View Full Version : Wad kel84 power amplifier
Lovely 26 watt el84 vave power amp. Has uprated capacitors and valves. Curret valves as shown are the best ive tried so far. 2 valvo ecf80 and 4 Reflektor El84's. Total costs of upgrades were over £90. Bought this in April from Petrat for about 370 ... it had a cap go faulty which has been replaced and its working perfectly again. Has a very light scrstch on front which can only be seen at certsin angles. I couldn't capture it.
So say £360 delivered. A bargain imo
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/40d7934001f3b1633febcb6e5e5d557b.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/a99427ef39c6b0fb5597c8b7ffc7a835.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/1ab36153c37150e11aff868d6d72f1e0.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/23/d699bad16013c9abf60f6623834b0181.jpg
Lovely amp for the money folks
Lovely amp for any money Grant. Have you listed it on hififorsale? Seems a good place to get a sale.
Only here at moment Andrew. Like to keep it in the community, but if needs must then so be it... Folk will have a hard time finding a a valve amp anywhere near its quality for this price.
I have the integrated version of this and it is wonderful. I can only imagine that this power amp will sound just as gorgeous. I'm a tiny bit tempted, but I don't have a preamp to go with it and I don't know what it would do better than my integrated. So, I'm going to turn my eyes away from temptation this time. Good luck with the sale. This is a bargain.
I have the integrated version of this and it is wonderful. I can only imagine that this power amp will sound just as gorgeous. I'm a tiny bit tempted, but I don't have a preamp to go with it and I don't know what it would do better than my integrated. So, I'm going to turn my eyes away from temptation this time. Good luck with the sale. This is a bargain.
Its the same amp minus the switchgear Peter. But it allows you to use better vc to control it.
Find it surprising that nobody wants this, but alas it seems that way. May have to go on ebay.
walpurgis
01-09-2015, 22:20
Find it surprising that nobody wants this, but alas it seems that way. May have to go on ebay.
Yes. A good EL84 amp sounds really musical. I'd think this one should sound rather like the Leak Stereo 20. One of my favourites. If I hadn't already got more than my quota of amps I'd be interested.
Yes. A good EL84 amp sounds really musical. I'd think this one should sound rather like the Leak Stereo 20. One of my favourites. If I hadn't already got more than my quota of amps I'd be interested.
No love being found for this alas. sounds fabulous too
Quick bump. maybe someone will buy a superb little amp this time;)
Still available...... may part exchange for a meaty integrated
Brilliant little amp! I'd have it if I hadn't already got one!
Cheers Shane, yes its great and had some upgrades like caps and especially the valves which are Valvo and Reflektor. sings great but with my speakers being full range and very sensitive its a little too loud. Theres about a £100 of valves in there and a few bob in caps too so its a stone cold bargain
A wee bumpo before the resistors come and I adjust the gain
One last bump maybe..ebay tonight i think.. £340 delivered tonight only.
vinylspinner
04-10-2015, 16:15
Hi Grant,
The KEL84 is a nice little amp, mine went to Peter (symon) a while back when I upgraded to the WD KT88 power amp, someone should snap this little gem up asap, the EL84 valve really sounds great.
Nigel
Cheers Nigel.. some more pics just taken
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/910/qgxDp6.jpghttp://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/901/ynW4Gv.jpghttp://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/631/YFAiu0.jpghttp://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/633/ezniyf.jpghttp://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/910/wnoQsv.jpghttp://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/913/arTPvw.jpg
Now also on E-Bay unfortunately
Didnt sell so it is withdrawn. :) It can go into the backup cupboard for now. Anyone interested can pm me
walpurgis
11-10-2015, 19:48
Didnt sell so it is withdrawn. :) It can go into the backup cupboard for now. Anyone interested can pm me
Well that would almost certainly be good with Quad ESLs Grant..
Well that would almost certainly be good with Quad ESLs Grant..
if the Leak is then, yes it should be. one for the future...If I like the big Sony then the tvc and this can sit it out til I fancy a change. Dare say the amp will come back into fashion although I didnt know it had gone out lol
This is still available by the way at £340 delivered if anyone is interested..... I also have a Promiteus tvc that works very well with it that could be negotiated
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/910/1a1Rgk.jpg
still available
Lawrence001
31-10-2015, 00:29
Hi Grant would you consider selling the Promithius on it's own? I was looking at the WAD initially, but there's no way my Kef ref model 3's would match it!
All the best, lawrence
Hi Grant would you consider selling the Promithius on it's own? I was looking at the WAD initially, but there's no way my Kef ref model 3's would match it!
