Tube Amp Kit

i have built about 10 dyi tube amps. you are best using a single speaker like a lowther for best sound

I'll just warn y'all that 1) Lowthers are a bit of an acquired taste and 2) for best fullrange results, rather exotic enclosure topologies are required for Lowther drivers :-)

That said, I am a big fan of single-driver/fullrange systems (as I am sure I've mentioned before, even here!).

www.fullrangedriver.com is the place to go if you're "fullrange-curious".

Single drivers (and, in some cases, coax drivers like the venerable Altec 604 "duplexes") radiate everything from (to a good approximation) a single point in space. Good ones in stereo pairs can provide excellent to stunning imaging IMO (and IME). They also (more often than not) avoid the pitfalls (e.g., phase anomalies) of crossovers. They also, of course, avoid the power-wastage of crossovers, so, yes, most folks would probably see FR drivers as one solution to the "low power amp/high efficiency speaker" problem. Not all FR drivers are actually all that efficient (the Jordan drivers come to mind).

There's no rule that says you cannot use a FR driver with a powerful amp (although the power handling capability of many FR drivers, especially vintage ones, can be rather limited)

Of course, getting full-range performance from a single driver is always a compromise... but there are a slew of full-range drivers (new and vintage) that can provide wonderfully enjoyable musical performance even to today's jaded ears.

YMMV, of course :-)

I have used several of these for op amp based projects like active xovers http://www.hammondmfg.com/1455V2.htm and one from Sescom. http://www.sescom.com/

This guy has a couple of interesting looking options for low powered SE amps. Not a full kit; he has a thing going similar to Hagerman where he sells you the PCB and provides some in depth support and instruction.

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Interesting site and products, there. His simple SE board might not be a bad starter amp for someone to taste SE tubes.

However...



I really cannot recommend soldering topless!

Wonder exactly which market he's trying to reach?

Um, yeah, I did see that page. At first I just chalked it up to him being in a warm climate, typically doesn't wear a shirt amd shoes, living the Jimmy Buffett life. Then I read this: "Make sure that the irons cord does not hang too far over the edge of the bench. If it gets caught on the arm of your chair, the iron could be pulled out of its holder when you move your chair. Trust me, it is really NO FUN to drop a hot soldering iron in your lap."

Far be it from me to judge someone's lifestyle choices. That being said, the Tube SimpleSE does look intriguing, many different options for construction, even has a volume control. Hmmm, maybe one of these and a pair of Fostex FE206E based speakers.......