Looking for a tube amp

[Rullknufs]

Hello there!

I'm looking for a tube amp for my Mar-Kel70 speakers. I wont use more than 20w since that's the upper limit for the little CSS EL70.

I'm willing to pay $550 but in that case it has to be something really good and with a protective grille for the tubes (in case the cat or my little cousin want to take a closer look).

The idea is quite difficult to explain i think...

I will connect my Harman Kardon HK3490 to my computer with optical cable. And then Pre-Out from the HK to a Reckhorn S-1 to let the HK get the bass freq (from S-1 to Main In) and power the subs. And then the tube is connected to the S-1 aswell to take care of the 80-20000hz signal and power the Mar-Kel70.

What amplifier am i looking for?

Best regards
Niklas

[nightanole]

Well this is the diy site. A dynaco st-70 rebuild would be right dead center for your budget and power requirements with some el34's.

If not a pentode PP el84 setup would get you 15-18 watts. There is plenty of PP el84 stereo units on ebay. Worse case is a rewire based on the amp topology you choose (baby huey,red light district, oddwatt) and maybe replace the output transformers with some edcor's.

[Rullknufs]

Yes i know this is a DIY forum but the knowledge here is unbeatable, afaik
My electronicsknowledge is basically none and i'd prefer to purchase a finished amplifier, just to hook up and play (and maybe place the tubes in their socekts, looks quite easy).

But will 12w be able to play loud enough?

[riktw]

12w is enough unless you are having a party

[taj]

Hmm... I think your only hope here for a finished amp might be if someone wants to sell one of their homebrew amps to you.

A complete ST-70 from Triode Electronics runs close to $1k. You could try one of the many Chinese tube amps on eBay (at your own risk), or grab an old stereo amp from eBay, again at your own risk since it probably would need at least some DIY refurbishing.

[Wavebourn]

for $500 I believe you can buy and amp made in China. However, a lot can be improved starting from transformers, but at least you will have a tube amp, and experience, and understanding what you need from the amp, and how to improve it.

[tinitus]

its harder in EU, with customs, shipping, etc

I dont know much about this company, but this EL34 PP looks solid

but be careful, there may be additional VAT etc
with other goods(not hifi) I have experienced things like shipping from east, and still charged with additional custom and shipping costs
expences I wasnt aware of because I believed to buy from UK

MingxingMingda MC34-A06 STEREO INTEGRATED AMP.

[Rullknufs]

Thanks for the advices!

Well, what's the "risk" with buying a china amplifier such as the Yaqin EL34 PP?
And the EL34 cost from 250-380, what's the difference?
And i will make sure i really find out the total cost before i order something, not be get a nasty surprise.

[taj]

Originally Posted by Rullknufs

Well, what's the "risk" with buying a china amplifier such as the Yaqin EL34 PP?

There is a manufacturing idiom that says: Good, fast or cheap; Pick any two!

The Chinese manufacturers have their own version: Bling, fake or cheap; Pick any two.

..Todd

[planet10]

Originally Posted by tinitus

but this EL34 PP looks solid

I've had one of those in house -- it is IMO one of their best push-pulls, Joe Rasmussun uses it as the basis of an extensive mod.

JLTi EL34 & KT88 Amps

(i don't know if Joe snips out the unnecessary stage in the KT88 amp -- stock i much prefer the EL34)

It must thou be considered as a prebuilt kit... there is a lot that can be done to improve things -- damp the transformer covers, change the 5-way posts, wire past unnecessary plug in connectors and circuit boards. For instance there is a seperate board who's purpose is to have a volume pot & a connector mounted to it, and a jumper from that connector to a connector on the driver board. Loose the circuit board and solder wires directly from the pot to the driver board -- quite a few of those kinds of things -- not actually changing the circuit, just streamlining the build.

Attached is a pic with the top* off.. ignore the perf board, we were using the amp to prototype something for a client.

*(watch out, the edges of the top are sharp... just ask the bandaids i had to use )

dave