EL84 SET tube amp

[tuyen]

http://sarris.info/main/set-el84-tube-amp-diy-project

Based on the Decware ZEN EL84 amp

Any opinions?    I'm still keen to try use 3x EL84 stereo amps to power all the channels of my horn setup (apart from the 2 low-bass drivers channels)

[tuyen]

Okay, been told this EL84 SET amp is one of the best commercial EL84 SET amps you can get!

http://www.vaughnaudio.com/carina.html

Tempting..  for the price of one of these amps, I could buy 6x decware monoblock kits.   I would need 3 of these amps..

But this amp has valve power rect with electraprint opt, power t and chokes.    Even comes with  shinkoh resistors, v-cap copper caps, poly prop in oil caps (no electrolytics).

Isn't too badly priced considering the parts Eddie (the builder) uses.

[crazikid]

tuyen.. how much/

[Hens]

From 1600-1800 depending on spec, add 200 for postage and it will cost you roughly 2k landed...

They do use some very nice components though. CUTF! (on voice option 3)

[omodo]

that's a sh!tload of money for an EL84 amp... (and thus a handful of parts, no matter how exotic)

What about the Almarro A205A, you could nearly get 3x A205A for that money: http://www.almarro.com/products.html

[kajak12]

that's a shiezer!load of money for an EL84 amp... (and thus a handful of parts, no matter how exotic)

What about the Almarro A205A, you could nearly get 3x A205A for that money: http://www.almarro.com/products.html

any info of parts almarro use

[crazikid]

this might be a stupid question.. but i'm gonna ask.. why a el84 amp??

[Hens]

Um, almarro is definately more than 700, if you can buy an almarro for 700, let me know and I'll buy one for fun.

El84 is a well regarded output tube, plenty of set el84 amps because they are nice and linear.

[Hens]

Also what about that "glow" amp...

[tuyen]

http://www.audiophile.com.au/products_almarro.html

Almarro A205A MKII  is $1680.

Same price as a Carina.  I would hazard a guess the Carina has better quality parts too?

[tuyen]

EL84 are meant to be very great sounding tubes.  Cheap to buy NOS ones too.

Plus, I only need 1-2 watts max. 

If money was no issue, I would love to have 3x  Steve/Paul's  PX25/45/etc  SET amps but the price of those kind of tubes + price to get them to make amps of their calibre would not be possible for me!

[omodo]

comparing a local importers inflated prices with direct from manufacturer usd pricing is comparing apples to oranges

here's a mk.i for 635 USD, it's been listed for 21 days so you might be able to get it a bit cheaper:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1289519664&/Almarro-A205A-MkI-set-tube-amp

mkii regularly come up around the 650 - 700 mark, you can get them new for around 800 usd, or direct from japan they are even cheaper

[Hens]

Its not fair to compare it second hand.

Although, 800 from a usd is fairly cheap. Id still prefer the Carina though, the parts used in the Carina would total more than $800usd....

Still for 800 id consider one to try out its headphone output...

[tuyen]

This one looks like a goody

http://tubeguru.hu/audio_tube_amplifier_SE/GREEN_mini_SE_project.html

GREEN Project a MINI Single Ended ECL86 double tube (ECC83+EL84 in one TUBE) 10 hertz-100.000 hertz OPT VAC from 1985! power usage /consumtion 32 watts / hour the sound is compares 2a3, 300B SE, thanks for the overdimensioned VAC OPT



$800

[tuyen]

I emailed Erik Sobolewski who is the TubeGuru dealer in US to see his take on how these amps compare to stuff like the decware kits:

Extract from my email:


I have never heard any ECL86 amps before, but I trust they are better design then decware zkit2 EL84 SET (http://www.decware.com/newsite/zkit2.htm) which I was contemplating on getting.  The zkit2 uses EL84 and 6922 input signal tube.  They make a 6x monoblock kit setup which seems pretty cool.
 
I was also looking at the Vaughn Carina EL84 SET amps (http://www.vaughnaudio.com/carina.html). But the price for just 1 of those amps is too much for me to think about getting 3 of them.



His response:

Forgive me but Decware is absolutely, categorically, no comparison,  just look at our custom OPT's ...   The red ones (but you can order them in black) is what you will be receiving with the larger transformers and I believe that we can do 800USD each but let me check with  Janos in the EU..

I guarantee that you will be stunned by its sonic qualities..  



Tuyen

[tuyen]

This is our lovely Brand New Single Ended TubeGuru ECL86 electron valve Class (A) Audio Amplifier/Headphone amp with high grade volume control ...

Designed with acoustic Purity and source signal circuit simplicity as the benchmark.. Built with our proprietary Dual C-Core Output Transformers employing custom (alloys) magnetics and proprietary winding geometries.. Available in a Black, Yellow or red chassis ....

Custom from the European Union using German circuit components..

Connect it to any high efficiency loudspeaker or full range driver to create a very compelling primary or secondary system.

Lower watt Class A valve amplifiers are known for there ability to be exquisitely musical and engaging and @ 2 watts per channel the ECL86 surpasses sonically and with drive capability amps that are rated many times its output...

[tuyen]

Got a reply from Janos Binder (ex. senior design engineer of  Telefunken/Siemens Halkse) who I'm assuming builds these amps:


I hope you trust me, and you belevie I had tried and listen a lot of amplifier in the past, I had sold more than 150 units in the last 3-4 years to all over the world to AU too. I have a very honest client I can give his contact and you can check us.
My opinion, after my practice! the ECL 86 SE is a very good solution for high sens speakers and it is liking the horn speakers, I am listening on my JBL4520 and Klangfilm combination with a modificated JBL xover, and runing this speaker ONLY with ONE!!!!!!! MiniSE:-)
I can tell you i am very happy! I am thinking I had found a great idea for the future, make a CHEAP and very Good amplifier. In my Mini SE there are two vacumsmelc/ siemens (klangfilm) C.core OPT, whis is a bigger transformer which is necessary in a small amp, we ise the same in 300B or other PushPull amp.
Tese OPT are exelent and if I compare with ZEN's small funny toy OPT, I am hahahahha..
So you have to decide what you prefer and in who you TRUST?!?
We offer a fully refund warranty if you do not like our Mini SE!!!!!!!!!! I can build you ONE RED ONE WHITE and ONE BLUE as yours Flag -:)

Best Regards
Janos Binder

[kajak12]

buy it tuyen and then modd it

[tuyen]

I'm broke as a joke at the moment. Still need to finish paying Paul for the killer amp!

[gamve]

Tuyen,
Know your looking at EL84's but if you only need a few watts have a look at
http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/EM7.html
Iv'e heard a similar clone amp on some 103dB@1m horn speakers and they sounded just great.
I have just borrowed from a friend his Music Reference RM10 to try with the ML1+R's just out of interest.
These are great quality little PP EL84 units cheap at USD $1500 each on special at the moment (if there are any left) bit to high powered for what you are after unfortunately.