8 watt tube amp for 3800?!

[GuyNoir]

Short answer: Nobsound EL34 Single-ended Class A tube amplifier

Long Answer http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....4-single-ended-class-a-tube-amplifier.669021/

"handmade" must equal point-to-point wiring I had an APPJ EL-34 SEP that embarrased most any other amp I've owned as far as SQ, but the switching power supply starting humming not long after I bought it.

 

[arts]

Question: what in the world would make a tube amp cost $3800, especially a tube amp that puts out a piddly 8 watts?!

In most instances,nothing more than marketing.

 

[arts]

"handmade" must equal point-to-point wiring

How so? I make a lot of my own equipment using PCB construction.I make the PCBs myself,without automation.

 

[GuyNoir]

How so? I make a lot of my own equipment using PCB construction.I make the PCBs myself,without automation.

Because it has been my experience that when a Chinese manfufacturer says "hand-made" or "hand-crafted", it means point-to-point wiring. It wasn't intended to be a definitive statement on in the industry, or your personal experience, which I would think would have gone without saying.

 

[arts]

Because it has been my experience that when a Chinese manfufacturer says "hand-made" or "hand-crafted", it means point-to-point wiring. It wasn't intended to be a definitive statement on in the industry, or your personal experience, which I would think would have gone without saying.

In that case,either don't make blanket statements,or include a crystal ball with your comments.Your experience with Chinese manufacturers has no bearing on the statement you made.

 

[GuyNoir]

In that case,either don't make blanket statements,or include a crystal ball with your comments.Your experience with Chinese manufacturers has no bearing on the statement you made.

How about blow it out your o-rings? I didn't ask for YOUR opinion nor your personal proclivities, nor I was I talking to YOU.

 

[arts]

How about blow it out your o-rings? I didn't ask for YOUR opinion nor your personal proclivities, nor I was I talking to YOU.

Aww,someone missed his nap?Well,in any event,perhaps you should consider not posting in a public forum.

 

[GuyNoir]

I'll give your suggestion all the merit it is due. In turn, please consider exploring the concept of CONTEXT.

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

Children! Stop this back and forth nonsense this instant!

 

[mhardy6647]

Remember Audio magazine and their annual October edition surveying the audio market? One issue from sometime in the 1990s did list a $15,000 7-watt single-sided single-tube Class A amplifier.

I miss Audio magazine. And by that I mean the Audio magazine of the 1970s where one might find an article on writing a program for a Texas Instruments calculator for designing multi-feedback crossover networks, or how to design a power amplifier with no SID/TIM. You knew you were not reading Stereo Review or High Fidelity. (Which I also read.) Ou sont les neiges...

FYI and FWIW (and if you didn't know of this resource already)...

https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Audio-Magazine.htm
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/High-Fidelity-Magazine.htm
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/HiFI-Stereo-Review.htm

 

[Imprecise]

FYI and FWIW (and if you didn't know of this resource already)...

https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Audio-Magazine.htm
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/High-Fidelity-Magazine.htm
https://www.americanradiohistory.com/HiFI-Stereo-Review.htm

Yes I did know about those sites. They are great!

 

[Poultrygeist]

My low watt system:

A 4 watt single ended Magnavox driving 98 db Lowthers and a 20 watt Volt+D ( TPA3118 ) driving four 15" woofers.

 

[RoyOtis]

I am running a Technics SA-800 receiver at 125wpc to a set of Infinity Column 2's. It drives them effortlessly and makes them really thump. Could a tube amp of lower wattage provide the same results?

 

[primosounds]

I am running a Technics SA-800 receiver at 125wpc to a set of Infinity Column 2's. It drives them effortlessly and makes them really thump. Could a tube amp of lower wattage provide the same results?

I would say an amp delivering around 60 watts/channel might do the trick. although, i don't know how inefficient your speakers are. I have heard people say that 1 tube watt "sounds like" 2 SS watts, in terms of output, obviously, not sound quality.

 

[GuyNoir]

I am running a Technics SA-800 receiver at 125wpc to a set of Infinity Column 2's. It drives them effortlessly and makes them really thump. Could a tube amp of lower wattage provide the same results?

As Primo pointed out, it depends on the efficiency of your loudspeakers. A cursory Interweb search finds Infinity Column II billed as 'high-efficiency', though I couldn't find a value ascribed. It also depends on what you value most. If thumping is your thing, you'll want higher wattage tubage. Let me put it this way: I have 93db sensitive speakers in a large bedroom environment. I've had amps ranging from a 750 WPC Mosfet, to a 3.5 wpc magnavox SEP. My favorites have been an 8wpc EL34 based SEP, and now that my all new tube compliment and coupling caps are loosening up, a Sherwood EL84 22wpc is rocketing to the top of the chart. Neither provide rave-like thump, but do render, at very high volume, life-like acoustic bass capable of rattling wall-mounted fixtures and decor, and the same can be said for very deep synthesizer notes (Kieth Emerson, etc). Most SS amps will better the average tube amp by orders of magnitude in terms of specs. However, (and pardon what may sound like magical-thinking) there's something ineffable and charismatic about the sound of a good tube amp that doesn't seem to comport with specifications.

GENERAL DISCLAIMER: I do not guarantee the content nor accuracy of this post, nor should my post nor statements by me be construed as fact, absolute, or definitive.