Valve amp virgin, some advice please on valve choice?

If they glow, this is the place to be
gazjam
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#46

Post by gazjam »

should have stuck to SS...! :)

Ali, I wouldnt know what to look for mate, could you have a butchers at it for me when I get it?
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Ali Tait
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#47

Post by Ali Tait »

Yes sure, though it should be written on the back next to the iec.
gazjam
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#48

Post by gazjam »

The amp is 230V. :)

Only thing is I need to Bias
the Valves..does this learning curve never end!? :)
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Ali Tait
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#49

Post by Ali Tait »

It's all worth it mate!
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Mike H
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#50

Post by Mike H »

andrew Ivimey wrote:I've taken two chinese amps apart. The output transformer housings (pottings) on both gave the impression of hugeness. In one amp the outputs were pretty titchy. In the other the metal used for interleaves were very thick. IMO that interleaves should be thin as razors and there is a good and noble reason why this is so.
Sorry just seen this. Again. Possibly. Yes, re the laminations thickness.

Just to chuck my oar in, a while ago was shown a schematic for a Houston Mini 98, p-p EL84, is really very basic and a couple of bits in the circuit to make you go "oh no!..." Image . Pretty looking amp though, gold plate all over. Looks like anyway.

OPT's in housings as above, some guy wanted them repaired ('burnt out, then rewound crappily') but it all got too complicated and dodgy looking so we declined.
 
"No matter how fast light travels it finds that the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it."
gazjam
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#51

Post by gazjam »

Im happy.

Biased the valves (thanks for the help Ali) and been running the amp in for a couple of weeks.

This is the best amp I've ever had in my system - by a country mile.
Not had stellar mega budget amps, but my Rega Brio-R was very good and this valve amp leaves it in the distance.

No wordy Hifi nonsense..it just sounds real.
Well recorded live albums...in the room.

The amp grips the speakers like nothing I've heard, there's just so much power in reserve and your reminded of it enough to give you a fright.

The valves are new, less than 10 hrs or so when I got them, noticed the soundstage and bass has opened up massively.

Love it.
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izzy wizzy
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#52

Post by izzy wizzy »

Well that turned out nicely. Welcome to the hollow state world of fun :)

cheers,

Stephen
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