Report: Is OldChen 845-A a Good Tube Amplifier? (English)

Intro into the World of Tube Amps
Experiences for Beginners and Advanced
This Video in German / DEUTSCH: • Bericht: Macht OldChen...
Thanks to Snake Oil Audio for his valuable infos to OldChen!
Snake Oil Audio about Tube Amplifiers
Part 1
• Röhrenverstärker für E...
Part 2
• Günstiges High End? Gi...
Part 3 Röhre vs. Transistor
• Röhre vs Transistor - ...
Thanks to Tube Amp Doktor for the 6SN7 Tip!
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The End Stage Tube Shuguang WE845
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The Pre Stage Tube Psvane CV181-T-MII/2
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I am not sponsored by anybody.
Soundeffects by me and Music by 🍎
Clipart:
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[@Belcanto401]

5 years ago I was in the market looking to buy my first EL34 amp, I took a risk and bought an oldchen EL34 amplifier for less than $200 USD from an e-commerce shop in HongKong. Before the purchase I really didn't know what to expect. When my order arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it is a well constructed amp (for that price point). Internally the amp employs point to point wiring which makes it easier for modifications. The sound has improved after I recapped the coupling caps to Miflex copper in oil cap. Oldchen is not a well known brand in the hifi world but to me they make very decent amps for the money.

[@iam_mad]

Thank You for Your comment! You are right, the OldChen have the best built-quality, I have other brands too, they are not so well built! 😉

[@matthewtaylor7355]

@@iam_mad coupled with xcellent cheap price... The mark ups from UK European UK dealers etc are shameful

[@mikesaunders4694]

Nice looking amp…..but I think I will stick with my diy efforts 😀 it’s the first time I have seen amplifier classes described using the metaphor of a chicken! 🤔Very entertaining. For me anything with lots of 2nd order harmonics is a good sound. The paint we would say “powder coated” so you were exactly correct.

[@iam_mad]

Thank You Mike! 😊 Im happy the chicken did entertain You 😉 DIY is king!! 👌👍

[@cabronesse386]

I'm was watching those flying chickens analogy at 2:15 AM and it gave me good laugh! Thanks man! LOL

[@iam_mad]

Its my pleasure 😊

[@TTykwer]

Thank you for the review of this Chinese amplifier. Not being a DIY guy (tried it several times in various hobbies and failed miserably), I instead buy good quality built products. And since I'm currently in the market for a tube amplifier, I will definitely put this one on my list serious contenders. By the way, I also loved the chicken analogy! :)

[@iam_mad]

Thank You for Your comment! To buy has it´s merits, You can enjoy without labor 😊

[@zzyzx2382]

I have Veritas V1.8 speakers. They have moderate 87 dB at 2.83 volts/meter sensitivity. 80 - 250 watts RMS per channel. 300 watts max (instantaneous peaks, less than 10% chipping). I haven't had them on a tube amp before and this old Chen caught my eye on ali. I am thinking this amps power will be sufficient if I have normal volume, but not enough if I want to crank up the volume. What is your recommendation. Thanks for the review 🐓🐤🦃🫢

[@iam_mad]

The 845 will not make Your Veritas run well, I have already troubles with the 91dB efficient speaker. Your best goal would be the MP-501, but unfortunately Musical Paradise stopped building it. I know one for sale in Germany if You are interested. I would advise You to the tandem of MP-701 with the FM300A clone, You have great tube sound from the 701 pre and power from the power stage.

[@zzyzx2382]

@@iam_mad Yes, you're advice from experience is appreciated. I would like to try MP 501. Do you know the price? I am in the USA. I have a Yamaha receiver now that I use, that I got in late 90's. Maybe I would plan to pair with an A/B amp instead of A. In the case of A/B what is a recommended unit?

[@pyrolusite]

Love your review and your advice. Thank you!

[@chrispua70]

I love your explanation on Class A, AB and D😂😂😂

[@jackychou3288]

Good introduction, information, thank you!

[@1324390]

Got this amp very recently. Just wonder how the bias adjustment can be done when required. Don't see any screw adjustable points on it like those found on the Willsenton R8 which I bought two years ago.

[@Bears-q1w]

Thanks for this excellent review (subscribed). I've heard a number of tube amps from China and to my ears they all seem to have a more analytical sound , similar to modern solid state amps. I'd like to avoid that as I'm over sensitive to high frequencies. Something rolled-off in the treble would be best for me. Would you say this amp follows the modern trend or has a more "old fashioned" tube sound?

