Hold on there bbqjoe...While that Yaqin EL34 PP amp sure looks nice, that is an expensive amp. Of course, there are stellar reviews...The reviewers want you to buy tube gear. You can find a long tunnel awaits you with tube rolling. Currently made EL34s can be quite inexpensive, compared to the original versions. However, depending on the circuit voltages and currents, newer made EL34s do not last anywhere as long as the '50s and '60s made tubes.
How did you arrive at the EL34 choice ? Do you need 35 watts per channel ? Last week, you were first trying tubes. You chose a headphone amp using pentodes and presumably are enjoying that sound nicely. That was a good start. May I suggest a bit more research on your part ? Besides being able to find second-hand bargains at lower prices, there are so many output tubes to choose from. Plus, at the $1K price point, there are even higher power tube amps at much lower prices, if you can wait for some vintage bargains...
Another consideration might be kit amps. Can you solder ? Building a kit amp can create essential electronic understanding and knowledge. Plus, the feeling of "Oh, I built that" is fantastic and cannot be understated.
Have you researched any 15 to 20 wpc tube amps ? The 6BQ5/EL84 family is very favorable, both in sound and easier cost. Unless your room is huge and your speakers way inefficient, the EL84 amps would be worthy to investigate. If you room is small and your speakers are efficient, even single ended EL84s can be sufficiently loud; and "Oh, so sweet sounding".....
Thanks for your reply, very much appreciated.
I haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet. I've been spending many hours online reading and researching.
One thing I currently lack is any friends or acquaintances in the audio world, so getting any hands on listening experience to various setups is limited to only things I've heard many years ago.
I used to build mil-spec electronics where every solder joint underwent QC through a 30x microscope, so yes, I can solder, build boards, and assemble.
I've rather enthusiastically looked for some kits (somewhat like the old heathkit days) only to find limited offerings.
Some seemed rather cheap, underpowered, and not at all challenging, while others seemed a bit more intricate, and others yet getting into such high dollar levels that a person considering them, might just as well get into something already built and tested. (another downfall is my lack of nothing more than a glorified volt meter)
I am totally open to anything you can point me to!!! I would be tickled to build a decent amp.
I know from one particular experience that I do like the sound of good tube stereo amplification. It was a very elaborate setup consisting primarily of Mcintosh gear.
But, my knowledge of this tube to that tube is also limited.
I currently have a guitar amp that is tube powered having the ability to switch from and blend 6L6's and EL34's. (I like the 6l6's over the 34's, but really like the sound when blended equally.
I'm liking the little dot, and have now experimented with 3 different sets, and have returned in favor back to the stock set.
There's my tube experience in a nutshell.
You probably know my speakers at this point, and I'm a bit hesitant to try swapping much more at this point, but yet, I'm open. I recently spoke with a tech at Dahlquist, and he reported the DQ-8's were rated at 88.
As far as power goes, again, I don't need to dry my hair with a stereo set up, but occasionally as probably most people do, there are certain times when you want your own personal rock concert.
But if I had to choose between quality or volume, I know enough to know I'd prefer quality.
The other thing is my room.
It's pretty large. 750 sq ft, built of untreated concrete block.
Mind you it is furnished and carpeted in spots, but the walls are fairly bare, and the ceiling is pretty much acoustically dead, so some db's are required.
If I really needed shltloads of power, I could always hook up my two behringer 2400 watt PA amps.
Do I really need to get into a new amp, or completely new system? Maybe not, but like everyone else, we'd all like a million dollar (sounding) system right?
Anyways, dollar for dollar, my research so far has led to the Yaqin. There's even a few folks here who seem to be quite happy with them, but as I said previously, I've not yet made any decisions, although I'd probably jump all over a mac 275 if one came my way.
I'm open, and appreciate the schooling.
Thank you.