Thinking of building my first tube amp. Suitable projects? - Page 2

Erik Johansson · 7th March 2002, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by J Epstein
Erik,

Bob Danielak designed a low-powered amp called the "Darling" that has been an ideal first project for many people. I revised the design and now there is a "family" of related amps, all of which should probably fit your price range.

My Darling page is here, with links to Bob Danielak's and an article I wrote for Sound Practices just as it ceased publication:

http://home.earthlink.net/~ellenoler/darling.html

These amps are about 1.5 watts per channel maximum and are recommended for use with efficient speakers. I'd be happy to answer questions on them as best I can.

-j

Only 1.5W per channel doesn´t seem like much.

My QLN 604 speakers have a sensitivity of 90db/W. http://www.qln.se/_604/604.html

I will probably build ProAc Response 1SC clones this summer and use whatever amp I build to power them. Then I´ll still have my HK based system powering the QLNs running in another room.

The Darling looks like a great first DIY project but I´d like something that can power less efficiant speakers and I have now decided that I prefere to build separate preamp and poweramp.

/Erik

Erik Johansson · 7th March 2002, 03:35 PM

Here is a list of all the different tubes I can buy at the store:
http://www.lh-musik.se/lis.htm

It´s in Swedish but you should have no problems understanding the models and manufacturer´s names.

/Erik

planet10 · 7th March 2002, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Erik Johansson
Here is a list of all the different tubes I can buy at the store:

That is a pretty good list. Even ECLL800s (at $90 CAD -- ouch -- each). Missing some of the more exotic russian tubes like the 6H30, but there are 6N1Ps. Lots of choice. I'd pick the amp 1st and worry about the tubes later.

dave

planet10 · 7th March 2002, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Erik Johansson
Only 1.5W per channel doesn´t seem like much.

My QLN 604 speakers have a sensitivity of 90db/W.

Jeremy's speakers are about 89 dB/W and i know he is happy (BTW J how are those exotic Reggae CDs coming ;^)

I just switched in my 1.4 W (max) 5-buck amp in the lab and it plays my 90 dB/W desk monitors fairly loud, so don't write off the low-watt jobs.

I do find that in my much bigger room upstairs that the 4.5W SEP EL84 won't drive my 89 dB/W BD-pipes to really loud levels (my long term solution is 4 amps instead of 2 and eventually more efficient speakers -- i'd love to get my hands on 4 Fostex FE108ESIIs).

dave

Erik Johansson · 7th March 2002, 07:11 PM

Wow you guys are great. Keep the suggestions coming!

/Erik

Ryder · 7th March 2002, 08:45 PM

Try worldtubeaudio.com. Go to the "directory" and then to the "tube kit section" and browse at will. About the best list of kit sites I know.

If you go a few hundred more bucks you really get what you pay for. If you want a keeper, as discussed above, think about your platform and the potential for tweaking it. Diyhifisupply.com has two nice sets. They are getting a US distributor soon at diycable.com . Thorsten Loesch (thunderstoneaudio.nav.to) has modded the hell out of one of their basic units (the "Bessie") and you can get all the details at Audio Asylum so you can take advantage of all of his insights for future mods. That is priceless right there.

Also, one of the standards in sets is bottlehead.com. Great support and forum for further mods too. If you look there take a look at Voltseconds mod page which is listed at the Bottlehead site.

I have heard good things about Gabe's too but have never built one.

Have fun!

Have fun.

Erik Johansson · 7th March 2002, 08:58 PM

I would like a complete DIY project, where I can design the cabinet myself, etc.

/Erik

Erik Johansson · 8th March 2002, 03:15 PM

The "Ella" kit from DIY HIFI Supply looks to fit my needs and $$$ really well. Some people over at audioasylum.com loves it and has some great tips about modding the hell out of it and running it as an amp for the "Basie" preamp.

/Erik

Mohan Varkey · 8th March 2002, 08:47 PM

Erik,

I just had a look at your speaker. Although it is 90dB/1W/1m, its nominal impedance is 4 ohms. Maximum power handling is 250W.

I am not familiar with your speakers. However, I suspect that you need a fairly stiff (read as damping factor) amp perhaps in the 20W-30W range. You are not looking at a simple beginners amp here. Perhaps you should be looking at a push-pull 6L6 or KT88 amp for a start. I could be wrong here. Someone else on this forum could comment on this speaker and amp compatibilities.

