• 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.

Any good tube amp kits for a first attempt?

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6L6

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I am very partial to Electra-Print transformers. They are all hand-wound and don't cost that much more than some of the machine-wound mfg. IMO they are quite simply the best transformers I have ever used. The last set I used (for a PPEL84 amp, actually...) were -1db from 17hz - 55khz!!!

Electra-print.com

You can always use Sowter for a domestic offering, but they are pretty pricy -

sowter.co.uk

People are usually quite happy with Edcor

edcorusa.com

And there is always Hammond from Canada

hammondmfg.com

As for circuit, I have built Morgan Jones' 'Bevios Valley Amp' three times now and each one is wonderful.

The (first) amp shown here is very similar - PS-4 & PS-5 Tube Power Supplies
 
P2P vs. PCB

PCB's are handy/easy to stuff, but lining up the PCB mounted tube sockets with the chassis holes can be a PITA if you want the PCB under the deck and the tubes on top. If you "hang" the PCB from under the top deck, you also need to get the standoff height dialed in.

Oversized holes in the top deck make alignment less critical, and allow for some cooling.
 
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