Has anyone built either kit (or both)? Sound quality?
I'm debating between these 2 kits, leaning towards the WAD KEL84 if only for the choke power supply. I think (?) the output iron is about the same quality on both.
The ANKits doesn't have a choke on the PSU ... BUT, I can upgrade to the (very expensive) C core output transformers later, a definite plus.
I'm debating between these 2 kits, leaning towards the WAD KEL84 if only for the choke power supply. I think (?) the output iron is about the same quality on both.
The ANKits doesn't have a choke on the PSU ... BUT, I can upgrade to the (very expensive) C core output transformers later, a definite plus.
I built the original WAD KEL84 back in 2002. It's a great amp, with a sweet sound. It still works great today.
I looked at the ANKits EL84 schematic and as far as I can tell it is the same circuit as the WAD KEL84 minus the choke. I think there is a second revision of the ANKits EL84 which now includes the choke.
With regards to transformer updates down the line, it might be better to stick with the ANKits EL84 as there is a roadmap.
The KEL84 can deliver up to 15 watts per channel. I imagine the ANKits will deliver much the same.
The EL84 tube is a really good sounding tube.
The ANKits amp might be the better choice as there is more room inside the chassis for building and adding mods to the circuit board down the line.
I looked at the ANKits EL84 schematic and as far as I can tell it is the same circuit as the WAD KEL84 minus the choke. I think there is a second revision of the ANKits EL84 which now includes the choke.
With regards to transformer updates down the line, it might be better to stick with the ANKits EL84 as there is a roadmap.
The KEL84 can deliver up to 15 watts per channel. I imagine the ANKits will deliver much the same.
The EL84 tube is a really good sounding tube.
The ANKits amp might be the better choice as there is more room inside the chassis for building and adding mods to the circuit board down the line.
For that kind of bread you could buy one of those cheap Chinese diy kits to learn how a single-ended amp goes together and have enough money left to part together a steally nice amp that would be yours....RH84 is popular with the kids, and Cascade Tubes has some really nice amps with schematics and descriptions. His EL84 amp isn't published yet but the 6V6 amps are about the same output power, and octal sockets are easier to work on.
Modifying point to point wiring is easy. And you can "See" the circuit, to aid in learning.
Modifying PCBs, is more difficult. Which side of the PCB can you "See"? That is Less conducive to learning. Often, the PCB needs the wires to the "outside world" unsoldered, in order to get to both sides of the PCB. How good are you with an Exacto knife to cut traces, etc.
PCBs, simple to build; but with tradeoffs for repairing and modifying.
$0.03
adjusted for inflation
Modifying PCBs, is more difficult. Which side of the PCB can you "See"? That is Less conducive to learning. Often, the PCB needs the wires to the "outside world" unsoldered, in order to get to both sides of the PCB. How good are you with an Exacto knife to cut traces, etc.
PCBs, simple to build; but with tradeoffs for repairing and modifying.
$0.03
adjusted for inflation
Point to point wiring can be challenging for the new builder. PCB's are good for making things just a little easier for the new builder. I've built the KEL84 amp, it's a PCB based design. It was the first amp I ever built (over 20 years ago) and I probably wouldn't have done it if it was point to point. At the time you could also buy the Decware kit for their EL84 amp, around about the same price, but at the time it was point to point. This was before Decware introduced the PCB kit. I could build a point to point design now with no problem, but that's now.
A second hand Almarro 205 or 205Mk2 might not cost more and they sound glorious.I think you would struggle to find a better design or transformers than them.
Some of you may have missed the fact that the two amps in question are push pull, not single ended.
jeff
jeff
Just purchase one of the push pull amplifiers, build it, and do not modify it.
If it "sounds" good, keep it original.
No modifications are OK.
If you successfully wire up an amplifier with a PCB, now you have a little more confidence.
Eventually, you have to grow, or just stay the same.
Then, next time, build a different amplifier, and experiment with different modifications.
Example Ultra Linear, then modify to Pentode / Beam Power operation.
Or build Ultra Linear, then modify to Triode Wired Pentode or Triode Wired
Beam Power operation.
If it "sounds" good, keep it original.
No modifications are OK.
If you successfully wire up an amplifier with a PCB, now you have a little more confidence.
Eventually, you have to grow, or just stay the same.
Then, next time, build a different amplifier, and experiment with different modifications.
Example Ultra Linear, then modify to Pentode / Beam Power operation.
Or build Ultra Linear, then modify to Triode Wired Pentode or Triode Wired
Beam Power operation.
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