All the best, lawrence
If I sell the wad then yes. I would be happy to keep it but the wad is of no use to me without it.. it what way would it not match the speakers. . Are they very insensitive?
I see they are 87 ish.. if it sells then I'll be happy to sell it
Lawrence001
31-10-2015, 08:11
I tried my opera consonance M100SE with the Kefs without much success in the bass department but the highs and mids were pleasant enough. Somehow when I switched to the right SS on both highs and lows they came to life. I have finally settled on a strange mix of Nad C372 on the bass and Yamaha DSP-E800 on the highs (happy to explain more but don't want to hijack your thread any further!). I use a Tisbury passive to drive the amps via an X10v3 which I see you have. (I was rather sceptical of it thinking the slight body it gave to the sound was countered by a slight lack of transparency, but it somehow really came to life with the Kefs and I haven't looked back since. I'm now convinced it's a synergy thing so the naysayers on this bit of kit - which included me until recently - probably haven't heard what it can do when properly matched.) The next natural step seems to be a TVC.
Just to say (as this is a valve amp sale), I'm not in any way saying SS is better than glass. My valve amp has sounded better than any SS I have thrown at the last 10 pairs of speakers I have owned. Somehow these Kefs do not react in the same way (and I've used about 3 other combinations of SS before settling on the above mix, presumably it's a current thing) and the X10 introduced a little of the tube sound I craved which the buyer of this amp will surely get in spades (unless they own a pair of Kef ref 3's!)!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/910/1a1Rgk.jpg
still available
Still £340 delivered. Can also include promitheus tvc in Sale as an incentive for £100 extra. It will be more on its own. Both could be sent in Same box i think. So 440 for both...bargain alert!!! Lol
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/03/4d104d29bcccf650a0f2b592c118d66c.jpg
Spectral Morn
03-11-2015, 14:11
Shocked this hasn't sold, these used to sell very quickly in the past.
Shocked this hasn't sold, these used to sell very quickly in the past.
Very true. Ive no idea.....must be me:doh:
4 day bump.
340 delivered for wad... 440 delivered including the tvc....(tvc has currently 2 outputs and 2 inputs
Brigadoon
08-11-2015, 12:18
Hmmmm - this is seriously tempting....the only problem is that I would need to find a phono stage. You don't have one that you're looking to sell do you Grant? Or a pre that has a phono stage?
Not currently but may well have after xmas Barry as im getting a new one as a pressie. I might add that the pre has 2 outputs and 2 inputs although it could be altered if someone wished without too much hassle to 3 and 1. I used a switch box when i neededan extra input (sorry. got in and out mixed lol)
jandl100
08-11-2015, 12:30
That is a stunning bargain pair, Grant. :drool:
Sheesh - totally amazed still available! :scratch:
I keep coming back to this but can never quite get myself to a point where I can justify buying it. The reason being that I have the integrated version, which is wonderful and I don't really want to change. I just don't know what more this would bring to the party, as it were. I kind of really want to buy it (and the preamp) but I just can't get to the point where I would be able to stop using the integrated. I am open to persuasion if somebody feels like quantifying how this would be an improvement (by PM might be better).
I should also add that these are great amps and somebody should really beat me to the punch and buy it!
Brigadoon
09-11-2015, 15:40
I suppose I could always use my Rotel pre outs until a suitable pre comes up for sale....(although that kinda defeats the objective, as the switches on the Rotel are the main source of irritation....
Might be a silly question, but how would the WAD play with this (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?40136-For-Sale-NAD-C162-Pre-Amp) ?
I keep coming back to this but can never quite get myself to a point where I can justify buying it. The reason being that I have the integrated version, which is wonderful and I don't really want to change. I just don't know what more this would bring to the party, as it were. I kind of really want to buy it (and the preamp) but I just can't get to the point where I would be able to stop using the integrated. I am open to persuasion if somebody feels like quantifying how this would be an improvement (by PM might be better).
I should also add that these are great amps and somebody should really beat me to the punch and buy it!
Stay away Peter.....the temptation is growing....:guns:
:)
Ali Tait
09-11-2015, 15:43
Should be fine with the NAD.
walpurgis
09-11-2015, 16:07
It'll work OK, but won't be a patch on using it with the Promitheus TVC.
Brigadoon
09-11-2015, 16:25
It'll work OK, but won't be a patch on using it with the Promitheus TVC.
That was my thought - kind of a mis-match, even as a temporary solution. Problem with the TVC is only 2 ins - and I hate using switch-boxes - just more clutter in the signal path...
walpurgis
09-11-2015, 16:32
I've only got one RCA input on my TVC, but I wouldn't swap it for anything!!
