from China are great start for modding. The price is all about things that doesn't have to look nice : so inside there are things like caps and resistors which are the cheapest you can find. Replacing inner starge caps reveals new amp. Also because of power transformer quality tubes` work points are below safe. I did it years ago with yaqin mc10l and results were amazing.
I don’t think this is made using cheap parts
@@skularatna8136 it must be cause it`s cheap, look heavy and expensive so cuts have must been done somewhere you won`t look. Instead of decent PP caps in signal they`d use cheapest electrolytic or poliester. For filtering instead long life, high temperature Philips or Vishay they`d use some noname brands, and so on..Thats why these are so nice to tweak, for 100$ more for parts you get much better sound amp.
Just because it’s a no name brand. I’m sure once upon a time when McInTosh amps were sold at ‘cheap’ prices people thought they were cheap. Cost of electronics is much lower in China and Southeast Asia. What gets sold in the west tends to be heavily overpriced.
I don’t doubt modding any amp has benefits but what I’m saying is you can’t assume it’s using cheap parts. Maybe it is maybe it isnt
Another brilliant review.
Hi Steve could you consider reviewing HEGEL AMPS particularly the H90
It may be possible to get the sweetness it's lack by replacing the caps in the power supply and some foils ones in the signal path. Changing the internal wires with OCC ones and the binding posts by pure copper ones.
It will become a killer amp.
And to go further replace all the resistors by mils or audionote. And to finish it off changing the power transformers.
@Matthew Taylor If you don't know what you're doing.
Do you have this amp? Are you suggesting upgrades based off of experience of this amp or assuming that it will sound poor?
I would REALLY LOVE to see your Review of the LINE MAGNETIC LM-219 ia, a 110 lbs Monster with Psvane 845 Power Tubes and 300b as well. I was told that Line Magnetics is producing the ABSOLUTLY FINEST TUBE AMPS.....even Western Electric Copy`s, that are coming out of China. It is for sale at China-Hifi for around 4000,-USD including international shipping.
Just looking for a cheap tube amp to try out thanks Steve
Very good deal, but I have to say - chassis-mounted tube sockets would make it more durable and more expensive. PC-mounted tube sockets transfer force applied to tube directly to the circuit board, which is not good. You don't want to flex circuit boards because this can degrade the connections, not to speak of the structural integrity of the board itself.
Youre right, but it is a little pcb for each tube, that makes it a bit more forgiving. The main advantage of this is better cooling for the tube, witch is more important for every day use.
Hi Steve, ok which do you like better the A50 tube amp verses the Decware that you have just review both of these are exactly what I m looking for
Actually, like with any other tube amp, what you hear most is the sound of the output transformers not the tubes! That's the rub with an $800 tube amp...
It's both. I built a fully differential tube amplifier (6SN7 + 6V6 drivers + ) one channel with DHT (EML Mesh plates 2A3) output tubes and other with IDHT output tubes (PSVANE EL34) some output transformers. The IDHT had a slight grain sound to it. Changed one output transformer from Lundahl (LL1682 AM) to R-Core Softone transformer, sound not as good as the Lundahl output transformer.
Hi Steve, how does this compare to the A-10 I bought because of your review? I like the A10 a lot. Is this one better?
I’m saving my tips for this amp now!
Steve you always talking about amplifiers but i never see videos of you playing the music with the amps on your Klipsch Cornwalls.
Thanks for your good video and I fount an adapter (SAT UB-1) that can connect headphones by connecting to the amplifier speaker terminal on etsy.
Steve, you have initialed a big change in my audio taste as a result of this review. I bought this Boyuurange 300B tube amp and I love it. Of course, the rest of my system plays a big role in this, but compared to my other solid state amps on the same setup, this Boyuurange 300B tube amp has nice soundstage, but especially depth and imaging! I consider this a starter tube amp. But it is sure great. I am now going to embark into the tube world more and to help fund it, I just painfully sold one of my three First Watt amps. I would love it if you would do a review of the Raven Audio Osprey vs the Decware Mystery Zen Triode! A comparison of likely the two best US made tube amp makers! Please do this!! Many thanks!
Don't understate the difference the transformers make to the sound. Probably more than the tubes.
Especially interstage....
Absolutely. Having lived through the "tubes are all we have" era, transformers of all kinds were the first thing we engineers wanted to see hit the dustbin when we got semiconductors. Transformers, no matter how well designed (and painted) are the most non-linear devices I can think of in an audio amp. The next thing we celebrated was limiting the effects of dastardly electrolytic capacitors, so prevalent in high voltage power supplies. High voltage and heat are the enemies of long life and stability. You can have them both in a tube amp.
Oh, and consider establishing a "sinking fund" for those tubes. You're going to get to pay for that amplifier many times over in the next ten or twenty years (unless you only light it up for your uncomprehending pals).
If your ears seek an addiction to mostly even harmonics (tube sound), consider a good solid state power amp and a tube preamp. In preamp use, tubes can last a decade. And plate voltages are in the "tens" as opposed to the "hundreds" of volts.
-Just one man's view.
Just add the distortion digital, then you don't need a tube amp !!!
@@jimshaw899 This is a dirty cheap amp to give people who doesn't have the means a taste. Not the state of the art with the best parts.
Yes but here this isn't the point. The pricepoint for access is the point. If you know what you're doing you can change everything inside. It's point to point, very easy to service and upgrade.
