Affordable Valve Company
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.
Amplifiers sold out for Chrismas
2006. More stock in early Jauary 2007.
Please allow 3 weeks 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. |
|
|
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.) |
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
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. |
|
Question from eBay member in June 2006 = Hi. I am seriously
looking to purchase
some hi quality HiFi. Your amps and speakers have really caught
my attention.
Is there any way to have a demonstration of your equipment -
do have a facility or dealership in the UK where I can hear for
myself
the sound quality of your amps/speakers? Regards |
| Answer = Thank you for your interest in our product.. |
| Sorry, no demo, but our 1 month home trial is 10 times better because
....... |
|
|
You do not need salesmen pressuring you with
'Can you hear the sound stage, timing, speed, etc.'
'It is so much better' 'Can you hear the difference'.
'There is a special 10 percent discount, if you buy today.' |
|
|
| Dealer want at least 35% trade discount. |
Some dealers wanted 50 percent trade discount,
(which will DOUBLE THE PRICES , ignoring any adjustment for VAT)
and hinted that items with generous 50 percent trade discount
get more and better dealer recommendations
(because they make more profit). ---- |
DEALER PRICES HAVE TO BE HUNDREDS OF POUNDS MORE EXPENSIVE ,
because dealers have to pay for expensive rent and rates, electricity,
shop assistant salary |
|
|
Our small 'out of town' industrial unit has much cheaper rent &
rates,
but it is so small, there is no room for demos
+ it is insured for a workshop / warehouse and NOT as a shop
(so the insurance is cheaper.) |
|
|
NO DEALERS because .....................
I am fed up with dealers who do NOT pay.
Dealers who sell the FREE demonstration amplifier WITHOUT TELLING ME
or PAYING ME.
(I only found out when the customer telephoned me to ask for advice
)
(which SHOULD be the dealer job, if he is getting 35 percent trade
discount.).
Dealers who scream and shout at me for HOURS , for NO REASON !
I would put up with being screamed and shouted at, if the dealer sold
a lot of amplifier.
The dealer was selling about 3 or 4 amplifier a year (mainly from MY
'sales lead').
Dealers who want me to get all the 'sales leads' from them and direct
customers to their shop,
whilst they drink cups of tea and ?earn? the 35 percent trade discount |
|
|
BEWARE OF DEALERS 10 FEET
DEMONSTRATION ROOMS,
if you have 20 FEET rooms.
|
Unsuspecting Hi Fi enthusiast, read the 'spiced up' review of 6 inch
speakers
and go to a Hi Fi shop,
which will NOT demonstrate 6 inch speakers speaker in the HUGE 30 FEET
shop. |
| The sales man will say, the speakers are not connected up. |
The salesman will connect up the 6 inch speaker in the special demonstration
room,
which is a SMALL 10 FEET by 10 FEET room
(which will BOOST THE BASS BY ABOUT 10 DECIBELS OR MORE AT 50 HERTZ). |
The sales man will also say
'I will close the door, so that the noise from the shop will not disturb
you.'
So the SMALL 10 FEET demonstration room becomes 'pressure chamber'
which helps to BOOST THE BASS !
('closed cup' headphones,
that covers your ear COMPLETELY, TIGHTLY and forms a small pressure
chamber,)
( usually have better bass
than the other sort that have foam pads, and sits loosely, gently on
your ears.) |
To make matters worse, the sofa is pulled 3 feet from the rear wall.
Shelves are put behind the sofa, so that it does not look too odd.
The speakers are pulled 2 feet away from the rear wall.
So you end up SITTING 5 FEET FROM THE SPEAKERS,
and the 6 inch speakers are loud enough IF YOU ARE SITTING 5 FEET FROM
THEM ! |
The unsuspecting Hi Fi enthusiast buys the small 6 inch speakers,
and puts it in his BIG 20 FEET room.
The 10 decibels (or more) at about 50 Hertz bass boost
from the SMALL 10 FEET PRESSURE CHAMBER is no longer there,
so the bass disappears. |
The unsuspecting Hi Fi enthusiast is sitting 15 feet from the speakers,
so the 6 inch speakers are NOT loud enough.
(15 feet listening is 3 times longer than 5 feet. You need 3 x 3 =
9 TIMES MORE POWER, )
(IGNORING REFLECTING FROM WALLS AND FLOOR.
