Hi folks,
I am looking at diving back into tube amplifiers and am seeking recommendations of where I should start to look. I am happy to look at completed amplifiers or kits and have a budget of around $2000. Low power amplifiers are fine as my speakers are around 91db and very easy to drive.
So any suggestions to start me back on my tube journey would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Brendan
I am looking at diving back into tube amplifiers and am seeking recommendations of where I should start to look. I am happy to look at completed amplifiers or kits and have a budget of around $2000. Low power amplifiers are fine as my speakers are around 91db and very easy to drive.
So any suggestions to start me back on my tube journey would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Brendan
A lot of options for low power. Pick a number that would do it for you. Push-pull or single ended?
What amp are you using at present, and how loud do you like to listen?
jeff
What amp are you using at present, and how loud do you like to listen?
jeff
Hahaha I knew those questions were coming.
Speakers are DIY and roughly 91db efficient.
Room is 4m x 4m X 2.4m
8 watts should be good
I don't listen massively loud. Getting old so I value my hearing.
Speakers are DIY and roughly 91db efficient.
Room is 4m x 4m X 2.4m
8 watts should be good
I don't listen massively loud. Getting old so I value my hearing.
Hard to go wrong (mostly) with push pull EL84. 12 watts/channel class A. Would give you a little headroom should you want to turn up the music a bit. Something like a Tubelab Simple PP. http://tubelab.com/amps/simple-push-pull-board/
jeff
jeff
vinylkid58,
Tublelab's simple PP is a nice idea, but I think those PCBs are not available anymore (Un-Obtainium).
Point to point wiring works, however . . .
that is not a kit (what the original poster requested).
Tublelab's simple PP is a nice idea, but I think those PCBs are not available anymore (Un-Obtainium).
Point to point wiring works, however . . .
that is not a kit (what the original poster requested).
Thanks vinylkid. I am barely competent so a completed unit is my preference but I could also manage a kit with half decent instructions 😉
Push-pull will cancel 2nd harmonics, so I think for the 'tube experience' you want single ended.
I really like my Elekit TU-8200R with the Lundahl output transformers (US$1260 with shipping to the US from Vancouver, Canada). I am using it in a slightly smaller room with 86 dB SPL/W@1m sensitivity speakers. I also enjoyed building it tremendously. The English manual you get from Victor Kung is very detailed and pretty much foolproof, with check boxes for every single step. I bought a $46 soldering station that came with a roll of solder, a solder sucker and very serviceable tweezers. I already had small needle nose pliers and side cutter pliers, a headband magnifier and a DVM.
The TU-8900 is also in your price range I believe, although not the upgraded version with amorphous core Lundahl's just reviewed in the July issue of Stereophile.
I really like my Elekit TU-8200R with the Lundahl output transformers (US$1260 with shipping to the US from Vancouver, Canada). I am using it in a slightly smaller room with 86 dB SPL/W@1m sensitivity speakers. I also enjoyed building it tremendously. The English manual you get from Victor Kung is very detailed and pretty much foolproof, with check boxes for every single step. I bought a $46 soldering station that came with a roll of solder, a solder sucker and very serviceable tweezers. I already had small needle nose pliers and side cutter pliers, a headband magnifier and a DVM.
The TU-8900 is also in your price range I believe, although not the upgraded version with amorphous core Lundahl's just reviewed in the July issue of Stereophile.
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Gruesome the 8200r seems like a very nice option. Thanks for the recommendation. I will go have a read and see if it suits?
What tubes are you running with it?
What tubes are you running with it?
Just the standard tubes it comes with. I haven't even tried triode mode yet, so it's a bit early to swap tubes...
I did see it runs 6l6, kt88 & el34 as well as others so that leaves some room for tinkering later on which I would like.
Because you live in Australia it is easy and cheaper for you to get Yaqin tube amps. They are good value for the money and easy to upgrade/ modify.
https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/yaqin-tube-amp-audio-c-14
https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/yaqin-tube-amp-audio-c-14
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Tubelab Simple PP are a great sounding amp. The best el84 PP amp I have listen to. Have built 4-5 different copies of other amps, but the Tubelab are the best sounding amp with el 84...
