I'm thinking about getting a cheap valve amp to play around with, what would you recommend in this price range? Any specific amp/seller, based in Europe?
I have not played around with tube amps, but built and modified a number of solid state amps, so looking to learn something about valve amps with a cheap project, measure, and maybe listen if I like the sound of it..
I have not played around with tube amps, but built and modified a number of solid state amps, so looking to learn something about valve amps with a cheap project, measure, and maybe listen if I like the sound of it..
If you only need 8-10watts, this SE amp is the one I bought off ebay:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275902195982
Measure it with REW or similar and then read about the mods on my thread in the link. (post #93)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275902195982
Measure it with REW or similar and then read about the mods on my thread in the link. (post #93)
"this SE amp is the one I bought off ebay:-"
UK, no shipping to European countries!The amplifier described in this thread is available here, shipped from Germany --->
https://www.ebay.de/itm/274138590648
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I built the PP amp in this thread 3 yrs ago. It was a good starting point to enter the tube amp field.I'm thinking about getting a cheap valve amp to play around with, what would you recommend in this price range? Any specific amp/seller, based in Europe?
I have not played around with tube amps, but built and modified a number of solid state amps, so looking to learn something about valve amps with a cheap project, measure, and maybe listen if I like the sound of it..
The amp in thread below has good specs- 20-28k, but @ what dB is unknown. IMO price is reasonable-
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802532801472.html
Post #242 builder is happy with the results, otherwise I would not mention for consideration.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...e-i-build-maybe-during-if-i-do.394962/page-13
Jim
Thank you for the replies! The amp in this thread seems to be the cheapest to buy and available in Europe, but maybe there is a lot to be spent to get it performing well? Seems a lot is wrong with the original design.
Maybe getting a used amp locally would be a better alternative?
I have too many projects, it might be left sitting in a box and never finished too
I need to think about it a bit, too easy to press the 'buy' button!
Maybe getting a used amp locally would be a better alternative?
I have too many projects, it might be left sitting in a box and never finished too
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If you want the simple and inexpensive "tubes" sound, find yourself a Marantz 1030 (transistors inside) otherwise, a Harman Kardon A300 (6v6/7408 inside) still the most user-friendly amp I ownI'm thinking about getting a cheap valve amp to play around with, what would you recommend in this price range? Any specific amp/seller, based in Europe?
In Germany this amplifier is available again with a big discount, which makes the offer almost irresistible (it is also available for shipping to Sweden but with slightly different conditions)Thank you for the replies! The amp in this thread seems to be the cheapest to buy and available in Europe, but maybe there is a lot to be spent to get it performing well? Seems a lot is wrong with the original design.
Maybe getting a used amp locally would be a better alternative?
I have too many projects, it might be left sitting in a box and never finished tooI need to think about it a bit, too easy to press the 'buy' button!

I have to ask DOUKMALL directly about an advertising commission 
"and the voltages are a bit scary too.."
a 100K 2w discharge resistors across the 330µf in the power supply circuit works wonders, at least when the power plug is disconnected
https://www.digikey.de/en/resources...version-calculator-capacitor-safety-discharge
And I would definitely install series resistors in the heating system. This protects the tubes and limits the load on the power transformer !
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/problems-with-chinese-pp-kit.353111/page-5#post-7473748
"and the voltages are a bit scary too.."
a 100K 2w discharge resistors across the 330µf in the power supply circuit works wonders, at least when the power plug is disconnected
https://www.digikey.de/en/resources...version-calculator-capacitor-safety-discharge
And I would definitely install series resistors in the heating system. This protects the tubes and limits the load on the power transformer !
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/problems-with-chinese-pp-kit.353111/page-5#post-7473748
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DC voltages look close in simulation, the input pentode voltages are a bit off, I use a 6U8 (ECF82), not sure how close is to the Chinese 6F2, and for the 6P1 I use a 6P1P-EV model found here in the Spice models' thread. I also used an 8K:8 OPT, not sure which one is required.
E27 lamp - is not a rectifier! Probably a silicon bridge rectifier inside.....What is this joke ?![]()
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