)
(The typical 6 inch speakers can only move forward and backward by
about 3 millimetres (Xmax) ,
so it CANNOT produce 9 time more power !)
(Please ignore the absurd claims by loudspeaker manufacturer that
their 6 inch speakers can handle 100 watts. Please email them with
2 questions.)
(How much distortion for 20 watts of bass at 40 Hertz.
THE DISTORTION IS SO BAD THAT YOU WILL NOT GET A REPLY.)
(What is the Xmax of the 6 inch speakers, and you will probably get
a reply of + - 3 millimetres)
(Please ignore the specification of a loudspeaker manufacturer
who like to confuse the issue by quoting 6 millimetres, instead of
+ - 3 millimetres.)
(Please ignore the absurd claims that
the cone can move half an inch IF YOU PROD THE CONE WITH YOUR FINGER
! ) |
|
1dec2006
Question from American eBay member on 1 December 2006 =
HELLO AFFORDABLEVALVECOMPANY, I JUST CAME ACROSS YOUR SITE,
IM IMPRESSED AM A CONSUMER NOT A SELLER.
TUBE AMPLIFIERS ARE NEW TO ME SO BY SAYING THAT.
I WANT YOUR OPINION ON THE MR' LIUNG KT88 TUBE .
LIKE I SAID IM ONLY A PERSON WANTING A TRUE ANSWER. BEST REGARDS |
| Answer = Thank you for your interest in our tube / valve amplifiers. |
|
Probably the best thing for you
to do is ask the seller,
how many watts of bass at 20 Hertz
for 2 percent distortion ? |
Unless the tube / valve amplifier are 'Push Pull' with HUGE output
transformer,
the bass slam is not good.
(assuming that you are using BIG SERIOUS SPEAKER with 10 inch or 12
inch woofers/ bass speakers)
For example, please look at Stereophile review of a 35 watt 'automatic
bias' amplifier
that produce about 3 watt (yes, 3 watts, not a typing error) for 20
Hertz bass at 2 percent distortion.
Please see figure 7 at
http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/205prima/index3.html
(5 volts times 5 volts divided by 8 ohms = 3.125 watts) |
(Please note that we use 'fixed / adjustable bias' used in ALL of our
amplifier)
(because it is much better than 'automatic cathode bias') |
|
|
| Please let me try to explain that |
The difference in sound between
a WELL DESIGNED (that need not
be expensive) USD 500 TRANSISTOR 'Class B' amplifier
and a WELL DESIGNED USD 50000 'Class
B' transistor amplifier is SMALL. |
Any LARGE difference in sound of 'class B' TRANSISTOR amplifier is
usually due to poor design of the amplifier
(usually the expensive amplifier, which is 'tuned by ear', with total
disregard to any scientific measurements ! )
(The cheaper TRANSISTOR amplifier is usually mass produced by huge
company,)
(with technicians and 'proper' measuring equipment, so there are less
chances of SEVERELY BAD measurements.)
(SLIGHTLY bad measurements might be o.k. but SEVERELY BAD measurement
should be audible to my 'Golden Ears')
Just connect a few capacitor and inductors to simulate a loudspeaker
and crossover network,
and look at the 10 kilohertz square wave measurement ! |
|
|
However,
there is a HUGE HUGE HUGE difference
in the sound between tube/valve amplifiers.
The first question that you need to ask is ....
Is the valve amplifier safe ? Does it have any European or America
or Canadian safety marking ?
Does the amplifier have a CE safety cage. The big HOT valve is hotter
than the INSIDE of an oven. |
The second question that you need to ask is ....
Does the tube / valve amplifier hum ? Makes a humming noise that you
can hear from 6 feet away !.
Many 'Single Ended' makes a humming sound from the speakers.
assuming you have serious speaker that are bigger than 6 inch speaker
in s small cabinet)
Some main power transformer also produce a MECHANICAL hum / buss from
the main transformer itself.
You CANNOT hear any hum from our valve amplifier, from the speakers
or main transformer from 2 feet away.. |
The third question is ..........
Does the amplifier have any bass ?
'Push Pull' amplifier with large output transformer like ours have
SUPERB BASS,
and will beat most transistor amplifier for bass.
(Assuming that the valve are not 4 years old and worn out ! )
Whereas 'Single Ended' amplifier WITHOUT FEEDBACK do not have enough
bass, even though you use large transformers.
