Is this EL84 kit from Germany worth fooling with?

tweakk · 8th January 2012, 07:25 PM

Basics, Introduction, Calculation, Theory,PCB DIY Kit EL84/6BQ5 SE Stereo Tube Amplifier

the_manta · 8th January 2012, 07:47 PM

Hi,
Well I wouldn't consider this as a kit. It's just the PCB as far as I see.
You don't need a PCB for such an "easy" amp. You can solder that point-to-point. That's the difference from a solid-state-amplifier where a good PCB layout is important.
Furthermore, this isn't even a good layout. The space between the left EL84 and the caps is way too small. When that baby gets its 12W at the anode, the caps will die pretty soon.
The schematic is nothing special and can be made by everyone with the slightest bit of theoretical knowledge. Not even feedback is applied which makes the pentode mode pretty useless.

tweakk · 8th January 2012, 08:26 PM

Thanks manta.

The pcb with parts including tubes and transformer is available as a "kit" from a DIY supplier and there is a note in the description that negative feedback can be implimented by changing two resistor values.

I guess that the capacitor can be protected by some sort of a heat sheild.

Not looking for "special" just compitent in that there is nothing outrageously wrong as I really like the small size and have ideas for a compact integrated.

brucetassin · 8th January 2012, 08:40 PM

I cant say anything about this board 'cause I did not see the price. I do know this, you can get a PP 6BQ5 PCB and parts from George (tubelab on this forum) for about $100 dollars.

tweakk · 8th January 2012, 08:47 PM

I don't see the board available on his web site.

pso · 8th January 2012, 10:33 PM

Hi,
the board for the SPP is not on your web site and never been, but George commented that this design does not selling well, sure that there are still plenty of boards, those who have built only speak wonders about this design.

brucetassin · 8th January 2012, 10:44 PM

TWEAKK...

read this thread.........

Tubelab Simple P-P

Globulator · 9th January 2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucetassin

TWEAKK...

read this thread.........

Tubelab Simple P-P

+1

Best to buy a Tubelab design as it's designed by a real expert and will work beyond your expectations. Seriously, 'even' PCB layout requires expert thought for tube amps.

cjkpkg · 9th January 2012, 08:24 PM

+1 again....

The SimpleSE was the first tube power amp I built and it still gets regular play in the rotation...for the following reasons I went with it...
1. Cost...you can go budget on this amp and have a nifty sounding amp
2. Support...plenty here
3. Relatively simple amp - low power so you will need highly efficient speakers - ideally something >90dB.
4. Excellent quality boards...I have soldered and unsoldered many different components and never have I lost a trace
5. Excellent intro into some of the theories of tube audio circuits.

BTW...Mine is relatively hotrodded now with nice coupling caps, KT90 power tubes, and big *** OPT's...it can almost rival my EL84PP amp and sounds better for most music I listen to.

8th January 2012, 07:47 PM	#2
the_manta diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Munich, Bavaria	Hi, Well I wouldn't consider this as a kit. It's just the PCB as far as I see. You don't need a PCB for such an "easy" amp. You can solder that point-to-point. That's the difference from a solid-state-amplifier where a good PCB layout is important. Furthermore, this isn't even a good layout. The space between the left EL84 and the caps is way too small. When that baby gets its 12W at the anode, the caps will die pretty soon. The schematic is nothing special and can be made by everyone with the slightest bit of theoretical knowledge. Not even feedback is applied which makes the pentode mode pretty useless. __________________ Терпенье и труд все перетрут

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8th January 2012, 08:26 PM	#3
tweakk diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	Thanks manta. The pcb with parts including tubes and transformer is available as a "kit" from a DIY supplier and there is a note in the description that negative feedback can be implimented by changing two resistor values. I guess that the capacitor can be protected by some sort of a heat sheild. Not looking for "special" just compitent in that there is nothing outrageously wrong as I really like the small size and have ideas for a compact integrated.

8th January 2012, 08:40 PM	#4
brucetassin diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Loganville, GA	I cant say anything about this board 'cause I did not see the price. I do know this, you can get a PP 6BQ5 PCB and parts from George (tubelab on this forum) for about $100 dollars.

8th January 2012, 08:47 PM	#5
tweakk diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008	I don't see the board available on his web site.

8th January 2012, 10:33 PM	#6
pso diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Valencia	Hi, the board for the SPP is not on your web site and never been, but George commented that this design does not selling well, sure that there are still plenty of boards, those who have built only speak wonders about this design.

8th January 2012, 10:44 PM	#7
brucetassin diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Loganville, GA	TWEAKK... read this thread......... Tubelab Simple P-P

9th January 2012, 08:24 PM	#9
cjkpkg diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Roswell GA	+1 again.... The SimpleSE was the first tube power amp I built and it still gets regular play in the rotation...for the following reasons I went with it... 1. Cost...you can go budget on this amp and have a nifty sounding amp 2. Support...plenty here 3. Relatively simple amp - low power so you will need highly efficient speakers - ideally something >90dB. 4. Excellent quality boards...I have soldered and unsoldered many different components and never have I lost a trace 5. Excellent intro into some of the theories of tube audio circuits. BTW...Mine is relatively hotrodded now with nice coupling caps, KT90 power tubes, and big *** OPT's...it can almost rival my EL84PP amp and sounds better for most music I listen to.

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