Center channel amp

Yup ... just like it says.

Looking into options for a center channel amp for my Oppo SACD. My Sansui QRX-9001 quad handles the front and rear channels nicely via four channel direct, and I've been using one side of a Carver Cube to drive the center using an attenuator on the patch cord to tone down the volume. The Carver has developed "issues" and needs to be replaced, and it's always been certainly overkill for the application. The front channels are actually routed from the Sui's pre outs to the ST120.

I like the idea of a mono tube amp ... maybe a kit? Don't need a lot of power, and it doesn't really need volume either, as I can adjust the output from the Oppo ...

sKiZo wrote:Yup ... just like it says.

Looking into options for a center channel amp for my Oppo SACD. My Sansui QRX-9001 quad handles the front and rear channels nicely via four channel direct, and I've been using one side of a Carver Cube to drive the center using an attenuator on the patch cord to tone down the volume. The Carver has developed "issues" and needs to be replaced, and it's always been certainly overkill for the application. The front channels are actually routed from the Sui's pre outs to the ST120.

I like the idea of a mono tube amp ... maybe a kit? Don't need a lot of power, and it doesn't really need volume either, as I can adjust the output from the Oppo ...

Skiz, check this out: https://www.tubedepot.com/products/model-16lm-mono-integrated-tube-amplifier

How about the "Dynaco Cube"!

deepee99 wrote:
Skiz, check this out: https://www.tubedepot.com/products/model-16lm-mono-integrated-tube-amplifier

Yup ... that one caught my eye and is bookmarked. Heard good things about it as well. A few dealers carry them under different names. I believe they're supplied by AEC. They build some pretty decent stuff, and the price is hard to beat. 16 watts would be more than enough for a center channel with minimal bottom end required.

Oh. Tubes included!



Not familiar with the 6005 power tubes used, but I already have a decent collection of 5670 type drivers that I roll in my tube DAC. I've got another box just like this ...



I expect some would find their way into this amp as well ... ;-}

I can even see it taking a few cues from my ST120 with a little help from Front Panel Express. Mod the layout so only the glass sticks through the top and mount the iron sidesaddle behind the board and under the plate. I could probably keep it fairly compact that way. Hmmmm ...

Surprised how few options there are out there for monoblock kits. I've seen a couple boards that just mirror the channels ... get one of those and chop it in half for the basic circuit ...

And ya, I've seen a few of the Mark II's floating about that could definitely do the job, but I'm looking for something smaller.

sKiZo wrote:

deepee99 wrote:
Skiz, check this out: https://www.tubedepot.com/products/model-16lm-mono-integrated-tube-amplifier

Yup ... that one caught my eye and is bookmarked. Heard good things about it as well. A few dealers carry them under different names. I believe they're supplied by AEC. They build some pretty decent stuff, and the price is hard to beat.



I can even see it taking a few cues from my ST120 with a little help from Front Panel Express. Mod the layout so only the glass sticks through the top and mount the iron sidesaddle behind the board and under the plate. I could probably keep it fairly compact that way. Hmmmm ...

Surprised how few options there are out there for monoblock kits. I've seen a couple boards that just mirror the channels ... get one of those and chop it in half for the basic circuit ...

And ya, I've seen a few of the Mark II's floating about that could definitely do the job, but I'm looking for something smaller.

You could always hot-wire a thrashed-out ST-35 for mono, but that sounds like more juice than you need. Holger's building some low-watt single-ended monos, I believe, but they're not kits.

Checked out the site, and there is an 8w set, but it's stereo. Only monoblock I see is the big un at 125 watts. I'm afraid my lil speaker would pOOp it's pants with that kind of power.



Then again, it IS used to dealing with 200 watts from the Carver Cube, albeit toned down considerably. I just used the Cube as it was handy and at only six inches a side, doesn't take up valuable real estate in the rack.

sKiZo wrote:Checked out the site, and there is an 8w set, but it's stereo. Only monoblock I see is the big un at 125 watts. I'm afraid my lil speaker would pOOp it's pants with that kind of power.



