Gromit's music centre...

[Yomanze]

No worries

The spec sheet of a truly British amp would simply read 'adequate'

Ha ha, like this website description of my British power amp:

"PA2M SE (twin mono in one case).

It has a very fine mid range and top end with the deepest, most powerful and tight bass end I know how to produce – short of the Anniversary models. This is two entirely separate mono power amps in one case."

...and that's it. No indication of THD, damping factor etc.

[Gromit]

It's finally arrived, and just warming through...

[Tarzan]

It's finally arrived, and just warming through...

[Gromit]

Let me let the coffee brew first Andy! Jeez some people!!!

[istari_knight]

I hope it sounds as good as it looks !

[Gromit]

Ok here goes...

I'm very surprised (in a good way) at how it drives the little ProAcs - they're only 85db/w or so (perhaps even less) but the KEL has no trouble getting decent volume out of them. The amp sounds sweet (it is an EL84 after all) and very clear, and place your ear against the speaker when the volume's off and there is virtual silence. A good sign.

Downsides - easily rectifiable - are the stepped attenuator which has been fitted means the amp has waaaay too much gain. Only 3 or 4 clicks and it's more than loud enough. With more sensitive speakers it would be a problem. Will look into getting someone to fit an original volume control or sort what's already there. Still, it's perfectly useable as it is and no way a deal-breaker. The input selector's a bit noisy - needs a gentle fiddle and all's well and the thing then works 100% fine.

The mains transformer's slightly noisy - in its defence our mains isn't good here (my Sony amp is silent at my folks' house but buzzes quietly away here) but putting Foculpods under the KEL and all is quiet. Obviously there's a bit of resonance from the case not helping.

Sound quality is just 'KEL-like' for those familiar with it. Very listenable, sweet and detailed with a surprising amount of pep. Definitely not soft and cuddly!!

So far I'm tempted to keep the amp - not as a main one - but use it as something to put into the system every so often just for fun. Will see how things progress once the volume control is sorted.

[Tarzan]

[Gromit]

[Ali Tait]

Ok here goes...

I'm very surprised (in a good way) at how it drives the little ProAcs - they're only 85db/w or so (perhaps even less) but the KEL has no trouble getting decent volume out of them. The amp sounds sweet (it is an EL84 after all) and very clear, and place your ear against the speaker when the volume's off and there is virtual silence. A good sign.

Downsides - easily rectifiable - are the stepped attenuator which has been fitted means the amp has waaaay too much gain. Only 3 or 4 clicks and it's more than loud enough. With more sensitive speakers it would be a problem. Will look into getting someone to fit an original volume control or sort what's already there. Still, it's perfectly useable as it is and no way a deal-breaker. The input selector's a bit noisy - needs a gentle fiddle and all's well and the thing then works 100% fine.

The mains transformer's slightly noisy - in its defence our mains isn't good here (my Sony amp is silent at my folks' house but buzzes quietly away here) but putting Foculpods under the KEL and all is quiet. Obviously there's a bit of resonance from the case not helping.

Sound quality is just 'KEL-like' for those familiar with it. Very listenable, sweet and detailed with a surprising amount of pep. Definitely not soft and cuddly!!

So far I'm tempted to keep the amp - not as a main one - but use it as something to put into the system every so often just for fun. Will see how things progress once the volume control is sorted.

The KEL84 is a great little amp and a real giant killer IMHO, I've had a couple through my hands in the past. Get the pot sorted, and have a look to see what coupling caps are fitted, some decent caps here can make a real difference. Then look to the valves, some nice NOS drivers again make a real improvement.

[MartinT]

What language is "Strobo"?