Amplifier is NEW with 2 years guarantee, and look great with the
safety cage (to cover the hot valves), and will EASILY beat (or match)
any amplifier costing from GBP 100 to GBP 10000000 or MONEY REFUNDED (less
shipping charges, during 1 month hiome trial)
Unfortunately, the paintwork UNDER the safety cage has been badly scratched
by the safety cage. You are NOT allowed tio remove the safety cage, or
you will lose the 2 year guaranttee.
WARNING =
Please do NOT pay us, until your
amplifier is ready for despatch.
Superb sound + low prices + reliable
2 year guarantee
means that our valve amplifiers
were selling faster than expected.
Amplifiers that arrived in England
in August 2007
have all been sold or reserved
for our New Zealand Distributor.
More valve / tube amplifiers have
been made, but they still in China,
and will be loaded abroad a ship
very soon.
Allowing for time to unload the
shipping container + clearing customs
+ MODIFICATION IN ENGLAND,
AMPLIFIER WILL BE DELIVERED IN
EARLY JANUARY 2008.
Please do NOT pay us, until your
amplifier is ready for despatch. |
This amplifer is RELIABLE RELIABLE RELIABLE
with 2 years guarantee on EVERYTHING (including the valves)
(Most of our competitors GBP £3000 KT88 valve amplifer
and home made KT88 amplifiers only have a disappointing 90 days guarantee
on their valves.
Whose amplifer and valves are MORE RELIABLE + BETTER MADE + BETTER
DESIGNED ?
+
SOUNDS MUCH BETTER (more realistic human voice , less sibilance, better
bass, etc)
than GBP £60000 211 SIngle Ended valve amplifer + ANY single
ended KT88 or 330B valve amplifer + KT88 Ultra Linear amplifiers + DIY
(Do It Yourself) GBP £950 to GBP £1250 KT88 valve amplifier
sold by British Hi Fi magazine + GBP £10000 transistor amplifier
+ GBP £3000 Digital amplifer , Class D amplifer or MONEY REFUNDED
(less our standard shipping cost. equipment returned during 1 month home
trial)
Question from eBay member in April 2006 = hi, is the KT88 Triode
Connection -Chinatown Silver
available with silver facia and stainless steel casework? |
| Answer = Thank you for your interest in our amplifier. |
| We are the ONLY authorised seller of these amplifiers in England ,
Ireland , Scotland and Wales. |
There is a HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE difference in sound between
the unauthorised 'grey' import with SILVER or BLACK front
versus our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND Chinatown version with GOLD front.
This is coming from a guy who says "stop going on and on about cables"
because the difference between cables is so small,
that I am not sure if there really is a difference or it is my imagination
! |
So, if I say there is a HUGE difference,
you will hear the difference ! |
|
|
| For GBP £788 (which is GBP £100 more than our eBay listing
of the normal black painted steel version), |
| we sell a MODIFIED IN ENGLAND BY AFFORDABLE VALVE COMPANY Chinatown
with |
| GOLD colour front |
| + non magnetic steel chassis |
| + mains transformer that is half an inch taller than the unauthorised
'grey import' amplifiers |
+ MODIFIED IN ENGLAND with 6 pieces of SILVER MICA CAPACITORS
of the CORRECT VALUE in the CORRECT POSITION |
| + Triode connected |
| + valves / tubes 'burnt in' + MATCHED IN ENGLAND |
| + amplifier AND VALVES GUARANTEED FOR 2 YEARS. |
|
|
| The unauthorised 'grey import' has a SILVER front or BLACK front, and
NOT been modified by us. |
| If you like the sound of the SILVER or BLACK front version, |
| our price for the better Audio Institute version with |
| non magnetic stainless steel chassis |
| + mains transformer that is HALF AN INCH TALLER than the grey import
version |
| + physically bigger power supply capacitors (situated between the valves
and mains transformer) is only GBP 510. |
|
|
THE BIGGEST JOKE IS THAT
OUR GBP £510 PRICE IS MUCH MUCH MUCH CHEAPER
THAN THE 'GREY IMPORT' PRICE (when I last checked) ! |
|
|
| I believe that 'grey import' only guarantee their valves for 90 days. |
| We guarantee the valves of the GBP 510 version for 1 year. |
| We guarantee the valves of our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND versions for 2 years. |
|
Thank you for your e-mail.
Yes, the GBP £700 'EL34 Ultra Linear -- Silver' can be upgraded
to Triode Connection for a better sound.