It is great that everyone on this forum is trying to help you get started. Do you have friends locally, who may be able to come over to your place with their tube amps for an audition or have you already auditioned a tube amp in your system?

I n the mid nineties, I had correspondence with a few friends over your way. But I have lost contact with most of them. This was through the Lowther Club. If you wish, I may be able to go through my old correspondence and dig out a name or two. Lowther people are diehard fanatics. It is rather difficult to get a neutral opinion from them. But they will have tube amps.

Perhaps you may be aware that there was a Swedish electron tube manufacturer. The name escapes me. I think? that this company was taken over by Outoucompu in the mid seventies.

Mohan

John S. · 8th March 2002, 09:17 PM

I would recommend either trying a kit or working on and modifying an existing piece of gear.This gives you a chance to learn as you go and not have to deal with some of the trial and error stuff that usually goes with homebrewed gear.It also allows you to have something to use and listen to,which is really what it's all about anyway.After you become familiar with what's going on inside,then try building something from scratch.

7th March 2002, 08:45 PM	#16
Ryder diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Michigan	More Kits Try worldtubeaudio.com. Go to the "directory" and then to the "tube kit section" and browse at will. About the best list of kit sites I know. If you go a few hundred more bucks you really get what you pay for. If you want a keeper, as discussed above, think about your platform and the potential for tweaking it. Diyhifisupply.com has two nice sets. They are getting a US distributor soon at diycable.com . Thorsten Loesch (thunderstoneaudio.nav.to) has modded the hell out of one of their basic units (the "Bessie") and you can get all the details at Audio Asylum so you can take advantage of all of his insights for future mods. That is priceless right there. Also, one of the standards in sets is bottlehead.com. Great support and forum for further mods too. If you look there take a look at Voltseconds mod page which is listed at the Bottlehead site. I have heard good things about Gabe's too but have never built one. Have fun! Have fun. __________________ Ryder Any fool can ask more questions than seven sages can answer.

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7th March 2002, 03:35 PM	#12
Erik Johansson diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Here is a list of all the different tubes I can buy at the store: http://www.lh-musik.se/lis.htm It´s in Swedish but you should have no problems understanding the models and manufacturer´s names. /Erik

7th March 2002, 07:11 PM	#15
Erik Johansson diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Wow you guys are great. Keep the suggestions coming! /Erik

7th March 2002, 08:58 PM	#17
Erik Johansson diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	I would like a complete DIY project, where I can design the cabinet myself, etc. /Erik

8th March 2002, 03:15 PM	#18
Erik Johansson diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	The "Ella" kit from DIY HIFI Supply looks to fit my needs and $$$ really well. Some people over at audioasylum.com loves it and has some great tips about modding the hell out of it and running it as an amp for the "Basie" preamp. /Erik

8th March 2002, 08:47 PM	#19
Mohan Varkey diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia	Erik, I just had a look at your speaker. Although it is 90dB/1W/1m, its nominal impedance is 4 ohms. Maximum power handling is 250W. I am not familiar with your speakers. However, I suspect that you need a fairly stiff (read as damping factor) amp perhaps in the 20W-30W range. You are not looking at a simple beginners amp here. Perhaps you should be looking at a push-pull 6L6 or KT88 amp for a start. I could be wrong here. Someone else on this forum could comment on this speaker and amp compatibilities. It is great that everyone on this forum is trying to help you get started. Do you have friends locally, who may be able to come over to your place with their tube amps for an audition or have you already auditioned a tube amp in your system? I n the mid nineties, I had correspondence with a few friends over your way. But I have lost contact with most of them. This was through the Lowther Club. If you wish, I may be able to go through my old correspondence and dig out a name or two. Lowther people are diehard fanatics. It is rather difficult to get a neutral opinion from them. But they will have tube amps. Perhaps you may be aware that there was a Swedish electron tube manufacturer. The name escapes me. I think? that this company was taken over by Outoucompu in the mid seventies. Mohan

8th March 2002, 09:17 PM	#20
John S. diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Massachusetts	I would recommend either trying a kit or working on and modifying an existing piece of gear.This gives you a chance to learn as you go and not have to deal with some of the trial and error stuff that usually goes with homebrewed gear.It also allows you to have something to use and listen to,which is really what it's all about anyway.After you become familiar with what's going on inside,then try building something from scratch.