Interest check: Budget valve amplifier

[walpurgis]

I suppose a nice set of 2A3s and silver wound output transformers would be stretching things?

[shane]

I'd have thought el84 p-p as well. People at the lower end of the valve amp market aren't necessarily going to have or want high efficiency speakers, so you're going to need at least 15W output. Domestic acceptibilty will be high on the list too, as likely customers are probably less likely to be prepared to compromise their living rooms in the search for ultimate fidelity.

It also needs to be different from KEL84!

[hifi_dave]

How is this project progressing ?

[Haselsh1]

My own personal requirement would be full class A, power amp only, very high quality transformers and EL34 valves minimum spec. If doable then dual mono.

[Radford Revival]

How is this project progressing ?

There have been developments as it happens - watch this space!

My own personal requirement would be full class A, power amp only, very high quality transformers and EL34 valves minimum spec. If doable then dual mono.

The amp will be using EL34s - though Class-AB. The thing is with conventionally biased Class-AB valve amps you're listening to mostly Class-A anyway.

[Desmo]

My own personal requirement would be full class A, power amp only, very high quality transformers and EL34 valves minimum spec. If doable then dual mono.

Sounds like you need a pair of World Audio Designs KEL 80s. They were a great amplifier. I still have a pair in a cupboard somewhere, must dig them out...

[Gazjam]

There's a valve amp "mythology" I think (justly deserved imo) and a lot of folk are curious about them, so a well turned out, British built and designed box is a good idea in concept. (think the cache that Glen Croft amps have for instance)

The problem I see is that making "it being budget" its unique selling point is self defeating, as folk that know valve amps know of the issues with cheaper Chinese examples...so you'd have to differentiate yourself from those.

Quality Iron, good caps and a unique circuit will justify a substantial chunk of change for the amp which people will be willing to pay.

Just my £0.02

[Arkless Electronics]

A grand is certainly cheap for a quality valve power amp made by hand in this country and in small quantities!
My 2p worth as a fellow engineer and designer (I don't do all valve power amps so no conflict of interest! ).... El84's and about 10 - 16 WPC is pretty much set in stone at this price if there is to be enough money left to not compromise other areas too much. I would forget the remote on cost grounds as well personally. I would be tempted to keep it nearer 10WPC than 16 due to modern valve quality and reliability. This should also allow the output transformers(OPTX's) to be rather better for the cost.... OPTX's are of course the biggest hurdle in the price V performance race so any help you can give yourself here should be grabbed and run with!! Forget boutique brand parts! Very little improvement, costs a fortune and you need all the money to go on them there OPTX's. It may be worth looking into SMPS for the power supply but there is market resistance to this and at this power level you probably wouldn't save much...
Fairly cheap casework of course as that really takes a big chunk of the money and yes... there's those OPTX's to buy!!

All the above should be obvious anyway to anyone thinking of doing this but if any was of help, great.
Of course this is just how I would want it done as an engineer and as an audiophile... maximum sound for the pound and sod the aesthetics as there isn't money for both at this price! Customers are funny things though (yeah don't I know it! Quiet at the back there!) and it may be that medium sound quality with a great remote control and looks to die for sells more I dunno

[Spectral Morn]

We are thinking about producing a budget amplifier in the £1000-£1500 range, I believe we can produce an amplifier of excellent performance in this price bracket. What features and specifications would people appreciate in such an amplifier? What is sorely needed in this category? We are very open to suggestions at this point and mainly just thinking out loud.

At least 25 watts, 5 inputs, tape loop (yes still useful to many), MM phono-stage would be great but at the price line level only would be best. Remote ummm seems folks need that these days so it will need a remote.

Big problem is all the cheap as chips Chinese imports have spoiled what folks think is and isn't doable for that budget and being a UK built and designed amp will possible mean less bling than a Chinese amp, but should mean better sound and reliability.


Regards Neil

[hifi_dave]

There have been developments as it happens - watch this space!



The amp will be using EL34s - though Class-AB. The thing is with conventionally biased Class-AB valve amps you're listening to mostly Class-A anyway.

Looking forward to this.