I had 3 sources but mostly used 2.. Ive got an old switch box that is fine although not pretty..i have it marked for using 2 inputs thus giving 3 all told.i just sited it near back but could still reach it... It never took anything away imo... Could be thrown in easily. My mani phono will be being sold i think for 90 quid delivered ..its fairly new and damn good. Probably I could do without for a month
Brigadoon
09-11-2015, 23:16
Strewth Grant you're really tempting me now....
Let me have a chat with me bank manager....
I had 3 sources but mostly used 2.. Ive got an old switch box that is fine although not pretty..i have it marked for using 2 inputs thus giving 3 all told.i just sited it near back but could still reach it... It never took anything away imo... Could be thrown in easily. My mani phono will be being sold i think for 90 quid delivered ..its fairly new and damn good. Probably I could do without for a month
Strewth Grant you're really tempting me now....
Let me have a chat with me bank manager....
What speakers are you using Barry?
Brigadoon
09-11-2015, 23:49
What speakers are you using Barry?
I'm using Harbeth HLM's Grant
Nice; should be a good match... whats their sensitivity as a matter of interest? I can tune the sensitivity of the amp to suit guessing at about 87 db... I would put back in the 22 ohm resistors to give max sensitivity at 385 mv.
walpurgis
10-11-2015, 00:02
The original HL Monitor was around 88/89 db sensitivity I believe.
even better then geoff. should drive them fine especially with the tvc
Brigadoon
10-11-2015, 00:05
Nice; should be a good match... whats their sensitivity as a matter of interest? I can tune the sensitivity of the amp to suit guessing at about 87 db... I would put back in the 22 ohm resistors to give max sensitivity at 385 mv.
I think they're about 87 dB
Ive a set of Chorale III's that are 87db. I tried them with the amp and it was rather good. they aint great speakers but thats the best they ever sounded so should be a good match I think.
Ok Barry ive put the 22ohm resistors back in and ran it on 87 db speakers(ok pretty poor specimens. But will do for testing purposes). Amp sounds great but it doesnt have enough power for 87db. I reckon 89 would be the minimum. No point in you being disappointed in the amp so best saying now it wont suit...
Think i must have originally tried it with my old ca5 pre which was active with these speakers where it had more power.
Cheers grant
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/10/270131d71ae085a4629215a311607a14.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/910/1a1Rgk.jpg
On hold ......re a interested party
Brigadoon
10-11-2015, 21:28
Thanks Grant - appreciate the candour and your time. A gent as always.
Bit gutted as I have dreamt of valves for a long long time but my beloved Harbeths are staying right where they are. So hey ho....
I hope the "interested party" works out
Drawing board here I come....
Ok Barry ive put the 22ohm resistors back in and ran it on 87 db speakers(ok pretty poor specimens. But will do for testing purposes). Amp sounds great but it doesnt have enough power for 87db. I reckon 89 would be the minimum. No point in you being disappointed in the amp so best saying now it wont suit...
Think i must have originally tried it with my old ca5 pre which was active with these speakers where it had more power.
Cheers grant
jandl100
10-11-2015, 21:33
Re: amp power and speakers.
.... it all depends what you want it to do.
Play technodance at 115dB? - then it probably wouldn't do it for you.
But I'm using an el84 amp at the moment - 2 el84 per channel, same as Grant's, and it drives my 84dB/W speakers amazingly well. Genuinely the best sound I have heard.
My guess is that Grant's amp will drive the Harbies just fine. :)
Brigadoon
10-11-2015, 22:13
Love the "technodance" chirp Jerry :lol: As if.....while I'm partial to a bit of enthused Floyd or rocking Idol, I have a sound bar and subwoofer for the Oomp-tsh-Oomp-tsh :carrot::carrot:
My Harbies are for playing music - for me it's about dynamics not SPL. I reluctantly retired my T Amp as it simply didn't have the authority the Harbs need. Whilst I am gagging for the sweet musicality of a good valve amp, I'm loath to compromise on dynamics. I listen to a lot of classical, and dynamics are so important to let the music vibrate in all its glorious colours.
If only Grant were closer I'd love to hear them together - this is a blindingly good value combo that's going here.
Re: amp power and speakers.
.... it all depends what you want it to do.
Play technodance at 115dB? - then it probably wouldn't do it for you.
But I'm using an el84 amp at the moment - 2 el84 per channel, same as Grant's, and it drives my 84dB/W speakers amazingly well. Genuinely the best sound I have heard.
