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Tubes4Hifi kits?

Discussion in 'DIY' started by sphinxvc, Dec 25, 2016.

  1. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Has anyone heard any of the designs or kits from Tubes4Hifi? (http://www.tubes4hifi.com/)

    They've got some Dynaco designed amplifiers, phono pre kits, preamp kits using 6SN7s and at not too bad prices.

    Entertaining the prospect of getting one of the phono pre kits if the Space Deck works okay and I'm not able to sell it for anything decent on the used market given its CarFax/history.
     
    sphinxvc, Dec 25, 2016
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  2. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Nice find! I don't have experience with those kits but I do know that Dynaco does have a good reputation.

    Here's another option if you are looking for a phono tube kit.

    https://tavishdesign.com/
     
    Cspirou, Dec 25, 2016
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  3. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Cool. Yeah, actually, two Mondays ago I had a lot of luck looking up tube kits:

    http://www.atma-sphere.com/ - there's a circlotron/OTL monoblock kit on this site known as the m60
    http://www.decware.com/newsite/SE84CDIY.htm - I don't know if this one is still active, looks old. Decware SET kit.
    http://www.transcendentsound.com/Products.html - a bunch of kit OTLs and a headamp/pre
    http://www.oddwattaudio.com/ow77-88.html - OTL monoblock kit
    https://tubedepot.com/products/velleman-k4040-stereo-vacuum-tube-amplifier-kit - a big Velleman PP kit, not cheap
     
    sphinxvc, Dec 25, 2016
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  4. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Some comparisons made by the guy who runs Tubes4Hifi on another forum, FWIW. Apparently his own kits don't offer much in the way of instructions.

    "nice responses,
    Hi there PolarFlu, yes, if you only have one source and you have a volume control, you're probably not going to need a preamp, which acts as a control station to select various sources, control volume and balance, and add some gain where needed.
    As for alternatives, I'm always trying to keep track of what is out there.
    The AudioNote stuff is very good, premium parts, and premium prices. Plus you get a GREAT instruction manual that anyone could understand, it's about 80 pages. For that, a preamp kit runs $1500, compared to around $610 for my SP8 kit. The Bottlehead stuff I'm sure some may disagree, but I don't consider it as good quality or sonically equivilent, the standard Foreplay 3 line amp only is $489 and the Seduction phono amp kit is $369 so you've got a total of $858 there. It would compare more to my basic Zmod upgrade for the PAS3 which would total $249 with tubes but without a chassis. The Transcedence Grounded Grid line amp kit is $499, and their Phono pre is $699, for a total of $1198, both good quality and good sonics, easy to upgrade (not that they offer upgrades.)
    If anyone else knows of some good quality tube preamp kits for under $1000 that I haven't mentioned, let me know"​
     
    sphinxvc, Dec 25, 2016
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  5. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Pete Millett also sells a bunch of PCBs for his builds. I'm interested in his universal Push-Pull driver for some kt88 monoblocs. Not really a kit since you have to source all the parts yourself.

    http://stores.ebay.com/pmillett
     
    Cspirou, Dec 26, 2016
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  6. WolfEarAudio

    WolfEarAudio MOT - Wolf Ear Audio

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    Their preamps are based off of a lot John Broskies designs over at TubeCad, such as the Aikido.
     
    WolfEarAudio, Jan 13, 2017
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  7. sodacose

    sodacose MOT: WTFAmps

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    Broskie also sells lots of kits:

    http://glass-ware.stores.yahoo.net/

    I've purchased a couple of the power supplies over the years. Good quality instructions and great quality boards. Haven't bought an Aikido style board/kit from him but I've used it in amps/preamps a couple of times.
     
    sodacose, Feb 3, 2017
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  8. Babgrip

    Babgrip New

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    First let me say that I have no affiliation with Tubes4hifi . But I do highly recommend them if you are interested DIY.

    I have built several Tubes4hifi kits as well as Decware & Bottlehead. I feel that they are best kits made for the money. Sonically I would put them up against most anything . Build quality is quite good they are not big on aesthetics but good looks do not equal good sound.Custmer service is outstanding, Roy is quick to answer emails and has even made custom faceplates for me.
    I originally bought the VTA70 board which really allows the Dynaco ST-70 to shine , I then upgraded my Dynaco Pas 2 , it to sounded great but it was not really a Pas 2 preamp anymore. I am now using a modded SP- 13 preamp & PH-16 phono preamp , I don't see a need to look any further they both sound fantastic.

    My current setup is the following
    Wolf Audio Systems Alpha 2 digital media server
    Tubes4hifi SP-13 preamp
    McIntosh MC-60 monoblocks
    Tubes4hifi PH-16 phono preamp
    Merill Heirloom turntable / Mission 774 tonearm
    Stacked Quad ESL 57 loudspeakers
     
    Babgrip, May 11, 2017
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  9. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    I have the PH-16X. Sounds good without any glaring shortcomings. I'm hoping that some time this summer @Dr. Higgs and I can compare to his Manley pre.
     
    sphinxvc, May 11, 2017
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