WAD KEL84 Power Amp

[petrat]

Power amp version of the World Audio Designs KEL84 for sale.
Bought by current owner as a kit, built up by Nick at HiFi Collective, and little used over the intervening years.
Has 8 Ohm output transformers and the WAD upgrade kit fitted (Jensen and Black Gate caps).
Valves fitted: JJ EL84 and Telefunken E80CF.
This has a high input sensitivity, so suits a passive preamplifier well.

For sale: £375 incl delivery in UK


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Description (from the Internet):

The World Audio Design KEL84 amplifier's easy going, fluid sound makes it all worthwhile. They have a sweetness and lucidity that defies transistor amplifiers. The KEL84 produces 15w/c, has choke smoothing and is quiet when there's no music playing. When going loud, the KEL84 gives the same basic tonal balance and intrinsic accuracy as a solid-state amplifier. Distortion is low, through the use of ultralinear design that requires output transformer taps. Noise is minimal too, with one of the lowest hum levels ever from a valve amplifier through the use of DC heaters. Although the KEL84 is a budget design, it isn't a cost cut design, nor an unsophisticated one. What the user gets is that wonderful sweetness, lucidity and naturalness that only valves provide. The World Audio Design KEL84 amplifier retains all the clarity and freedom from harshness that is the hallmark of a valve amplifier. In sheer simplicity, fewer components and fewer amplifying devices make for a cleaner, less coloured sound. They are very transparent sounding and particularly amenable to tuning by the addition of special high quality components. Vintage amplifiers are commonly unable to swing full output at high frequencies, a large reason for their comparatively soft, warm sound. It did not matter so much in the early days of the LP but CD and DVD produce a lot more energy up to 10kHz and slowly declining energy levels that extend past 20kHz. The World Audio Design KEL84 amplifier can swing full output at 10kHz and reproduce harmonics out to 50kHz. It is a modern design that meets today's requirements.

Specifications :
Power Output............................................ 15w/c
Operation......................................... .........Ultralinear
Tubes............................................. ..........4 x EL84
.................................................. .....2 x ECF80
Input Sensitivity....................................... ..380mV
Input Impedence ........................................100KOhm
Frequency Response.................................17Hz to 30kHz (-1dB)
Distortion........................................ ..........0.02% at 1kHz, 1W output
Weight............................................ ..........9kg
Dimensions(w x d x h)................................30.5 x 31.5 x 15cm

[walpurgis]

Very nice Peter. I do like EL84 valves. A more than fair price too. Your amp makes an economic alternative to a Leak Stereo 20. I'd have that if I had room! :)

[petrat]

Yes, it's a really excellent little amplifier, Geoff ... which is why I've been hanging onto it for so long, despite having no immediate use for it.

If anyone fancies the integrated version, it is relatively simple to fit RCA input sockets, a selector switch, a 100K pot, and a couple of 1MOhm resistors ... it'd just need two holes drilling in the aluminium faceplate.

http://www.hobbielektronika.hu/forum/getfile.php?id=62561

[petrat]

Also comes with a spare set of Russian Sovtek EL84M valves, which some like ... although I actually prefer the original JJs :rolleyes:

[petrat]

This is a neat little job ... measures a foot by a foot by half a foot ... or, if you prefer, half a cubic foot of happiness :)

[petrat]

World Audio Designs used to have a showroom in Newport Pagnell, which I visited to audition their 300B monoblocks, with the full intention of purchasing. I came away with this ... and apparently I wasn't the only one who had a similar change of mind, according to the proprietor. EL84 magic.

[Rick E]

Yep, el84's do something a bit special. I've enjoyed this valve in every implementation because it just sounds 'right'. I've had several el84 amps from Tube Tech, CR Developments, Beard, and even Heathkit. All have sounded superb whether it's been 10w or 40.

[struth]

Looks to be a nice amp. pity my speakers are 6 bloody ohms :doh::doh:

[Firebottle]

I shouldn't worry too much about that Grant, a little mis-match isn't going to make a huge difference.

My EL84 SE works equally well anywhere between 4 to 8 ohms.

:) Alan

[struth]

I shouldn't worry too much about that Grant, a little mis-match isn't going to make a huge difference.

My EL84 SE works equally well anywhere between 4 to 8 ohms.

:) Alan

Peter was saying that the transformers were 8ohm. If ou reckon it would be fine then great ... Think it would work really well with my system

[Rick E]

As above, I wouldn't let that worry you too much.

[walpurgis]

I don't see a problem either. The 6 ohm rating is nominal anyway, as they all are. Neither the amp or speakers would come to any harm.

[shane]

For the last three years I've been running a KEL84 into a pair of Mission 782s which dip to 4 ohms at some frequencies. Sounds brilliant!

[struth]

Well if Peter can take paypal gift I will give it a go, as thats where my cash is.....Hopefully he will .

[petrat]

It's your's if you want it Grant.
Unfortunately, though, I don't have paypal. Is there a work-around?

[struth]

:eyebrows:

[petrat]

SOLD