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Originally Posted by punk_guy182 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The link is in chinese and I don't speak the language.
How does the amp sound like?
Have you heard it?
Any reviews?
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Punkguy, If you don't mind, I took some of your PM questions public and turned this post into a little commentary about Xiangsheng and their H-80BIII tube hybrid amplifier.
You can check out Xiangsheng's English website here:
Hefei XiangSheng Electronic Co.,Ltd
The model I purchased (H-80B III) is only posted on the Chinese version of Xiangsheng's website. It appears the same model number on the English website is a different product. So, be aware of that.
Their email address is also listed on their website, so you can ask them how much the various products cost and how much is shipping for overseas customers. I'm currently living in China, so shipping was dirt cheap ($8 usd) for my amplifier. I had my wife order it for me at their Taobao website (China's eBay). Obvioulsy, the Xiangsheng staff can serve you in English since they have exported many of their models abroad.
There are a lot of hidden gems in China, so paying $150-$300 USD for a tube or tube hybrid amplifier isn't abnormal at all.
There is certainly a headphone jack for headphone users. I'm more of a speakers guy, so I don't use that feature.
The USB input on the amp allows you to play your music/video files from your computer or MP3 player. I believe the amp only works with Windows, sorry Mac fans.
A lot of Xiangsheng's products include a 115/230voltage switch.
Xiangsheng's most popular tube amps are the "Music Curve" and "Sweet Peach" product lines. You do have a choice of ordering one with a black or silver face plate on some of their models.
Here's pictures of the back of the H-80B III tube hybrid amp. It can also serve as a pre-amp.
Sorry, I don't have any pictures of what it looks like inside, and I don't plan on opening up my amp either.
I'm not sure if there is a DAC inside, but I assume there is one because it accepts USB input. It's better you ask the Xiangsheng staff some of your technical questions.
As for the sound quality, it sounds pretty damn good to me, especially for what I paid for it ($150 USD). Seriously, sound quality is a very subjective matter, so who am I to say if it sounds better or more detailed as compared to some other products. Besides, I've only had the amp for a couple days, so I would need at least a month to break it in and to fully assess the sound signature of this amp.
As of now, I can already feel that I suffer far less ear-fatigue from listening to music with my Xiangsheng tube hybrid amp as compared to what I had before which was a good 2 channel computer sound card + amplified speakers.
I think everyone should give tubes a try to determine if it suits their ears.
I would love to hear from others what their experiences have been from using Xiangsheng's products. At this point, I think they are one of the best kept secrets in the Hi-Fi world. As a new Xiangsheng fan, I may as well help them get some more attention.
