8 Remarkably Quirky Chi-Fi Tube Audio Products

These unique amps and speakers show why Chi-Fi has such a huge following

A mashup of the "Chinese" and "high-fidelity," Chi-Fi refers to cheaply made, tube-based audio electronics from China. Where a typical vacuum tube amp from an American or European manufacturer can be thousands of dollars, a similar Chi-Fi model might cost only hundreds. Not surprisingly, these cheap little audio gadgets have attracted a cult following.

Though the build quality of Chi-Fi products is often not great, they are aesthetically diverse—a key reason why they are collector's items. Styling is rarely the same because industrial design seems to be the last thing that low-cost manufacturers want to mimic. You can find a lot of Chi-Fi products on Amazon and eBay.

Here are eight of our favorite Chi-Fi amps and speakers.

While we can't guarantee you'll be able to find any of these products for purchase, these are still fun to look at it.

01
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Meixing MC5S 5-Channel Tube Amplifier

The Meixing MC5S 5-Channel Tube Amp
Meixing Audio

The Meixing MC5S is notable for being named after a notorious Detroit proto-punk band, and it's one of the first tube amps we've seen that's meant for home theater and surround sound. With two big KT90 tubes per channel, the Meixing MC5S is rated at 70 W per channel. It's hard to tell from the company website, but this amp apparently has its power supply within a separate enclosure.

Although it's difficult to speculate about the MC5S's performance, the ten KT90s, five ECC83s, and five ECC82s can almost certainly create one of the hottest home theater amps ever.

02
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Matisse Fanmusic MTS-623 6N3 Audio Processor

Matisse Fanmusic MTS-623 6N3 Audio Processor
Fanmusic

What is an Audio Processor and Fanmusic? After a quick read of the web page (and some educated guesswork) we gather that the MTS-623 is a tube buffer stage—basically a preamp with a couple of 6N3 tubes intended to "warm up" the sound of CD players and other solid-state source devices.

03
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Audioromy FU29 Integrated Amplifier

The Audioromy FU29 Integrated Amplifier
Audioromy

The mark of a serious tube amp (and a devoted audiophile) is the use of exotic output tubes beyond the usual KT88s, EL34s, and 300Bs. This model, under the Audioromy brand, sports the FU29 tube that was intended for use in broadcasting transmitters. Each tube is actually two tubes in one, which is a common arrangement in preamp tubes like the 12AX7, but something that's extremely uncommon in an audio power tube.

We've seen this tube, or one similar to it, used in high-end amps before, but those types of amps can carry a cost in the low five figures. The Audioromy model here is rated at 30 W per channel of pure Class A.

04
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Dared MP-6 Bluetooth amplifier

The Dared MP-6 Bluetooth Amplifier
Dared

The Dared MP-6 is a tube/transistor hybrid with a smattering of gratuitous small-signal 6N2P tubes feeding a 40-watt-per-channel solid-state amplifier. Just hook up a pair of speakers, and you can stream audio from your phone, tablet, or laptop via Bluetooth. You can also connect your computer directly through USB or a set of headphones from the front 3.5 mm audio jack. You can do all this while watching the power meter on the front panel.

05
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Qinpu S-2 Horn Speakers

The Qinpu S-2 Horn Speakers
Qinpu

Sadly, for lovers of cool audio gear (but perhaps happily for lovers of good sound), Chi-Fi doesn't offer many speakers. However, the Qinpu S-2 is one of the few interesting models out there—if only for its looks. Three words: vintage horn speakers.

From the photos, the 9-inch-high speaker appears to have a 1-inch dome tweeter mounted inside a horn, with a 2-inch high-excursion woofer below it. You can choose between military green (shown) or bright red. We had the opportunity to check out the Qinpu's Q-2 hybrid tube/transistor amp, and we were impressed with the sound it mustered from a mere 2 watts. You can grab a pair for around $200.

06
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Meixing MingDa MC-08PPA Vacuum Tube Phono Stage

The Meixing MingDa MC-08PPA Vacuum Tube Phono Stage
Meixing

For reasons we don't fully understand, almost all Chi-Fi products are tube-integrated amplifiers. You might think that such a retro-oriented field might embrace vinyl records more, but no. In fact, the only interesting Chi-Fi phono preamp we could find is the Meixing MingDa MC-08PPA. At a price currently above $800, it's a long way from affordable.

To be fair, the MC-08PPA's build quality looks better than most Chi-Fi products, even if the design is a little cheesy, but it's definitely fun to look at.

07
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Dared Imperial Series DL-2000 Preamp

The Dared Imperial Series DL-2000 Preamp
Dared

For whatever reason, Chi-Fi manufacturers haven't fully embraced the preamp, preferring to concentrate on integrated amps with the preamp and amp housed in one single chassis. However, we did find the Dared Imperial Series DL-2000. This unit packs some classic preamp tubes—dual 12AX7s and a 12AT7—and it even has a real 5Z4P tube rectifier instead of the solid-state rectifier bridge used in many modern tube products.

The DL-2000 also has a winning design that would look right at home in any sci-fi movie. Sadly, though, it's priced more like a typical preamp from an American or European manufacturer.

08
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Wistao Technology WVT2015 Hi-Fi Integrated Amplifier

The Wistao Technology WVT2015 Hi-Fi Integrated Amplifier
Wistao Technology

The Wistao Technology WVT2015 is an audio product with a jet-age vibe. This is a hybrid amp with two de rigueur 6N3 preamp tubes and a 60-watt-per-channel solid-state power amp. The Wistao WVT2015 has three stereo inputs, which is an extravagant luxury with Chi-Fi amps, and it also features a USB port and SD card slot so you can play digital audio files.

One thing you certainly expect of the WVT2015 that you can't of most audio gear: People will ask you what the heck it is.

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