Tubelab Simple SE with KT88's

nikolas812
nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
edited January 2012 in For Sale (FS) Classifieds
This is a DIY amp I built a few months back. I was getting into low powered amps and high efficiency speakers when a pair of SDA's sort of fell into my lap. So now my audio journey is going in a totally different direction and I need money to fund it. This amp is amazing and one of the best I have ever heard. I am very proud of it. But it is still a DIY amp and is not perfect. Well. Its pretty damn close. The only thing that is not perfect is the switches on the front face plate. They are not in a perfect straight line. Its hard to notice. But I know they're there. Also one switch does not work. This was a switch to switch between SS and tube rectification. I was told the SS diodes can give you problems down the road. So instead of waiting for it to happen. I just went ahead and clipped them. The amp sounded like crap with SS rectification anyway. The power button also operates in reverse. Down is on. And up is off. I can fix this if the new owner wants. It never bothered me. So i never fixed it.

There is a switch for Triode/Ultra Linear. The amp is about 5 watts in triode mode. And doubles its power in UL mode.

There is also a switch for Cathode feedback.

There is one input.

The amp has 8ohm taps only. But I have ran 6ohm speakers with it with no problems.

You can also run EL34's with this amp.

There are two threads about the build of this amp. There should be a ton of information in both.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=138527
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78676&highlight=diy+amp+kits


I have $900.00 in receipts. I bought everything new. If you would like a complete list of the parts used let me know. And I'll try to put a list together for you. You should be able to find most of it in the threads though.

I have a pair of Winged -C- KT88's that will go with it. A pair Gold Lion KT88's reissue. A couple different rectifier tubes. A Bugle boy 12at7 input tube. And a couple others I can't think of.


I'd like $500.00 for the amp. And I encourage anybody local interested to come take a look and a listen.


This is local sale only for the moment. The amp is VERY heavy. Probably close to 50 pounds and I would hate to have to ship. But it could be an option if the buyer paid for ALL shipping expenses.

I'll guarantee this amp for six months. If anything at all ever happens to it that was not the users fault. I will fix it for free.

I'm sure there is a tone I left out. If you have a question please ask.


There are lots of pictures of the build in the threads...





Nick


[URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0562.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0562.jpg[/URL]
[URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/IMG_0566.jpg[/IMG]"]IMG_0566.jpg[/URL]
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2009
    I wish I had somewhere that I could use it. Good luck with your sale.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited May 2009
    Thanks


    But I have a bad feeling nobody will be interested because it did not come from a manufacture. I knew this going into the build. But I just never dreamed I would end up with a big pair of SDA's.

    If I end up having to keep it, thats cool. Its just going to take a lot longer for me to start assembling a rig for the SDA's.....



    It really wouldn't be that bad. Because I would end up with a killer bedrrom setup...



    Time will tell...





    Nick
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,289
    edited May 2009
    Slap an Emotiva sticker on it and call it a day :eek:. It'll sell for buuukoo :rolleyes:. Though it won't do that amp justice, it's one of the best DIY amps I think I've seen. Paired with a set of Noel's or Focal's for instance? Mmmmmmmm.

    Great sound to be had without a doubt. That's a beautiful amp.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited May 2009
    Gorgeous looking amp!
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
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    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited May 2009
    I immediately reached into my pants after seeing those pictures....very nice work.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited May 2009
    Right on!



    I made love to my SDA's last night for the third time. I can't get enough.:D





    On a side note. Unless some one shows some serious interest in the next day or two. I think I am just going to keep the amp.


    I'm not sure I can let it go... Nor do I want to risk damaging it shipping it..


    We shall see.






    Nick
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  • Joe Humbert
    Joe Humbert Posts: 189
    edited May 2009
    That's a gorgeous amp! I wish I needed one at the moment (or had some extra money). Good luck with your sale.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited May 2009
    Someone NEEDS to buy this! Good luck Nick and I've loved watching the evolution of this amp.
    Jake
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  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited May 2009
    What type of transformers did you you choose?

    DC
    For Sale 2019:
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    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited May 2009
    The out put transformers were made by Gery at Transcendar.

