Recent content by Qualityten

I have the little brother of this amp, the SA400, which uses ECL82s.  I am surprised at how good my little amp sounds after minimal restoration (replacement of key capacitors). The 7868 power valves in yours are quite rare and expensive, so if your amp has been unused for many years, it would...

Wow, very nice. Does it have the original 7868 valves?

On a tight budget (aren't we all?) I would look at secondhand options.  For a new amp, consider one of the MarsAmps. A kit will get you even more music for your bucks, but he offers fully assembled options too in your price range.  Remember, the key components in valve amps are their power and...

I have been thinking about optimal NFB in my build of Karel's earlier 5-10 design, using ECF82s combining first stage amplification and phase splitting duties.  There his schematic calls for a 100K NFB resistor, with no capacitor bypass.  As 100K is much more than I am used to seeing in this...

He missed out the Sony Trinitron. ;)

I recommend that you have a look at the kits produced in SA by Mars Amps.  These come with local support and a guarantee for 3 years.  http://www.marsamps.co.za/.  I have no personal affiliation with the business, but have visited them in Paarl.

I wouldn't look twice at those Chinese-made amps while amps like the Mars Companion are available locally, with proper local manufacturing and support.  http://www.marsamps.co.za/product/mars-companion/

Great to have access to this material.  Thanks.

Cool thread.  I've just been enjoying playing with the SE Mullard 3-3 design.  What would the Z be for the output transformer of the Pye Mozart?

SE EL84 will deliver 3-4W per channel.

Don't despair AC.  With easy exchange of hi res photos/videos via email it will be possible to get your amp going. Why don't you post a few pics here of where you have got so far?  If not very far, someone here will surely help you actually build it.  I would enjoy helping too, but I'm in...

Hi Heinrich No need to be too nervous about these.  The turntables are both nice units, as is the Beomaster 1400, with the recommended matching Beovox 2400 speakers.  I would set aside the tape machine for now, as this may need more careful waking up. I suggest that you google each of these...

Thanks for this really interesting discussion. 

I would never wait 30 mins for the valves to warm up.  The heaters are called heaters for a reason.  Just try touching a power valve tube after 5 mins.  I personally have never noticed a big difference in sound after a valve amp has been running for 30+ mins. The other factor is the cost of...

This is a case where you could also ask for parts and support on the UK vintage radio repair and restoration forum.