creeve

I managed to dig up schematic don't know how reliable it is as I did not trace the circuit myself but I can post if needed

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Hello all, I just picked up a Yaqin MC-5881a. It is used with an unknown number of hours on it, but in perfect condition as far as I can tell. It uses 4 Shuguang 5881a power tubes and 4 Shuguang 6n1 preamp tubes. I have already rolled in some JJ 6l6gc's but am having trouble finding suitable upgrades for the 6n1. From everything that I have read there is no true electrically equivilant substitute for these but the 6n1p-ev is the closest match. The problem is that I have also heard and it even states on a well known tube supplier website that these are known to induce hum in Yaqin amps. So my question to you all is has anyone successfully used a different preamp tube in this amp and if so what did you use. Thanks Chris

Hello Creeve welcome to the forum!! Edcor has really good prices but you have to wait for them to be built. https://edcorusa.com/ If you have an electronic background then things will be fairly easy. Also you can ask me any questions if you like I will do my best to answer them. Thanks for the info. Just had a chance to check them out and yes, the prices are very good on the transformers. I think I may go the route that Jim did and pick up one of those import amps and mod it. I like what you did there with his, so when I do get something after the holidays are done i am sure I will have some questions for you if you don't mind. Thanks again.

Just had a chance to check out your thread. I was actually looking at a very similar amp, I think alot of these are the same but are re-branded. Was good to hear that the iron in these little amps were decent because like you, that was a concern of mine as well. I think after the holidays are done I will be making a move here. Thanks for all the input.

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I will try that in the mean time while I decide what I am going to do for a tube amp. Any suggestions on wattage for the resistor?

I could build one, I have thought about it before. I will check out some of the schematics on the forum here. Its been a while since I priced things out, but if I remember correctly the transformers were going to cost a small fortune. Any suggestions on inexpensive sources for those? I am in Florida by the way.

Thanks for the suggestion, I was playing with this a bit earlier this afternoon actually. It does tame it down some, but seems to be at the expense of imaging and soundstage a bit at least in my room. Still playing with it though.

Which one did you start out with that was that price? I have looked at a few el34 and el84 based amps in the 8-12 watt range which is probably more like 4 watts before clipping at 8ohms and they are running about 500 shipped. AIQIN Audio (DOUK AUDIO) on Ebay, they have their amps there as DIY or built, you just have to look real good to find one. After I purchased it, I bought different tubes to try (NOS) and although highly debatable on SQ, some NOS are more durable than some of the newer ones. Up until last week I was going to sell mine to "upgrade", but a member on here is rewiring it and adding in better caps and resistors. So I am most likely going to keep it for a long time now. If I feel like adding in more components, I just add in an audio switch and push a button for what I want. I also purchased an integrated tube amp (Yaqin MC-10L) that I use for times when I really want it loud, used on Ebay for $350.00 shipped (used).They get good reviews and Derrick above has a similar one and can comment on his as well. It has 4 inputs for my turntables, digital (cd, external hard drive on computer), and cassette when I feel like adding it in. With the integrated amp I just add on a phono pre (2-Cambridge Audio 551-P, and a Yaqin MS-23B Tube phono pre) for my turntables as it doesn't have a designated phono out. Once I got the bug for tube amps, it wasn't complete until I got a vintage amp. I have a Sansui AU-70 Integrated that is going to be restored as well.It has the designated phono pre out. Once the Sansui is done I may consider selling the Yaqin as I will not have the room for it anymore. But the CLASS A SET is going to be used for all my critical listening. The depth and width of the sound stage and 3D effect it gives off is something that has to be heard in order to appreciate it. If you can find someone local to you to preview one I'd recommend it. Some on here may even open their doors for you if you post. There is a member and post on here with someone who is using the KF-28's with a tube amp and is in listening bliss. Maynard may be able to help with who the member is, or search it in the tubes section. I can also affirm how nice they sound with tubes. They really open up nicely. Good info thanks much. I have the MS23b and I think its the best bang for the buck tube phono stage out there. I rolled in some JJ ecc83s balanced and matched and I couldn't be happier with it. Looks like its time to start saving up some cash, I see a tube amp in the near future Right on with the kit. I think that will be the most cost effective way to get into the game. As far as assembly, I am a DIY kind of guy and have an electronics background so that's no issue at all. When you get yours back I would be interested in the mods made to it and how it improved the sound for you.

