btol
Well-Known Member
Hi AKers,
Last January, I put a BT feeler out there for a new tube amp with a budget of somewhere between $400-$500. I have three amps that I cycle through to keep things spicy - a Sansui AU-717 and two PP amps - a Heathkit AA-32 and a Magnavox 8804 (run with the AU-717 as a preamp). So this time, I really wanted to try out SE.
I ended up reaching out to Squidward who offered to build me an amp. He recommended an el-84 based design that could switch between SEUL and triode strapped. Tube complement is a pair of el-84's, 6CA4/EZ81 tube rectifier, and the signal tube can be one of four types: 6DJ8, 6AQ8, 6BK7, or 6BQ7. Squid calls it the KG-84 because I believe the schematic was shared with Squid by Kegger. Given the option to switch between ultra linear and triode, the opportunity to roll tubes on the cheap, and Squid's ability to get the amp built and shipped to me at the bottom end of my budget, I was in.
Well I got the amp on Friday!!! After a couple long evenings of listening all I can say is
. Wowsers...I really, really like the sound of this amp. Such a step up from my PP tube amps. With the KG-84 in UL mode and using the AU-717 as a pre, the amp is super snappy and dynamic. I normally turn to the AU-717 as an integrated when I want speed and bass impact. The KG-84 definitely has this. The "flavor" of speed and impact is different, for sure, but very satisfying...moreso than the 'Sui, I find. The sound is larger and more room filling than my two PP amps. It's almost like my current listening room is holding the amp back a bit. I get the sense that if I moved my rig into a bigger space, the soundstage would really unfurl. Either way, soundstage is huge, compared to my other amps. Deeper, taller, wider. Imaging is much more pinpointed and precise. At the same time, the amp sounds really sweet to me. I've been reading up on el-84's and I can understand why there are so many fans out there. Very pleasing to my ear. I listened to a number of tracks that involved a xylophone or vibraphone and I was struck at how crystaline those instruments sound. I also noticed how great snare drums and cymbals sound. Acoustic guitar is nice and sparkly/shimmery and sounds more realistic than my other amps.
I could go on and on, really, but I'll just say that the mid-range that SE amps are famous for is definitely there. Add on top of that the dynamics and impact of the amp, I'm extremely happy. I've only listened to triode mode for an hour or so but I'm also liking what I'm hearing so far. Words that come to mind are warmer and rounder. Squidward recommended this mode for older recordings and for less complex acoustic and jazz-type stuff. I'm looking forward to exploring this side of the amp more.
On one last note, I run a pair of Forte I's with ALK networks. Some people had warned me that the ~3wpc in triode mode and ~4wpc in UL mode would not be enough. I can confidently say that is definitely not the case. In UL mode, I set the volume dial on the AU-717 at noon and I can only turn the volume on my Squeezebox up to about 80/100 before the volume starts getting uncomfortably loud.
Anyway, here's some pics of the amp in its new home.
Last January, I put a BT feeler out there for a new tube amp with a budget of somewhere between $400-$500. I have three amps that I cycle through to keep things spicy - a Sansui AU-717 and two PP amps - a Heathkit AA-32 and a Magnavox 8804 (run with the AU-717 as a preamp). So this time, I really wanted to try out SE.
I ended up reaching out to Squidward who offered to build me an amp. He recommended an el-84 based design that could switch between SEUL and triode strapped. Tube complement is a pair of el-84's, 6CA4/EZ81 tube rectifier, and the signal tube can be one of four types: 6DJ8, 6AQ8, 6BK7, or 6BQ7. Squid calls it the KG-84 because I believe the schematic was shared with Squid by Kegger. Given the option to switch between ultra linear and triode, the opportunity to roll tubes on the cheap, and Squid's ability to get the amp built and shipped to me at the bottom end of my budget, I was in.
Well I got the amp on Friday!!! After a couple long evenings of listening all I can say is
. Wowsers...I really, really like the sound of this amp. Such a step up from my PP tube amps. With the KG-84 in UL mode and using the AU-717 as a pre, the amp is super snappy and dynamic. I normally turn to the AU-717 as an integrated when I want speed and bass impact. The KG-84 definitely has this. The "flavor" of speed and impact is different, for sure, but very satisfying...moreso than the 'Sui, I find. The sound is larger and more room filling than my two PP amps. It's almost like my current listening room is holding the amp back a bit. I get the sense that if I moved my rig into a bigger space, the soundstage would really unfurl. Either way, soundstage is huge, compared to my other amps. Deeper, taller, wider. Imaging is much more pinpointed and precise. At the same time, the amp sounds really sweet to me. I've been reading up on el-84's and I can understand why there are so many fans out there. Very pleasing to my ear. I listened to a number of tracks that involved a xylophone or vibraphone and I was struck at how crystaline those instruments sound. I also noticed how great snare drums and cymbals sound. Acoustic guitar is nice and sparkly/shimmery and sounds more realistic than my other amps. I could go on and on, really, but I'll just say that the mid-range that SE amps are famous for is definitely there. Add on top of that the dynamics and impact of the amp, I'm extremely happy. I've only listened to triode mode for an hour or so but I'm also liking what I'm hearing so far. Words that come to mind are warmer and rounder. Squidward recommended this mode for older recordings and for less complex acoustic and jazz-type stuff. I'm looking forward to exploring this side of the amp more.
On one last note, I run a pair of Forte I's with ALK networks. Some people had warned me that the ~3wpc in triode mode and ~4wpc in UL mode would not be enough. I can confidently say that is definitely not the case. In UL mode, I set the volume dial on the AU-717 at noon and I can only turn the volume on my Squeezebox up to about 80/100 before the volume starts getting uncomfortably loud.
Anyway, here's some pics of the amp in its new home.