But we have learned some new tricks in 2005, and you will be better
off buying our latest 2006 GBP £688 'KT 88 Triode connection - Chinatown
Silver' or our latest 2006 GBP £650 'EL34 Triode connection - Chinatown
Silver', which sounds better, more open spacious sound (like an open field),
much cleaner sound (without harshness) then 3 year old models of our GBP
£1000 Russian KT 88 Triode connection, which received rave reviews
in http://www.affordablevalvecompany.info/kt88cust.htm (note to eBay moderator
this website does not have our telephone number, so the customer will have
to buy from our eBay listing and eBay will get its sales commission) -------
If you are using large 10 inch of 12 inch speakers loudspeakers, the bass
slam of our BEST RELIABLE EL34 valves are about 50 percent to 100 percent
better. (It is pointless to test the bass slam of amplifiers with six inch
speakers or electrostatic speakers). -------
WARNING = NEVER USE UNAUTHORISED VALVES (WITH A LAUGHABLE 90 DAYS GUARANTEE)
IN OUR AMPLIFIERS
Replacement cost of one set of EL34 + 5670 + 6N3 valves is only £50.
Replacement cost of one set of KT 88 + 5670 + 6N3 valves is £160.
If you buy grey imports, counterfeits, amplifiers with unauthorised
modification from unauthorised repair man, used amplifiers from other dealers
(our competitors), we will NOT sell you replacement valves. Please contact
to the other dealers (our competitors) for advice, replacement valves,
repairs, etc
| Question from eBay member on ..... January 2006 = |
| Answer = . |
|
|
|
|
Sorry for the basic layout of this sales page. We will improve the layout
over the next few months.
This "KT88 Triode Connected" valve / tube amplifier (with 8 valves).
is different to
TAC 88 (with 7 valves) (we do not sell TAC 88)
Audio Institute VR-120 (with 7 valves) (please see our eBay listing
for Audio Institute VR-120)
Proper 240 volt + - 10 %
and NOT the 'grey import' 220 volt + - 10% or 230 volt +-10 percent,
which are NOT suitable for British 240 volts.
Our British 240 volt +-10% amplifiers will work well, SOUND GREAT
and SAFELY in 230 volt Europe.
Same price for American 110 to 120 +- 10 percent version.
Valve Amplifier
Reviews
of KT88 Valve Amplifier by customers
Our £1,000 or £1,450 "KT88 Triode Connection" are new
models,
so we only have a few testimonial forms.
|
There are a lot of testimonial forms for the EL34 valve amplifier,
which is an older and more established model.
|
|
What do customers
think of our KT88 valve amplifier ?
|
A number of customers were kind enough to fill in our testimonial forms.
The originals of these testimonial forms are available for inspection
at our offices. |
Our £1,000 "KT88 Triode Connection - Lim Signature" and £1,450
"KT88 Triode Connection - High End" are new models,
so we only have a few testimonial forms. |
|
|
Our amplifiers have been FINELY TUNED IN ENGLAND
with
6 silver capacitors ,
American Military GEC 5670
valves ,
VERY
WELL MATCHED QUADS of Svetlana KT88 ,
Ferrite ring filter on the
mains cable ,
Filter to reduce ultrasonic
noise from CD players,
Modifications to improve
the "push pull" balance of the driver stage,
which reduces distortion,
without resorting to excessive use of feedback. |
Then, we measure the distortion and square wave performance of EVERY
SINGLE AMPLIFIER that we sell. Our distortion measurements (and
other measurement) proved that 2 English suppliers of "matched" valves
did not match valves properly, and we had to reject 33% of their "matched"
valves !
Poor "matching" of valves is probably one of the reasons
why some expensive valve amplifiers have such abysmal distortion.
We are one of the few companies who can make valve amplifier with
reasonably low distortion, without excessive use of negative
feedback,
which spoils the sound.
This is why human voices on our amplifier sound "crystal clear",
without any transistor harshness, and greatly reduced and well controlled
sibilance on female voices (where words like "his" sound like "Hissssssk"). |
Excessive "valve type" distortion on human voices will make
it sound "warmer".
But if you listen to it carefully, excessive "valve type" distortion
on human voices
will make it sound "blurred".
If you want "blurred" sounding human voices, buy a Single Ended
valve amplifier ! |
|
|
| Then, we "burn in" EVERY SINGLE AMPLIFIER
overnight. |
All of these QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES
are very expensive,
when DONE IN ENGLAND ! |
| Is all this work worth it ? Read what our customers say about
our amplifiers, and make up your own mind. |
|
Customer's previous amplifier was
Audio Research SP9 preamplifier
Please look under "M" for Michell Alecto monoblocks
|
Turntable used was Orbe - Act 2
arm Transfigulation Spirit cartridge
Comment from Affordable Valve Company
The Orbe is like an "upgraded" Michell GyroDec.
