Amp for my 2 channel

While 6moons gave awards to the Glow one year and to the Miniwatt the next, Srajan said the MW was just better.

I'd wager the $800 Dared 2a3c would go toe to toe with the high price spread. The Chinese are building outstanding SET's for the masses.

The mini-watt looks so much like my MG Head. It's inexpensive at the list price I have seen but the Glow does have a DAC on board with USB input and is a headphone amp. The MW has neither from what I can tell nor does it come with a power cord. Better is sometimes subjective here as well especially if different tubes were used. I am sure they are both fine amps for the money.

The Dared is more interesting simply because you're not limited to one input. The Mini-watt may sound good but it is seriously limited as a main amplifier. Personally the Dared is the most appealing. A little more power - not expensive. Sure it is more expensive than the miniwatt and Glow but I just saw a guy asking $650 so you'll get it for $550 to $600. It's also a 2a3.

And I have to say I like the guy's views:

"A typical Audiophile usually spent over 40 years to quest for best amplifier before he/she died.

The 1st 10 years: spent all the money and time on the solid-state amps;

The 2nd 10 years: discovered tube amps, and spent all the money and time on both tube and solid-state amps (and cables as well as speakers, etc.);

The 3rd 10 years: discovered tube SET amps, and spent all the money and time back and forth on the SS, tube PP and tube SET amps.

The last >10 years: finally stayed with a low power tube SET amp and took it with him/her to the Heaven.

How do you spend your next 40 years with your money and time? Do not repeat his/her mistake (you just cannot afford since you only have one life on the earth). Take this 2006 New US Limited Edition Dared MP-2A3C SET amp now and enjoy the music like you never experienced before. This amp will take you to the Heaven. "

This amp reminds me a lot of a Fatman amp I heard way back - looks almost exactly the same. And it was a pretty good sounding unit. Even Vuum sounded pretty good and it was dirt cheap but a different look and tube compliment.

I have done a little internet research on this and it looks interesting. A little over budget but I can swing it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-MC-10L-Pus...#ht_2760wt_907

I was going to go with the SDS-254 kit but I just don't have the time and I really would like a tube amp.

What do you guys think?

BTW you have already given me a wealth of info, thanks :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RGA

"The 3rd 10 years: discovered tube SET amps, and spent all the money and time back and forth on the SS, tube PP and tube SET amps."

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I guess I'm not a "typical" audiophile. Never went back and forth and discovering SETs didn't change anything. Maybe I would feel differently if I were a horn guy.

rw

Nah E-Stat. You just need to discover what SoundLab dealer Audiofederation discovered. You can get High efficiency without going to horns. :-)

You can see those nice big Soundlabs here http://audiofederation.com/blog/cate...io/audio-note/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cyto

I have done a little internet research on this and it looks interesting. A little over budget but I can swing it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-MC-10L-Pus...#ht_2760wt_907

I was going to go with the SDS-254 kit but I just don't have the time and I really would like a tube amp.

What do you guys think?

BTW you have already given me a wealth of info, thanks :)

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The only trouble area with some of these tubes sold on Ebay is that you have to be very careful about warranty issues. Yaqin is one of the brands mentioned in the "worry" areas around this. Yes there is a warranty but no there are no dealers around to fix it if something happens. Granted the price and the looks are great and it's a tube amp but I would look into this brand very heavily before you commit any money. It may be perfectly legit as well - but just be careful.

Also, you may want to audition some tube amps in your area if you can. Make sure you want to go down the path.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RGA

The only trouble area with some of these tubes sold on Ebay is that you have to be very careful about warranty issues.

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This dealer is from Canada and if there is a problem you can send it back to them or they will send the parts and schematics for you to do yourself. I was a TV repairman back in the tube days and still remember enough deal with it.

I would not buy one directly from China (it is a little cheaper) under any circumstances.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RGA

Nah E-Stat. You just need to discover what SoundLab dealer Audiofederation discovered. You can get High efficiency without going to horns. :-)

You can see those nice big Soundlabs here http://audiofederation.com/blog/cate...io/audio-note/

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How did I know that the conversation would come around (as always) to AN? When you stuff a speaker into a corner, that's effectively horn loading.

rw

Cyto, have you checked into Jolida? If you are willing to stretch over your $400.00 budget they offer some pretty well respected gear. May even be able to find units used below budget on Audiogon. I'm not familiar with the brand you are looking at.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Cyto, have you checked into Jolida? If you are willing to stretch over your $400.00 budget they offer some pretty well respected gear. May even be able to find units used below budget on Audiogon. I'm not familiar with the brand you are looking at.

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Yes I have, the prices are higher (and still made in China, as are Emotiva and a lot of others). I have spent a lot time researching this and it seems that the key is to get them from the dealer in Canada so if there are problems they can be corrected. I have a couple of electrical engineering friends that are helping me also, one specializes in concert & mass media audio/video. Still have not decided yet, If I do get one I will certainly post results.

BTW, the wife seen how "cool" tube amps look and OK'd the budget increase to $500-$600. :biggrin5:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by E-Stat

How did I know that the conversation would come around (as always) to AN? When you stuff a speaker into a corner, that's effectively horn loading.

rw

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Doesn't sound like horns though. Yes it often does sorry mate but hey the big Soundlabs dealer likes them enough to be their distributor so....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cyto

I have done a little internet research on this and it looks interesting. A little over budget but I can swing it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAQIN-MC-10L-Pus...#ht_2760wt_907

I was going to go with the SDS-254 kit but I just don't have the time and I really would like a tube amp.

What do you guys think?

BTW you have already given me a wealth of info, thanks :)

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Well I read a forum and it seemed several people were ecstatic about the thing so for $439 it looks to be a pretty good bargain. And if you know how to repairs/modification then why not? Tell us what it's like.

Found a little review of this amp as well - here http://coolcatdaddy.blogspot.com/200...al-review.html

I once owned a Yaqin tube/ss hybrid amp and the build quality was very good. It would get up and boogy but sounded too solid state for my tastes. The Yaqin you're considering is a better amp but be careful as it's almost too powerful for your HE speakers.