First project for Proac loudspeakers

[anhhifi]

I am looking for a simple integrated valve amplifier project for exciting my Proac Tablette pair. I think they have a little bit low sensitivity but I do not know the exact data in dB.

I am not new in electronics but it will be my first in valve domain.

Other data: Analog (vinyl) and digital source. Classical, rock and pop.
Budget < 500€


An additional question: ¿what phono preamp does suit with this kind of amplifier?


Thanks in advance.

[Eli Duttman]

I doubt you can stay within budget and achieve your goal. ProAc Tablettes require a fair amount of power. The 35 or so WPC PP EL34s yield seems right. The cost of transformers for an EL34 based integrated amp will not leave enough money for the remaining parts. Quality tube "iron" is costly.

As a 1st tubed project, consider a full function (line and phono) preamp. It's doable inside your budget and it will make your SS power amp sound a LOT better.

[matjans]

there are a great number of good projects on triodedick's site which (unfortunately for you) is mostly in dutch. this one (20watt) seems to be suitable for you. you can run the site through babelfish to get an understandable english version.

annastasia: http://www.triodedick.com/annastasia_deel_1.htm

[anhhifi]

which phono and line preamp design do you advice for starting?

[G]

You could buy a old Dynaco ST 70 and gradually update it. Just a thought.

[sreten]

For your budget the Dynaco (or similar) is a good suggestion.

I disagree completely about a valve pre-amp with SS power amps.

You should build a passive preamplifier with an active SS phono stage.

This would require upping the Dynaco gain somewhat via
feedback resistor values but still the best budget option.

Though with only analogue and digital as sources its
easy to up the phono stage output to CD similar levels.

sreten.