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

Intro into the World of Tube Amps
Experiences for Beginners and Advanced

Thanks to Snake Oil Audio for his valuable infos to OldChen!
Snake Oil Audio about Tube Amplifiers
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3 Röhre vs. Transistor

Thanks to Tube Amp Doktor for the 6SN7 Tip!

The End Stage Tube Shuguang WE845

The Pre Stage Tube Psvane CV181-T-MII/2

I am not sponsored by anybody.

Soundeffects by me and Music by 🍎

Clipart:

[Belcanto]

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.

[mikesaunders]

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.

[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! :)

[cabronesse]

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

[hifiaudioreview]

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?

[chrispua]

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

[richardnielsen]

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

[jackychou]

Good introduction, information, thank you!

[DanONeill-io]

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

[slowestrider]

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.

[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.

[moncefladjimi]

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…

[moncefladjimi]

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?

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.

[hrvojekant]

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

[tubeman]

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

[PaulHung]

I don't like salty chicken too! 🐔

[Silverlining]

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.🙏🌹

[chrispua]

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 😊.

[ullodea]

Has anyone compared this to the Willsenton R8?