Inexpensive Tube Amps

Hi Will,

My friend ordered one of these:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Handmade-gall-rectified-EL34-tube-amp-amplifier-hifi-5Z3P-6N9P-EL34B...

He used it to drive my old speakers which were not particularly efficient.

I was AMAZED at how good it sounded with the stock tubes - and it was plenty loud. It was not far off my Cary...

Point to point wired, and, from the looks of it internally, well done.

As I took the stereo, I am planning on getting one of these for my Ex.

I am also going to do some DIY full range speakers to go with it.

Only drawback I could find with it is its single input.

Good luck!

P

PS - Same amp on Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/GemTune-BL-02-Integrated-amplifier-EL34-BX2/dp/B00DRUDO7G/ref=pd_sbs_23_7?_en...

In that price range, I would look for a lghtly used Sophia Electric Baby push-pull integrated, rated at 10wpc and runs in class A. Sounds glorious driving my back-horn loaded single driver speakers. 

So I've been following this thread, not much I can add but good info.  So here is my input and saw this" APPJ "  tube amp on Massdrop for $280..  don't know much about it...
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/appj-el34-tube-stereo-amplifier?utm_placement=19&referer=F9EX4C&...

As usual, I am late to the party but I will add my $0.02 worth: in general, I try to avoid cheap Chinese products.  Actually I avoid MOST products made in the PRC except for a few Hong Kong manufacturers.  This is not due to political issues (which I have in plenty) but from experience.  But YMMV...

IMO, the best Chinese made product I ever owned was the original Sophia Electric Baby amp - not the new MkII unit.  Sophia Electric is an American firm w/ Chinese partners.  This amp was quite good; 10W (more or less) and it sounded great with every monitor speaker I paired it with in my office.  There are still plenty of these amps available on the used market for about $300 or so.

Will62: I was on a similar search a few years ago for a tube amp  and checked out some of the same units You are considering.  I had some helpful communications with Garry Huang who owns Musical Paradise.  I believe he’s in Edmonton Canada.  I eventually brought his MP301; later bought some tube upgrades from him.  I have used  it with Omega 3i speakers for a few years without any problems.  A lot fun, and very good for acoustic/solo instruments.  The unit is very heavy, nicely finished, and quiet.  I think the quality control is very good.  A simple amp without any gimmicks.