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First off, I've been very happy with my Jolida JD-102B integrated amplifier. My very first integrated, back in 1964, was an EL-84 based mono unit I built as a kit and I fell in love with the EL-84/6BQ5 sound right out of the gate. I've since used EL-34, KT-77, KT-88, KT-90 and 6550 based amps, but always came back to the EL-84.
OK, preamble over. what I'm looking for is an EL-84 based integrated amp with the following feature my Jolida lacks -- Built in bias meter(s) or LEDs.
Truth is, with only one functioning hand, trying to handle VOM probes while turning trim pots is extremely difficult if not downright impossible. Up to now, I've had willing nephews do it for me, but it's something I'd really like to be able to do myself.
A couple of integrateds I've used had this feature, most notably a Rogue Cronus and a jolida JD-1000 RC, but they were not EL-84 amps.
I'd also like to keep the price down to sub Manley Stingray levels.
So there it be. Any and all suggestions welcomed and appreciated.
Opus 33 1/3
Follow Ups:
The biasing difficulty is my sole complaint with the amp. It has nice iron and is competent in most respects. Possibly I can get the recessed contact points replaced with 5 banana jacks. Then I could plug in the test leads and would have my working hand free to adjust the trim pots. Problemo solved. Anyone know of someone who can do this?
Opus 33 1/3
Perhaps one of the Glow Audio amps... They make two EL84 amps, single ended and push-pull. The single ended model is self-biasing, I did not see any mention of biasing for the push-pull model, perhaps it is self-biasing as well. Not many bells and whistles and only two inputs, but the price is far below the Manley Stingray level...
good luck,
--Matt
"When you think everything is someone else's fault, you will suffer a lot."
--Dalai Lama
would not have upped the price much to have a couple more. Two is just unsatisfactory, at least for me.
Opus 33 1/3
These will free up your hand to use wherever you like. It's what I use pretty much exclusively on the bench.
If you really want a new amp, Eli's suggestion is a good one, I'm sure.
If the bias measurement problem is your only complaint, there are other solutions. Although I am not familiar with your amp, I would imagine it could be converted to cathode bias. This would be much simpler and cheaper than buying a new amp. Another option would be to mod the bias setup in such a way that would allow you to use clip leads to connect the meter. This would eliminate the need to use both hands when adjusting the bias.
. . . Charlie
Self (cathode) bias is quite feasible, when "12" W. tubes, like the EL84 and 6V6, are employed. A self biased design never needs adjustment. ;> )
If you can DIY, an "El Cheapo" built using Dunaclone Z565 O/P trafos and triode/UL mode switches will surely do the job. If you can't build for yourself, see about commissioning a build from Mike Samra or Don Sachs, along with other capable "inmates" from the tube DIY "board".
Need a phono section? The tweaked RCA setup WILL fill the requirement.
Eli D.
can you sub the 6bq5 for the 12aq5 without much trouble(same transformer)?
I've go iron from an old Eico EL84 integrated amp laying around here somewhere.
Yes, you can switch to the EL84/6BQ5. However, the R/C bias network needs to change. Contact Jim McShane for the proper values.
If your speakers are sensitive enough to make triode mode operation 100% of time practical, I strongly advise the use of 6V6 family O/P tubes. Not that the EL84 makes a bad triode, but the 6V6 family make superb triodes.
Eli D.
But I have quite a stash of EL-84's and never go around to collecting 6V6's back in the long-ago days when I could get most all the domestic tubes I wanted for cheap($5-$10 each).
Likely try to duplicate the Eico EL-84 PP circuit as I already have the iron. One of the sweetest sounding DIY PP amps I've heard was built using Eico iron and Loctal tubes!
Sadly never managed to get the schematic but it was build using all Eico iron and I seem to recall the guy saying it was very much a copy of the Eico PP circuit.
Have a lot of loctal tubes but no 7C5's or 7Z4's or I'd give it a try.
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