Build recommendation

[Rockstar0215]

I have already built a three channel high gain tube amplifier and want to get into the hi fi audio scene. Sifting through pages of information is becoming more difficult than building my first amplifier therefore I need some help. I am looking for a very good amplifier to build that will be moderately priced (around $800). Money is not an issue since components can be bought later and pieced gradually. This amplifier will be used mainly for rock music and not much classical. Frankly, I have no clue where to start. I have seen many schematic on here and don't know which one will be the best. I want something that will make listening to music enjoyable again. My only standard of comparing is McIntosh tube amps at the local audio store. I want comparable if not better results. Also I prefer something where I can have a schematic and built it from scratch. If a pcb is offered for sale, great but I can built something point to point without much hassle. In terms of difficulty I accept any challenge.

I have looked at some amps and stumbled upon this schematic.

Stereo Single-Ended EL34 Hi-Fi Amplifier

Is it any good? Can anything better be built?

I am also eyed a kt88 master kit and a dynaco st70. What I don't like is that they are mostly sold as kits not a schematic that someone can modify to hearts content and create a unique amp. I am not opposed either way.

Suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thank you.

[nic6paul]

Originally Posted by Rockstar0215

I am also eyed a kt88 master kit and a dynaco st70. What I don't like is that they are mostly sold as kits not a schematic that someone can modify to hearts content and create a unique amp. I am not opposed either way.

Suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thank you.

While both are kits the schematics I know for the St70 are readily available and I imagine that the Kt88 kit is as well. If not I am sure that you could trace it out quite easily.

[GloBug]

ST-70s are popular, maybe not so great unless you mod them. Some folks like the Bob Latino mods for them.

RH84 and RH804 come to mind, I built the RH84 and it is nice.

You should be able to easily meet or exceed your experience with the Macintosh.

[KrankKall]

+1 on the RH84 amps.

I built TWO.....a 'standard' RH84 and an all-Octal RH84.
For the money, they're absolute killers!

Steve

[Eli Duttman]

The "reissue" MC275 is damned good. You can't do better on an $800 budget.

You say primarily Rock. That's means generally loud and not extremely deep bass extension. You really can't talk amps separately from speakers. Are you going to build speakers or do you already own something that you LIKE? The amount of power needed, along with damping factor considerations, is dictated by the speakers. For the most part, tubed power amps work well with speakers that have "flat" impedance curves and simple crossovers.

Please provide additional info.

[Rockstar0215]

I knew I was making a mistake not posting anything about speakers. Right now I have done completely NO research about speakers. I do plan on building my own pair. I see a Fostex driver is very popular around here for high efficiency. I do want something with really good bass; I do listen to a lot of modern bands with electronic influence that would benefit from the better bass.

Now, can anybody link me to some more information about the RH84 amp? Or can someone say more about the amplifier from their own experience?

I did, however, read a lot about the KT88 Master Kit and it seems like a GREAT kit. Does anybody know the schematic and do they recommend building it without the kit?

[GloBug]

Want bass? build this. Stereo Magnavox 142's

The RH84 is not huge on bass but pretty balanced the RH807 might give you more grunt.

RH 84 - Tube Audio ...... RH DESIGN
RH 807 - Tube Audio ...... RH DESIGN

[Rockstar0215]

I can't find much info about Magnavox 142. Is the RH 84 or 807 a proven and good amp?

EDIT: I am reading more about the Rh 84 and 807 and I am liking the idea. Are these tubes ideal for the type of music mentioned? How about the KT 88 project on the forum? Can anybody vouch for those? What are the different sound characteristics with these tubes?

[Eli Duttman]

Build speakers whose sensitivity is in the mid 90s and an ultralinear mode wired "El Cheapo" (approx. 12 WPC) may be powerful enough to make your ears bleed. Build with UL/triode mode switches, which allow for improved refinement (Classical and Jazz listening). The uploaded schematic shows triode wiring. Any 6V6 family tube will work in the O/P positions, with the parts values shown.

"El Cheapo" is an "integrated" amp. No preamp is needed, if the signal source is a "standard" CDP. If you go the EC route, you will have cash left from the $800 to buy recordings. Read the LENGTHY saga of "El Cheapo" here.

[Rockstar0215]

Can you recommend any high efficiency speaker builds?

I think I will go for the RH 84 build, it seems very popular and good. Does it require a preamplifier necessarily?