Home
AudioAsylum Trader
Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: YaQin MC-10L Amplifier (Tube) by drasticsden@yahoo.co.uk

Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here.

For Sale Ads

FAQ / News / Events

 

REVIEW: YaQin MC-10L Amplifier (Tube)

213.106.135.190


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread:  [ Display   All   Email ] [ Amp/Preamp Asylum ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

Model: MC-10L
Category: Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $425 (£330)
Description: Great EL34 based amp, worlds best kept secret.
Manufacturer URL: YaQin

Review by drasticsden@yahoo.co.uk on August 16, 2012 at 14:38:20
IP Address: 213.106.135.190
Add Your Review
for the MC-10L


"The Yaqin MC10L : The Worlds Best kept Secret."
The MC10-L Is one of the greatest pieces of kit to come out of China.
It's very well built & well designed, it even looks great.
I've had a Mk2 version now for over three years & had no problems.
The Mk3 version is now available now, but as far as I'm aware the only change is to the power switch, it's a small Toggle on the Mk2 & a push button on the Mk3.

It's VERY important to run it on the correct voltage. Most are 220volt, here in the UK we should now be on 230V, but we still get over 240v at the socket. In my area it ranges from 243-251 volts!

So I power my amp vir a variable transformer(Variac), which means I can set it at a dead 220 volts,which is what they are designed to run at (unless you have the 110v USA version), I just wonder how many people are just plugging them straight into the mains!
This is the reason why Chinese amps blow, Over Voltage!

On the MC-10L the HT rail is about 440 volts, so if you give it an extra 20 volts on it's mains input then that results in about a 40 volt overload on the HT rail, No amp could handle that and it will blow, it's only a question of time.

Many people find the standard Chinese tube's sound nice, which they do,so
If your happy with the stock tubes, then stick with them, but if you feel like spending some cash changing the EL34's for almost any other make will give a more detailed sound & a firmer base, Winged Svetlana's are a popular choice, but even the humble JJ's are good & much cheaper.I believe changing the power tubes is the way to go, I find the stock 6N1P's are in fact quite good, but I know others will disagree, maybe I just got lucky & got a good set.
However the 6N1P's can be up graded to Mullard or Telsa ECC88's (Gold pin versions are best) or a set of RCA 6CG7's will give it a lift.
Please remember to re-set the Bias if you change the EL34's & check the bias every 3 months anyway, this is not an auto bias amp! (bias.35v).

When I first received my amp I ran it for a week without turning it off. just to burn the tubes in & shake down the amp, it had no problems at all, after the first week I checked & re-set the bias & that was all.

They are good on power usage as well, mine only seems to use 135 watts, no matter what power level it's running at!
The power output is stated as 52 watts per channel,which can't be correct, a pair of EL34's running in push pull mode should be producing 40 watts not 52, you might be able to over run them a little & get them up to 45watts, but that's about it, but no matter the MC-10L does not lack power!

They are great amp's at a very fair price, it a good way to get into valve amps. I'm sure you will not be disappointed if you buy one, but run it on the correct voltage or there will be tears!

Good luck, Bob.


Product Weakness: Shuguang valves, change them to get the best from it.
Product Strengths: Great quality sound. Very well built. Good price.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Integrated
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): 4 inputs, all the same spec.
Speakers: 4 & 8 ohm taps
Cables/Interconnects: Mains supplied
Music Used (Genre/Selections): wide range
Room Size (LxWxH): 18 x 12 x 7
Room Comments/Treatments: Lounge
Time Period/Length of Audition: 4 years
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): LP based.




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Kimber Kable  



Topic - REVIEW: YaQin MC-10L Amplifier (Tube) - drasticsden@yahoo.co.uk 14:38:20 08/16/12 ( 5)