I'm looking to build a valve amplifier but not costing above £600.
Are there any U.K. companies that offer Valve kits? I've seen numerous Japanese companies offering kits - e.g. Elekit.
There is this one https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/building-a-valve-amplifier-part-1-design-components-and-layout
RS Components no longer sell Valves not valve sockets! (04-07-2022)
Are there any U.K. companies that offer Valve kits? I've seen numerous Japanese companies offering kits - e.g. Elekit.
There is this one https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/building-a-valve-amplifier-part-1-design-components-and-layout
RS Components no longer sell Valves not valve sockets! (04-07-2022)
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World Designs KEL84? Just a bit over your £600 mark, but a great product with excellent support and friendly forum. http://www.world-designs.co.uk/power amps.htm
2nd hand units do pop up on ebay, keep an eye open.
2nd hand units do pop up on ebay, keep an eye open.
I would also recommend looking at Aliexpress. There are several kits using well known schematics, from just bare boards to full kits that includes valves and chassis. I know is not in the UK, but delivery takes around 3 and some times 2 weeks. Plenty of people use those kits as a starting point, then modify them as desired. It's difficult to beat them on price.
Yes - good idea. Look at Stephe on YouTube, aka Skunkie Designs. She modifies common AliExpress chi-fi amps. She has 300b and 6L6 designs and a few more. Very detailed instructions.
Ive just looked quickly at Skunkie Designs, a very down to earth from her reporting on her points, makes all the difference
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Just a note to say make sure the mains voltage of the Chinese kits matches the mains in your location.
Common problem, with the kits, in the UK is 240 volt plus mains and 220 volt transformers... either burning out the transformer or over running the valves.
Alan
Common problem, with the kits, in the UK is 240 volt plus mains and 220 volt transformers... either burning out the transformer or over running the valves.
Alan
Surely with stephe (skunkie designs) you are not wrong. I built his modified 300B and it sounds great, much better than the original scheme
stephe (skunkie designs) SHE has so many videos to watch which is great. Only wish she would put a complete kit together....
Offering a full kit would be a giant PITA, even more so as the supply chain for components is a mess. Just stump up for an Elekit.
jeff
I've come across this UK company https://primarywindings.com/product/mullard-3-3-single-ended-mono-complete-kit/
They look very experienced. Has anyone any experience using their products?
They look very experienced. Has anyone any experience using their products?
I find £311 for a single channel, single ended, 3.5W amp (EL84 output tube) a bit steep.
I know you are looking for a kit, but if you buy the components separately and build it you will save a lot.
You will also need some good speakers with high sensitivity, probably 92bd+
A lot will also depend on what kind of amp you want, guitar or Hi-Fi. The output transformer price varies a lot with that.
You could take a look at https://www.caledonianaudio.co.uk/product-category/audio-valve-amplifier-kit/
No affiliation.
No affiliation.
I guess your Mullard 3-3 thread is a spin off from here?
I tend to agree with others that it is limited in power, as will be any other single ended EL84 (or ECL82 or ECL86) amp.
Also the cost of parts is near what you will pay for a push pull EL84 amp which will get you 10 to 12 watts, See the Mullard 5-10 circuit for example. ( http://www.r-type.org/articles/art-003e.htm )
Build a 3-3 type amp and you will end up building something bigger.
If you want to dip you foot into valve amps then perhaps the Chinese kit route is best for value for money. Everything you need in one box, cheaper than the European or Japanese kits. Choose one that has a diyAudio thread going on it and learn from others builds.
If you want to go straight to a working, reliable, 12 watt, well supported amplifier kit, the World Designs KEL84 one I mentioned in post #2, starts to look cost effective.
Alan
I tend to agree with others that it is limited in power, as will be any other single ended EL84 (or ECL82 or ECL86) amp.
Also the cost of parts is near what you will pay for a push pull EL84 amp which will get you 10 to 12 watts, See the Mullard 5-10 circuit for example. ( http://www.r-type.org/articles/art-003e.htm )
Build a 3-3 type amp and you will end up building something bigger.
If you want to dip you foot into valve amps then perhaps the Chinese kit route is best for value for money. Everything you need in one box, cheaper than the European or Japanese kits. Choose one that has a diyAudio thread going on it and learn from others builds.
If you want to go straight to a working, reliable, 12 watt, well supported amplifier kit, the World Designs KEL84 one I mentioned in post #2, starts to look cost effective.
Alan
Just withdraw from the thread (you don't have to post 🙂)
Closing a thread without good cause is unfair on those involved in the discussion.