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Thread: I'd like to try valve

  1. #71
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

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    I'm Alan.

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    Sounds like (excuse the pun) the design was a bit compromised in ratings, or near max dissipations.
    I like to de-rate as much as possible so as to keep temperatures low and ensure very long lifetimes.


  2. #72
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

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    I'm Shaun.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Firebottle View Post
    Sounds like (excuse the pun) the design was a bit compromised in ratings, or near max dissipations.
    I like to de-rate as much as possible so as to keep temperatures low and ensure very long lifetimes.

    Yep, exactly the same as Prima Luna do.

  3. #73
    Join Date: Mar 2018

    Location: Queensland, Australia

    Posts: 33
    I'm Dazz.

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    Quote Originally Posted by steve-z View Post
    I’m wondering if valve amps of today are anymore reliable than they were 30years ago, back then I ran a Beard P35 power amp for about 4 years. I had to be repaired twice in the first year which wasn’t a good sign. After that I spent as much time on it with a soldering iron as I did listening to it. It had a recurring habit of valve regulator failure and corresponding failure of its valve, must have replaced all 12 of them eventually, then the mains transformer went up in smoke, literally!
    Got a replacement transformer then sold it on, was glad to see the back of it, sounded lovely when it was working, had real synergy with my ESL63s.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    That was not typical of valve gear even back before that. One example, AKAI reel to reel tape recorders started out with valve amps in them. I have seen 4 examples in recent years that turn on a still work perfectly. The seldom needed any servicing in the day (except for mechanical things). Nice sounding little valve amps btw.

    I have played valve guitar amps all my life, and gear like that gets totally thrashed. Loaded up in trucks and carted around, and played at 110% on stage. Other than replacing output valves occasionally, or a fuse, I can remember having to do an actual repair maybe three times in 40 years on either my amp, or other band members amps. Once the bias resistors on the output cooked, and once, and resistor in the power supply went o/c. One other time on an amp from the 1950s an electro cap spat is guts messy but easy to fix.

    No valves are not as reliable as SS, but they aren't all that bad either. A well designed hifi amp should be good for the lifetime of the valves (which is longer than many believe) a few times over.

  4. #74
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

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    I'm Shaun.

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    Possibly not as reliable as solid state amps but then solid state amps are not going to compete on sound quality.

  5. #75
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

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    I'm Martin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Haselsh1 View Post
    Possibly not as reliable as solid state amps but then solid state amps are not going to compete on sound quality.
    Bit early in the morning to be cracking open a can of worms isn't it? Still, I suppose it is the holidays, might even join you.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  6. #76
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

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    I'm Grant.

    Default I'd like to try valve

    There is a giant John wood amp in the classifieds. Should do u
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  7. #77
    Join Date: Apr 2012

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    I'm Geoff.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Haselsh1 View Post
    Possibly not as reliable as solid state amps but then solid state amps are not going to compete on sound quality.
    Depends.

  8. #78
    Join Date: Jun 2009

    Location: Hove Actually

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    I'm Imjustsurviving.

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    Slippery slope all this valve stuff I’ve had loads and it’s all down to personnel prefence and of course symmetry , If you don’t want to change your speakers then perhaps go the valve pre route to start with.
    I have a pair of Audio Note AZ2 floor standers here and a pair of Audio note Zero power amps that you are welcome to have a listen to as we live in the same county , the speakers are excellent sounding and built for valves but the Amps won’t drive your speakers
    Jon


    A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.




    Set up
    Lafayette el84 power amp , Audio note M1 pre , Tannoy Sterlings, Garrard 301 , SME 3012 , puresound P10, Ortofon SPU, Cambridge CXN streamer
    Micro mega Duo 3 cd transport ,

  9. #79
    Join Date: Nov 2010

    Location: Sheffield/Peak District. UK

    Posts: 574
    I'm Richard.

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    Have you looked at the World Design web page ? (http://www.world-designs.co.uk/products.htm).. The KEL84 is regarded as a 'giant-killer' and can be purchased in kit form or already made.

    (I have just built the KEL84XL kit).

    The owner (Matthew Snell is an absolute delight - very helpful).

  10. #80
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

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    I'm Shaun.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Macca View Post
    Bit early in the morning to be cracking open a can of worms isn't it? Still, I suppose it is the holidays, might even join you.

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