I just bought this last week - Yaqin MS-30L integrated tube amp

[michaeljhsda2]

^^^^^^
Agreed

[SDA1C]

Good snag michaeljhsda2, the more I look at the listing you posted the more I want one. Nice if it was offered in black but sexy none the less. If it sounds as good as it looks it has to be a steal.

[Keiko]

The 6J1 tubes are fairly inexpensive and lots to choose from. The Mullard M8100s are among the best, but kind of hard to find. I'm using some NOS JAN GE 5654W in my Yaqin now that I got not to long ago and find them almost as good as the 8100s. Other designations for this are the 6AK5 and EF95. Tung Sol and Sylvania Gold Brand also made some nice variants for this tube. Here's the link to the GEs I recently bought.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-JAN-5654...item257258617c

I'm with H9. Get rid of the crap in the glass Chinese tubes.

[Keiko]

I picked up a pair of these also around the same time as the GEs. Not as good as the Siemens ECC81/801S tubes I own, but not a bad tube either. Seller had these on sale over the holidays for 5.00 bucks and change. Make an offer if you're interested.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/One-Siemens-...item4609d5f083

[michaeljhsda2]

I tried the Mullard EF95's in the Yaqin MS-20L and it created more gain. I also tried the GE 5654W's in the 20L and they were microphonic. I haven't tried rolling any other tubes since then as the stock Shuguang 6J1's match up really well with the amp. I might give the Mullards another try in the MS-30L and see how they sound.

[Keiko]

Surprised the GE 5654s you tried were microphonic. I've read good things about them and a lot of Little Dot users recommend them. Mine are dead silent.

[michaeljhsda2]

I'm going to try the mullards and ge's again tonight and see how to respond in this new amp.

[xsmi]

How's the 30L working for you? Are you still enjoying it?

[michaeljhsda2]

It sounds great. There isn't anything negative to say about it. I haven't put the mullards in there yet because I wanna get a good baseline with the original tubes.

[Mikey081057]

I am also a member of the Yaqin fan club. Just got the MC100B, and it has power to spare... drives my VR3 Lsi 9's with ease and sounds great at any volume. The stock tubes are ok, and I will ride them for a while.

[xsmi]

It's good to hear that they are strong enough to power 1.2tl's. my SRS 2's should be a breeze. Now to find one I can afford.

[xsmi]

I'm looking over the specs of the 30L vs. 20L...I don't see a difference except triode mode. What's that and does that make a difference? Does this amp have a SS rectifier?

[organ]

I'm looking over the specs of the 30L vs. 20L...I don't see a difference except triode mode. What's that and does that make a difference? Does this amp have a SS rectifier?

Triode mode is more simple and use less elements in the tube. The circuit is simplified. You lose half the power but you get a "sweeter" presentation. It won't be true triode (like 300B and 2A3 tubes), but comes very close to the real triode sound if the amp is good.

Just looked at the pic and it looks like it's SS rectified. I don't see a rectifier tube on it.

[michaeljhsda2]

I'm looking over the specs of the 30L vs. 20L...I don't see a difference except triode mode. What's that and does that make a difference? Does this amp have a SS rectifier?

Not sure if I understand your question but both amps have triode mode. The only difference is in their appearance. The specs are the same. Trying to find a 30L is going to be tough. The seller I bought mine from on Audiogon (Chicagoland) stated that production of the amp has been delayed due to the Chinese New Year. Production is supposed to ramp up again soon. Whether the seller decides to offer more amps at the price I bought mine for remains to be seen.

You can get a brand new 20L delivered in about 3 to 5 days for about $625 (including delivery) from the ebay seller Tabnaac. He QC's the amps and ships them from Canada. He does warranty work and sells parts as well. On the other hand, keep in mind that if you buy direct from China, you'll have to pay a lot for shipping (and possibly a long waiting time) not to mention having to send it back in case it needed service work on it.

