As with previous reviews, bought mine from tabnaac on Ebay. These are stocked on site right in Canada, so I had my shipment in 4 calendar days after clicking Buy-It-Now. Packed in a robust factory shipping box (3-4 inches of hearty foam all around the unit, within TWO double-walled boxes) there was zero chance of the unit getting hurt. Upon opening, you are immediately blown away by the sheer quality and weight of this amplifier. Absolutely gorgeous, very very expensive looking, and nothing at all is "cheap" about these Yaqin products. The photos you see on Ebay or here on this page? EXACTLY what you see. No trickery or "optimum angles" are being used in the photos. This thing was perfect and gorgeous 360 degrees all the way around. Which brings me to the price. Hands down, the best value for this tier of audio equipment. I feel like the price may scare some people, as "too cheap" may instill doubt. We're so used to the realm of "holy" valve amps being four figures (or five figures) and only the deep-pocketed audiophile could ever own something like a tube amp. Hogwash! What this Yaqin reveals to me is that there is a lot of baloney that I think the industry feeds us. Just like in the world of audio cables. Snake oil ! I believe those $2000-$5000 tube amps (based on EL34 or KT77's) are NO BETTER than a Yaqin, and they have one advantage: margin.markup ! They make good profit as a product. Keep the mysticism alive, charge five grand. That's what I believe. Because when you get right down to it - a tube amp is made of what? The basics! A chassis, transformers, wires, sockets, tubes, capacitors, and resistors. While all of those components can of course be different in quality, there is certainly an industry threshold (obviously met and surpassed in China) where the mass production of quality components in 2012 is no longer a rarity, but commonplace. Come on, this is technology from the 40's and 50's. As much as one might think tube amps continually have developed into a better mousetrap and elite prices can continue to be charged, I think we're being duped. Bottom line: This $550 amp is on par with $2000-$5000 amps...and I don't believe the extra premium paid on said amps is buying you anything much extra. Just like $200 audio cable vs. a $20 audio cable. So if you are considering buying a Yaqin amplifier, feel confident that your bang-for-buck is maximum, and you're going to be very very happy. Heck, it left me with money in my budget so I could order up some KT77's and 5654W's to play around with. Not that the quality out of the box required it, but I wanted to take a step further and play in the "tube rolling" games that everybody likes to banter about. Sounds like fun, and hey, I might get this baby to sound even sweeter. Remember folks, inside that chassis isn't a magic wizard. It's wires and electrical guts. If you want to save up and pay $2000+ for a domestic or European EL34B amplifier, then go right ahead. But I think you're wasting your time (and money). Tube amp circuitry is not rocket science... and you don't think Yaqin wired theirs exactly the same? Of course they did ! On the MS-20L, I can even switch (on the fly) between triode and ultralinear. How many $2000+ amps give you that feature? I wanted this review to be a little different, rather than repeating the same stuff mentioned below (which are all true, by the way). So I decided to speak to you from a quality/value perspective. I'll let you read the reviews below to get the in-depth descriptions on sound.

PS: I also ordered the MS-22B phono preamp as well. In your hand, you'd swear it was a $500 audiophile-geek phono preamp...built like a little Mack truck. But it was $159. Cheaper than a Monster Power powerbar ! (don't get me started on the mythology of power filtration, LOL). Anyway, if you are considering any of the Yaqin products, especially from tabnaac on Ebay, don't hesitate for a second. Especially if you live in Canada.

Bought mine from tabnaac on eBay (Song, in Ontario, Canada). Highly recommend buying from him as he tests everything before he ships it out and offers a 1 year p&l warranty, and 3 years on parts (tubes not included, they're covered for 3 months I think). I was very pleased with the sound when I first powered it up, thought the bass was a little lighter than my NAD ss receiver was. After a little tube burn-in, maybe 20 hours, the bass came in much stronger, definitely equal to my other amp and maybe a little less sloppy. Very clear mids and high's, but not harsh like the NAD was. I find the sound from this amp less fatiguing to my ears and am able to listen to it for much longer sessions than my solid sate equipment. It's driving my Paradigm Monitor 7's with no problems and will put out very high SPL's for a 50 wpc amp. The Chinese tubes sound excellent to my 45 year old ears and I really see no reason to roll any others into this amp, though I have already ordered some Russian tubes just to play around with.
I gave it a 5 x 5 rating just because of what your getting for the money...super value here for anyone wanting to test out the valve-amp waters. The sound from this amp is what you'd be delighted to achieve from any amp that cost 3x the money. No problem recommending it and I can tell you I will probably be trying out some other Yaqin gear as well.

