complete tube amp kits less than $300

[jjw]

ok, i've done a lot of searching and seem to have found tube amp schematics all over the place, but don't want to deal with the hassle of gathering all of the components for my first diy project in tubes (mainly don't want to spend all the money and screw up). This will be a learning experience for me and would like something decent with all the parts. Is there such a thing available now or in the future, any recommends?

 

[FallenAngel]

Uhm... before jumping into this, just wanted to double check that you worked with lethal voltages before and have a good understanding of building electronics and safety right?

 

[dBel84]

$300 is a tight budget for an all tube amp, not impossible but as most kits are commercial ventures, you have to pay for the convenience. The only hybrid kit I know of is the SOHA, the rest are a matter of buying the pcb from one source and then ordering all the parts on the recommended BOM. And accepting the great help from the forum members who will see you the rest of the way.

There will soon be a kit available for the Bijou if you are not in a great hurry. You will see an ineterest check thread over at headwize http://headwize.com/ubb/showpage.php?fnum=5&tid=2394 this will be an entire kit with pcb when it is ready. This will possibly come in at your budget..dB

 

[bperboy]

If you look up Bottlehead, they've got the SingleEndedExperimenters amp. I've not tried it myself, and its a bit over your budget, but I have read some great reviews on the kit quality. All the casing is predrilled, and the soldering side seems fairly simple to. Might be something to look into.

 

[headphonejunkie]

I would try the SOHA. It is fairly simple to build and the voltage is not too high to seriously hurt someone. Not to say that it couldn't.I just ordered parts for the Cavalli jones optimized and I came in under $250.This is another amp but deals with 200+ volts.Here is the website for the bottlehead version of the CJ amp: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze22yzp/id25.html

 

[cotdt]

there's many SET amps you could build for under $300. it's a walk in the park, if you ask me.

 

[TzeYang]

Milett Hybrid Max.

I'd take this over SOHA.

 

[bperboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TzeYang /img/forum/go_quote.gif Milett Hybrid Max. I'd take this over SOHA.

The problem is, the OP asked for a kit, prebundled with all the parts. I would agree with the suggestion of a Millett Max, but it doesn't come as a kit.

 

[nikongod]

look up "s5" or "11ms8" on these forums.

note: it is a HV (like 220V b+) system, but with some mods it can sound very very good.

 

[Rescue Toaster]

In terms of, give credit card #, get parts, follow clear instructions, there's no way you're going to beat the Bottlehead SEX amp. It's $70 over your budget, but worth it. Plus there's a great community and Doc is awesome to deal with. Plus it's a REAL tube amp, not a hybrid, no space charge tubes... from one of the best designers around.

OP: What headphones do you have? Impedance makes a difference.

 

[meat01]

Quote:

there's many SET amps you could build for under $300. it's a walk in the park, if you ask me.

How about being helpful and posting some examples or recommendations of some complete kits for under $300

 

[bperboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rescue Toaster /img/forum/go_quote.gif OP: What headphones do you have? Impedance makes a difference.

Right, isn't the S.E.X. amp designed more for low impendence, i.e. Grado?

 

[bperboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meat01 /img/forum/go_quote.gif How about being helpful and posting some examples or recommendations of some complete kits for under $300

Thats the key right there. I don't think that there are many, if any, good KITS that can be purchased, excepting the Bottlehead kits. As I've said before, I'd do a Millett, but I rather enjoy putting the orders together for all the parts. If you want it all prepacked, Bottlehead might be the way to go. I've just remembered, you might also want to check into the Mapletree Ear+. It also comes in a kit IIRC.

 

[Rescue Toaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bperboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Right, isn't the S.E.X. amp designed more for low impendence, i.e. Grado?

Well, in the pics Eileen is wearing the HD600's, so... they must work. They also show 32 ohm phones often so there must be different taps or something.

 

[jjw]

ok, now i'm just kinda confused, not that i don't appreciate the advice. What would go well with senn hd600 and i can be a bit flexible with my budget.