View Full Version : Valve amps - what should I consider next?
I really enjoy the valve amps I have had in my system, but my experience is limited. So far, I have had a WAD KEL84, which is my first valve amp and is currently back in. And, a Leak Stereo 20. The Leak just pipped the WAD, but I do really like listening to that first valve amp.
My question is, what should I try next? It's time to move on from the Leak, and I'd like to get pointers towards other flavours that can be got from valve amps. My budget is quite modest (£1k is too much), I listen to CD and vinyl, folk to rock and all stops in between. Thoughts and suggestions would be much appreciated ...
Edited to add, my speakers are Tannoy System 800s. And, I'm not very technically minded, so simple easy to use amps are my preference (I'm not averse to learning new things, though).
Always wondered how these perform (if 8w is sufficient)....
https://www.audioemotion.co.uk/eastern-electric-minimax-integrated-amplifier-839-p.asp
.....and used of course for your budget.
I had a mint Leak 20, Classique re-built and let it go years go. My one significant Hi Fi regret ! Careful there ;-). Perhaps consider a Classique Sounds treatment if your 20 has not been serviced ?
spendorman
16-02-2018, 11:16
Noticed this on ebay, over £1000 though, probably still a good investment:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radford-STA15-Series3-Power-Amplifier/263490745702
speedracer
16-02-2018, 11:35
Do you intend to buy new or used?
If used there is a Orion Adonis in the classifieds that has a good reputation & is a great value used buy.
jandl100
16-02-2018, 11:45
After the WAD and the Leak you really need to try something other than an el84 power valve, excellent though they are and probably my favourite power valve.
Every valve type has a characteristic sound.
6550, KT90, 300B ... etc ... all different.
And then there's the circuit they are used in, yet more variance.
Ideally, I think an auto-bias amp would be good - so you can do tube rolling without having to reset the power valves' bias each time.
But, if you fancy trying yet another flavour of el84, I have been pondering moving on my LA Audio A30 integrated amp. http://www.laaudio.com.tw/products_detail.php?id=34&lang=en
It's got auto-bias so you can try el84 from all the names like JJ and Mullard etc without worrying about the bias. My choice is currently Reflektor - transparent and dynamic. Yum. :)
It owes me over £500 with the various valves that go with it - but I would sell for £400.
And Bristol is not far.
What about a bigger WAD amp? I may know of a 6550 one with kt120s in that Is about to become available as my mate has moved to a Sonneteer Alabaster for marital harmony reasons.
I've had many MANY valve amps and am currently using a prima Luna prologue 1 and it's a corker . Better than a few of the more expensive amps I've used. You can buy these for 5-600 quid. Peak hifi had the KT88 version on their used section. Worth a look.
montesquieu
16-02-2018, 13:50
What about a bigger WAD amp? I may know of a 6550 one with kt120s in that Is about to become available as my mate has moved to a Sonneteer Alabaster for marital harmony reasons.
I've had many MANY valve amps and am currently using a prima Luna prologue 1 and it's a corker . Better than a few of the more expensive amps I've used. You can buy these for 5-600 quid. Peak hifi had the KT88 version on their used section. Worth a look.
Agreed - and Tannoys love big beam pentodes. I would recommend a good push-pull valve amp with 6550s, KT88s, KT90s or KT120s. Sounds like Steve's mate's one is worth a punt.
(And apologies to Jerry but I would say Series 800s need a bit more welly, much as I'm also a fan of the EL84).
walpurgis
16-02-2018, 13:59
(And apologies to Jerry but I would say Series 800s need a bit more welly, much as I'm also a fan of the EL84).
I had three pairs of the System 800 and found them really easy to drive. Sensitivity is high for an 8" driver at 92db.
jandl100
16-02-2018, 14:09
(And apologies to Jerry but I would say Series 800s need a bit more welly, much as I'm also a fan of the EL84).
No worries, as stated before I am all for Peter investigating other valve types.
Strange as it may seem, it's possible to have too many el84 amps. :)
walpurgis
16-02-2018, 14:18
My EL34 monoblocks sound superb with every set of Tannoys I've tried. Plenty of grip and lovely midrange. Better than my faithful old Leak Stereo 20.
montesquieu
16-02-2018, 14:22
My EL34 monoblocks sound superb with every set of Tannoys I've tried. Plenty of grip and lovely midrange. Better than my faithful old Leak Stereo 20.
I'm currently using an EL34 amp (Radford STA100) with my 91db 12in HPDs, while my KT88 STA100 is restored. It certainly outperforms the Leak Stereo 20 I recently sold (for all its charms - I do like that amp). But I'm firmly of the view that all Tannoys love a bit of valve push pull welly and there's no harm in putting 50 or 60w to the job as opposed to the 35w you typically get from EL34s.
Haselsh1
16-02-2018, 14:25
Oh brill, a nice thread on valve amps.
We are currently using a Prima Luna Prologue preamp and Prima Luna Dialogue Premium power amp with EL34 valves in push pull. I love EL34 valves for their vocal sound but I have tried KT88's and they were hugely different with loads more punch. I would next like to try out KT120's but cost stops me at the moment. Stick with it, valves have the most incredible rendition of midrange and should be used with complementary loudspeakers. All the best in your quest.
walpurgis
16-02-2018, 14:29
Why do you type in a small font Shaun? Some of us don't have great eyesight and struggle to read it mate.
I thought valve amp before I bought the integrated Yamaha yesterday. Probably couldn't afford one at my cheapskate prices !!
I think I am best not hearing one and then I dont know what I'm missing :D
What about a bigger WAD amp? I may know of a 6550 one with kt120s in that Is about to become available as my mate has moved to a Sonneteer Alabaster for marital harmony reasons.
I've had many MANY valve amps and am currently using a prima Luna prologue 1 and it's a corker . Better than a few of the more expensive amps I've used. You can buy these for 5-600 quid. Peak hifi had the KT88 version on their used section. Worth a look.
Oooh! Now, this sounds interesting. I heard Nathan's (Nuff) bigger WAD last week and really liked what I heard - although I don't know how much of what I heard was the amp air all of the system. Could you send me more details when this comes available?
Thanks all for the replies. This has been really helpful.
Jerry hit the nail on the head - I think he's right about an auto-bias integrated amp with different valves in it. But, I'm willing to learn about biasing if needed. It's also interesting to hear about what might make the Tannoys sound better. I agree with Geoff that they sound pretty good to my ears already. So, any improvement on that will be good to hear.
Does anyone have any views on moving from an integrated valve amp to a valve power amp with a pre (either valve or passive)? The basic question is what difference does it make?
walpurgis
18-02-2018, 14:02
Does anyone have any views on moving from an integrated valve amp to a valve power amp with a pre (either valve or passive)? The basic question is what difference does it make?
In theory, it should make no difference, spec for spec. But in practice it may.
Audio Al
18-02-2018, 14:12
John Wood KT88 monster available for £999 collected , Its under £1K ;)
AJSki2fly
18-02-2018, 14:24
If you can find good serviced one then I would try and Audio Innovations Series 500 amp, or Series 1000 with a separate pre-amp.
These are superb amps and were very well built. Sound is natural and neutral.
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