My guess is that Grant's amp will drive the Harbies just fine. :)
jandl100
10-11-2015, 22:17
Well, I'm a classical kind of guy as well (check out my siggie below ;)) and I am here to tell you that my 4x el84 amp driving my 84dB/W MBLs provides a Mahler 3rd that shakes the walls. Totally awesome. :)
I guess if its an easy load it will work, especially with an active pre. The ones I tried it with were not great but the volume imo was a little bit limited. I used it mainly on tannoys and big kefs that both were 91 db and it was stunning. the soundstage with the tannoys was immense . I now use homemade full range speakers that are just too efficient ...canny win at this game lol
vinylspinner
10-11-2015, 22:26
I agree with Jerry, used my KEL84 with Harbeth HL3 speakers with no issues, it just played music, jazz and classical mainly, plenty of bass and no shortage of dynamics.
Also worked with my Ruark Prologue 2 speakers as well, in fact I sometimes wish that I kept it.
Nigel
walpurgis
10-11-2015, 22:29
I had a pair of 83db Celestion SL600Si speakers going well on the end of my 12 watt EL84 Leak Stereo 20.
You can never really tell with speakers unless youve tried them. funnily may big celestions dont sound as good with the wad as the Telefunkens. I put that down to the driver size as both are over 95db. the 12" driver likes a bit of heft down at lower volumes... the Sony I got from Nigel does that very nicely :eyebrows:
Brigadoon
10-11-2015, 22:40
Okay, I'm sold....Grant if the "interested party" loses interest then lets talk...:)
I will try and test the amp setup tomorrow with my default for the amp Kef caras. The stuff is all upstairs so will set it up there I think. Just like to give it a full run out. they are surprisingly good speakers. Might even try them on my fanes up there. For small speakers these full rangers are rather good.
Okay, I'm sold....Grant if the "interested party" loses interest then lets talk...:)
okay Barry; will see how it goes mate.
jandl100
10-11-2015, 22:46
Power is over-rated. :D
Brigadoon
11-11-2015, 12:36
Power is over-rated. :D
Watt did you say? :lol:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/10/270131d71ae085a4629215a311607a14.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/910/1a1Rgk.jpg
This open again for now as Brian forgot about his hols lol..... £330 posted. £430 with the pre amp. £510 with phonostage. If these are wanted as they could be in same box saving postage. Otherwise they will be selling seperately.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/11/35bfcae2d0e03e03adaa9f0464c70fa6.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/11/7fb8b65ebeb1553a7fd192fb215b130e.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/11/927b1009170dedad9925a2d57a48cfd5.jpg
jandl100
11-11-2015, 13:03
Barry! - snap it up. ;)
Plenty interest in the pre. Would prefer to sell together but be quick
Brigadoon
11-11-2015, 17:17
Grant I got your PM. Sorry I'm not ignoring you - just been a mad day.Will respond soon
Plenty interest in the pre. Would prefer to sell together but be quick
brian2957
12-11-2015, 19:06
Well done mate :carrot:
Well what's the next project then :lol:
Well done mate :carrot:
Well what's the next project then :lol:
new handbag mate:bag: :eyebrows:
walpurgis
12-11-2015, 19:19
Zyx r100 h2? ;)
Zyx r100 h2? ;)
out of my league Geoff. :) its a nice thing though
got a cd player on hold and maybe something else if I can afford it
brian2957
12-11-2015, 19:21
This looks nice :) http://www.radley.co.uk/Liberty-Small-Zip-Pouch/?rmsrc=1&_$ja=tsid:44544|cid:119057784|agid:21090687264|tid :kwd-134489834184|crid:82597740744|nw:g|rnd:99036660052 20194898|dvc:c|adp:1t1&gclid=Cj0KEQiAjpGyBRDgrtLqzbHayb8BEiQANZauh57c_EMM aKjDO5NvbOuWfk6NWBmParl8lIcKHEvJcvMaAo-k8P8HAQ
Brigadoon
12-11-2015, 23:22
sold to Tony stp
Congrats Grant. Been away for a day celebrating my birthday with the family so I've missed out on this one, but I believe life has a plan for us all.
Tony I hope you enjoy the valvey loveliness of this setup. I've no doubt it will bring more music to you soul and tears to your eyes - through the impact of that visceral reaction to music only valves can offer.
Now paid for... enjoy Tony :cool:
Glad to see it's gone to a good home. For that money, I reckon it's as good a valve amp as you can get ... lovely, energetic little thing.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.