Hi everyone. I am looking for a entry level EL34 tube amp and fell over this on aliexpress.
It would be easy to replace most of the passive parts with higher quality parts, but i assume that i am pretty screwed when it comes to the transformers. Go, or no go? Budget is ~300$.
It would be easy to replace most of the passive parts with higher quality parts, but i assume that i am pretty screwed when it comes to the transformers. Go, or no go? Budget is ~300$.
This is a diy forum, but if you must buy something, then many second hand vintage designs would be an improvement even if some upgrade/improvements are required.
Good or bad, I can not tell.
One thing is to be sure it is wired for your local power.
100V, 120V, 220V 240V. Do you have 50Hz, a 60Hz transformer will get hot.
Most similar amps on the web want you to state your power (it is expensive to have a power transformer that has all the primary taps).
One thing is to be sure it is wired for your local power.
100V, 120V, 220V 240V. Do you have 50Hz, a 60Hz transformer will get hot.
Most similar amps on the web want you to state your power (it is expensive to have a power transformer that has all the primary taps).
I am sorry for misusing the forum, i found it somewhat suitable in terms of modifications (if any needed), but i may be wrong!
Buying a cheap amp, then 'upgrading' all the things which do not matter very much (i.e. most components) but leaving in place the components which make the most difference (transformers - which will be poor in a cheap amp) is a good way to waste money. Better to find a good design, buy the best transformers you can afford, then use perfectly ordinary components for everything else.
Perhaps i should try to find a kit somewhere with a PCB and potentially BOM, then buy the transformers locally in Europe. Is there such thing?
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