Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Rik Stoet Stoetkit V Amplifier (Tube) by Adrian Reynolds

Rik Stoet Audio of Holland have produced a fine EL84 based push-pull amp that puts out a respectable ultralinear 15w. It is presented as a kit - everything is there to produce a working unit - and takes no more than a day to build. The construction technique is point-to-point with a heavy gauge 'ground-rail' which lends itself to easy modification.
The kit is supplied with Sovtek tubes, although I changed the ECC82's for a pair of old Mullards I had stashed away.
The circuit is a simple one with few components and an ECC82 doing double duty as phase splitter and line amplifier. This 'Dutch thrift' :o) results in a clear and detailed sound (which even my wife commented upon) without excessive bass. The initial audition covered Eminem and Blur on the rock side and Beethoven's 7th on the classical side. In all cases, the Stoetkit V performed consistently and well. I even tried some Harpsichord Sonatas by Antonio Soler and was pleasantly surprised at how this unit gave breadth and depth to what is considered a difficult instrument to listen to.
I am still busy congratulating myself on a wise purchase and talking to the boys at Rik Stoet (who's service is excellent) about modifications.

REVIEW: Rik Stoet Stoetkit V Amplifier (Tube) Review by Adrian Reynolds at Audio Asylum