Which one did you start out with that was that price? I have looked at a few el34 and el84 based amps in the 8-12 watt range which is probably more like 4 watts before clipping at 8ohms and they are running about 500 shipped. AIQIN Audio (DOUK AUDIO) on Ebay, they have their amps there as DIY or built, you just have to look real good to find one. After I purchased it, I bought different tubes to try (NOS) and although highly debatable on SQ, some NOS are more durable than some of the newer ones. Up until last week I was going to sell mine to "upgrade", but a member on here is rewiring it and adding in better caps and resistors. So I am most likely going to keep it for a long time now. If I feel like adding in more components, I just add in an audio switch and push a button for what I want. I also purchased an integrated tube amp (Yaqin MC-10L) that I use for times when I really want it loud, used on Ebay for $350.00 shipped (used).They get good reviews and Derrick above has a similar one and can comment on his as well. It has 4 inputs for my turntables, digital (cd, external hard drive on computer), and cassette when I feel like adding it in. With the integrated amp I just add on a phono pre (2-Cambridge Audio 551-P, and a Yaqin MS-23B Tube phono pre) for my turntables as it doesn't have a designated phono out. Once I got the bug for tube amps, it wasn't complete until I got a vintage amp. I have a Sansui AU-70 Integrated that is going to be restored as well.It has the designated phono pre out. Once the Sansui is done I may consider selling the Yaqin as I will not have the room for it anymore. But the CLASS A SET is going to be used for all my critical listening. The depth and width of the sound stage and 3D effect it gives off is something that has to be heard in order to appreciate it. If you can find someone local to you to preview one I'd recommend it. Some on here may even open their doors for you if you post. There is a member and post on here with someone who is using the KF-28's with a tube amp and is in listening bliss. Maynard may be able to help with who the member is, or search it in the tubes section. I can also affirm how nice they sound with tubes. They really open up nicely. Good info thanks much. I have the MS23b and I think its the best bang for the buck tube phono stage out there. I rolled in some JJ ecc83s balanced and matched and I couldn't be happier with it. Looks like its time to start saving up some cash, I see a tube amp in the near future

Which one did you start out with that was that price? I have looked at a few el34 and el84 based amps in the 8-12 watt range which is probably more like 4 watts before clipping at 8ohms and they are running about 500 shipped.

I think my ears need some breaking in LOL. I am finding the tradeoff here. These are much more detailed than my other speakers that I mentioned and I am starting to focus on that more and more which in turn is making the harshness a bit less annoying if you know what I mean. I am going to give it some more time and see how it goes. I watched a video about damping the plastic horn with a dynamat type material helps, this was done on a set of RF-7's so I may try that because it can just be peeled off it I don't like what it does.

I totally agree. I heard a 1 watt SET amp drive a set of La Scala's and it was pure bliss. I think that is the direction that I want to head in the future but for now anyway solid state is what I have to work with. Will definitely check out the tube section on the forum though.

Thank you for the suggestion. I have never heard of such a thing as far as the diagonal wiring is concerned, and I have been into hifi gear for a very long time. I googled it and sure enough there was tons of information about it, still having a hard time wrapping my head around why it would make a difference but hey I will try it, its a free mod and we all love those. As far as my amp goes, I am using a vintage Kenwood integrated KA 7100 from they late 70's and it is definitly more neutral than anything else, plus I have tubes in the signal chain for vinyl listening.

Hello All This is my first post here on the board but have been reading for a while. I just purchased some pre-owned R26-F speakers. So far I love them, they do so many things right , however I find the horns a bit fatiguing at times, especially with some jazz stuff. My music tastes are quite eclectic so I may be listening to Miles one minute and The Who the next if you know what I mean. I realize there is no such thing as a perfect speaker, but I think these could come close if I could tame the horns a bit. My other speakers are KEF and DCM Timeframes so it could be my ears being used to "laid back" speakers as well. My system is all solid state with the exception of a dedicated tube phono stage. My first thought was a crossover modification of some sort, but maybe some of the experts here can chime in. I know these are on the lower end of the Klipsch lineup but I feel they have real potential. One other thing I noticed is that surface noise on vinyl seems to be more pronounced​ with these speakers. Any suggestions would definitely we welcomed. Thank You Chris