The Mark III version of the cartridge cost £950. |
|
|
|
 |
Loudspeakers
used was Veritas 45s
|
Comment from Affordable Valve Company
These amplifiers cost about £8,000 |
|
| Customer's previous amplifier
was |
Chord 3200 preamplifier
+ 1200C power amplifier
+ Kimber powerblock + Power
Kords |
How did the sound quality of our model
"KT88 Triode Connection - High End" compare with your previous amplifier?
For detail and slam
the Chord has it all. But the KT88"
to me made voices,
especially female sound more real."
Low level notes decayed
longer. The treble is sweeter,"
and at £1,350
it's a steal. I am keeping it"
Other comments (optional)
Thank you for
stopping me trying to keep up
with the Joneses.
Its been a pleasure downgrading.
I look forward
to reviewing your speakers
very soon.
Mr J H January 2003
|
| Customer's previous amplifier was |
Michell Alecto monoblocks
including Audio Research SP9
preamplifier
costing approximately £3,750
new |
|
| |
Mr T B bought our "KT88 Triode Connection - Lim Signature" |
|
|
|
email from Mr T B -
|
AVC, my KT88 arrived today and after 4 hours of listening they had
blown away my Michell Alecto monoblocks including my Audio Research sp9
pre amp costing approx. £3750 new. This £900 amp is a
real bargain. The midrange is more clear, the top end sweeter, and
bass was more tuneful and defined and a shade deeper. I highly recommend
this amp to anybody into music and not keeping up with the jones |
|
email from us to Mr T B -
|
Thank you for your kind remarks. Please could we use your email
in our sales literature. It will help us to sell more of our amplifiers.
We will simply call you Mr T B of West Midlands, so you will not be disturbed
by anybody. |
|
email from Mr T B -
|
I have no problem with you using my views on this excellent amp, it
reminded very much of a graaf power amp I listened to, but smoother midrange
from your kt88. The Graaf amp was £3000 and then you needed
to buy a preamp. |
|
email from us to Mr T B -
|
Thank you. |
Mr T B of West Midland November
2002
|
| Turntable used was Rega Planar
25
CD player used was Audio Note CDT
transport with Musical Fidelity X-24K DAC
Loudspeakers used was JBL 4312 Mk
II Control Monitors
Comment from Affordable Valve Company
Control Monitors are the big expensive monitors used in studios.
Modern "nearfield" monitors are small cheap toys, compared to Control
Monitors. |
| Customer's previous amplifier was |
Musical Fidelity A300 Dual Mono
Integrated |
How did the sound quality of our model
"KT88 Triode Connection - High End" compare with your previous amplifier?
More fluid and
detailed. Retrieves dying echoes of notes.
Voices have
a real solidity, but are sweeter, purer with
less sibilance.
It can be surprising when someone in the
recording dropped
something in the room !! Bass is clean, detailed
and not 'boomy'
and goes as low as my speakers allow
(which with 12" drivers is pretty low !).
Other comments (optional)
Out of the box
I was impressed with build quality. Stainless
steel body is
a nice touch. I was impressed by the amp when I
first plugged
in, but something was lacking. Then it occurred
to me that using
the 8 ohm tap may not be best for my speakers
So I switched
to 4 ohms and what a surprise ! It made
a huge difference
! The sound lost some bass
weight but gained
hugely in soundstage. The sound
'hung in the
air' between, and around the speakers.
Clarity and
detail was increased greatly. I'd
recommend experimenting
with changing the
speaker connection
to anyone !
Needless to
say you can't have it back !
PS - The size
and shape of the KT88 valves adds
to the visual
appeal. They look the way you
expect valves
should look !
Mr M C of Kent July 2002
|
Turntable used was ClearAudio Champion
Level II
+ Shure V15 cartridge
Comment from Affordable Valve Company
The ordinary Champion cost about £700. This is
2 levels up and it cost US$ 2,200 (about £1,500)
You are not seeing double ! There are 2 plinths,
to add mass and might reduce resonance. |
CD player used was Naim CDX II.
Loudspeakers used was Chameleon
Queen |
 |
|
Customer's previous amplifier
was
|
 
Naim NAC 102 + NAP 180
+ Hi Cap power supply. |
How did the sound quality of our model
"KT88 Triode Connection - High End"
compare with
your previous amplifier?
Incredible.
Like no other amp I have heard.
Other comments (optional)
Heartily recommended
Mr I.B. tried out our "KT88 Triode Connection - High End" and our "EL34
Silver".
Mr I.B. kept the KT88. |
The testimonial above is our "KT88 Triode Connection - High
End" compared with the Naims.
The testimonial below is our "EL34 Silver" compared with his
Naim amplifiers. |
|
CD player used was Burmester 206
Comment from Affordable Valve Company
Mr I.B. was in the process of upgrading his equipment.
