Yaqin tube buffer

Not here yet bro. Next week. I'm curious as hell haha

Oh I might need more shoes from u later. Will pm u once I confirmed.

OK. I do understand the pain of waiting. hahaha..

What would be the best replacement Tube ? I am more into Vocal and intrumental.

"The military specs versions - 6AK5W, the 5654Ws, or the CV4010. Russian mil-spec version of the 6J1 - the 6J1P-EV. Western equivalents: the 6AK5 and its military brother the 6AK5W; the 5654 and its military spec version, the 5654W; another is the EF95; the 403A; the 6F32; the CV (common valve) 4010; the brilliant M8100.
I've heard from those in the know that the AEG F95 is a very good tube - very well made and sweet sounding. "

Above is a summarized copy from another forum ? Where can i get a feel of these tubes ?

cheers

I think all those are the recommended tubes but the best for you might
not be the best for someone else. Very subjective this audio stuff

I just bought a pair of matched NOS by GE from eBay. Considered as a blind buy. Hopefully will turn into a good buy (for my ears). Not that expensive about USD25 with shipping.

Hi Arremie...

Read good reviews about the GE Valves.

Well I am new into these Tube thingy, well should be an interesting journey.

cheers

I'm new too. In fact I have no idea at all what kind of sound should I
expect from tube. All that I know is the words from others...mellow,
tubey, etc.

Hopefully what they said about GE tube is true. I'm eying another tube
on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350312993506&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT.
A bit expensive at USD50 but comes free with tube damper. A rubber
o-ring over tube can make a better sound? haha call me skeptical but
until I actually experience it, I will keep my opinion

Hi Arremie....

That makes it much more thrilling...... . Enjoy and be mindfull of the $$$$$....

Cheers

Yes the buffer arrived today. Gonna need a week or two before passing judgment

Arremie....

Sure your adrenalin juices are hyper with these new arrival, enjoy and do keep us updated with your reviews.

cheers

Wow I like what I'm hearing. Tested with the whole CD of Alison Krauss, Aaron Neville and James Blunt. First thing I noticed is the sense of depth increase greatly. No longer my system sounding too forward. Now vocal stay at fore but everything else has moved backward but not losing the details in any way. Timbre definitely improve until cymbals actually sounded like cymbals and not something hissing behind. More listening to do....

For the 1st hour I have to increase the volume 5db more the get the usual loudness I always listen at but after that volume seems to be getting louder and now I'm back at my usual volume.

The supplied power cable is so flimsy (like something that came with cheap computer power supply - the one with no fuse) so I changed to a different better quality (but still normal) power cord. Gonna changed that later to my Copperline once I got attuned to this warmth tube sound.

Later will start tube rolling once GE tube arrive. Already place order for RCA tube but unable to find Mullard M8100s for now. This gonna be fun!

Arramie....

Sure stayed up late.

Good to know that you are enjoying the new investment. The fuse is located at the "IEC" inlet.

More to hear from your goodself......


Cheers

anyone has some extra pair of 6j1 to let go?




cheers

arremie wrote:Wow I like what I'm hearing. Tested with the whole CD of Alison Krauss, Aaron Neville and James Blunt. First thing I noticed is the sense of depth increase greatly. No longer my system sounding too forward. Now vocal stay at fore but everything else has moved backward but not losing the details in any way. Timbre definitely improve until cymbals actually sounded like cymbals and not something hissing behind. More listening to do....

For the 1st hour I have to increase the volume 5db more the get the usual loudness I always listen at but after that volume seems to be getting louder and now I'm back at my usual volume.

The supplied power cable is so flimsy (like something that came with cheap computer power supply - the one with no fuse) so I changed to a different better quality (but still normal) power cord. Gonna changed that later to my Copperline once I got attuned to this warmth tube sound.

Later will start tube rolling once GE tube arrive. Already place order for RCA tube but unable to find Mullard M8100s for now. This gonna be fun!

By using a power cord without fuse will sound better (US Plug). I have changed the IEC fuse of my Yaqin too & it gives better performance.

Will tube buffer in anyway reduce bass attack? Im talking about songs from Jay Chou, Jolin Tsai, lil Jon, RnB, Pop.

I listen to many genre especially female vocals except jazz and classical.

Will tube get rid of Simbilance in female vocal? (the sssssssssssss sounds trailing the voice when singing which is pretty bad in a lot of singers)

Also, the price to Yaqin Tube buffer is how much exactly? Where to get cheapest? Who got experience order it from Ebay?

I saw 2 person selling it for 330-350. Kinda tempted but i worry it wont synergise well with my system.

