Tell me about valve equipment

[Ali Tait]

Marco what you say about tranformers is largely true,but ultimately,the best transformer is NO transformer! A trannie is like anything else in the signal path,it will colour the music in some way,the same as say a coupling capacitor does,no matter how much you spend on it.The problem with OTL's is their very limited ability to produce current severely limits the speakers they will work well with.A way round this would be to use an electrostatic speaker,which requires a high voltage,but very little current,so sounds ideal until you realise that most OTL's don't output anywhere near enough voltage or wattage to drive an insensitive Static! The solution? Use an output valve that can swing enough voltage to drive a static easily such as a 211,845, or in the forthcoming amp Nick is building to drive my statics,the 813.Direct coupling these to a static shoould in theory produce a fantastic sound (no output trannie in the way!) I hope so anyway.We shall see in two or three weeks time.I really think this could be something special though.

[Marco]

Ali, I completely agree. Hi-fi is all about choosing your compromises.

However, your assumption is based on the premise that you're able to factor-out the particular limitions inherent in electrostatic designs.

Much as I admire many aspects of the breed, I would unfortunately have to say 'no' to the above

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

Statics do have their inherent problems,but I can't see how it's possible for ANY cone loudspeaker to be less coloured than a properly implemented static,by the very nature of their respective designs,and my listening experience over the years has borne this out.Not to say you won't prefer the way a cone speaker does things though!

[symon]

Hi Peter,

With regard to possible purchases, you're on the right track with the new Croft range of amplifiers, as Glenn's designs are the epitome of what I have described as a 'GOOD' valve amp, and once you listen to them you may not feel that you ever have to upgrade - yes they are that good! The Puresound A30 integrated is another such device of similar quality.

Good, that's comforting to know my instincts are not leading me in the wrong direction. I'd be quite happy to find something that I don't need to upgrade.

Another viable option is to buy a built kit from World Designs (check out their website on-line and their forum for info), as these are also very good, and with the potential for endless further tweaking should you at some point be brave enough to wield a soldering iron .

You know, the idea of DIY is appealing to me. But, the actual doing it can be a problem. My knowledge and interest is much lower than I thought it was. But, maybe one day I'll put the time and effort in to make it rewarding. The WD stuff looks interesting, but the completed kits put them slightly out of my comfortable price range (which makes it sound like I have a figure in my head. I don't, just a sense of squeamishness which only raises itself when presented with a pound sign and some numbers!). I think if I did start looking seriously at building my own kit, then World Designs would probably be where I go to first.

There are also the various low-priced Chinese options available for importing, but considering how good, risk-free, and competitively priced the above options are I would tend to steer clear of these from both a safety and sonic point of view, and go for something designed and built in the UK, unless your equipment selection process is of a particularly speculative bent.

Marco.

Hmm, the Chinese stuff comes with a loud enough health warning from other people to put me off trying them.
And, no, my selection process is not particularly speculative. Random maybe, but not speculative. My choices are limited to my budget, and to what falls into my lap when looking for something. Something I keep meaning to do in a nother thread is explain my perspective from a beginner's point of view. In all honesty I don't know what sound I am looking for. So, with that in mind, being able to try something like a decent valve pre-amp will help me define what it is I like and don't like. All part of the fun, I guess.

[Ali Tait]

Peter,
Another option is to look out for WD amps secondhand.They do come up and you can get a real bargain.The KEL84 is a real giant-slayer of an amp and will often embarrass commercial offerings at several thousand pounds.I kid you not.

[Marco]

I can't see how it's possible for ANY cone loudspeaker to be less coloured than a properly implemented static,by the very nature of their respective designs

Well, Ali, eliminating coloration isn't the only consideration. Come and hear my Tannoys after I get them and give me your honest opinion. I keep saying 'come and hear my system' (not least to listen to your SET amp and compare it with my Copper amp), but you never do anything about it................... I think you may need another 'frame of reference' with regard to P/Ps

Btw, I've heard Nick's 211 on the end of Ian Walker's Canterburys and that was very 'interesting'. I shall say no more!

The biggest negative for me with statics is their lack of bass, scale, and loudness capability, compared to the likes of what I'll be listening to at the weekend. You know that I like to have a 'live gig' effect in my room! If I had statics, I'd more than likely keep blowing them up!!

Marco.

[symon]

Peter,
Another option is to look out for WD amps secondhand.They do come up and you can get a real bargain.The KEL84 is a real giant-slayer of an amp and will often embarrass commercial offerings at several thousand pounds.I kid you not.

Yes, I had thought about that. I did see one on Ebay recently which was within reach of a potential budget. The thing that worried me was that it is home built. Is it safe to assume that if someone is selling one thay have built it properly? Or, are the kits relatively foolproof (like a good Delia Smith recipe )?

[Ali Tait]

Peter,
Generally they will be fine.I've had three WAD kits(still have two) and they have given no problems whatsoever.Even if you did encounter any bother,there are plenty here and on the WD forum who would be happy to help sort it out.Whereabouts in the world are you?

Marco,I have heard Tannoys before and yes,they are very nice.It's just that having had the statics so long,I could never go back to any kind of box speaker because all I can hear is the box singing along.OB's I could happily live with though.
I will get across sometime,but I've been very busy plus my partner is recovering from cancer,so I've not had time for hifi stuff recently.I will get across sometime though.

[symon]

Ali,

thanks, it's good to know they can be trusted in general.

I'm in Bristol.

And, I'm sorry to hear about your partner. I hope I'm right in thinking your comments were positive and full recovery is under way?

[Marco]

Ali,

Marco,I have heard Tannoys before and yes,they are very nice.It's just that having had the statics so long,I could never go back to any kind of box speaker because all I can hear is the box singing along.OB's I could happily live with though.

I know where you're coming from, but 'never say never' is a good saying when it comes to hi-fi, IMO. It pays to retain an open mind. I mean, I've not completely given up on SET amps yet!!

I will get across sometime,but I've been very busy plus my partner is recovering from cancer,so I've not had time for hifi stuff recently.I will get across sometime though.

No worries, matey - we'll defo do something. I'm very sorry to hear about your partner. Please send her my regards and wish her a full and speedy recovery.

Marco.