Post by Chris on Feb 7, 2016 7:11:32 GMT
Well it came to upgrade time and I quite fancied a valve amp and new speakers - off to EBay it was and I turned up the AVC EL34 for £165+£25p+p. Very reasonable.
Now,I'd read all the AVC/Lim horror stories and,tbh,as it was a s/h purchase I wasn't bothered. However,his strange attitude may very well be a major point as to whether or not you ever try one of these amps. You have been warned!
On paper it looks good - 40wpc and thd<1%,freq from 20khz-60khz and a signal to noise ratio >90db. I've also been reliably informed this is a sensitive amp as well 40wpc out at 350mV in so this should help a bit with any quiet sources you may have.
In person it's neat enough. Straight black box with a thick silver panel on the front which is easily removed if you so wish. Transformers are on display and the valve line up of 4xEL34s and 4 5670s is neat and tidy. There's also good weight to the amp.
Inputs and speaker binding posts (4/8ohm) are of reasonable quality and do their job no problem. Controls feel crisp as well. So far so good.
Now....this is where it gets good. The stock AVC is very highly rated : there's good clout,control and speed there with a bit of a lack of oomph as the main complaint. There's also the safety issues of s/h Chinese valve amps so,very kindly,the forums own Eduardo Wobblechops had a wee look inside this amp and also made a few recommendations. Please follow this thread for details and pics. theaudiostandard.net/thread/659/internal-upgrades-looking-good
Hooked up to a pair of Audio Note Ks with high quality speaker cable : www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/301659644883 and running idevices through a Bluetooth connection then this amp REALLY delivers!
The control is there : First Aid Kits quickly delivered vocals on Silver Lining are neat and sharp and the rest of the song is carried along well. Nirvanas Come as You are is played effortlessly,with space,depth and clarity. There's a sense this amp will respond well to whatever is thrown at it.
Switch to the live recording(Paris,1958) of Casta Diva and the emotion and delivery of Callas' voice are simply outstanding. There's no warmth here(that people mistakenly expect from valves) just a naturalness and a sense of simply "that's how it should sound". Lovely.
Theres also a lack of fatigue. The amp disappears into the soundstage and 2/3hr listening sessions are highly enjoyable.
Now,I'm on the fence between science and what we can hear - I trust science but I don't think it can explain everything. With that in mind then we turn to synergy - I'm well aware there are better amps but the way this little lot work together really is something special. The amp loves the valves,the speakers love the amp and that is how it shall stay!
Until I tube roll it again. This is a great amp for playing with valves and there's a bias guide online to help you.
Ive used SED EL34s : very good, Black Treasure 6CA7s : the best but costly and currently have Siemens El34s in there which are superb. JJ 6CA7s cryogenic flavour would be my next buy if I could justify them!!
The small signal valves also respond well to rolling - the 5670s can be changed out for the Russian 6N3P variety and offer a nice change to the sound that even my Mrs picked up on. They're dead cheap and do not require biasing either.
So all in all an excellent amplifier that's crying out for mods and tube rolling at a good price. If you see one s/h buy it and play with it.
You wont be disappointed.
Now,I'd read all the AVC/Lim horror stories and,tbh,as it was a s/h purchase I wasn't bothered. However,his strange attitude may very well be a major point as to whether or not you ever try one of these amps. You have been warned!
On paper it looks good - 40wpc and thd<1%,freq from 20khz-60khz and a signal to noise ratio >90db. I've also been reliably informed this is a sensitive amp as well 40wpc out at 350mV in so this should help a bit with any quiet sources you may have.
In person it's neat enough. Straight black box with a thick silver panel on the front which is easily removed if you so wish. Transformers are on display and the valve line up of 4xEL34s and 4 5670s is neat and tidy. There's also good weight to the amp.
Inputs and speaker binding posts (4/8ohm) are of reasonable quality and do their job no problem. Controls feel crisp as well. So far so good.
Now....this is where it gets good. The stock AVC is very highly rated : there's good clout,control and speed there with a bit of a lack of oomph as the main complaint. There's also the safety issues of s/h Chinese valve amps so,very kindly,the forums own Eduardo Wobblechops had a wee look inside this amp and also made a few recommendations. Please follow this thread for details and pics. theaudiostandard.net/thread/659/internal-upgrades-looking-good
Hooked up to a pair of Audio Note Ks with high quality speaker cable : www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/301659644883 and running idevices through a Bluetooth connection then this amp REALLY delivers!
The control is there : First Aid Kits quickly delivered vocals on Silver Lining are neat and sharp and the rest of the song is carried along well. Nirvanas Come as You are is played effortlessly,with space,depth and clarity. There's a sense this amp will respond well to whatever is thrown at it.
Switch to the live recording(Paris,1958) of Casta Diva and the emotion and delivery of Callas' voice are simply outstanding. There's no warmth here(that people mistakenly expect from valves) just a naturalness and a sense of simply "that's how it should sound". Lovely.
Theres also a lack of fatigue. The amp disappears into the soundstage and 2/3hr listening sessions are highly enjoyable.
Now,I'm on the fence between science and what we can hear - I trust science but I don't think it can explain everything. With that in mind then we turn to synergy - I'm well aware there are better amps but the way this little lot work together really is something special. The amp loves the valves,the speakers love the amp and that is how it shall stay!
Until I tube roll it again. This is a great amp for playing with valves and there's a bias guide online to help you.
Ive used SED EL34s : very good, Black Treasure 6CA7s : the best but costly and currently have Siemens El34s in there which are superb. JJ 6CA7s cryogenic flavour would be my next buy if I could justify them!!
The small signal valves also respond well to rolling - the 5670s can be changed out for the Russian 6N3P variety and offer a nice change to the sound that even my Mrs picked up on. They're dead cheap and do not require biasing either.
So all in all an excellent amplifier that's crying out for mods and tube rolling at a good price. If you see one s/h buy it and play with it.
You wont be disappointed.