Hello, my name is Tony and just got a hold of the Yaqin MS-20L Integrated Tube Amp off of a gentleman who lives in Thornhill Ontario Canada. His name is Randy and I dont think he really wanted to part with the tube amp but he let go and glad he did. He gave me a box of assorted tubes and I had no idea how differant they all are. I paid 500 for amp and 20 extra tubes. I am listening to the amp now while my wife sleeps so I cant go crazy with it but I like what I here on my PSB T65's and a Cambridge Audio Azur 650 BD Player. I am very pleased so far so yes two thumbs up and highly recomend this amp.... Cheers

I just got a new Yaqin Ms-20L from Toronto (was a gift from my lovely wife :)), I wanted a tube amp for a long time but couldn't find any that does not cost me an arm or a leg, till I found out about Yaqin from ebay. The shipment was quick,and only took 4 days from Toronto to Vancouver and well packaged. After I installed and turned it On with my tube CD player the 1st song that came out of my JBL speakers........GOOSEBUMPS all over the back of my neck! I was in music heaven! it is so clear and sharp that it made my one year old Pioneer 7.1 reciever sounded like *hit (and it costed me around $750).

Highly recommended, the only thing I didn't like is the remote volume control, each button press moves the volume way too much, I hope they will correct that on the future amps.

I got this amp from an Ebay seller in Canada rather than getting straight from China so I would get the warranty. He also tests the amps before shipping, which I like. The seller is very easy to deal with and helpful.

The amp came well packaged with no damage (I picked it up at the UPS center in my town, I watched a UPS employee casually drop the box on a concrete floor from waist high). I had my camera ready to take damage photos but did not need it.

The amp sounded good right out of the box. Using Klipsch KG4 speakers and a Denon DCM-290 Cd changer, I also connected the pre-outs from an old Technics SA-390 to this to use the tuner.
The tuner never sounded better.

CD had more depth and I can honestly say that I heard things in CD's I had been listening to for 20 years that I had not heard before, I guess a new level of clarity particularly after rolling the 6J1's.

At 35 hours I replaced the stock 6J1's with Russian 6J1P-EV's and got a distinct improvement. I will likely change the Shuguang EL34B's later, probably Gold Lion KT77.

I am not an audiophile and this is my first tube amp (not counting guitar amps) but I have heard high end amps such as Jolida and I think this is very comparable if you don't consider price. I also was an electronics repair tech in the 70's and had worked on a lot of tube stereos and TV's.

Keeping the price (I paid $529) in mind I think it is a better deal, my opinion only of course.

The bottom line is that this is well worth the asking price and a good way to enter the realm of tube amps.

The 'NEW' YAQIN MS-20L Integrated Vacuum Tube Amp

Hello,

For those of you that might be interested in a review of a "Chinese Amp" I think worthy of a chance!!!

What I was looking for in a Tube Amp (or any amp for that matter) is, frequency extension, detail, imaging, tone, accuracy, easy on the ears, looks (to some degree), price, value for money, resale value, long lasting and a decent warranty. A lot to ask!!!


My 2 channel listen room is approximately 11X12, no acoustic treatments as of yet. Speakers are approximately 5' left and right of me.


But.....


After much research and extensive reading on 2 channel and tube amps, I decided to make the plunge in becoming a 'Tubey' 2 channel listener. And, when I received the Yaqin MS-20L Integrated Vacuum Amplifier which plunged me into my entry level introduction to Tube sound.

I didn't know that researching could be this difficult in that there are so many forums to read and just the time to locate pertinent information on a particular product/topic is time consuming.