( I managed to get superb bass from
our 300B Parallel Single ended amplifier (prototype, NOT the same as
the 300B amplifier that we sell)
( with HUGE transformer that was about an absurd 8 inches long !)
( But the huge about 8 inch output transformer did not have enough
'inter leaved windings', so there was no treble ! ) |
If your answer ti the 3rd question is lousy bass,
then you will already know the answer to the 4th question, which is
...........
Does human voice remain crystal clear (without harshness) when there
is a LOUD bass drum ?
If a LOUD bass drum overload a small-ish output transformer,
then the OVERLOAD output transformer will produce
very blur / congested (sound as though your favorite singer has cold
and a block up nose) human voice.
(Assuming that you are using a SERIOUS '3 way' speaker,)
(so that the LOUD bass drum do not overload the SEPARATE DEDICATED
MIDRANGE speaker)
(like our eBay listing for our SERIOUS Ultra High End GBP £650
MODIFIED IN ENGLAND BY LIM AIK LEONG
speakers with 10 inch woofer + 5 inch coated paper cone midrange +
1 inch dome tweeter)
(It is a waste of time trying this test with small '2 way' 6 inch speakers.)
(LOUD bass drum will overload the 6 inch speaker, so badly, that you
cannot even understand the lyric of the song.)
THE MOST IMPORTANT SOUND ON THE CD OF YOUR FAVORITE SINGER
IS THE VOICE
OF YOUR FAVOURITE SINGER.
If you cannot understand the words spoke by your favorite singer when
there is a LOUD bass drum,
what is the point of the fancy prose of timing , musical, imaging,
soundstage, foot tapping ? |
|
|
What is also surprising that
our eBay listing for our GBP £750 MODIFIED IN ENGLAND BY LIM
AIK LEONG tube / valve amplifier
looks VERY similar to
our ebay listing of the GBP £410 original Chinese version,
but they sound VERY DIFFERENT,
even though both amplifiers are using the same output transformers
, etc ! |
If you live in England, and you are prepared to pay for the extra shipping
cost,
we can lend you both the GBP £410 and GBP £750,
and you can make up your mind
if the BRITISH MODIFICATION is worth the extra hundreds of pounds. |
|
|
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (less HUGE shipping cost to USA.
equipment must be returned during the 1 month home trial)
that our eBay listing for our GBP £750 , GBP £850 , GBP
£1150 , GBP £1400
TRIODE CONNECTED tube / valve amplifiers with LARGE output transformer
are the BEST AMPLIFIERS that you have ever heard
(regardless of price from USD 100 to USD 100000 or hype
or 'spiced up' Hi Fi reviews or absurd claims in Internet Forums)
(including famous American and British and French tube / valve amplifiers) |
|
On 01-Dec-07 at 14:22:25 GMT, seller added the following information:
WARNING =
Please do NOT pay us, until your
amplifier is ready for despatch.
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. |
On 20-Jan-08 at 00:42:31 GMT, seller added the following information:
Question from eBay member on 16 January 2008 =
Hi, I've been thinking about changing to Valve amps for a while,
but don't know much about them. I bought a valve headphone
amp this year and I'm very happy with it. Anyway, I only heard
about your amps today for the first time when I saw this ebay
listing. Can you confirm that it's an integrated amp? |
I own Ruark Equinox speakers. I am very happy with
them, but I wonder if you know how well they might pair up to this
amp? |
Lastly, I'd just like to comment on your listing format. It's been
a
very interesting read, but never in my life have a came across
such a messy and hard to read, digest and basically negotiate
page in my whole life! For example, I looked at what else you
had, and there were 2 listings for 4300 pounds. One said
speakers and the other said speakers + amp. I scanned the
listings and I couldn't actually find out what amp
you were selling. No picture either! I think you need a re-design
with links to pics, testimonials & advice. |
|
Answer = All of our MODIFIED IN ENGLAND BY LIM AIK LEONG valve
amplifiers
GREATLY improve the sound of Ruark Equinox
and any 6 inch "2 way" or "2 and half way" loudspeakers (from GBP £200
to GBP £11000) |
|
Our GBP £1400 KT88 Triode Connection - Lim AIk Leong Signature
UPGRADED IN ENGLAND BY LIM AIK LEONG
WITH 18 PIECES OF ULTRASONIC FILTER OF SILVER MICA CAPACITORS, FERRITE
BLOCK, ETC
+ modification to improve the balance between the 'Push and Pull' to
reduce distortion WITHOUT INCREASING FEEDBACK
will make your 6 inch speaker
sound MUCH MUCH BETTER
but the 6 inch speaker of the Ruark Equinox has some weakness
(please see review in Stereophile magazines + the bottom of this
answer for more details).