The Naim CDX II CD player was replaced by £4,000 Burmester
206 CD player.
Mr I.B. said that the Burmester sound better than the £1,650
Shanling CD player. |
Customer's previous amplifier was Naim
NAC 102 + NAP 180 + Hi Cap power supply
How did the sound quality of our model
"EL34 Silver"
compare with your previous amplifier?
Very good & Terrific value for money.
Technically, and excellent amp.
Well beats amps up to 3k+ |
Comment from Affordable Valve Company
This testimonial is about our "EL34 Silver" amplifier.
See above for Mr I.B. testimonial about
our "KT88 Triode Connection - High End" amplifier |
|
Other comments (optional)
Your KT88 is,
however, the Best !!
Mr I.B. of London March & April 2003
|
Some people taking a quick glance at Mr W.H. testimonial might get
the wrong impression.
Please read the line that says
"It has taken about 2 months to fully appreciate this amplifier.
I'm not planing a change for a very long time."
|
| CD player used was Meridian 602
+ 606
Loudspeakers used was Shahinian
Arc
Customer's previous amplifier was
Naim 72 + 180 |
|
How did the sound quality of our model "KT88
Triode Connection - Lim Signature" compare with
your previous amplifier?
The KT88 isn't
necessarily better the Naim amplifiers, just very
different.
It doesn't drive music along like the Naims, but it does
provide instruments
and vocals with more space. The way it reproduces
vocal was the
reason for keeping it - it does it beautifully, which
makes listening
to most CD a pleasure again. It has taken
about 2 months
to fully appreciate this amplifier. I'm not planing
a change for
a very long time.
Other comments (optional)
For the first
week or so, I used the 8 ohms plugs for speaker connection
and was disappointed.
The difference when switching to 4 ohm was
remarkable (
plodding bass disappeared and the soundstage widen )
I must also
mention that I have rarely dealt with a company that is
more helpful,
prompt and generous with its time
Mr W.H. May 2003
 |
| Comment from Affordable Valve Company |
| Shahinian Arc speakers are different to the "typical" speakers. |
The drive units seem to be pointing upwards.
The soundstage will be very different to the "typical" speaker.. |
It uses 38 mm titanium ?upper? midrange + 1 inch titanium tweeter
+ 8 inch polypropylene cone + a rear mounted passive radiator. |
The "air in the port" of a bass reflex speaker is replaced by a
passive radiator, which is a speaker without magnets, without
voice coil ! |
In the 70's Kef used 8 inch Bextrene cones +
passive radiator called ABR (for Auxiliary Bass Radiator)
in their Kef Cadenza and Kef 104
(which is totally different to the newer Kef 104/2) |
The bass from passive radiators are
very different to the "typical" modern speaker. |
|
|
Some people taking a quick glance at Mr W.H. testimonial might get
the wrong impression.
Please read the line that says
"It has taken about 2 months to fully appreciate this amplifier.
I'm not planing a change for a very long time."
|
|
| Turntable used was Project
CD player used was Marantz CD-63
via DAC in-the-box
Loudspeakers used was TDL RTL3
Customer's previous amplifier was
Pioneer 400X
How did the sound quality of our model
"KT88 Triode Connection - Lim Signature" compare with your previous amplifier?
Much improved.
Better bass + more depth.
Vocals are more
"intense" and live
recordings are
a joy .... like listening to a
live concert.
I am a convert to valves !!
Other comments (optional)
A very good
buy at a very good price.
Dr M E S of Oxford September 2002
|
This is the "proper" 240 volts +-10% version,
which is more reliable than 220 volts +-10% version
( because English mains voltage is 240 volts +-10% )
We can also supply
110 volts +-10%
110 volts +-10%
120 volts +-10%
220 volts +-10%
This has "proper" CE safety markings
+ CE safety cage
+ 2 years guarantee on EVERYTHING , including the valves.
Most sellers only guarantee their valves for 90 days.
Please see our eBay listing for a cheaper £1000 version (with
eBay starting bid of £940) that is ALMOST as good,
and MORE THAN ADEQUATE for £1000 to £2000 speakers.
If you have £8000 J M Lab Mezzo Utopia (old model)
buy this "High End" amplifier with HUGE "Potted" transformers.
One of our customer did !
Money back guarantee
that
you will prefer this amplifier to any other amplifier (regardless of
price or hype)
or your money back ( less £60 or £30 , within 30 days )
We have been offering our money back guarantee for more than 4 years,
and 90% of our customers keep our amplifiers.
Different valve amplifiers sound different to one another !
Different valve amplifiers sound different to one another !
Some valve amplifiers have EXCELLENT BASS,
better than MOST (but not all) transistor amplifiers.
Some valve amplifiers have LOUSY BASS.
