Gromit's music centre...

[Gromit]

What language is "Strobo"?

Must be because they couldn't fit 'scope' on the end.

[Gromit]

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.

Indeed - it's a cracking little thing. Full of zest, it's almost solid state in how it motors along - but in a good way.

My first KEL84 (I had it around 2007/8 I think) had been modified a fair bit - the input selector was redundant and the tape source switch was just connected to go between 2 inputs. It had a smattering of BlackGates inside, and used NOS Philips EL84's. I then got hold of some Telefunken ECF80's and it sounded fantastic. Yellow-label Mullards sounded a bit too woolly to me, the T'funkens had much more zip.

I've reported the issue with the pot to the ever-helpful guys on the WD forum who've offered a few suggestions as to what the problem could be. This pot is a 50K where the standard one is 100K. I'm not going to start delving around inside with a soldering iron myself, but will find someone local who could do the job for me - and give the amp a good look-over, to make sure everything's ship-shape.

[Gromit]

Listening session this afternoon...



Followed by...



And back again etc etc.

Amp sat on separate table as lifting that Sony on and off the rack is doing my back no good at all.

[Gromit]

More toobs in gratuitous arty-farty photo...

[hoopsontoast]

Just picked up *another* 770ES, my third......

Looking good though Richard

[The Black Adder]

Cooking there, Richard. Any more pics of those glowing babies?

[istari_knight]

Looking good

... You'll be after a P10 next

[Gromit]

... You'll be after a P10 next

Hmmm...there's one for sale on t'Wam.

Been interesing this morning comparing the KEL84 with the A30 and whilst yes the A30 has a fair bit more oomph (as you'd expect) and does drive the ProAcs better, that little WAD is just such a wonderful little music-making device. It also has more attack and 'zip' than the Puresound too. The Puresound sounds bigger with better bass control, more expansive too. The A30 really needs a pair of Sylvania Bad Boys (6SN7GT's) as I found these made a fundamental difference to my last one - ok the amp was modded (by Guy - the main man himself) and that woke it up, but the BB's let the brakes off completely.

Only real reason I sold the old A30 was because it didn't get on with my Royds - drove them fine, but they needed an amp with extremely tight bass control, especially in my room. Had the same issue with the IC Claymore in our new place - the Sony tidied things up beautifully.

The A30's quite fruity so suits the ProAcs (which are dry upon dry) quite well, even though they're not the last word in efficiency.

[freefallrob]

Hi Richard, looks like you have been having a nice time.

Re bass control, I know where you are coming from, my favorite loudspeakers of choice JBL L1's need an iron grip, they are so dynamic, but any looseness on the amp and they just get upset and wobbly.

I use a Sony TA-FB940R QS, it's terrific on them, high damping factor.

Rob.

[Gromit]

Now with the lights on...