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EL34 vs. KT66 with Altec/Peerless 16458 output transformer

Hello all,

I have a pair of heavily modified Heathkit W5-M amplifiers. The Mods consist of a heavily reworked power supply that now provides about 425 VDC B+and 10x the capacitance of the original design (it also uses no electrolytic capacitors, now all metalized poly), a fixed bias supply that is adjustable for each output tube, and additional 6H choke to supply the front end B+. The 12AU7's are mounted on Vector tube socket that allow for a very compact build, allowing room for all of the Solen PS caps.

At the sugestion of a close friend, I recently tried EL34s in this amp after using KT66's, EL37's and 6L6GC tubes exclusivly for the last 15 years in these amps.

In a word...*WOW*.

I think there is some incredible synergy with the W5-M output transformers and the EL34 type tube. I have always struggled with tube selection with these amps. It seems like I could never "have it all". With GEC KT66 I had wonderful mids and treble but weak bass, EL37's provided great bass and treble but "sucked out" mids. 6L6GC's seemed kinda hard and so on.

The EL34's seem to provide the sonic balance that I have been looking for.

Has anyone else modified the Heath W5-M or used the Altec/Peerless 16458 output transformers in an EL34 amp?

I am digging mine right now for sure!

This is a picture taken before the tube swap:




Any and all comments, questions and suggestions are welcome!


--
Al G
Born To Tinker!

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Topic - EL34 vs. KT66 with Altec/Peerless 16458 output transformer - anumber1 16:27:23 06/22/07 (11)
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