Hey, I'm hoping for some amp guidance. Should I buy a finished tube amp, or get a kit to build my own, or something different? Is the used market where it's at or???
Current system:
I've just finished an Alpair 10.3 pensil build and would like to upgrade the amp that drives them. Currently I'm just running an old dusty Fisher CA-26 integrated amp (fine but not good).
I want to drive these speakers with a tube amp. I'd love to spend ~$500US or less if possible (willing to go about 2x that price if the results are worth it) but I want really nice quality and not mediocre, one amp and done.
I'm up for the task of building my own if that would result in a cheaper amp that performs well. Is this advisable? If so, what kit should I start looking into?
I've heard that the Decaware Zen Triode is the ideal amp to drive these speakers. Should I just bite the bullet and buy one of those or is there a comparable DIY method that gets close?
Thanks.
Current system:
I've just finished an Alpair 10.3 pensil build and would like to upgrade the amp that drives them. Currently I'm just running an old dusty Fisher CA-26 integrated amp (fine but not good).
I want to drive these speakers with a tube amp. I'd love to spend ~$500US or less if possible (willing to go about 2x that price if the results are worth it) but I want really nice quality and not mediocre, one amp and done.
I'm up for the task of building my own if that would result in a cheaper amp that performs well. Is this advisable? If so, what kit should I start looking into?
I've heard that the Decaware Zen Triode is the ideal amp to drive these speakers. Should I just bite the bullet and buy one of those or is there a comparable DIY method that gets close?
Thanks.
I do currently have a turntable, yes. It gets used infrequently but does get used. Primary source is an Arylic up2stream board playing spotify.
Then you'll need a preamp with RIAA and input switching also.
So you'll need either an integrated amp with phono, or a preamp with phono + power amp.
So you'll need either an integrated amp with phono, or a preamp with phono + power amp.
Last edited:
Personally, I'd want a lot more than 2 watts/ch. More like 20W/ch. How much power does your old amp have, and how loud do you listen?
jeff
An EL-84 based tube amp would be fine.
Dynaco SCA-35 Stereo Integrated Amplifier for parts | eBay
Dynaco SCA-35 Stereo Integrated Amplifier for parts | eBay
Last edited:
I'm happy to plan input-switching/phono pre-amp as a separate purchase stage. Let's focus on the best tube amp for my use case.
From what I can tell my current amp is in the range of 20W per channel at 8ohms (no labels on it and very little info about this model exists). I have never taken the volume control on it past 30%. I'm in a small living room in a 900sqft apartment. I plan to stay in Vancouver area and with the real estate prices I don't see the listening space becoming anything huge in the next fifteen years, and if I can afford space in the city I'll be able to afford a new amp at that time.
Most listening is in the 70-80dB range. Occasionally I'll want to play things louder but we're talking mid 90's tops (I don't have an SPL meter, just ballparking things with WAGs). Seating arrangement is such that we're within 1.5m of each speaker.
From what I can tell my current amp is in the range of 20W per channel at 8ohms (no labels on it and very little info about this model exists). I have never taken the volume control on it past 30%. I'm in a small living room in a 900sqft apartment. I plan to stay in Vancouver area and with the real estate prices I don't see the listening space becoming anything huge in the next fifteen years, and if I can afford space in the city I'll be able to afford a new amp at that time.
Most listening is in the 70-80dB range. Occasionally I'll want to play things louder but we're talking mid 90's tops (I don't have an SPL meter, just ballparking things with WAGs). Seating arrangement is such that we're within 1.5m of each speaker.
I'd go 6V6 or EL84, in triode. Same power level. As a long time flea power user, I can fully recommend such an amp for a first time build and with your budget in mind. Edcor OPT are very good for the money.
There are likely tons of threads for a 6V6 amp here, and EL84. Sorry, I dont have time to find a specific thread, I'm sure someone will chime in.
There are likely tons of threads for a 6V6 amp here, and EL84. Sorry, I dont have time to find a specific thread, I'm sure someone will chime in.
Have a look at Stephe's 300b building videos. Basically she takes a common Chinese amp circuit and rebuilds it to work and sound a lot better. You could for example buy a version of the same amp from China and then make changes. It should be point to point wired however, not a PCB. I think a few of us started that way with existing amps like Leak Stereo 20s, Dynakits etc.
I have Alpair 10m speakers and a 300b amp drives them fine and sounds good.
300B DIY Budget Tube Amplifier Build DHT SET - YouTube
.
I have Alpair 10m speakers and a 300b amp drives them fine and sounds good.
300B DIY Budget Tube Amplifier Build DHT SET - YouTube
.
Last edited:
Okay after watching ~20minutes of that I've decided DIY may not be beginner-friendly enough for my knowledge and comfort level. I think I may need to just buy a finished product if this is the suggested route for DIY.
I see Solen.ca has a Dayton Audio HTA100BT for $300cad that might work.
Good idea, you can always build something from scratch when you gain enough experience.
This gives you sound right away, is inexpensive, and can be resold if you want.
It has a solid-state class D power amplifier, and a tube line stage.
This gives you sound right away, is inexpensive, and can be resold if you want.
It has a solid-state class D power amplifier, and a tube line stage.
Last edited:
My first build was a Dynakit ST-70 with no prior diy audio experience. I followed the original Dynaco instructions to the letter and it worked like a charm the first time I powered it up.
Consider building a kit from Bob Latino; the driver boards are much better than the original Dynaco driver.
Consider building a kit from Bob Latino; the driver boards are much better than the original Dynaco driver.
Why don't you contact Victor. It's possible he can arrange some kind of demo for you. That way you'll know if a 300b amp is something you would enjoy.
ELEKIT TU-8900 2A3/300B
jeff