Posted by Pauly (A) on May 30, 2005 at 10:40:39

My kit 2 came alive Friday May 27 at about 11:30 PM As stunning little amp that sounds as good as she looks.

I bought the kit2 as I needed to drive 88db Meadowlarks and the 300B kit offerings available were just not going to cut it. I favor the 'SET' sound as the normal push-pull unltralinear/tetrode amps have a transitory flavor that just doesn't float my boat. Brian convinced me to go for the 6550 SE (not SET mind) amp. The kit 2 runs single ended but in tetrode (or pentode?) mode.

When I fired her up I was amazed at the sound. The Kit2 is not a compromise, but seems to combine the best of a SET amp and a ultralinear/tetrode push pull. Strings, brass and vocals are amazingly detailed, lifelike and vibrant, yet the amp is extremely extended on both end and has a prostigeous bass. I was absolutely amazed when I heard the the bass -it really slams! My current reference is a (highly modified) 6C33 based SET from ASL and the kit2 was giving it a good run for it money, with std tubes and with no uprated parts.

I have run her 48 on a Hagerman frycleaner and popped in GE longplate 12AX7 and a Pope 6SN7GT and the sound is amazing. My ASL is on ice - permanently!

Anybody interested in an Audionte 300B but concerned about (lack of) power, should give the Kit2 some thought.

Thanks Brian
Paul