Tube and DIY Newbie Kel84 vs Stoetkit Jr.2

[EssJayUK]

Have been into good sounds for years. but only recently acquired a semi decent, dedicated listening room and therefore I am now considering making some major improvements to my system. My system has previously had to contend with TV and PC in same room, proximity to kitchen and associated extraneous background noises e.g. dishwasher/washing machine.

Moving into a dedicated room has made a vast improvement to my listening environment and allowed me to properly to my current system.

Which consists of unmodded mid 80's LP12 (akito and K5), Rotel RCD965B, Denon TU260 (Mk1), Rega Maia/Cursa pre/power and Rega Elas. Equpiment is on a TNT Flexy-stand.

I've always liked the clarity and mid-range presentation of the Rega kit but always been dissappointed by the harshness of the treble (to my ears) and the lack of deeper bass. I had previously put the latter down to the less than ideal listening environment in which the speakers had to work but whilst it is better in the new room there is still something lacking.

When I used to go to shows I was always impressed with rooms demonstrating tube amps and, although I know that the amps are not the first thing I should be looking to change, I believe that a change to tube amplification should at least sweeten up the treble.

I've decided to go for this route anyway as I need a new small reading room system anyway which will utilise my old reconed Mission 700s as speakers and another/alternative amp will be needed for that.

I was hoping that somebody had experinece of both the Kel84 and the Stoetkit Jr Mk2 kits, either building them or listening to them. I am a novice with regard to building electronic equipment but several of my colleagues are experienced electronic engineers so I will be able to get expert help if necessary. Nevertheless I would still like to know which is easier to build and which has the better support network.

Musical tastes,

Female vocal, Alison Moyet, Katie Mehlua, Alison Krauss, Janis Ian, jennifer Warne, etc. the list is quite long.

Male vacal, Richard Hawley, Mark Cohn, Neville Bros, Eric Clapton,

Any Blues (Delta/Chicago/Country/Electric etc. all of it) from Son House/Charley Patton to Aynsley Lister/ Robert Randolph.

Classic 70's Rock and Pop inc. Pink Floyd, Yes, Queen, Bowie, Elton John etc.

No classical as yet but; I am getting older, I have a greying beard, drink real ale, wear outdoor type clothing including Clarks pastie style shoes and I,m thinking of building a tube amp classical music can't be far away.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[SHiFTY]

Well I really like the look of the WAD Kel84 kit myself. I really like EL84 (6BQ5) valve as they are powerful, look great and there are a lot out there to experiment with. I have a restored Leak Stereo 20 (ultralinear EL84 PP) with all mullard valves and it is really sweet sounding, and surprisingly powerful.

I would suggest that you go for this kit, get some original Mullard or Telefunken ECF80 and a variety of EL84s and play around. There are many of these valves still available. The sound quality comes down to output transformers and circuit design. This kit looks like it would sound pretty good.

The other kit looks good too but I find ECL82 (6BM8) valves are harder to come by than EL84s and generally not quite as nice sounding (plus they have a little less power.)

Plus the Kel84 has more chrome.

[PeteM]

I have listened to the WAD KEL84 and it sounds very good indeed if it were twice the price it would still be good value,

Not to defer anyone from this forum WAD have a support forum with a good knowledge base.

[EssJayUK]

Thanks Guys

I was tending towards the WAD Kel84 anyway, more line inputs, higher power, cheaper, reputedly lower noise floor, more history and more chrome!

Cheers!