Most valve amplifiers have a sweet treble.
Some valve amplifiers can sound bright (too much treble) !
You should NOT buy a valve amplifier,
HOPING that it has sweet treble and excellent bass.
You have to LISTEN, LISTEN , LISTEN
and think it over for a few days,
BEFORE spending your hard earned cash !
There is no substitute for
our "1 month home trial" (but you lose £30 or £60 for shipping
, admin. , etc if you return our amplifier.)
Our £1,300 "KT88 Triode Connection" (which has 8 valves)
is different to £1,100 TAC 88 (which has 7 valves)
(We do not sell TAC 88)
Our £1,300 "KT88 Triode Connection" (which has 8 valves)
is different to £1,100 TAC 88 (which has 7 valves)
(We do not sell TAC 88)
Our £1,300 "KT88 Triode Connection" (which has 8 valves)
is different to £1,100 TAC 88 (which has 7 valves)
(We do not sell TAC 88)
This amplifier is guaranteed to drive your speakers,
or we will refund your money (less £30 or £60, within 30
days)
This is a 20 watt + 20 watt valve / tube amplifier ,
WITHOUT HUGE HIDDEN CHARGES ,
like shipping from China , "hidden" Import Duty and "hidden" VAT.
We challenge you to audition our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND valve amplifier
with £800 or £900 or £2,900 or £4,000 valve
amplifiers,
and any pre/power/power supply transistor amplifiers (from £100
to £100,000).
If you prefer any other valve amplifier (from £100 to £100,000),
our courier will collect the amplifier and
we will refund your money (less £30 or £60, within 30 days),
90% of our customers keep our valve amplifiers !
We have been SUCCESSFULLY offering
our money back guarantee (less shipping and admin. cost, within 30
days)
for MORE THAN 4 YEAR !
THE MOST IMPORTANT AND EXPENSIVE PART OF A VALVE AMPLIFIER ARE THE TRANSFORMERS.
Although our price is low,
our HUGE "output transformers" looks BIGGER than
"output transformers" on valve amplifier that sells in England for
£ 3,000.
our HUGE "mains / power transformers" looks BIGGER than
the "mains / power transformers" on valve amplifier that sells in England
for £3,000.
Here is a picture to prove it ........
The most important components of a valve amplifier are the valves and
transformers.
Different brands of valves do sound SLIGHTLY different,
but,
the difference in sound (especially bass + edgy or smooth midrange
or human voices)
between a SMALL transformer and a BIG transformer is HUGE !
The difference caused by £10 volume controls , £10 wires
,
different types of £10 "plastic film" capacitors are TINY
( when compared to the EXPENSIVE £150 + £150 + £150
= £450 of the "all important" transformers )
The huge £150 + £150 = £300 "output" transformers
are .... mm x ..... mm x ..... mm (each)
The huge £150 mains (power) transformer weighs more than 8 kilogram
(on it's own) !
The joke is our £150 mains (power) transformer (on its' own)
will weigh more than the "typical" transistor amplifier sold in "high
street" shops !
Does it affect the sound ? YES !
Try it for yourself with our 1 month home trial ( less £30, within
30 days. Also the original £30 delivery cost is NOT refunded )
How good are our valve amplifiers ?
When I started our business 4 years ago,
I wanted to know if our customers like or hated our modification to
Chinese valve amplifiers.
Although I have strong views of how a "high end" system should sound
like,
I had enough commercial sense to realized that
some customers also have strong views of how "high end" systems should
sound like !
Rather than modifying valve amplifiers to suit my PERSONAL taste,
it made better commercial sense to
modify valve amplifiers to suit the customers' PERSONAL taste !
I was pleasantly surprised that
90% of my customers like my modified Chinese amplifiers.
( Money refunded to the 10% who did not like our modified amplifiers.
)
( Different people have different taste, and you cannot please everybody
! )
I really do not mind if some customers return our amplifiers.
(Please allow me 2 weeks to refund your money, less £30 or £60)
I am only rude to 1% of customers
who comes out with the most bizarre comment
that the other 99% of customers have NEVER mentioned !
1% of these customers who come out with the most bizarre comment
own VERY CHEAP SMALL speakers
or some totally obscure brands that I have never heard of.
(With 30 years of Hi Fi experience, I am familiar with all the "famous"
brands and many of the obscure brands !)
Before you think that the other 99% of my customers do not know anything
about Hi Fi,
think again !
The most expensive speakers that customers use with our amplifiers
are
£8,000 J M Lab Mezzo
Utopia (10 inch woofers + 5 inch midrange + tweeter)
£3,500 Martin logan
electrostatic with "built in" 10 inch woofer.