    Transcendar SE 5K, 8 ohm, 10 watt with ultra linear taps


    The Power Tranny is from Allied. The model number is 6K7VG









    Nick
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2010
    Bump.

    OBO...



    Now running a pair of Tungsol Reissue KT88's a JJ 5AR4 Rectifier tube and a 12at7 Amperex orange globe driver tube.

    This will be all thats included with the amp.




    Nik
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2010
    $300.00?









    Nik
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  • Joe Humbert
    Joe Humbert Posts: 189
    edited January 2010
    PM sent...
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2010
    PM returned.


    Nik
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2010
    ttt.


    Kick **** tube amp for $300 here!








    Nik
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  • dcmeigs
    dcmeigs Posts: 708
    edited January 2010
    You gotta be kidding me. You'd really sell that for $300?

    People! You can't buy the iron for that!

    If I had more efficient speakers...

    Hummmm...
    The world is full of answers, some are right and some are wrong. - Neil Young
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2010
    Yep.

    I want to explore different things.


    I can't believe there isn't any interest at this price. I'm guessing because it DIY??


    MAKE ME aN OFFER.


    Or Trade for NAD 2200 Power amp.


    Nik
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2010
    nikolas812 wrote: »
    I can't believe there isn't any interest at this price. I'm guessing because it DIY??
    MAKE ME aN OFFER.

    It is an amazing deal and I don't think it is because of the DIY aspect Nik as anyone who has followed your build knows the quality of the amp is equal to or better than anything on the market. Most people I'm sure, as with me, is that cash is just a little tight right now.

    That amp doesn't have a headphone jack does it?
    Jake
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2010
    That amp doesn't have a headphone jack does it?



    No.



    You could probably add one though.




    Nik
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  • usp1
    usp1 Posts: 207
    edited January 2010
    This is such a tempting deal ...if only my speakers were more efficient.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited January 2010
    Try Audiogon Nik. You should get a decent price there.

    That's just a beautiful piece and the price is more than fair.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2010
    Ha, I just sent a PM saying the same thing.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,144
    edited January 2010
    Nik, forgive me if I missed it but is this amp "Common Ground" to run with SDA's?
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  • mopar paul
    mopar paul Posts: 277
    edited January 2010
    Nik,
    That is a beautiful amp, I would not give it away-I think you'll regret it down the road.
    I don't know that it is not selling because you built it, it wouldn't bother me to buy it-just not a lot of disposable cash laying around for most people right now. Actually it would look great just sitting on a rack! Good luck man!
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2010
    Conradicles wrote: »
    Nik, forgive me if I missed it but is this amp "Common Ground" to run with SDA's?



    You have to strap the negatives.


    I ran my 1.2TL's with it for a while.... It couldn't control the bass very well or get much volume out of them.

    But were talking about a 1.2TL here. I think it would do a lot better with a SDA with less drivers and a better sensitivity.. I'm actually getting ready to use it with a pair of SDA-2's in a week a so. That is if I haven't found a SS amp yet. I think the sensitivity on the first gen SDA-2's is pretty decent. I'll be interested to see how it does...




    Nik
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,608
    edited January 2010
    Wish I had the cash for it! Gorgeous amp!
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • michaeljhsda2
    michaeljhsda2 Posts: 2,186
    edited January 2010
    I'm interested. PM sent.
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's
    Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
    Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
    SDA 2B TL's
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  • csavco
    csavco Posts: 1
    edited February 2010
    I'm interested as well if the amp is still available. Too new to send a PM, unfortunately. Nikolas, if you could PM me if it's still for sale, thanks!
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  • starkiller
    starkiller Posts: 2,723
    edited February 2010
    Hmm, $300?? any chance of shipping?
    Computer room Hegeman 1 SpeakersM&K VX-80 subKenwood DP-7010Cambridge Audio CXC Transport Rega DACPrimaLuna Prologue Four AmpAric Audio Tube PreampGarage Jennings Research SquareCustom tube preampCrown XLS-1000Denon DCD-1500II Modded MSB Link DAC
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2010
    starkiller wrote: »
    Hmm, $300?? any chance of shipping?
    \


    Yes.

    But it would be pricey for you my friend. Being on the other side and all. Probably around $75.00 to $100.00



    Nik
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