[@ClearOutSamskaras]

This may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHKTeaeKpKyraK8

[@iam_mad]

It is defenitely more the old fashioned Sound You would like, but it lacks a bit of deep Bass suppoert, when it comes to less efficient speakers. For efficient speakers its a very fine Amp.

[@alanmodimages]

This was really informative! I will probably stick with solid state at the moment, but I do have my eyes on the Schiit Freya+, but I know it would still be a long road since everyone has commented that I will need to do tube rolling with that one as well.

[@iam_mad]

If You search a pre amp with real tube *magic* the Schiit Freya+ is maybe the wrong direction, it uses the tubes only to "flavour" the sound of its OPAmps... I think in that case I would go for the Musical Paradise MP-701 MK2 Tube Preamp, since this is a real tube preamp, with short signal paths and no solid state 😉 Many go for this "hybrid" set up, tube - pre stage and SS - power stage, it combines the goodies of bold worlds 😊

[@alanmodimages]

@@iam_mad I will certainly look into this. Thank you!

[@slowestrider4918]

Thank you very much for your detail review of the Oldchen 845-A. It has been over a year since you posted this review. Do you still own this amp? What is your take on this amp after a year? Any issues? Any update is appreciated.

[@iam_mad]

Thank You for this question! I have now the MP-501 from Musical Paradise, which is a difference in quality and sound. I wanted to update the OC845, because the PSVane CV181 did burn several times, but I just don´t have the time for it.

[@moncefladjimi5259]

I was following the comments on your german channel for the review of the oldchen 845A, and it seems that there is a strong hum for certain units. How do you adjust the bias on this amplifier and is there a way to correct the hum?

[@iam_mad]

Thanks for Your comment! I had yet no issue with hum on my 845, and the commentor on the German channel did after questioning not specify the hum on his 845, so I did not take this so serious. I think this unit is adjusting the Bias automatically, but I will ask for that, because I want to know it too!

[@moncefladjimi5259]

@@iam_mad Thank you for your reply. But the bias setting should be explained in the users guide, and if it is a self-biased amp, it should be indicated… Thank you also for the review of the FM 300A clone. Your videos are very informative and unique, there is little or no info on these amps except may be snake oil videos…

[@richardnielsen9051]

Very good review. Thanks. Does the tube get very hot?

[@iam_mad]

The 845 goes indeed quite hot, more then KT120, but not as hot as the 6C33C. A small room in a hot summer day without AC could bring quiet speakers!

[@tubeman1355]

Hi, great informative video. Is this amplifier a fix bias . Thank you

[@iam_mad]

Thanks You for the comment! Bias is automatic, You dont need to care. I have recently found the MP-501 Musical Paradise, that seems to be in general terms the better price/value deal, because without the PsVane CV181 the 845 is a bit lacking.

[@hrvojekant9415]

Great video! btw. I use to separate audio systems...s.s. and tubes with ProAc and KEF speakers. Both sound great...but quite diferent. I have some experiance with Ali Express...if they don't deliver to you requested item for some reason...you get back your paid amount but reduced cca. 10% . Probably bank transactions. Regards

[@iam_mad]

Thank You for Your comment! 😊 Since I made this video, many people ordered the FM300A via AliExpress, and it works quite well! 😉 I also started to order a few amps since then (NAIM Clone) Best regards!

[@Silverlining1111]

Hi, thanks for your funny hifi videos. May I ask if for jazz and classical, in small room, average sensitivity speakers, Oldchen or Clone FM300A which will you choose? Why you choose the 845 instead of se 300B in Oldchen amps? Many thanks.🙏🌹

[@iam_mad]

Thanks for Your Comment! The 845 has Power, the 300B is a bit hyped and lacks in Bass, while the 845/211 has the most Power and sound for a tube. To be honest, regarding $ and simplicity the FM300A is the best choice, the 845 tube can be quite the diva. With the tube pre-amp the FM300A gains the "tuby" sound, but You still have the power of the Transistors in the power stage. Unfortunately the Musical Paradise PreAmp is sold out for now, should be back by June... Best regards!

[@damneddan945]

danke

[@DanONeill-i4o]

can anyone tell me, how would this Amp go with 87db Monitor Audio Speakers, I am using tubes now, I want to try 300B.