The transformers can be changed, the caps, the resistors and the internal wiring. This is a mod heaven. And after doing those basics upgrade you can roll tubes.
How do they manage to produce such great gear nowadays for this kind of price ?
Maybe there is a version for reviewers (with finely crafted transformers, etc.) and a more common version for the guy like me. Just unbelievable! ✨🤩✨
Labor is cheap in China. I love my Denafrips Ares II. Get it, before they increase the price.
Selmer Reference54 I got it! It is right down incredible.
@@rothschildianum Yes this revile how low price it is to produce something.. And when almost everything is produced in China then we start to realise how many multiplies of times other established manufacturers add to get their asking price when their products is also made in china.
J M Lathion This morning, I haopened to go to Upscale audio website, all the prices are in 2k and above! I really think people are just stupid to spend too much money. I can afford paying that much but just not willing. That is why I am so happy with Denafrips. The price is so reasonable. I am hoping somebody in China will copy Ongaku amplifier for say 1k ir even 2 k!
Optimize I like Naim, but the one that I like costs 11k. If it were made in China it must coats 1k!!! Naim has made the same amplifier forever, there is no RD cost! It should not be that expensive!
Steve, My name is Ed Case and I live in Connecticut. I am a song writer and play in a band where we record original music. A few years ago I picked up a Dynaco Amp as Modded by Will Vincent. I am running a pair of Tekton Oriel's with the amp. Not being an audiophile I wanted to know your opinion on this amp. I play tube amps with my guitars and they blow away solid state, although. I have a small solid state amp that sounds fine if I need it. Is this Dynaco something I should keep or trade up for something better? I love the sound of it and the ease of biasing when I have to. To me tube amps resonate with me moreso than a solid state amp. And its the feeling that I am after when I listen and play. Its hard to describe, but it puts a smile on my face and that's good enough for me.
Regards,
Ed Case
I am only a casual hi fi enthusiast. I simply cannot afford the electronics I would like if I could make the investment. That said, I am aloof and do not gall in love with anything I can't have. I do want to say that I very much enjoyed your review of this integrated modestly powered amp. Am wondering if I should forego rent and get this amp myself.....
That pairs of PSVANE 300B tubes are retailed for 100 dollar a pair in China. I believe theres manufacturers are able to talk down the price to like 60 or 70 dollars a pair. There’s no surprise that this Boyurange something brand could retail the whole tube amp for 599.
Is it possible we can get a video that serves as a primer to tube amps? Or maybe you've done one?...
How does this compare to the 2watt zen by Decware?
The 6 watt Decware I had couldn't drive speakers very well. I think these flea watt amps are best suited for desktop nearfield purposes only.
@@mkfmkf55 6 watts is plenty to drive larger high efficiency speakers, like the Klipsch Cornwalls that Steve used. I have a pair of Electro-Voice vintage studio monitors that are 100 dB sensitivity. My 6 watt tube amp can drive a person right out of my 13 x 15 feet room.
@@gurdyman1 And, the 300b puts out only 3watts.
@@johnsmith-sn8dd That's only 3 dB less than 6 watts.
@@Peter-ff1tp this amp puts out 7.6w pc, I run 91dB sensitivity speakers with it, it is plenty loud enough and it sounds great.
It's about 120 euros per tube matched on ebay now (made in Japan). I'm sure something like this is inside this amp. For sure, not an original 50 years old one ))
It's gotta be good because it weighs a lot, right Steve?
Would like to try that amp, but what i really want badly is two monoblocks with tubes.. 😊 one day !
Would you recommend this to play with my new Cornwall IVs? I grew up in the 70s and 80s. Love my classic rock, mello Pink Floyd, some country. Little blues as well. Your thoughts? I do like to enjoy an adult beverage from time to time and that may induce an increase in volume levels. Thanks for your time.behave a great day.
No! You’re not gonna be happy with a handful of watts,
Your passion for hi-fi has this unlimited source of power sir! which is always refreshing and motivating :) Did you get to try this amp with the RP600Ms? Would you recommend this combo?
Maybe, but the US made Decware zen triode amp I reviewed recently would be an even better match, assuming, you’re not interested in playing music very loud.
Thank you for your many videos. I would like to know what tubes would I used to upgrade the Reisong A10.
Interesting indeed. I would say the biggest sacrifice here is overseas iron. Transformers are an entire science within in itself. Electrolytic caps in there, (no thanks there) I haven't heard much chi fi stuff but I can see where the savings are. I am happy when any product brings more folks to tubes, regardless of where its from.
Review the wellington r8 please
Sorry wellsexton r8
I’ve got to show my better half the Mrs. Audiophiliac video so I can get a 2nd tube oriented audio system. Compared to my other components $700 won’t be a hardship.
No negative feedback. Hope you like roll-off starting in the low mid range, distortion and rubbish damping factor. This configuration doesn't have the gain to provide decent NFB. Output transformer construction is normally more important than choice of output tube/valve.
SET amps with no negative feedback are popular precisely because because of the harmonic distortion, the dominant distortion is musical, if you want an amp that measures well and has a high frequency response that only dogs can hear, by all means get a SS amp, tubes are not for you.
USD$594 today (Nov 2022) with 10% discount... can upgrade tubes esp 6SN7 will fix the grain and glare issues. $110 or so for that pair... looking forward to safe shipping to Oz and listening in 2023 by the time it ships and reaches here.
not Rolling those tubes LOL