Consonance ELLA

[Brap]

After many posts on another forum (Klipsch), I think I'm dialing in on the Ella amp and for now will run direct from a CD player until finances permit a nice pre-amp kit.

Questions

1) Who has experience with the Ella?
2) Upgrade to KT-88's?? (I left a message with the mfg. to ask about the bias and output transformer handling these)
3) Suggestions on a good pre-amp? Prefer a kit, but have learned the Creek OBH-12 is a nice piece for the $$. Am considering sticking with a tube pre -- possibly matching the Basie to this.

Your thoughts are appreciated

[fdegrove]

Hi,

3) Suggestions on a good pre-amp?

Does it have to have gain?

Cheers,

[mcs]

Originally posted by Brap
3) Suggestions on a good pre-amp? Prefer a kit, but have learned the Creek OBH-12 is a nice piece for the $$.

If you're considdering the Creek, have a look at this: http://stiftsbogtrykkeriet.dk/~mcs/Remote3/index.html

And also have a look at my post in "Trading Post"...

You can always convert a passive pre to an active one if you need gain or a buffer stage. If you keep the pre close to the poweramp, I think a passive should work fine. It works for me...

Best regards,

Mikkel C. Simonsen

[bcherry]

Hi Brap

I left a message with the mfg. to ask about the bias and output transformer handling these

If you sent it to me, I didn't get it.

Suggestions on a good pre-amp? Prefer a kit, but have learned the Creek OBH-12 is a nice piece for the $$. Am considering sticking with a tube pre -- possibly matching the Basie to this

The Basie is not suitable as too much gain. The ideal match (although more budget is needed) would be TVC-based linestage. Or drill a couple holes and install a toggle switch and extra set of RCA jacks. There is room.

Brian

[NickC]

I did some work with the ella
what i did was build the stock unit for a local audio shop
built up the stock unit didn't really like it .
change to triode and remove the feedback with a reduction of power also some components mods and did some circuit optimization. Changed the el34 to eh6550 and ehkt88 with both biased at -40volts. As i recall from the curves for both of this tubes, -40 is smack into class A region and drawing lots of current.
You could feel the slight increase in power, but i prefered the eh6550 to the kt88 which i felt sounded to boomy. The el34 used was svets which sounded fine to me. Opt seems oversized for the job anyway. Work fine with kt88s into almost deep class a anyway. For gladly recommend it due to the price paid and the sound in return. Not affliciated with bcherry though. Just an honest opinion