REVIEWS FAMOUS "KT88 Triode Connection" VALVE amplifier on eBay, also Integrated Amplifiers, Amplifiers, Home Audio Hi Fi, Consumer Electronics (end time 14-Sep-08 09:35:56 BST)

Affordable Valve Company Sorry for the basic layout of this sales page. We will improve the layout over the next few months. --------- The low price is NOT for EU coutries. ---- There is NO VAT in the price. ---- The low price is for export to Australia , Singapore , America -------- Unfortunately, we are VAT registered IN Great Britain, so we have to charge VAT to buyer from EU conutries. My apologise to buyers from EU countries, but it is NOT my fault. -------

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)

Amplifiers are in stock.

Please allow 3 weeks (in the run up to Christmas)
for MODIFICATION + "burn in" + valve matching.

Valve Amplifier

Reviews of KT88 Valve Amplifier by customers

Arranged in alphabetical order of amplifiers.
Audio Research , Chord , Michell Engineering , Musical Fidelity , Naim , etc.

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.

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

We accept Credit Cards

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)

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.

£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.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. )

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 HUGE difference in sound between Phono Stages using

1. "typical" "Class B" "Op Amp" integrated circuit

2. hybrid solid state and valves / tube using low voltage (e.g. 16 volts mains adapter)

3. valves / tube phono stages using a few hundred volts

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 !

If you want to hear the HUGE HUGE HUGE difference for yourself.
we can list on eBay (with a money back guarantee , less £30 return carriage, within 30 days)
and you can borrow (after paying 100% deposit) 2 phono stages out of

£45 (or the lowest price you can find) ProJect phono stage ( solid state ) (suitable for "moving magnet" and "moving coil")

£125 (or the lowest price you can find) ProJect special edition ( solid state )(suitable for "moving magnet" and "moving coil")

£300 (or the lowest price you can find) ProJect tube box ( hybrid solid state and valves / tube )
(suitable for "moving magnet" and "moving coil")

£700 (or the lowest price you can find) EAR 834P for moving coils ( valves / tube phono stages using a few hundred volts )
(suitable for "moving magnet" and "moving coil")
There is a cheaper version that is designed for "moving magnet" only,
but will work well with "moving coil" and our valve / tube amplifier,
just s long as you turn down the volume,
when you change the selector switch to CD or tuner.

Which one YOU prefer depends entirely on YOUR ears and YOUR personal preference.

We are authorized dealers for EAR and ProJect, and we can offer you the full UK guarantee.

Different cartridges

Based on my personal experience, there is a HUGE difference between
Shure moving magnet , Ortofon moving magnet , the audio Technica..... moving coil cartridges.

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 !

Which one YOU prefer depends entirely on YOUR ears and YOUR personal preference.