Wingman, I don't see any fuse on my Yaqin. Is it located inside the casing? The manual did show fuse location which is accessible externally but there's none on mine.

tlkoo, once I got my GE tube (hopefully next week coz shipment is from US) I can let go my stock 6J1 if you interested.

Bravo, yes they said US plug sounded better but mine already all UK plug so I guess I just use what I have.

dlyz, I haven't tried with my fast pace music yet. Pretty curious how Black Eye Pea will be with tube lol. Anyway fyi I ordered mine on ebay from a hongkee seller. Took only 6 days to get to me. If you are worried about warranty then better get from local seller.

arremie wrote:tlkoo, once I got my GE tube (hopefully next week coz shipment is from US) I can let go my stock 6J1 if you interested.

i don't want the stock 6j1, many thanks for the offer, what about 6j1 of other labels? variants shall be fine





cheers

haha ok no problem. I thought u needed any replacement tube. ebay sure has a lot but if you need a US made tube, it's better to buy from US seller instead of HK seller. Russian 6J1P-EV is pretty cheap about USD12 plus shipping.

Hi Aramie.....

Here is the pics of a IEC Fused Inlet and the Yaqin should have these as well. Drawer based fuse holder. Push and pull to change fuse.










cheers

aah thanks very much. So silly of me I didn't notice that. Maybe because I was too excited lol. Then it is safe for me to use my fuseless Supra Lorad power cord.

I remember looking at Ebay and there's some seller selling the clone Musical Fidelity X-10D buffer PCB and components in kit form or was it only the PCB?.
The X-10D uses two 6DJ8 or 6922 tubes (easy to source and buy). Power supply is merely 12VAC input and you can make that up with local parts. If this is modded with upgrade caps and parts, this tube buffer is of high potential.
I've got the original X-10D, and enjoying it after some custom mods and select tubes.

Is this the one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Tube-buffer-amplifier-PCB-w-parts-Musical-Fidelity_W0QQitemZ120477818623QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0d099eff

Oic, warranty shud not be a big worry. What was the total damage you suffered for ordering the buffer only?

dlyz, already pm u and there's no damage or suffering at all for getting the buffer. In fact I was greatly rewarded for my impulse buying

arremie wrote:Is this the one?

Yep, something like that. There was another seller if not mistaken. But its been quite sometime since I looked into this. It should perform to expectation if they had cloned it near 100%. A nice 80VA toroidal transformer would do justice but its extra cost. I use quite a big toroid as a powerhouse (maybe oversized because I got it cheap) that powers a few components at the same time.

Having said all that, there's just as many people who are not keen on tube buffer or may have got fed up after sometime and sold theirs off. Mine was a used unit. The seller told me he was fed up. There's some genre of music that I prefer without a tube buffer, and some sounds more lively with it. It can be a love or hate, touch or miss affair. Personally I wouldn't go googoo gahgah about how it can lift my system to greater heights.

Anybody can tell if this is really Mullard M8100? Thanks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280460363104&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Areemie,

They claim its from the same factory. I used to have those, Mullards EF95 and the Western Electric 403B. The WE 403B sounds better
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-12GN7A-4-Western-Electric-403B-vacuum-tubes_W0QQitemZ330410491061QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item4cedfffcb5#ht_892wt_1165

try these web link :

www.thetubestore.com

www.audiotubes.com

cheers

br@d, thanks for the link. I'm a bit skeptical on used tube but if I can
get it cheap for the sake of trying then I will. There are 4 units of
WE 403B and 2 units of 12GN7A. Since I only need a pair of WE 403B, any
taker for the rest?

wingman, I've checked out those 2 sites last nite. Can't find anything
from thetubestore.com and from audiotubes.com I can only find GE JAN
5654W which I already purchased from ebay.

how much roughly we403b/pair may cost?

can i be the taker?





cheers

arremie wrote:br@d, thanks for the link. I'm a bit skeptical on used tube but if I can
get it cheap for the sake of trying then I will. There are 4 units of
WE 403B and 2 units of 12GN7A. Since I only need a pair of WE 403B, any
taker for the rest?

wingman, I've checked out those 2 sites last nite. Can't find anything
from thetubestore.com and from audiotubes.com I can only find GE JAN
5654W which I already purchased from ebay.

tlkoo, too early to tell coz the tube is under auction where in 6 days the highest bidder will get it. I will put max bid of USD20 so if I got it then the max cost will be USD25 (plus shipping) for all the 6 tubes. That would be around RM15 per tube. If I got it at lower bid price then the cost will be cheaper. If you agree then you can be the taker

hey arremie

thanks for allowing me to join
as i have used we tubes and compared against gold pinned amperex tubes... the faith assures me of a greenlight to pay up to 2- 3 times of your gestimates

you make the call ya



cheers
tlkoo

arremie wrote:tlkoo, too early to tell coz the tube is under auction where in 6 days the highest bidder will get it. I will put max bid of USD20 so if I got it then the max cost will be USD25 (plus shipping) for all the 6 tubes. That would be around RM15 per tube. If I got it at lower bid price then the cost will be cheaper. If you agree then you can be the taker

