2. amps-preamps
  3. 192696-139155

Your journey with lower-watt tube amps -- Can a kit be good enough?

Looking for stories about your low-watt amp journeys.

Here's the situation: I have new speakers, 97 db. Trying them with lower watt tube amps (45/211, 300b, etc) seems generally wise. I am attempting to borrow some from audiophiles in the area. 

The horizon beyond trying these things involves actually buying some. I'm looking at a budget limit of about $5k.

Curious as to folks' experience with lower-watt amp kits vs. those of good makers (e.g. Dennis Had, etc.).

If you have any thoughts about the following, I'd be interested:

Did you start out with a kit and then get dissatisfied? Why?

Did you compare kits vs. pre-made and find big differences?

Did you find you could get the equivalent level of quality in a kit for much less than the same pre-made version? How about kit vs. used?

Also: did you find there was a difference between "point to point wiring" vs. "PCB" in these various permutations?

I realize that there are good kits and bad ones, good pre-made amps and bad ones. I'm hoping you'll be comparing units which seem at comparable levels of quality and price-points.

Thanks.

hilde45

Showing 1 response by vthokie83

vthokie83
1,006 posts
 

If you like the idea of a kit (or they will build a complete amplifier), I agree with the Dynaco design option. The company Tubes4hifi has kits and fully assembled amplifiers based on some of the most popular Dynaco products: ST-35, ST-70 and ST-120.

The ST-70 uses EL34, 6L6, or KT-66 tubes power tubes, and puts out 30ish WPC depending on tubes. Uses 12AU7 driver tubes, and a 5U4G rectifier. Completed amplifiers are about $1,650 with all tubes.

I own their VTA ST-120 amplifier, that I've had for 5 years or so, and I can tube roll power tubes (6550, KT-88, KT-120, or KT-150), 12AU7 drivers and 5U4G rectifier. Power varies with power tube choices, but I think the 6550s are around 45 WPC and up to 80ish WPC with KT-150s. Completed amps with all tubes are $2,050 with 6550 or KT-88, and more with KT-120s and KT-150s

I also have Aric Audio and CODA amps, but will not get rid of the KT-120....not sure if it is what you are looking for, but they are really good amps

More to discover