I first decided on the 10L because the reviews more readily available, but saw that the 20L with more upgrades/money including a remote and Ultra Linear/Triode Mode switchable, upgrades from the 10L and with external bias adjustment on the 10L and 20L.

After reading all the positive reviews on the 10L, I contacted the buyers on ebay only to find the same responses on the 20L.

Finding a 'new' entry level tube amp that is affordable has been difficult, since I learned that ordering from China was iffy!!! So, when I was referred to a Canadian Company called Canadian HiFi on Ebay with 100% rating and excellent customer service that guaranteed quality assurance and tested in Canada before shipment, took the chance. And, I am glad I did!!

The amp arrived in 5 days from Richmond Hill, Canada in good condition, and packed well. In opening, I discovered an attractive ,high quality, solidly build nice piece of equipment. Audiophile capacitors and high quality metal precision resistors, aluminum and steel heavy duty chassis, panel, bezels and aluminum output tube with top cage. And very heavy at over 40 lbs.

So, I will add this now....I am not a professional reviewer, nor an audiophile!
Not even a good writer, sorry for that!!!

New to tube sound, I wasn't sure what to expect, but had an idea in all the research and comments on tubes. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED AT ALL. In fact I was somewhat blown away at first " light up ". Maybe it was just the song, but WOW everything was better from top to bottom. The difference was night and day in comparison to the Onk which wasn't bad, but the Yaqin was better/different in all categories.

At first listen, (Pandora One), speakers began to sound bigger than they are, projecting a surprising sound stage, stronger more pronounced mid-range, full, detailed, clear and balanced sound from top to bottom and that is just the start.

I listen to manly stations on Pandora, but one I had added....Exotica/Lounge that I absolutely hated, but with the Yaqin it is now one of my favorites, singers like Nat King Cole, Bert Kaempfert, Johnny Mathis, Martin Denny and the list goes on and on. On the other stations, Chicago, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Beach Boys, Beatles improvements all the way around with the Yaqin. Especially the midrange bold and right on.

I do listen to all types of music. Some of the older songs and some of the new versions all very good on the ears. One particular Tenor Sax artist jumps out at me. Popular in the 40's and 50's (I think), was Ike Quebec and his melodic sax sound was truly amazing. Also I will include Freddy Roach as well.

But first I need to let you know where I am coming from...

I upgraded from an Onkyo 8255 stereo receiver...as I mentioned above I mainly listen to Pandora One, PC music/flac files. And, I might add that the sound with the small speakers wasn't bad at all. Actually very enjoyable.

So, at this point all that I can compare with is this receiver and the one used for theater...Onkyo 806 with Emotiva XPA-5 very good detail surround sound.

The 2 little speakers with the Yaqin, being phased out, are the WAF-1 gems that work great in creating an amazing big sound in a small room. Sound is out from my PC Creative audigy sound blaster X-Fi Xtreme Sound Card.

Now....with almost 70 hours everything has improved 50% or more as the tubes break in. I was informed in the manual at least 100 hours with a break every 3 hours. 20 second warm up.

The onkyo was smooth and very nice to listen to, but the Yaqin tube amp is much improved with great detail, crisp upper end, not harsh sounding and amazing bass from my little WAFs.

I wanted to post this to help those like me who are looking for quality sound without breaking the bank. And this new sound I am hearing now is what I call a 'high end entry level amp'.

All hearing is subjective, but, I think I have found quality sound with my new tube amp or at least for now until I can afford one of the biggies!!!

Now I will add that I have had this unit for approximate 3 weeks and changed out the front tubes to GE 5456Ws NOS/NIB tubes and it opened up even more. Can't wait till I get some really good 2 channel speakers as the WAFs are going into the theater for surrounds. Thinking about the GR Research handmade N3Xs.

I do not understand why the reviewer put 1 star above, doesn't make sense AT ALL. All reviews on this unit are perfect!!!! I give it a 10 because I think it deserves it. The improvement over SS was just amazing and worth every penny, from Canadian HiFi on Ebay.

Add your own review here...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1283685

Order one with confidence here from a 100% rating ebayer....Song.

http://stores.ebay.com/Canadian-HiFi-Online



Thanks!!