FYI, Those Mullard military tubes are very likely native to UK and seller very likely acquired those from junk or carboot sales on the cheap and make a tidy profit by selling them on Ebay. Those tube stores you quoted are at USA and Mullard CV type tubes are nearly non existant as ready stock but may turn up periodically. Looks like those tubes were manufactured in 1980.

tkloo, ok I will let you know in 6 days. If anybody interested with the
pair of 12GN7A pls let me know. If not I use as decoration

cmboy, that's what I thought. I think the military version of CV4010 is
the M8100 but so far I can't find any tube actually printed with M8100.
All currently selling on ebay actually printed CV4010 but the seller
claimed it's M8100. I have no way of confirming this.

These kind of tubes were certainly not designed for audio in the first place. These kind now find their way to many China made little amps probably because they're easily available, not highly sought after (before any hype) and on the cheap, perhaps very cheap, all for obvious reasons. Those little amps are not going to be priced the same if they were fitted with popular NOS audio tubes.
Yes, they look genuine and can buy them if you want.
Me using some select Russian military tubes to replace the stock 6DJ8/6922. Huge improvement as far as I've gauged it and its staying there.

arremie

You can ask the seller for a close up of the tubes to see if its the real deal or not. I will post the picture of the ones I have. I bought 6 previously and 4 was taken by my 2 other Hi fi friends.

One used if for Yaqin and another use it for his modified Marantz CD player. He had the Mullards EF95 as well previously and confirms that the WE403B sounds better.

br@d, yes pic will be useful. Appreciate if you can post yours.
Hopefully I will win the bid over the WE403B. Thanks again.

thanks brad for adding some more comfort on western electric tubes!!!

- br@d - wrote:arremie

You can ask the seller for a close up of the tubes to see if its the real deal or not. I will post the picture of the ones I have. I bought 6 previously and 4 was taken by my 2 other Hi fi friends.

One used if for Yaqin and another use it for his modified Marantz CD player. He had the Mullards EF95 as well previously and confirms that the WE403B sounds better.

Just received my "Yaqin Buffer" with the stock tubes and i am jumping for joy, literally. My first vacuum tube hardware and hoping it would be a enjoyable journey.

For now will run with the stock tubes and see the difference before i start investing in quality tubes.

cheers

wingman, enjoy! Will wait for your 2 cents.

I take a look at the fuse just now. It's the very small type with clear glass body instead of normal ceramic. I can hardly see the filament inside as it is so thin. There's also a spare fuse inside the compartment. Is there any better replacement fuse or can we get rid of the fuse and join the fuse holder with heavy wire soldered together. At least there's still fuse inside the power cord plug.

Wah..so fast and the thingy is still very new, now got intent to start modding here n there. Might as well look forward to re-wiring to another better circuit that can be found on the internet and using premium boutique parts and other suitable tubes. Hahaha!

haha just an idea bro. How can current flow efficiently via a filament
so thin you can hardly see. Anyway it's a cheap thingy so nothing much
to worry about. I saw an article from the net about replacing parts
inside but that is much too complicated for me.

Arremie....

Suggest that the fuse upgrade be left in the "back burner". Take a "phase" approach. Safer route. Who knows it may be a permanent feature of your setup, after all the mods.

cheers

wingman, I don't understand. "Back burner"?

Hi arremie....

Back Burner = "put it off to a later stage".

cheers

I have changed to Supra Lorad power cord. I can hear improvement for the
bass. It's more solid but not any louder. Everything else has become a
bit warmer. Not that obvious but a few songs I tested sounding a bit
more relaxed which is what I preferred.

After two hours .... the vocals ( George Michael / Andreas Boccelie / IL Divo ) are enchanced and to the fore. The instruments have taken a step back, detailed and there is clarity to the lesser detailed instrumentation being played.

Overall there is weight and tightness to the music.

cheers

wingman, that's nice. At least I know I'm not hallucinating since you also achieved about the same result

Can't wait for the GE tube. Should be here next week. Hopefully...

Question.....

Where can the upgraded tubes be bought other then the WEB.

Tried "Octave" and they do not carry most if not all the recommended tubes for the Yaqin.

cheers

On the flip side, there are a number of owners letting go of their Yaqins !!!....Hmmm....

Any comments from any of these owners ???

cheers