|
 |
Please see our eBay listings for
Affordable Valve Company
GBP £750 or GBP £850 or
GBP £1500 or GBP £2500 speakers
MODIFIED IN ENGLAND
BY LIM AIK LEONG
(beware of inferior fakes) |
Instead of spending GBP £1400 on one of our best valve amplifer,
you will be better buying our cheaper range of valve / tube amplifiers,
and using the rest of your budget to buy
our eBay listings of our 'Ultra High End' GBP £850 speaker 'Upgradeable
+ slightly less treble' (beware of fakes)
or our eBay listings of our 'Ultra High End' GBP £1500 speaker
'Chinatown + tuned for extra bass' (beware of fakes)
or our eBay listings of our 'Ultra High End' GBP £2500 speaker
'Lim AIk Leong Signature' (beware of fakes)
(that will EASILY EASILY EASILY
beat (or match) GBP £6000 to GBP £10000000 speakers,)
(except bigger woofer in bigger cabinets should produce better
bass).
This sound unbelievable until I explain that our 'Ultra High End' speakers
has
EXPENSIVE real cheery wood veneer
+ EXPENSIVE PIANO FINISH
+ 2 pieces of 'High End' 8 inch woofers with HUGE EXPENSIVE MAGNETS
+ 5 inch 'High End' coated paper midrange with HUGE EXPENSIVE MAGNET
+ 1 inch 'High End' tweeter with 'hollowed out' magnet pole piece with
HUGE EXPENSIVE MAGNETS
+ sophisticated 'high end' crossover with HUGE EXPENSIVE inductor
+ HUGE EXPENSIVE plastic film capacitors (except for 1 big electrolytic
capacitor) |
|
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (less shipping charges. Equipment returned
during one-month home trial)
that our cheaper range like our eBay listings for our
GBP £450 audio institute VR-110 + GBP £50 UPGRADE IN ENGLAND
with 2 pieces of silver mica capacitors ultrasonic filters
or our eBay listing for our
GBP 750 EL34 Triode Connection - Chinatown (beware of fakes) UPGRADED
IN ENGLAND BY LIM AIK LEONG
WITH 8 PIECES OF ULTRASONIC FILTER OF SILVER MICA CAPACITORS, FERRITE
BLOCK, ETC
or our eBay listing for our
GBP 888 KT88 Triode Connection - Chinatown (beware of fakes) UPGRADED
IN ENGLAND BY LIM AIK LEONG
WITH 16 PIECES OF ULTRASONIC FILTER OF SILVER MICA CAPACITORS, FERRITE
BLOCK, ETC
will be in MORE THAN ADEQUATE for any six inch two-way or 2 1/2 way
speakers
and
will make your 6 inch speaker sound |
50 percent to 100 times better
(depending on how fussy you are) than
any 'Class B' transistor amplifiers,
MOSFET, class D, digital amplifiers from GBP £100 to GBP £60000 |
30 percent to 50 times better (depending
on how fussy you are) than
any 'Class A' transistor amplifiers,
MOSFET from GBP £100 to GBP £60000 |
30 percent to 10 times better (depending
on how fussy you are) than
GBP £700 to GBP £3000
valve amplifiers sold in high street shops
(please compare BIG EXPENSIVE output transformers
)
(the black lump of metals at the left and right
rear of amplifiers )
(with the SMALL output transformers of most of
our competitors)
|
30 percent to 10 times better (depending
on how fussy you are) than
similar looking valve amplifiers
sold in high street shops for GBP £750 or 1000 Euro |
|
|
Since we sell valve amplifiers on 1 month home trial,
we ask customers to have reasonable expectation of small 6 in loudspeakers,
and remember that |
1. It is impossible for 1 or 2 pieces of SMALL 6 in loudspeakers
to imitate / reproduce HUGE 22 inches kick
bass drum or HUGE 32 inches kettle drum
EVEN IF YOU USE 500 WATT TRANSISTOR AMPLIFIERS.
