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Compiling a list of tube amp kits

AlexHempel

AlexHempel

AK Subscriber
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I'm interested in building a tube amp kit but finding good information is quite a slog, since mentions of the various kits are scattered across many threads, and there's no way of knowing when you've discovered all the kits that are out there. I strongly prefer to compare every possible option before buying, and I'm guessing many others are the same way.

As such, I thought it might be useful to have one big thread where everyone can list all the tube amp kits they know of. That way tube newbies (like me) who are looking for kits can have a comprehensive starting point for their research and comparisons. Might also cut down on the kit threads that seem to pop up every few days (for better or for worse).

At minimum, it would be nice to have a price (per pair if monoblocks) and a link to the kit's website. Any other info (wattage, topology, list of tubes used, how much assembly is required, listening impressions, pictures, etc.) would be great as well.

Cheers!
 
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http://www.pmillett.com/

not as much a "kit" as many of the others though. Most of these are a circuit board and a bill of materials, you figure out your own chassis and wiring. Its not as easy as something with step by step directions.
 
gadget73 said:
http://www.pmillett.com/

not as much a "kit" as many of the others though. Most of these are a circuit board and a bill of materials, you figure out your own chassis and wiring. Its not as easy as something with step by step directions.
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I so want to build his Engineers Amplifier because of how well the SE amp using Compactrons turned out.
 
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Lavane said:
I so want to build his Engineers Amplifier because of how well the SE amp using Compactrons turned out.
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He’s got a 50w monoblock version of the engineers amp that is solidly on my “future build” list.
I’ve been eyeballing it for a while.
 
MKG said:
He’s got a 50w monoblock version of the engineers amp that is solidly on my “future build” list.
I’ve been eyeballing it for a while.
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Ya, I saw that. The board for the two channel amp is kind of on the big side.
 
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AlexHempel said:
Transcendent Sound is another one, their kits run from about $800-$1700 (excluding tubes). Some really interesting designs including output transformerless, and I personally love the exposed toroidals. Considering one of these.

https://www.transcendentsound.com/products-.html
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I built the Grounded Grid preamp kit and the power filter. I would have messed up with the preamp kit if I hadn't triple checked checked all resistor values, polarity, soldering, and connections. But since I caught all my screwups before first power up, the preamp has been great from day 1.
I also own Transcendent T8-LN OTL power amp (now discontinued). Sounds mesmerizing within it's 25 wpc power range. I bought the power amp factory assembled...
 
I like this idea, get an idea of what's available and compile a list with the features and shortcomings of each design. Maybe those who have built them can post measured performance specs. I think the kit market needs to be shaken down metaphorically. There are a lot of competitors, but little in the way of quantitative data on performance.

The claim for many kit manufacturers is that their kit sounds as good as a (blank) costing (insert large sum of money here)
While this is quantitative, it's more subjective opinion than anything.

Hopefully the complete list will not violate our community standards by including the price of each kit.
 
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