• WARNING: Tube/Valve amplifiers use potentially LETHAL HIGH VOLTAGES.
    Building, troubleshooting and testing of these amplifiers should only be
    performed by someone who is thoroughly familiar with
    the safety precautions around high voltages.

What amp(s) would you buy under $1500

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mikecj

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Joined 2007
I have not built a HF amp myself but have been building guitar amps for some time now.

I was in a similar position of wanting a "decent sounding" HF amp and ended up purchasing a Jolida making some cap changes and "tuning" and have been well pleased with the results and about $1100.00.

Again I'm not an "audiophile expert" just pleased with the results.
Mike J
 
M

mikecj

Member
Joined 2007
Jeff, yep that's the one. rated 40w I believe.

Again not a "full blown audiofile". At this time it is being fed by
Older Kenwood tuner
DAT CD
Tascam Tape

No vinyl anymore [unfortunately]

Small room feeding JBL control one monitors.

All I can say is that I'm really satisfied.

Did Replace the "Chinese" tubes w/

NOS mullard 12ax7s
NOS RCA short plate 12at7 [the long plate versions I had were microphoonic]
JJ EL34

Again I apologize to the group for being "easily pleased".

Mike
 
vinylkid58

vinylkid58

Member
Joined 2005
mikecj said:
Again I apologize to the group for being "easily pleased".
Click to expand...

No need to apologize Mike (at least to me), I quite often feel the same way.

FYI, mods to my 302B thus far:

Triode wired with 100R Kiwame CC resistors.
Coupling caps replaced with Russian PIO K40Y-9's, .22uf 1000V & ,47uf 630V.

Chinese tubes are long gone as well, all NOS now.

GE Jan 5751 Bl. plate 2 mica
GE 6201 "five star" gray plate 2 mica, or Mullard CV4024's
RFT/Siemens EL34

Yet to install:

PEC volume pot.
Power supply goodies courtesy of Jim McShane.

Jeff
 
M

mikecj

Member
Joined 2007
Thnks for the info Jeff:

Hope we haven't hijacked the thread too much.

All I did was replace the coupling caps with " Kimber's" [ because tha's what I had on hand].

I was mistaken about the finals they are the 6CA7 "Groove Tube" Russian I believe.

The JJs went into a Marshall rebuild.

I don't know that my ears could appreciate the "improvement" of other mods given the speaker and room setup I have but I would be interested in you perception of the improvements your mods have made.

You can e-mail me directly if we HAVE hijacked this too much.

And Hey I can probably almost see you from my place here on Lopez if you are indeed in Victoria

Kinda like PALIN being able to see Russia from her back yard although I will say up front this qualifes me for NOTHING.

Mike
 
vinylkid58

vinylkid58

Member
Joined 2005
planet10 said:
Triode wired
Remove feedback (McShane will probably deal with the residual hum)
Click to expand...

I tried removing the feedback temporarily, but there was too much hum, even with 12AT7's in the 12AX7 position. Unfortunately, without a stand-alone pre, I need to keep the gain stage for my phono input.

It did sound pretty cool thou, until I heard one of my FE127's bottom out. First and only time I've heard that in a Fonken box.:bigeyes:

Jeff
 
M

mikecj

Member
Joined 2007
Sounds like some of the mods you have made have been focused on the vinyl / with the preamp issues etc.

Seeing as I don't have vinyl I can see why I have not been tempted to "experiment" more.. not to mention that with the guitar amp building and repairing I get more than enough solder fume huffing to satisfy my addiction. AND I like to listen to the stereo while I'm up to my elbows in stripped insulation.

I think as of today summer's over for us back to pacific NW grey.

Pretty great September though wasn't it.

Mike
 
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