The most expensive amplifiers that customers have swapped for OUR MUCH
CHEAPER amplifiers are
£8,000 pre/power that
pumps out over 300 watts
"High End" transistor monoblocks
that pumps out 1,000 watts. That is right. 1,000 watts !
Another "High End" transistor
monoblocks
about £2,500 pre/power
about £3,000 pre/power
about £3,000 pre/power/power
supply
about £3,500 pre/power/power
supply
"High End" VALVE monoblocks
pumping out 120 watts
Famous VALVE monoblocks
pumping out 15 watts
As for turntables, the prices paid by some customers are so unbelievable
that it make a a famous Scottish brand look affordable !
Anyway, I digress.
I wanted to know what customers thought of our modifications to Chinese
amplifier.
Was I making the Chinese amplifiers sound better or worst ?
So I sent out a lot of testimonial forms, and I have managed to key
in some of them into our website.
There are more testimonials to key in, but modifying and packing amplifier
is keeping me too busy !
Please note that £1,100 TAC 88 (with 7 valves) has NOT been
modified by us. (We do not sell TAC 88.)
Please note that £1,100 TAC 88 (with 7 valves) (we do not sell
TAC 88) sound different
to our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND KT88 (with 8 valves) amplifiers.
If you want the
"original" NOT MODIFIED Audio Institute VR-120 (with 7 valves) Chinese
KT88 valve / tube amplifier,
please see our other eBay listing for our special eBay price of £740
(without "hidden" shipping cost from China, English Duty , English VAT
, admin. cost of custom clearance, etc.) + £30 UK shipping cost,
and we give you 2 year guarantee on the amplifier AND VALVES !
At these special prices, we cannot refund your money, but you can upgrade
(within 1 month) to our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND amplifier for the difference
in price and shipping cost.
We are probably the only valve amplifier company that give 2 year guarantee
on the amplifier AND VALVES !
You can read our customers reviews of
our £1,300 MODIFIED IN ENGLAND KT88 valve amplifiers (with 8
valves) at
http://www.affordablevalvecompany.info/kt88cust.htm
12 June 2004 - Question from eBay member about one of our amplifiers
does this amp have remote control?
Answer
Most (but not all) remote control will spoil the sound !
I better explain this "sweeping statement",
or you will think that I am trying to sell you our amplifier,
by telling lies !
------------------------------------------------
The easiest way to prove that I am telling the truth is for you to
audition 2 recently reviewed amplifiers with valves AND REMOTE CONTROLS
like
£2,900 American valve / tube amplifier (WHICH HAS REMOTE CONTROL)
that the June 2004 issue of an English Hi Fi magazine described as
"overall tonality does tilt toward the bright and shiny"
and should be connected to "loudspeakers that are naturally warm and
rich",
and then gave the amplifier a "Best Buy" award.
or
£5,350 American valve / tube and transistor amplifier (WHICH
HAS REMOTE CONTROL)
that is described in June 2004 issue of an English Hi Fi magazine as
"doesn't perhaps achieve the best characteristic of thermionic and
solid state technology
........ midband did seem a trifle congested, with slightly smeared
voices"
against
our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND valve / tube amplifier. (Please note that "Audio
Institute" brand are sold at the best possible prices and have NOT been
modified by us.)
Our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND amplifier does NOT sound "bright and shiny".
It is NOT warm (with lots of ?nice? 2nd harmonic distortion.
?nicely? distorted sound is NOT HIgh FIdelity !)
It is NOT cold (with lots of "Class B crossover distortion")
It is NEUTRAL. ( HIgh FIdelity means a NEUTRAL accurate reproduction
of the original sound.
"With nought added, and nought taken away !" )
( We are so confident that our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND amplifier sounds
so good,
that you have MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (less £30 return
carriage / fee , within £30 days.
Also the original £30 delivery cost is NOT refunded.)
This MODIFIED IN ENGLAND amplifier does NOT sound "congested, with
smeared voices".
This MODIFIED IN ENGLAND amplifier has VERY BELIEVABLE human voices
, when connected to
WELL DESIGNED (that can range from £10,000 down to a hilarious
£250) "3 way" speakers,
when using a "live" recording
and the volume control adjusted so that the voices are at a REALISTIC
LIFE SIZE volume.
You CANNOT trick your brain into believing that the singer is in the
room with you ,
if the singer is 10 times louder than a REAL Human Being !
( We are so confident that our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND amplifier sounds
so good,
that you have MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (less £30 return
carriage / fee , within £30 days.
Also the original £30 delivery cost is NOT refunded.)
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DEPENDING ON HOW YOU IMPLEMENT THE REMOTE CONTROL,
you get the problem of
1. The "typical" remote controls uses a lot of transistors.
In most (but not all) remote control, the audio
signal has to go through many transistor !
