Now what amp should I build?

[SanderW]

Hi all,

I have never seriously considered building a tube amp, they're obsolete, aren't they?

And then a fellow HAM let me listen to his triode SE amp. This was awesome, nice rich mellow sound...

I had 2 x 807's to biuld an amp on so my first thought was push pull. But then for stereo I would need another 2. So I obtained another 2 807's. Sockets and caps on order.

But now I am having second thoughts. The PP amp that I listened to (not 807) was mush more punchy and less mellow than what I have in mind. Also I do not need much power, really just living room listening.

So any suggestions on what would make a good first project? Doesn't have to be 807's but I like the physical look of them. I am not scared of part count as such, but do not have a big junk box of things tube related, so most of the stuff will have to be bought / obtained. I have some tools, but no experience with tubes so a simple circuit will be good.

I realize this is not going to save me any money, but the idea is not to save money by building it myself. At best maybe control the tempo at which I spend money!

Thanks!
Sander

[M Fowler]

Well you could build the Weber Lauren amp $365 for the kit minus a cab.

Mark

[rp]

If you are asking about hifi amps you might be better asking at DIYA and other hifi forums. In case you also want to know about guitar amps, you absolutely can't go wrong building the classics: Fender 5F1, 5E3, 5F6A, in order of your experience. All will reward you with fantastic sound and playability. You will be thrilled with your accomplishments and won't be able to stop building amps afterwards. All are perfect platforms for learning and modding, and the info, support, and parts for these on the web is vast.

I don't think tube guitar amps will ever be obsolete, they are true instruments and not just amplifying devices. So like acoustic guitars, violins, goatskin drums, woodwinds and brass... and all those things that have a special tone and feel, they'll be with us through the ages.

In hifi, I'm not so sure, I preferred tubes till the 90s but the ss stuff in the last 10 years is finally meeting the promise, and to me the faster tighter bass of ss is essential. People thought tube hif was obsolete in 1965 and dumped their tube stuff, but it took 40 years for ss to just catch up to tubes and tubes are still holding their own - for now. I think ipods and home theater, home automation, and yuppie minimalist decor bode ill for the tube hifi industry.

[SanderW]

Thanks guys,

I was indeed thinking about a HiFi amp. I will browse over to DIYA (DIYAudio.com?) and see what they say.

Nothing against guitar amps, just can't play guitar to save my life!

Thanks!
Sander