Chinese made Class A tube amplifiers

Tread carefully here Benjamin. A lot of these Chinese grey imports are optimised for 220 volts and tend to go phut pretty quickly. So wadayado , send it back to China at vast expense, get it repaired here at vast expense, or save your pennys for a reliable valve amp with a years warranty from a dealer ?.

Trust me for 250 quid it will be rubbish and/or end up in the skip.

Fair enough advice, if a little pessimistic.

You could use a 240/220V stepdown transformer though if you really want to try the Chinese amp.

Just buy something originally designed for the UK, available on the  second hand market. Plenty of Icon Audio, Audio Innovations and other valve amps can be had for that sort of price.

Don't forget to budget for customs duties (prob 2% on total price) and also import VAT (20% on total price + Customs duty) and also an admin fee by the frieght company (between £8 - £15 depending on company)

I've read on another forum that the buyer contacted the manufacturer and asked for the transformer to be suitable for 240v rather than 220v, the manufacturer oblidged but it took a bit longer to be delivered.

Indeed he could and like I didnt know that. But sorry I really wouldnt go down that route. Another thing they do is wang em up to full optimum output for the valves which isnt a great idea either. Actually Im with Hoops on this subject, If you dont want to spend vast amounts go second hand.

I agree with F.Droid Esq (and all).....it could end up costing you more than doing the thing correctly in the first place. As a starter, look to Cayin, Icon Audio, Unison Research and Puresound.

@Rob100. Do some more trawling and you will find cases of them blowing up /catching fire and other horror stories. 

I'm sure he would find problems, as well as great reviews. I think a little balance is needed, don't you?

Comment was for the OP, but if you knew, why not give the information to the OP?

The guy was looking for suggestions after all.

Why take the risk, when reasonable value can be had at home, and with proper warranty, support and back up.

Risks need to be assessed and put into perspective, the risk will also be related to cost I suppose.

I have no idea how much the cheapest comparable valve amps would be in the UK, but that warranty and support won't come cheap. It might even be cheaper to buy two of these amps, than one UK model for all I know.

Anyhow, the OP was after some actual feedback rather than anecdotal evidence, which is all he's had so far and I'm not a valve man, so over to the OP, I'm out.

Could look at secondhand American - Jolida valve amp. (£250.00 - £ 300.00) used.

If you can find one over here it won't disappoint, great mids and excellent build quility.

PHJ

Whoops a daisy sorry about that. I suggested that he does not go down that route so what was the point ?.

Overdose.  People that are commenting on this thread are 'valve men' and the OP would do well to take heed of their advice. 

Just sayin'.

Thanks for the advice - greatly appreciated  

As the OP was asking if anybody had any experience with Chines made Class A tube amplifiers, I'm guessing your answer is "no".

I haven't either, but I'd like to think my post was a little more helpful.  Yes there are some horror stories, but there are also many satisfied customers.