[michaeljhsda2]

Update: The A'gon seller has more of the MS-30L amps in stock. Someone in this forum contacted him awhile back and he lost track of their email contact to tell him he has more. If you are that person, either contact me or send him a PM through Audiogon.

Whomever buys one of these amps, I highly recommend replacing the preamp tubes with Mullard CV4010's. Talk about turning a good amp into a great one! I've been listening to the Mullard tubes for the last 10 days and the sound quality is simply outstanding.

[xsmi]

Mike, it was me. We've hooked up. I'll keep you guys posted.

[michaeljhsda2]

Mike, it was me. We've hooked up. I'll keep you guys posted.

That's great.

To everyone else, the seller has only a few of the MS-30L's left in stock. Note: I am not affiliated with the seller in any way, just passing along what I think is a pretty good deal on a really great sounding amp.

[factorz]

Well I have joined the Yaqin club as my MS-30L arrived today. Thanks to Michael for pointing me in the direction of Ray the seller out of Chicago and for taking time to answer way too many of my questions. The unit is setup and I'm letting it warm up while I type this. First impression is that it's really well built and nothing about it says cheap to me. Will give a full report once I have had some time listening. Here are some pictures to enjoy.

[michaeljhsda2]

Cool! Can't wait to hear your impressions.

[xsmi]

I'm looking at these pics and I'm so JEALOUS!! My money didn't come through the way I wanted it to, so I'm still in a holding pattern. And I think the Chicago land seller is out of 30L's again.

Enjoy your new amp man. I'm looking forward to the day when I can hear tubes on those big SRS 2's again. And with the rings installed on the drivers, on man!!

[xsmi]

Decision time! A'gon seller is indeed out of 30L's. The Enay seller has 20L's in stock. It would be at the door in a few days. However, the issue is shipping. There is a $70 difference in shipping cost.

Be patient and save money or go for it and get the thing. What to do?

[factorz]

I think Michael has owned both models so he would be a great resource for you on the differences. I'm really happy with the performance of the 30L so far and A'gon seller has been very prompt with my questions.

[xsmi]

Yeah. They're actually the same machine with different color apparently. The real dilemma is I've been eyeing the 20L for 3 years now and can finally pull the trigger. The difference in cost is shipping. $98 from Canada (20L) vs $30 from Chicago (30L). $68 would go a long way toward some pre-amp tubes. But the 30L isn't due for a "few weeks."

[michaeljhsda2]

If it were me, I would wait for the 30L. Not that it sounds any better than the 20L, I just like the looks of it better. Ask Ray from Audiogon if he will put you on a waiting list for the 30L. In the meantime, you can save a few more bucks and buy the Mullard CV4010 preamp tubes as they will run you about 90 bucks shipped for all 8. Even if you can't afford the Mullards in the short term, the amp already sounds great with the stock tubes.

[factorz]

The other thing to consider is if there were any issues the time/cost associated with shipping to Canada vs Chicago. For me being only a hour north of Chicago it was a easy choice to go with that source.

Michael I know you sent me this, but can you direct me to where you got the Mullards from again?

[xsmi]

Awesome Mike. I'll put the gun back in the Holster. Ray offered to hold one for me. So I'll just have to wait. I've waited 3 yrs what's a few more weeks right. :)

[michaeljhsda2]

Michael I know you sent me this, but can you direct me to where you got the Mullards from again?

Here is a seller from the states. I have no experience with that seller as I bought mine from Yitry (ebay name) and it took about 10 days to arrive from Europe (none for sale currently).

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=160510520465

Glad to hear that you like the amp. I run the 1.2 TL's on it and I have the 20L running SDA 2BTL's in another room. I haven't listened to the 1C's in awhile. Might switch to them this weekend.

[michaeljhsda2]

Awesome Mike. I'll put the gun back in the Holster. Ray offered to hold one for me. So I'll just have to wait. I've waited 3 yrs what's a few more weeks right. :)

Haha. I understand your anticipation but it will be worth the wait.