Hi, has anyone any thoughts on the world audio designs kel 34, with regard to build/sonic quality and availability of spares.
Also were the transformers made by wad or someone else?
Got a chance to buy one for£400 with dome modded guts?
Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks
Also were the transformers made by wad or someone else?
Got a chance to buy one for£400 with dome modded guts?
Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks
Hi,
I built one of these back in the late 90's and still have it. It's a good basic amp (in my opinion). It has only given a couple of problems:
1) the anode resistors in the phase splitter are below the necessary power rating, mine burned out early on, but were easily replaced by some decent metal oxide types.
2) Just this week, I had to replace a faulty cathode resistor for one output stage (replaced all four of course).
I don't know about the parts origins, but it is a well made kit. The PCB is of high quality, and the steel chassis very sturdy. I'm not an expert, but have always thought the sound quality to be of a high order - solid bass clean mids and highs. 400 notes seems a tad high (they were less than this new IIRC), so you might want to barter, especially as it has been tweaked.
Good luck,
Ed
I built one of these back in the late 90's and still have it. It's a good basic amp (in my opinion). It has only given a couple of problems:
1) the anode resistors in the phase splitter are below the necessary power rating, mine burned out early on, but were easily replaced by some decent metal oxide types.
2) Just this week, I had to replace a faulty cathode resistor for one output stage (replaced all four of course).
I don't know about the parts origins, but it is a well made kit. The PCB is of high quality, and the steel chassis very sturdy. I'm not an expert, but have always thought the sound quality to be of a high order - solid bass clean mids and highs. 400 notes seems a tad high (they were less than this new IIRC), so you might want to barter, especially as it has been tweaked.
Good luck,
Ed
WAD
Had the transformers wound by UK suppliers.
Where and what exact spec varied over time. (there were several owners)
I recall "Danbury" as one supplier.
Quality of the iron was Ok / good but could be improved by bootique suppliers.
The whole ethic of the original forum group was to modify and improve the basic kits.
I stll enjoy my 2a3
http://www.world-designs.co.uk/forum/
Had the transformers wound by UK suppliers.
Where and what exact spec varied over time. (there were several owners)
I recall "Danbury" as one supplier.
Quality of the iron was Ok / good but could be improved by bootique suppliers.
The whole ethic of the original forum group was to modify and improve the basic kits.
I stll enjoy my 2a3
http://www.world-designs.co.uk/forum/
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I'll check out that forum - thanks for the link!
Danbury rings a bell with me also. The original EL34 design didn't use ultralinear taps, just a simple centre tapped toroidal transformer. It was also supplied with an odd 6CA7 beam tetrode output valve easily recognised as it had a pinch seal at the top, making it look like the ECC82's older, harder brother 🙂 - good sound, but of somewhat questionable quality, on occasion not too clever out of the box, as one of mine demonstrated. My amp now has Svetlana EL34s that have served well for the last few years.
At about the time KEL34 was introduced, WAD was at it's zenith, as I remember. The kits were good, and certainly got any curious "valve beginner" started with a decent, honest and affordable kit, plus a wide & varied choice for those with deeper pockets. I was always fascinated with KIT 6550 for some reason. Hi Fi World produced a DIY supplement that showcased these and other projects, often offering a better read than did the main magazine.... One of the articles inspired me to build a DAC!
All good fun.
Danbury rings a bell with me also. The original EL34 design didn't use ultralinear taps, just a simple centre tapped toroidal transformer. It was also supplied with an odd 6CA7 beam tetrode output valve easily recognised as it had a pinch seal at the top, making it look like the ECC82's older, harder brother 🙂 - good sound, but of somewhat questionable quality, on occasion not too clever out of the box, as one of mine demonstrated. My amp now has Svetlana EL34s that have served well for the last few years.
At about the time KEL34 was introduced, WAD was at it's zenith, as I remember. The kits were good, and certainly got any curious "valve beginner" started with a decent, honest and affordable kit, plus a wide & varied choice for those with deeper pockets. I was always fascinated with KIT 6550 for some reason. Hi Fi World produced a DIY supplement that showcased these and other projects, often offering a better read than did the main magazine.... One of the articles inspired me to build a DAC!
All good fun.
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