Then again, it IS used to dealing with 200 watts from the Carver Cube, albeit toned down considerably. I just used the Cube as it was handy and at only six inches a side, doesn't take up valuable real estate in the rack.

hey sKiZo...pm me...for some reason I cannot pm you

I apparently went through a bout of ASOB (Antisocial ... you can figure out the rest) Syndrome and had PM turned off.

I'm over it now ... more or less ... grumble grumble mutter ... ooPs ... time for another pill!

~ ~ ~

This looks interesting ...



12AX7 high drive to a pair of EL34's, 10w output, convertible to 6L6G/GB/GC/5932/KT66/KT88/EL37 tubes by changing the cathode resistors. 230v board, but seems like that could be modded easily enough. $30 + transformers, choke, and tubes. Certainly meets the definition of compact.

http://www.hifiwow.com/tube-amplifiers/12ax7-ecc83-el34-6ca7-class-a-single-ended-10w-tube-valve-amplifier-amp-diy-kit-213.html

sKiZo wrote:I apparently went through a bout of ASOB (Antisocial ... you can figure out the rest) Syndrome and had PM turned off.

I'm over it now ... more or less ... grumble grumble mutter ... ooPs ... time for another pill!

Pills = bad. Single-malt = good. Yes, Holger has a nice 60-watt mono with your name on it.

60 watts seems a bit excessive? Then again, I wouldn't HAVE to turn it up all the way.

Not really. I'm pretty sure I could resist ...

Probably ... more times than not anyway ...

Although the Bose VS100 speaker IS rated up to 100 watts ...

These are tube watts. They're different than sand watts. Tube watts are kinder and gentler on speakers -- until they're not.

Did I mention that center speaker is six feet in front of my face?

Then again, the big box McIntosh XR16's aren't much further away, and I crank that ST120 pretty good more times than not ... Get ready to RUMBLE !!

Izzat turntable rumble?

Don't make me come over there ...

Here's an old timer that looks interesting ... an Eico HF12A ...



Size is perfect for my needs, has decent I/O, and it looks showroom fresh.



Uses 6BQ5's in a push pull Williamson configuration, triple 12AX7 drivers, EZ81 rectifier. Real iron too. Nominal rating 12 watts, 18 watt constant with 25 watt peaks in a pure Class A design. Always did like the sound of the 6BQ5, and I also have a bunch of those in storage. Having the tubes mounted diagonally is a nice touch, keeping the height down. Ventilation shouldn't be an issue as it's open on all sides but the front.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EICO-HF-12A-MONO-INTERGRATED-TUBE-AMPLIFIER-/271938463181?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f50cba5cd

i've had my share of rico hf12 amps over the years and they usually have eico/mullard 12ax7 tubes in them which give them a nice warm sound . i just sold the last one about 6 months ago . nice amp give it a try.

Yup ... Pop the top and find a full set of Eico branded tubes, all Made in Great Britain. ... like Christmas! The tubes are probably worth more than the asking price.

My brother had an HF81 way back in the day, and I remember it sounding real decent. I forget what he was using for speakers ... AR comes to mind. Anyway, the HF81 is basically two HF12's in the same box. Main difference is they shared the power transformer, which made a lot of folk decide to go with twin HF12's instead - totally discrete, and better separation was the goal.

Wonder if there's anyone out there with a stack of 7 for a surround system, and some great honking 2K plate amp to do the honors for a sub?

** Really gettin' a Jones on for that Eico ...I should probably grab it before someone else does...

EDIT >> Oh no's!! Looks like somebody bought it. I hope I'm he's happy with it ...

I use a Mc 40 on my main system but then I'm pushing an Altec 604c for center speaker. The nice thing about the Mc 40 is that it has an adjustable output. Very helpful for dialing in the center speaker.
Looking at your component rack though, I can't see a whole lotta room for a Mc 40.

Aw ... that rack's only twice as crowded as it looks ...

What's the "40" on the Mac for ... 40 years old?

Sweet little amps - be real nice if I could find one for their original list of $150 ...

I still think it'd be fun to pick up on one of those kits from Tube Depot:



Build it into the same style chassis as my ST120 ... only smaller ...