"Keith G" wrote in message
...

"Iain Churches" wrote in message
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Check my previous posts on the subject - I have always said to consider
that they might need a little attention from time to time and maybe not
buy one if you can't fettle it yourself!!

The basic problems are with the transformers.
Nothing to fettle there. If you want an improvement,
they should be changed. That's costly.

Even paying some primadonna's price for an hour's work to sort one out
wouldn't make it cost a fraction of a 'Western' price - how long before
there are realistically-priced *specialists* in Chinky amp repairs, if
there's as many about as you claim?

In the EU, you cannot expect a service tech to work
for a bowl of rice a day. From the amount he invoices,
he has to pay social costs, taxes, VAT, rent etc etc.
So it ain't cheap:-) You have had your own business
Keith, so you know all about "overheads" :-)

The availability of these amps has been timed nicely
with the renewed interest in tube audio. Rather like
the Lada Niva, when people living in wintery climates
began to see the advantage of 4WD. The Niva was about
a quarter the price of the cheapest and most basic LandRover,
and made a huge dent in LandRover sales, but only very
short term.

(How Long?? Do you think he and Wun Hung Lo might start summat up? :-)

My feeling is, that once these things are established,
the prices, and thus the quality will improve. Then the
EU and US makers will really be facing a challenge.
But if the current situation continues, people who
have burned their fingers will not be too ready to
take a chance on a Chinky Poo again.

But, it's just Yorkshire commonsense really,
Don't expect owt for nowt:-)

But what does it prove? Shiny Nigel's EAR 834P phono (same price as a
Chinky 300B SET) went tits-up in about a week from brand new....

That can happen with any piece of equipment.
Many of the bespoke tube amp builders are now
offering a 5 year warranty, to underline their faith
in the quality of their products. I know one who includes
a 2yr service check, at a very reasonable price, and if
the maintenance is carried out as per schedule, and
tubes re baissed, and repalced as necessary, there is
no reason why a ten year warranty could not be
offered. Remember Rolls Royce's life time guarantee?
They don't promise the car will just go on and on without
service, but when scheduled maintenance is carried out,
and parts changed before they are worn or broken then
they can promise trouble free motoring with a degree
of confidence.

No PCB in my Chinky (which does play up occasionally) - all I have to do
is shove it in the cupboard for a few weeks and it usually comes out with
a better frame of mind on.....

Point to point is probably the worst of all the
alternatives for predictable performance in a Chinky tube amp.
The Chinese, invented pyrotechnics and also birdsnest
soup:-)

Regards to all
Iain