"Musmys" E-406 clone amp, a HiFi newbie's review =)

[fpitas]

I've recently purchased one of these amps to allow me to refurbish a 1982 hand-built MOS-FET [SJ49/SK50], that is now ready for a cap upgrade.

Although ostensibly my e-406 looks like the same amplifier, it is not. It does not use FETS and it is Symmetrical and uses NJW0302/0281 BJT pairs.

It still has 6 pairs in parallel [So will have some grunt] and it sounds very powerful and detailed but I have not really had the chance to investigate the design further; whereas I came to believe that the previous version shown on here was based on the Legend/Stagemaster designed by Dr Borivoje Jagodic {https://electronicscheme.net/500w-rms-power-amplifier-based-mosfet/] {My postulation}

I've attached a photo of one of the channels showing the new array. Note the annotation on the PWA. The devices have the same part numbers.

Unfortunately, when I opened my device up I did not note the major change as they look, layout wise, the same. I will now investigate further.

At least they are high-frequency BJTs. Still kind of disappointing.

 

[khaliss]

I've recently purchased one of these amps to allow me to refurbish a 1982 hand-built MOS-FET [SJ49/SK50], that is now ready for a cap upgrade.

Although ostensibly my e-406 looks like the same amplifier, it is not. It does not use FETS and it is Symmetrical and uses NJW0302/0281 BJT pairs.

It still has 6 pairs in parallel [So will have some grunt] and it sounds very powerful and detailed but I have not really had the chance to investigate the design further; whereas I came to believe that the previous version shown on here was based on the Legend/Stagemaster designed by Dr Borivoje Jagodic {https://electronicscheme.net/500w-rms-power-amplifier-based-mosfet/] {My postulation}

I've attached a photo of one of the channels showing the new array. Note the annotation on the PWA. The devices have the same part numbers.

Unfortunately, when I opened my device up I did not note the major change as they look, layout wise, the same. I will now investigate further.

Your E406 (top) vs my Musmys E406 (bottom)... looks a bit different indeed(?)

 

[khaliss]

Is yours branded as Musmys?

I could take some photos of the inside of mine to see if there's some variation?

how has your experience been so far? Still would like comparison feedback (E406 vs others you've tried) if you can provide any =)

 

[lokkerman]

Fully branded MUSMYS in MUSMYS box - e-406

 

[Discharge]

how has your experience been so far? Still would like comparison feedback (E406 vs others you've tried) if you can provide any =)

The E406 has turned out to be flawless for me, it drives my Kef 105/3 extremely well, the C2860+ has been less positive, it's developed an audible hiss that tracks the volume knob. So im going through that process with paypal at the moment since aliexpress arent being very helpful.

 

[lokkerman]

Looks similar but there are changes, these photos are what I took when it first arrived - over the next few days I will take some more now I know there is a difference.
Most of these were taken testing it in my workshop. I've tried it with heavily modified B &W 220's and B & W 684's the latter it dominates more than with my old 160+160 watt 8R MOS-FET.
This has delicacy in abundance, along with detail, presence and power; it is silent. On DSD256 it is astonishing and on my genuine Reel to Reel masters it's great. I have been building amps since 1981.

 

[khaliss]

The E406 has turned out to be flawless for me, it drives my Kef 105/3 extremely well, the C2860+ has been less positive, it's developed an audible hiss that tracks the volume knob. So im going through that process with paypal at the moment since aliexpress arent being very helpful.

Sad to hear about the preamp you received... guess I got lucky with my set of Musmys gear: 2xE406 & 1xc2860+

Think I'll keep mine for a very long time... been really happy with them so far =) What was your previous amp that drove those KEFs... how do they compare?

 

[lokkerman]

At least they are high-frequency BJTs. Still kind of disappointing.

You can't win em' all

 

[khaliss]

Looks similar but there are changes, these photos are what I took when it first arrived - over the next few days I will take some more now I know here is a difference.
Most of these were taken testing it in my workshop. I've tried it with heavily modified B & " 220's and B & W 684's the latter it dominates more that with my old 16+160 watt 8R MOS-FET.
This has delicacy in abundance, along with detail, presence and power; it is silent. On DSD256 it is astonishing and on my genuine Reel to Reel masters it's great. I have been building amps since 1981.

wow, you sound like you have a LOT of experience in power amps, down to the circuit level... glad to hear you are pleased with the E406 so far =) Having this thread & hearing more from actual owner experience is helpful to the hobby overall. We can't just dismiss "clone amps" cuz they were made in China & sold through Aliexpress... from a brand that no one has heard of in the Western market just a year ago.

 

[lokkerman]

Your E406 (top) vs my Musmys E406 (bottom)... looks a bit different indeed(?)

