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Budget Amp [message #9125]

Wed, 27 July 2005 18:16

FredT
Messages: 704
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (1st Degree)

Here's a true budget tube amp for anyone wanting to get into tubes on a very limited budget. I bought it new on Ebay for a winning bid of $150 plus $90 air freight from Hong Kong. I doubt it would stomp a Stoekit or asassinate an Audio Note, but it does sound very nice for what it is, and the Wima coupling caps in it are easily upgraded. It sounds amazingly good driving my line arrays.

Yarland FV-34 CIII Integrated Amplifier

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Re: Budget Amp [message #9126 is a reply to message #9125]

Wed, 27 July 2005 22:09

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18789
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Neat find, Fred. Congrats!

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Re: Budget Amp [message #9127 is a reply to message #9125]

Thu, 28 July 2005 08:58

guitarplayer
Messages: 59
Registered: May 2009

Baron

What's the User ID of the seller? How long did shipping take?

Regards,

Lee

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Re: Budget Amp [message #9128 is a reply to message #9125]

Thu, 28 July 2005 09:33

Damir
Messages: 1005
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (2nd Degree)

Very low price! When you consider DIY - it`s hard to buy a pair of decent OPTs for $150, "upgraded" Mundorf Supreme/Silver/Oil caps cost about $20 each, PT maybe $90, tubes at least $50 and much more NOS...
Not to mention the case... I hope that amp sounds decent!

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Forgot... [message #9129 is a reply to message #9128]

Thu, 28 July 2005 13:30

Damir
Messages: 1005
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (2nd Degree)

...about Hammond. Their PP OPTs P-T1608 or P-T1609 (suitable for 2xEL84) are about $35 each, and PT, say P-T270HX (550Vct/200mA DC) is about $60.

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Re: Budget Amp [message #9130 is a reply to message #9127]

Thu, 28 July 2005 14:50

FredT
Messages: 704
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (1st Degree)

The seller is 18audioguy. His online store is at http://stores.ebay.com/eAudioguy-Online-Store_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm

Shipping took nine days.

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Blue LED's! [message #9131 is a reply to message #9125]

Thu, 28 July 2005 16:49

FredT
Messages: 704
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (1st Degree)

I forgot to mention the kewlest thing about this amp: There are bright blue LED's just below the center hole of each of the two small signal tubes, which causees them to glow a brilliant blue in the dark. Isn't this hobby more fun even than mud wrestling with a supermodel?

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Re: Blue LED's! [message #9132 is a reply to message #9131]

Thu, 28 July 2005 22:27

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18789
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

No. Definitely not more fun than mud wrestling with a supermodel.

But I do dig the blue LEDs. That part I think is really cool.

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Re: Budget Amp [message #9133 is a reply to message #9125]

Fri, 29 July 2005 16:18

guitarplayer
Messages: 59
Registered: May 2009

Baron

How's it sounding with a couple of days of break in?

Regards,

Lee

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Re: Budget Amp [message #9144 is a reply to message #9125]

Wed, 03 August 2005 00:48

metasonix
Messages: 103
Registered: May 2009

Viscount

in my experience, these Chinese amps usually sound really good. AND are a great bargain. If I were Audio Research or Conrad-Johnson I'd be worried.

one thing, though--I've had quite a few of these things brought to me after the importer or mfr. disappeared. Usually the power transformer died, or there was heat damage due to something burning up on the PC board.

so, if you want your tube amp to last, take some free advice--KEEP IT COOL. Point a fan at it and live with the noise. The amp will last longer.

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