|
Please go to a pub / bar or nightclub
that has real live bands, and you will find that
SMALL 6 inch speakers do NOT sound
anything like REAL HUGE 22 inch kick bass drums ! |
Please ignore nonsensical
'spiced up' hi-fi reviews that makes unbelievable claims that
SMALL 6 inch loudspeakers
sound anything like REAL HUGE 22 inch kick bass drums ! |
|
2. Once the HUGE 22 inch kick bass drum overloads the SMALL
6 inch loudspeaker,
human voice will sound very blur, congested,
(as though the singer has a bad cold and blocked up nose) |
Turn up the volume even louder, and
the human voice gets so bad,
that you cannot even understand the
lyrics of the song. |
The most important sound on
the recording of your favorite singer
is the voice of your favourite
singer.
|
If you cannot understand the
words that
your favorite singer is singing,
you might as well switch off the
HIgh FIdelity (or LOW FIdelity) set
and watch television !
|
|
| 3. It is impossible for 1 or 2 pieces of small six inch loudspeaker,
to fill huge 20 foot room with loud party music,
EVEN IF YOU USE 500 WATT TRANSISTOR AMPLIFIERS.
|
Please ignore nonsensical 'spiced up'
hi-fi reviews that makes unbelievable claims that
SMALL 6 inch speakers can fill huge
20 foot room with loud party music. |
If SMALL 6 inch loudspeakers can fill
HUGE 20 foot room with LOUD PARTY MUSIC,
why do many 'High End' famous loudspeaker
manufacturers produce
GBP £6000 to GBP £20000
HUGE HUGE HUGE superior '3 way' speakers
with BIG 10 inch woofers or BIG 12 inch
woofer or 2 pieces of BIG - ISH 8 inch woofers / bass speakers ? |
|
|
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (less shipping charges. equipment returned
during one-month home trial) that
our eBay listing for
our GBP £450 to GBP £1400 valve/tube amplifiers MODIFIED
IN ENGLAND BY LIM AIK LEONG (beware of fakes)
driving
our eBay listing for 'Ultra high-end' GBP £750 or GBP £1500
or GBP £2500 '3 way' speakers with
expensive real cherrywood
veneer
+ expensive piano finish
+ 2 pieces of expensive Ultra high-end BIG
- ISH 8 inch woofers/bass speakers with HUGE EXPENSIVE magnets
+ 5 inch ' high-end' or four inch '
Ultra high-end' coated paper mid range with HUGE EXPENSIVE magnet
+ 1 inch ' Ultra high-end' tweeter
will produce |
1. 3 times to 100 times better
(depending on how fussy you are)
much more
realistic bass drums and bass instruments
then 1
piece of small 6 inch speakers |
2 times to 20 times better (depending on how fussy you are)
much more realistic bass drums and bass instruments
then 2 pieces of small 6 inch speakers |
2. 3 times to 100 times better
(depending on how fussy you are)
much more
realistic, clearer human voices WITHOUT HARSHNESS,
when there
are loud bass drums and bass instruments |
3. 5 times to 100 times better
(depending on how fussy you are)
LOUD LOUD
LOUD PARTY MUSIC in HUGE 20 foot rooms |
We will not offer you our MONEY
BACK GUARANTEE, if we are talking nonsense,
because we would end up with a
lot of second hand equipment, that will lose us a lot of money. |
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Since we sell valve amplifiers on one-month home trial,
we ask customers to have reasonable expectation of small 6 inch speakers
in Ruark Equinox,
which has some weakness. |
Please read
http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/297ruark/ |
(The Hi Fi reviewer fairly wrote)
Though the Equinox offered these particularly dynamic events with satisfying
impact and weight,
in the same movement orchestral chords of similar loudness suffered
from a tonal shift that
I attributed to a subtle but significant lack of power in the not -
so - extreme bass.
It's as if the rug had been pulled out from under the music. |
The low brass should shudder, warning of the great, brooding evil to
come.
With the Equinox, I could hear all the notes, but the villains no longer
menaced. |
(The Hi Fi reviewer fairly wrote)
Although physically small, the Equinox is a big speaker in almost every
other way.....