[@iam_mad]

These will be not really good with the OC845. I would strongly recommend the combo of FM300A with the MP-701 as Pre amp, there You have power and the sound of a tube. Matches best with 12BH7 tubes or ECC99JJs

[@moncefladjimi5259]

After watching your great an very informative video (many thanks), I thought this amplifier is worth the try. However, what do you suggest for the choice of voltage for France: 220V, 230V or 240V? Also what do you think of the upgraded version (~400 $ more) with special tubes made specifically for Oldchen? Finally, what do you mean by efficient loudspeakers for this amp? Is 90db OK for listening to classical and jazz music? Thanks for your help…

[@iam_mad]

According to Google F has 230V, as most in EU, here in Germany its 238 when I measure my outlet with the multi-meter. I would go for the basic version, because the globe shaped CV818 are not as good as the coke bottle CV181 I descrive in the video (according to TAD) 90db speaker is already possible but on the borderline, it depends on the Ohm and other parameters. If You stay with this speaker, wait for my next video, I describe a SolidState Amp which is better for 3 way systems, but the OldChen will do the job for sure, the 845 is the most powerful tube available. Consider the Speajer build LePetit from Maison De Audiophile, it is an eye opener! 😉

[@moncefladjimi5259]

@@iam_mad thank you!

[@2011FM]

​​@@iam_madDear Juergen, may I know the link you purchased the Oldchen 845 from? Because there are quite a number of versions offered at Ali Express, your kind assistance will be much helpful. Really appreciate.

[@iam_mad]

@@2011FM I had mine from the Nobsound store, but I think there is only 1 factory in China that can make it. Suqia store I trust the most.

[@chrispua70]

Hi, thank you for making these videos and comparing the different amplifiers for us viewers. I've a question for you. Recently my old Audio Innovation tube amp has died on me and i was research for a more affordable tube amp option to drive my Focal JMLab 2 way speakers, model DB 17 K2 (very old model). They are around 92b sensitivity. Nowadays, I listen to most of my music through Spotify through a Google Nest Hub and the sound you can guess is not fantastic. I'm trying to look for an (integrated) amplifier with Bluetooth connectivity so that my Google home setup can recognize it as a Bluetooth speaker and then i can play my music from Spotify to my Amp and through my JM Lab speakers. While researching, i found your videos and saw 2 potential candidates for my amplifier replacement. 1. The OldChen 845-A and 2. The FM300a Clone. I'm leaning towards the 845-A, because it's an integrated tube amp and comes with Bluetooth connectivity. But I'm not sure if my speakers are good enough to be powered by this Oldchen 845-A. What is your opinion on this? If i were to go with the FM300a Clone which you mentioned can drive almost any speakers, my concern is that, I'll have to get a preamplifier to pair it up, and get another Bluetooth receiver/transmitor to connect to it so that i can let Google home to talk to it. I would really appreciate your opinion on my dilemma here. Thanks in advance 😊.

[@iam_mad]

Hello Chris! You ask for quite the support here 😅😂 For Your speaker the OldChen 845 is no good. You could go for the MP-701 - FM300A combo, but I very much adore the MP-501 wich I recently got. 😊 Please don´t ask me about BlueTooth, I find no sense in using that, why spend money on high end sound and then use BT? The most elegant way to make Your home running modern is the MP-DX, this thing can include a music server and connects to Your home network. Maybe You check out this page from Musical Paradise, and take a closer look. The 845 sounds great on a sensitive fullrange, but the range of speakers the MP501 can drive is nuts, its sound on a 88dB speaker is beating the chest, this sound blows You out of the shoes...🙃 Hope my suggestion did help a bit! 😉

[@chrispua70]

Hi@@iam_mad , thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and giving me your suggestions. I'll do some research on the MP-701 and MP-501. Thanks again 😊

[@NicoRas-e9m]

So does heavier mean better. Does two bricks sound better than one brick? Tube amps are antiquated stuff of the past and irrelevant these days in audio.

[@PaulHung77]

I don't like salty chicken too! 🐔

[@ullodea]

Has anyone compared this to the Willsenton R8?

[@iam_mad]

For 1500.- there is the one and only MP-501, which I can recommend absolutely. I will bring the test soon.

[@ullodea]

@@iam_madthank you!

[@kevindeem7174]

👍🏻