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I am impressed with the YAQIN MS-22B Tube Phono Stage...

98.19.149.78
Posted on June 19, 2013 at 14:42:07
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 My YAQIN MS-22B Tube Phono Stage just arrived and it's up and running. I am truly impressed with its sound quality right out of the box. I've played five LPs so far and it sounds very good to me. It is exceedingly quiet and has absolutely no hum at all. I ordered it last week from an eBay seller for $198, which included free shipping and it arrived today.

This phono stage is fairly substantial. In other words, it is not a lightweight. It has a substantial chassis and substantial RCA connectors, too. They appear to be very sturdy and heavily gold plated. But, the best part is its sound quality. It sounds a lot more expensive than $198.

It is connected to the analog input on my new April Music Eximus DP1 DAC/Preamp. I wanted to try out the analog input and it seems to work just fine with the Yaqin, which replaced my little Audio Technica PEQ3 phono preamp. The AT-PEQ3 just didn't cut it for me. It sounded hard. After all, I'm used to a Pass Labs XOno and the downgrade to an AT-PEQ3 was more than I could handle. However, the Yaqin MS-22B is an entirely different story. This thing sounds good. It is very listenable.

I bought the Yaqin for my SL-1200, which had to either share the XOno with my Sota Millennia or else use the inferior AT-PEQ3. Now, the SL-1200 has its own dedicated phono stage that sounds good. Currently, my DL-S1 cartridge is in the SL-1200 and I'm using a Bob's Devices CineMag 1131 SUT set to a turns-ratio of 1:40. The CineMag 1131 works just fine with the DL-S1 and the Yaqin MS-22B. This combination is ever so quiet and hum free. I am very pleased with the setup so far.

Thank you everyone who recommended the Yaqin. It impresses me as an exceptional phono stage at a very reasonable price.

Best regards,
John Elison

 

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RE: I am impressed with the YAQIN MS-22B Tube Phono Stage..., posted on June 19, 2013 at 23:11:18
pegwill


 
Hi John

I found the MS-22b excellent as well. You may be interested in the mods by Hi-Q, details which can be found at:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/216979-yaqin-ms-22b-phono-amp-9.html

This takes it to a whole new level and are well worth doing in my view.

 

RE: I am impressed with the YAQIN MS-22B Tube Phono Stage..., posted on June 19, 2013 at 23:56:55
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Well, you didn't mention a price for the mods. I suspect they are quite expensive because the discussion at the link says the mods are a complete redesign of the phono stage. That rather defeats the purpose of buying the Yaqin in the first place. I was looking for a cheap phono stage that sounded good. So tell me, what is the price of the redesign?

Thanks,
John Elison

 

RE: I am impressed with the YAQIN MS-22B Tube Phono Stage..., posted on June 20, 2013 at 04:04:43
pegwill


 
Hi John

I'm not sure exactly because it would depend on what you might have available. If you trace the article back I think you'll find a document describing what was done one of the big things was using a third valve so theres the cost of the valve and the holder etc - again depends what you have available.

I'll try and find the link to the document

 

RE: I am impressed with the YAQIN MS-22B Tube Phono Stage..., posted on June 20, 2013 at 04:11:48
pegwill


 
Hi John

the link describing the modifcations can be found here:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/lez/Yaq...n%20MS-22B.pdf

Hope that helps

 

RE: I am impressed with the YAQIN MS-22B Tube Phono Stage..., posted on June 20, 2013 at 04:46:55
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Thanks for the link. I'm pretty impressed with the Yaqin just the way it is.

Thanks again,
John Elison

 

RE: I am impressed with the YAQIN MS-22B Tube Phono Stage..., posted on June 20, 2013 at 06:37:46
rosendds@frontiernet.net
Audiophile

Posts: 599
Location: North East
Joined: November 13, 2010
 John,

Nice that you are happy with the new phono stage.It would be a bargain at twice the price since it sounds good out of the box at that price.Enjoy.
Dave

 

RE: I am impressed with the YAQIN MS-22B Tube Phono Stage..., posted on June 19, 2013 at 18:42:32
adaug
Audiophile

Posts: 723
Location: chicago
Joined: December 4, 2007
 excellent to hear. i like my MS-12B phono/pre unit. for another $80 or so it adds a non-phono input and has 2 levels of output, very unique unit. also no hum.

equipment like this puts chinese gear in a good light.

enjoy


-andre d

 

Thanks John For Posting This, posted on June 19, 2013 at 14:55:53
Rubbersoul-1
 I was a little on the fence about those and the hum issue some claimed there had was a concern as well. But your review makes it sound like a winner.

Thanks

 

RE: Thanks John For Posting This, posted on June 19, 2013 at 15:06:06
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Mine is completely hum-free and has hardly any noise. I think it might be nearly as quiet as my XOno. Maybe I just got a good one. ;-)

 

Another convert!!! I liked mine and Marc liked it, too. /nt\, posted on June 19, 2013 at 14:48:17
Opus 104

 

RE: Another convert!!! I liked mine and Marc liked it, too. /nt\, posted on June 19, 2013 at 15:36:34
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
 Did you ever replace the stock tubes in yours?


 

Yup. Tried New Sensor Mullards and Sov-Tek 12AX7LPS., posted on June 19, 2013 at 18:00:42
Opus 104
 Liked them both for different reasons. Mullards were lush, the Sov-Teks more open and spacious.

 

Yes, thanks for the recommendation. /nt\, posted on June 19, 2013 at 15:07:24
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004

 

RE: Eximus?, posted on June 19, 2013 at 14:44:52
amioutaline?
 Try some Cortisone Cream.

 

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