I have some reservation about their compatibility with my taste in
large - scale music. |
|
Please read
http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/297ruark/index2.html |
(Affordable Valve Company helpful advice on frequency response
is ...)
( If you have a speaker has 3 decibel NARROW peak or dip in the frequency
response, )
( the speaker might get away with it, )
( and you might not notice 3 decibel NARROW peaks or dips. )
|
The frequency response in figure 2 shows
5 decibel BROAD PEAK from about 400 hertz to about 1500 hertz (which
is a sizeable 2 octave),
which will be VERY NOTICEABLE. |
(The Hi Fi reviewer fairly wrote)
This type of curve always results in some added nasality to a speaker's
balance;
though I note that KR was bothered by a "caw" coloration |
The frequency response in figure 3 shows
3 decibel BROAD PEAK from about 50 hertz to 200 hertz (which is a sizeable
2 octave) (which will be quite NOTICEABLE),
falling down to about 400 hertz.
A bigger, more expensive magnet for the six inch speakers
and / or large cabinet should cure this problem,
and improve the damping factor Q, with 'tighter bass' / better bass
control |
If possible, I will be extremely grateful if you could change your
expensive Ruark Equinox
for our eBay listings of our GBP £750 or GBP £1500 or GBP
£2500 speakers, which does not have this problems |
Please ignore the nonsensical advice in many hifi magazines and many
Internet forums
about cables, bi wiring, bi amping, spikes, heavy stands, blue tac,
black tac,
holy water sprinkled on the Hi Fi set on a full moon night by a naked
virgin (male unfortunately), etc.
|
Lim Aik Leong simple advice
is
WELL DESIGNED (that need not
be insanely expensive)
HUGE '3 way' speakers
and
WELL DESIGNED (that need not
be insanely expensive)
valve / tube amplifiers with
HUGE OUTPUT TRANSFORMERS
makes the BIGGEST DIFFERENCE
TO THE SOUND !
|
|
| CHEAP GIMMICKS like |
| bi wiring (wow ! the speaker manufacturer gives you 2 loudspeaker
terminal , worth about GBP £1
+ an extra 12 inch inches of wire , worth about £0.50
or 50 pence )
|
GBP £500 speaker cables that cost the manufacturer GBP £20
Please could somebody explain English Proverb of
'Money for old rope / wire' to this China man.
|
GBP £100 to GBP £500 speaker stands that cost the manufacturer
GBP £10 to GBP £50
Please could somebody explain 'Absurd profit margin' to this China
man.
Please look at the low low low prices of 'High End' cables on eBay,
and laugh at the absurd prices charged in High Street shops !
|
'Active crossover' with a 'heart' of cheap GBP £0.30 (30 pence)
'Op Amp' IC (integrated circuits) made in China , Korea, etc
driving
cheap 'Class B' or Digital amplifiers with a 'heart' of cheap GBP £2
power transistors made in China , Korea, Taiwan, etc |
are CHEAP GIMMICKS
and is 100 times LESS important
than
our eBay listing of our GBP
£850 or GBP £1500 or GBP £2500
BIG EXPENSIVE SPEAKERS IN
BIG CABINETS
and our eBay listing of our GBP
£450 to GBP £1400 valve amplifiers
with BIG EXPENSIVE OUTPUT
TRANSFORMERS
|
|
On 07-Mar-08 at 12:31:00 GMT, seller added the following information:
You are taking a big risk buying
220 volts amplifiers for use in 240
volts Britain (about 235 volts to 245 volts in my part of Kent) or 230
volts Europe.
IT IS SAFER FOR YOU TO BUY FROM EBAY SELLER WITH MANY GOOD FEEDBACK.
If you want to save money
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (less shipping charges. equipment returned during
1 month home trial) that our ebay listing for our GBP £450 EL34
amplifier + GBP £50 modification with 2 Silver Mica capacitors of
the
CORRECT VALUE in the CORRECT PLACE , will sound 50 percent to 10 times
better (depending on how fussy you are, and how good or bad are your
speakers) than MingDa MC368B-90
If you want what is probably the best sounding 'domestic' or 'studio'
amplifier in the world ...
