"Andre Jute" wrote in message
oups.com...

Justin wrote:
Hello everyone! I am a newcomer to the world of tube audio. I've
loved my Peavey Classic 30 guitar amplifier for the last 6 years and
I'm looking into getting started in the world of tube stereos. I know
a little bit about amplifiers (I'm a recent EE grad) and I collect
vinyl as well.

I'm considering purchasing the amplifier listed he

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nice-300B-6CA7...QQcmdZViewItem

Yo, Justin, welcome! Don't let the choleric mouthfoamers like Wilson
put you off; they count it a day wasted in which they don't ruin
someone's pleasure in being alive.

The amp you want to buy is a bit expensive by Chinese standards. Go to
the newsgroup uk.rec.audio and search for posts by Keith G. He has
bought several Chinese amps and he shows photographs and gives prices
on his site. I seem to remember he bought in Germany; your advertiser
must have quite a few bad responses from customers, so I would view him
with care; I have good experience buying from Germany myself (not amps
because I build my own but other stuff).


OK, see below....


I was drawn to this amp because it is integrated (I don't currently
have the funds to purchase a
preamp and power amp combo - but I would like an all-tube sound),
class-A, has all-tube
rectification, point-to-point wiring, and comes with electro-harmonix
tubes in the preamp stage.

Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions about this amp? I realize it
is Chinese and a USA-made amp would be better, but of course this
contributes to the lower price. I also realize I will probably have to
purchase a phono preamp to hook my record player to this amp
effectively. Anyway, suggestions/opinions/criticisms anyone?


I'm afraid I've taken my webpages down (needed the webspace for speaker
stuff) but I can tell you that amp is very similar to one of the two Chinese
300B SETs I bought - same chassis, apparently same (or at least same sized)
transformers but different input/driver valves (mine are ECC81/6V6).

It is the same supplier who, I believe, is well-established with an emporium
in HK or somewhere and is perfectly reputable AFAIK - there were no delivery
problems with my amp. Shipping to the UK was about 100USD (from China - the
amps from Germany were entirely different) and the same again for Import
Duty, so the price goes up a tad!

My opinion of the amp is that it is perfectly *adequate* if possibly a
little unspectacular (it don't beat my homebrew 2A3 LW), it appears to
reliable (mine is performing perfectly well) and is undeniably very good
value for money. But, in case you are interested, I would say the Bez amps
will give you more bang for the buck but they will almost certainly mess you
around a bit - if nothing else, they seem to come with some seriously
deranged valves in 'em!! ;-)

These budget Chinese amps do get you into the SET game on the cheap, but my
tip would be to follow André's advice and build your own - it'll probably
cost more, but as an EE grad, you owe it to yourself (do you not?) and any
amp you build yourself will probably sound better) and it will give you much
more satisfaction!!