What is the point of build a valve/ tube amplifier,
and then pass the audio signal through transistors
?
2. If you are using relays,
"Is it a good (or bad) idea to pass the audio signal,
near the magnetic field of the relay ?"
3. If you are using a "motorized volume control",
"Is it a good (or bad) idea to pass the audio signal,
near the magnetic field of the electric motor ?"
( Most small motors have a PERMANENT MAGNET.
)
( This is still a STRONG POWERFUL magnet, even when
you are NOT "using" the motor )
4. "Digital noise" from the "micro controller"
(which is a microprocessor
with "built in" input/output ports ,
a bit of "built in" memory like EPROM , etc).
Due to stray inductance,
electrolytic capacitors CANNOT "absorb"
""High frequency digital noise",
so the "digital noise" gets into the
power supply of the audio section.
Even a tiny 1 inch of PCB track will act as
a radio antenna,
and "transmits" the "digital noise" as radio
waves to the audio amplifier.
You do not need big radio aerials. How
big is the aerial on your mobile phone ?
( Do you remember OLD transistor AMPLIFIER
that could receive CB radio, taxi radio, police radios !)
( It is a bad idea to have radio waves INSIDE
the metal box of the amplifier. )
5. You also get "radio" remote control,
which will also generate a lot of "high frequency
noise",
INSIDE the amplifier.
( Do you remember OLD transistor AMPLIFIERS
that could receive CB radio, taxi radio, police radios !)
( It is a bad idea to have radio waves INSIDE
the metal box of the amplifier. )
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I disagree with the article in an English Hi Fi magazine that said
that the
"valve amplifier companies tend to be ....small - scale , enthusiast
led affairs
... lacking resources and will to implement ..
complex microprocessor control system (Most people call this a "remote
control" !)"
There are probably MANY people who will agree with the the above statement,
and think that I am only "waffling" and writing weak excuses,
because the Chinese Designer (in China) and I (in England)
do not know how to put remote controls into our amplifier .
If you look on page 622 of Maplin Electronic catalogue for September
2003 to August 2004,
you will find a £60 remote control preamplifier (with relay switching
and motorized volume control)
Surely, if somebody is INTELLIGENT enough to design and build a valve
amplifier,
he (or she) can buy the £60 remote control preamplifier,
and EASILY "adapt" ?copy? the design / PCB / etc !
The Chinese designer (in China) , and I (in England)
do have the brains to put a remote control into our valve amplifiers
!
The Chinese designer (in China) , and I (in England)
do NOT want a remote control in our valve amplifiers,
because
most remote control spoil the sound !
BEFORE you say that
most TRANSISTOR amplifier have remote controls,
please audition this valve / tube amplifier against the
MOST RESPECTED , MOST EXPENSIVE , MOST HIGHLY REVIEWED
TRANSISTOR preamplifier / power amplifier / mono blocks / extra power
supply / etc
with remote controls.
( We are so confident that our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND amplifier sounds
so good,)
( that you have MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (less £30 return carriage
/ fee , within £30 days.
Also the original £30 delivery cost is NOT refunded.)
12 July 2004 - Question from owner of £1,300 "KT88 Triode Connection
- High End"
Subject : Lim; looking on Ebay as you prompted
Oh dear I should stop sending you such emails; I was being a little
provocative of course.
I DO NOT want to buy any other amp; I am entirely satisfied with my
KT88 Triode. Do you know it continues to grow on us and delight us. Listening
to our music collection is like listening anew!!!
I only went "online" to ebay at your suggestion following that philosophical
discussion we were having about UK Hi-Fi being all about power and loudness.
That was why I was surprised to see you selling 80W outputs when we both
agreed that KT88 Triode at 20W is more than sufficient.
Answer
?Nov?2003? Hi Fi Choice tested
£2,500 .......censored......
with 6 inch woofer
produces about 1% distortion for about 8 watts of bass.
?Nov?2003? Hi Fi Choice tested
£2,500 .......censored......
with 6 inch woofer
produces about 3% distortion for about 13 watts of bass.
If you own the "typical" or "high end" 6 inches speakers,
it is pointless to have more than 20 watts of bass,
because MOST 6 inch speakers CANNOT COPE with 20 watts of bass !
To the best of my knowledge, there is only one 6 inch drive unit that
will cope with 20 watts of bass.
This is an "over the top" drive unit with an Xmax that is 3 times more
than the typical Xmax of +-3 millimetres.
This extraordinary Xmax is achieved by having 2 "spider" suspension,
instead of the "typical" 1 "spider" suspension.
To the best of my knowledge, this drive unit is NOT used in any COMMERCIAL
Hi Fi speaker.