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (less shipping charges. equipment returned during
1 month home trial) that our ebay listing for our GBP £1400
'Ultra High
End' KT88 Triode Connection - Lim Aik Leong Signature MODIFIED IN
ENGLAND FOR BETTER SOUND QUALITY AND BETTER RELIABILITY with 18
ultrasonic filters, will sound 2 times to 100 times
better (depending on how fussy you are, and how good or bad your
speaker are) than MingDa MC368B-90
Please can I explain that you CANNOT ASSUME that a valve / tube
amplifier is sound good,
just because it uses KT88 valve / tubes or 300B valves / tubes
and the salesman CLAIM that the amplifier weighs 25 kilogram (which I
do not believe, because the transformers seems to be SHORTER than the
KT88 valves in the picture)
If you look at the photo in our eBay listing of our GBP £1400
'Ultra High End' KT88 Triode Connection - Lim Aik Leong Signature,
you will find that our HUGE HUGE HUGE POTTED output transformer (the
black metal block at the rear of the amplifier)
are TALLER than the big KT88 valves)
Based on the photograph, out HUGE HUGE HUGE potted transformers seems
to be much bigger than the output transformer on the MingDa MC368B-90
Based on my experience, I expect MingDa MC368B-90
to weigh closer to 15 kilograms
than the CLAIMED 25 kilograms (that I do NOT believe)
That is one advantage of buying from eBay seller with many good
feedback.
You will notice that the seller is offering about 70 percent
discount for the MingDa MC368B-90
If business is slow in January or summer holidays,
some shops might offer 10 percent or even 20 percent discount to try
and
attract some customers.
But is a shop is offering about 70 percent discount,
you
have to ask 'What is the shop offering so much discount
? Is there something wrong is the amplifier? How
reliable is the amplifier ? How safe is the amplifier ? How does the
amplifier sound like ? Can the seller offer 1 month Home trail, and
refund your money if the amplifier breaks down in the 10 days, or you
can see sparks (in a darken room) (it is difficult to get a SMALL
switch rated at about 500 volts DC for the valves. Most SMALL switch
are rated at 250 volts AC ) when you switch from Ultra liner to
Triode Connection or if the amplifier does NOT weigh 25 kilogram or you
do not like the sound'
We measure the voltage on a regular basis (We have a simple meter that
does this safely and easily) and the voltage in my part of Kent is
about 235 volts to 240 volts.
It is perfectly safe to use our 240 volts amplifier in 230 volt Europe
or even in countries with 220 volts.
I doubt if anybody can hear any difference in the quality of sound,
when using a 240 volts amplifier in countries with 230 volts or 220
volts.
However, it is a bad idea to use 220 volts + - 10 percent amplifier
with 240 volts + - 10 percent Britain or 230 volts + - 10 percent
Europe.
Very often, amplifier designer will try to set the voltage inside the
amplifier as high as practical and reliable (allowing for + - 10
percent fluctuation in mains voltage)
Using a higher mains voltage (than the correct voltage) can reduce the
live span of components, and could reduce reliability, etc
The
Meixing MingDa MC368B-90 being sold is 220 volts !
You really have to ask yourself, what is going on.
Why is this shop trying to sell 220 volts amplifier in 230 volts Europe
or 240 volt Britain ?
Many 'reliability' expert will agree that that is a bad idea.
Many safety expert will agree that that is a bad idea.
YOU WILL BE BETTER OFF, BUYING FROM AN EBAY SELLER WITH MANY GOOD
FEEDBACK !
Does the MeiXing Mingda MC368B-90 have any CE safety markings ?
I doubt if any 'authorized' CE safety marking 'testing' company would
give 'CE marking'
to 220 volt amplifier being sold in 230 volts Europe or 240 volts
Britain !
our eBay listing of GBP £1400 MODIFIED IN ENGLAND BY LIM AIK
LEONG KT88 valve amplifier is a 'tried and tested' design,
and is an extremely reliable valve amplifier with 2 years guarantee
First of all, some of our competitors have trouble making a reliable
KT88 amplifier.
For example, a British Hi Fi magazine used to sell DIY( KT88 valve
I THINK (but I have no proof) that the boring technical reason for this
is
The KT in KT88 and KT66 valve / tubes stands for 'Kink less Tetrode'.
There is a 'kink' in the 'Valve Characteristic curve' of Tetrode valve.
The design of the KT88 valve is SUPPOSED to have solved this 'kink' in
the 'Valve Characteristic Curve'
Sorry, very busy, will write more, ..... more to write
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