I have a påir of Klipsch RP-160M and use a triodewired el 84 se, probably 1,5-1.9 watts Class A. Sound great and for me, it is enough to fill my livingroom with music.
Attachments
Hi stenak,
Thanks for the recommendation.
I ended up ordering in a elekit 8200r. Seemed to be the best "bang for the buck" for someone with my limited technical knowledge and ability.
Will post up some more once it arrives and is hopefully finished or alternatively, I will be back for advice on how to fix my mistakes 🤣
Thanks for the recommendation.
I ended up ordering in a elekit 8200r. Seemed to be the best "bang for the buck" for someone with my limited technical knowledge and ability.
Will post up some more once it arrives and is hopefully finished or alternatively, I will be back for advice on how to fix my mistakes 🤣
Did you draw this schematic ?
if so, could you send me a copy in the largest format you have?
I find it so beautiful that I want to put it under glass and hang it on the wall.
gruesome,
Your Post # 9 says:
"Push-pull will cancel 2nd harmonics"
I would like to correct your statement:
1. A push-pull output stage cancels the intrinsic 2nd Harmonic Distortion that each output tube has.
(Each output tube generates its own second harmonic distortion).
But the push pull output transformer cancels that second harmonic distortion, because the output tubes operate in opposite phase to drive the separate halves of the output transformer secondary (and because of the phase of the push and pull tubes, those winding halves are in opposite phase).
Cancel the amplifier 2nd harmonic distortion.
2. A push-pull output stage does Not cancel the intrinsic 2nd Harmonic of a musical instrument recording.
The fundamental, 2nd harmonic, and 3rd harmonic from the musical instrument recording are kept in their original relation of amplitudes.
A single ended tube output stage generates 2nd harmonic distortion.
Yes, it Adds second harmonic distortion to the original music recording's fundamental note.
That means the relationship of the fundamental to the 2nd harmonic of a musical instrument's recording is Changed, by the single ended output stage's 2nd harmonic distortion.
Depending on the phase relation of the fundamental and 2nd harmonic of the musical instrument recording, versus the phase of the amplifier's single ended output stages fundamental and 2nd harmonic distortion, the total of the 2nd harmonic of the musical instrument, and the 2nd harmonic distortion of the amplifier . . .
Either partially Cancels, or partially Adds.
Wow!
Please, readers of my posts, do not get the wrong idea of me.
I like single ended output amplifiers.
I like push pull output amplifiers.
I like amplifiers that are balanced all the way from input to output.
Your Post # 9 says:
"Push-pull will cancel 2nd harmonics"
I would like to correct your statement:
1. A push-pull output stage cancels the intrinsic 2nd Harmonic Distortion that each output tube has.
(Each output tube generates its own second harmonic distortion).
But the push pull output transformer cancels that second harmonic distortion, because the output tubes operate in opposite phase to drive the separate halves of the output transformer secondary (and because of the phase of the push and pull tubes, those winding halves are in opposite phase).
Cancel the amplifier 2nd harmonic distortion.
2. A push-pull output stage does Not cancel the intrinsic 2nd Harmonic of a musical instrument recording.
The fundamental, 2nd harmonic, and 3rd harmonic from the musical instrument recording are kept in their original relation of amplitudes.
A single ended tube output stage generates 2nd harmonic distortion.
Yes, it Adds second harmonic distortion to the original music recording's fundamental note.
That means the relationship of the fundamental to the 2nd harmonic of a musical instrument's recording is Changed, by the single ended output stage's 2nd harmonic distortion.
Depending on the phase relation of the fundamental and 2nd harmonic of the musical instrument recording, versus the phase of the amplifier's single ended output stages fundamental and 2nd harmonic distortion, the total of the 2nd harmonic of the musical instrument, and the 2nd harmonic distortion of the amplifier . . .
Either partially Cancels, or partially Adds.
Wow!
Please, readers of my posts, do not get the wrong idea of me.
I like single ended output amplifiers.
I like push pull output amplifiers.
I like amplifiers that are balanced all the way from input to output.