Please ignore ANOTHER speaker manufacturer who like to confuse people,
by quoting Xmax of 6 millimetres, when they actually mean +- 3 millimetres
!
You should be aware that MOST (but not all) valve / tube amplifier
that
claims to produce 20 watts or even 40 watts (in the midrange) ,
might NOT produce 20 watts at 20 Hertz at a reasonable distortion !
Just look at "serious" Hi Fi magazines that
publish distortion figures of valve / tube amplifiers at 20 Hertz !
Even the "watered down" power at 40 Hertz or 80 Hertz is usually disappointing.
You really need HUGE output transformer and "push pull" operation to
get 20 watts at 20 hertz.
From a commercial viewpoint,
I will NEVER be able to convince EVERYBODY
that
20 watts WITH GOOD BASS is enough.
Why argue with "paying customers" ?
They get "hot under the collar".
I get "hot under the collar".
Why don't I sell the 80 watts + 80 watts valve / tube amplifier ?
Customers are happy.
I make some profit.
Everybody is happy !
Question
Can you please advise me as to which of your amplifiers you'd recommend?
My current system is:
Linn Sondek LP12 (with Lingo power supply and Cirkus bearing kit)
Linn Ittok LVIII arm
Linn K5 mm cartridge (with a K9 stylus) - although I'm looking to upgrade
to a Linn Arkiv mc cartridge
Creek 4040 amplifier
Linn Sara speakers (recently purchased 2nd hand)
I'm simply looking for the best sounding amplifier to replace my Creek.
I don't think that maximum power output will be an issue with any of
your amps because the (approx 40 watt) Creeks drive the Saras loud enough.
IE sound quality is more important than sound quantity.
I realise that I'll also have to buy a phono stage, eg EAR 834P "signature"
or a Pro-Ject.
I won't be buying a CD player.
Thanks
Answer
Our best sounding amplifiers are
£1400 "Svetlana KT 88 Triode Connection - High End"
£1100 "300B Push Pull - High End"
If you like Single Ended amplifiers,
we also sell £1100 "300B Parallel Single Ended - High End"
that uses twice as many 300B and huge transformers to get twice the
power,
All of the above "High End" amplifiers has
HUGE EXPENSIVE "potted" output transformers,
HUGE EXPENSIVE mains / power transformers,
expensive stainless steel chassis,
expensive one quarter inch thick aluminium front panel,
expensive knobs machined out of solid aluminium
Please audition our £1400 and £1100 amplifiers
(with MONEY BACK GUARANTEE , less £30 or £60 within 30
days) against
£3000 valves/tube amplifiers
£10000 valves/tube amplifiers (because the components should
cost less than £1000,
if the "buyer" was good at " shopping around")
£100000 (one hundred thousand English pounds) valve/tube amplifiers
(because the components should cost less than £1000,
if the "buyer" was good at " shopping around") .
My suggestion sound outrageous, until you realize that
the most expensive components of a valve / tube amplifier are
the valves / tubes and transformers.
Our two pieces of £250 HUGE expensive potted transformers
+ £150 HUGE mains power transformer adds up to £650.
The cost of capacitors, resistors, volume controls, silver wire
are negligible compared to £650 of transformers.
Please compare the size of our HUGE "potted" output transformers
with £3,000 valves / tube amplifiers.
Some (but not all) £10,000 valves/tube amplifiers might look
impressive from the front,
but turned it around and look at the back,
and you will find that the transformers are only "medium" size.
There are a few £10,000 valve / tube amplifier with HUGE "potted"
transformers,
and they will be from our most worthy competitor, and it will be interesting
to audition our £1,400 amplifier against these most worthy competitors..
Are you starting to see why our suggestion of auditioning our £1,400
or £1,100 amplifiers
against £100000 (one hundred thousand) amplifiers
is not as silly as it sounds !
Please add up the price of the components (without the pretty box)
of £100000 (one hundred thousand pounds) amplifiers,
and ask "Why does it sell for £100000 ?"
Linn Sara
The drive units in the Linn Sara are famous 8 inch Kef B200
(maybe slightly modified, PROBABLY WITHOUT any increase in power
handling).
With the exception of our 300B Parallel Single Ended WITHOUT feedback,
all of of our other amplifier (including the 300B Parallel Single Ended
WITH feedback),
will easily drive the Linn Sara with 8 inch Kef B200 with an Xmax of
+-3 millimetres.
300B Parallel Single Ended WITH feedback,
Modern day "High End" (that need NOT be expensive) drive units could
have Xmax of +-5 ,
and can go louder ,
IF the drive units are using 8 inch cones,
instead of the MUCH SMALLER 6 inch cones,
which is almost HALF THE MOVING AREA !
Phono Stages
There is a HUGE HUGE
Track up to 10 items on this computer in 
)