View attachment 552641

View attachment 552640

I think you have photographed the right channel, whilst mine is the left and as these boards are a different board for each channel [but are mirror images on immediate appearance] yours has the PWA filter capacitors on the left, with mine on the right. I find it interesting that there is a family likeness with the differing topologies. From my experience it usually means that the designer is the same in both cases.
I am also surprised that no-one here has pursued the unique topology of your amp. As a quasi-complementary MOS-FET with six parallel output FETs is very unusual

I can only think of this one and I suggest that this uses a much higher voltage but appears to share the same idea:

 

[khaliss]

I think you have photographed the right channel, whilst mine is the left and as these boards are a different board for each channel [but are mirror images on immediate appearance] yours has the PWA filter capacitors on the left, with mine on the right. I find it interesting that there is a family likeness with the differing topologies. From my experience it usually means that the designer is the same in both cases.
I am also surprised that no-one here has pursued the unique topology of your amp. As a quasi-complementary MOS-FET with six parallel output FETs is very unusual

I can only think of this one and I suggest that this uses a much higher voltage but appears to share the same idea:

View attachment 552713

You're right about the left & right channels as pictured... I highlighted some of the differences below.

 

[khaliss]

I am also surprised that no-one here has pursued the unique topology of your amp. As a quasi-complementary MOS-FET with six parallel output FETs is very unusual
I can only think of this one and I suggest that this uses a much higher voltage but appears to share the same idea

So what are you saying here... that this is a well engineered high-current no-nonsense high-output "clone" amp?

 

[TonyJZX]

thanks for the write up... i could not find the matching "C245Pro" preamp but it did spam up the "C2860" preamp by... "Sound Maker Golden Throat"... sure.. i guess???
pretty much $500 us shipped for a balanced line stage 12kg w/ luxury stainless remote

both of them look class if you think battleship gold plates with multiple VU meters is your thing

insides look pretty mint with lots of Korean Japanese components like samyoung caps omron relays

this will last a lifetime and i dont doubt it will perform well... I think realistically in a 2026 global economy $750 USD shipped for the e406 is a cheap as hell... like... i cant get my calculator to work out a BOM + labour that comes to $750... its not possible without new "China" maths

realitisically no one needs a line stage. save your $500 but $750 for a balanced power amp like this? sure I get it. where else are you even going to get a very high bias Class A/B these days.

i couldnt find their website but this is a dealer

MUSMYS Pure Class A & Hi-Fi Power Amplifiers | GZHYAJIN

Shop MUSMYS Class A and AB power amplifiers. Featuring high-power rear stage and balanced preamplifiers designed for high-fidelity audio performance.

gzhyajin.com

 

[TonyJZX]

i bought a similar amp just before covid kicked off and i think it was something like $650 usd shipped

also 25kg box 19" x 19"

my mail guy gave me the stink eye!

 

[lokkerman]

So what are you saying here... that this is a well engineered high-current no-nonsense high-output "clone" amp?

Well yes and no. Yes, I've attached the E-406 PDF and you will see that it's an integrated amp not a power amp; however, the physical design clues are the same as these power amps, this means that the amp is an "homage" - something designed to look similar with respect to the original; the Chinese do it all the time with products such as watches. Digging deeper, it looks like it is based on the E-406V, as it has a cylindrical transformer case.

And no - in terms of the circuit design, yours in particular has no resemblance to the original whatsoever. This does not mean it's a bad amp but not a clone or even a derivative, to me it looks like the designer has taken an off the shelf known and proven design (like the Legend, above) and tweaked it. This is common practice as we have been building FET amps since the late 70's. In fact it was this that made me take a punt with this amp, as I wanted to replace my existing FET amp to give it a refurb.


The reality with my variant of this "homage", is that it is probably closer the original E-406 power amp design, being fully complementary and having multiple parallel output pairs but the commonality probably stops there. Time to get out the amp audio bible and start digging. http://douglas-self.com/ampins/books/apad.htm

So what I am saying here... is that this is a well engineered high-current no-nonsense high-output "homage look" amp.

And if I was you, I would be quietly confident and there will always be naysayers, that you have a remarkable and quality piece of equipment [especially for the price] that build-wise is as good as it gets and sound-wise is on par, enjoy....

 

[Gorgonzola]

I very recently purchase two Chinese "clones" from AliExpress. I'm please with the products and the AliExpress experience in general. Shipping is expensive but, in my case, very fast and efficient via UPS.

I purchased:

1. A power amp, a TransAudio D5 which is said to be based closely on the DartZeel NHB-108, and
2. A preamplifier using a Zero Zone SPL-90 PCB, a pretty exactly of the Cary SPL-90 tube preamp circuit.

I'm not a hifi "newbie"; I have 55 years of involvement. So I can assure you that both are very solidly build, well assembled, and working as advertised. Both sound very good. Both I consider outrageous bargains even considering the high shipping cost.

As with any expire patent, copying hifi a circuit is fair game ... there should be no "special pleading" for audiophile equipment.

 

[zenon]

Hi guys!
Does anyone have the schematic diagram for this Chinese thing (Musmys E-406)?

 

[mhardy6647]

Hi guys!
Does anyone have the schematic diagram for this Chinese thing (Musmys E-406)?

Based on this thread, it seems like you'll need a link to one provided with a real-time update service .

 

[lokkerman]

Hi guys!
Does anyone have the schematic diagram for this Chinese thing (Musmys E-406)?

I have tried to contact MUSMYS, as I would like to know why there are at least two variants, WWWK. Perhaps there are more?

 

[pablolie]

stealing any kind of IP triggers me. buy the original. you're supporting piracy by not doing so. eff the ripoff.