bridging option for WD88

[Phil Y]

Hi Mike, yes, that is what it is called.

[Shian7]

Horrah!!!... I got something right

[Shian7]

An expert opinion will be along very soon, I'm sure.......

[bikerhifinut]

Bridging valve amps aint quite as simple as doing it with SS.
I'm not well up on the theory, it can be done and indeed a method of bridging a pair of stereo20 leaks was described on the leak forum in Yahoo groups.
However:
Theres the problem that if the outputs from the transformers aren't well matched all you'll do is drive one output from the other.
I'm afraid that if more power is required, then you have to bite the bullet and get a more powerful amp.
If you want raw valve power at a reasonable price I believe a certain shop in the North East still has a very nice audio research ST70 and matching Valve pre. 6550's which may not suit yer log 'oles. Only one wayto find out.
Or if its the EL84 sound you're after then heres a few amps out there that use parallel pairs of '84's to double the power output.
I wouldn't advocate messing about with the KEL84, if it aint broke don't fix it is my axiom.
If its the midband that you're after, John, Then I'd suggest an 88 with different coupling Caps. I have already tweaked mine up with Polyprops as of yesterday and the difference wasn't subtle to my ears, with details coming through that I'd never heard before and a fuller "BODY" to the sound. Or the expensive option of PIO's which will give a diffrent balance.
Maybe its not the answer you were looking for, but after all, the cost of one KT88 amp isnt a great deal more than 2 EL84 amps.
It's well worth looking at the second hand market for big Valve amps as long as you bear in mind that you may well need to budget for a new set of "toobs" if you arent certain of the number of hours use on the ones in.
Before you decide to sell your obviously beloved linn speakers do look at the options as i Imagine its cheaper to get a more powerful amp rather than find efficient speakers that suit your ears.
These are of course only opinions.
Mikes very kind offer seems like a good idea, and I would have no objection to throwing my kit into the offer to get a listen. For myself i would be very interested to get a "head to head" of the WD EL84 amp against my tatty old leak. Which I love to bits still and will never ever part with.
Andy.

[Shian7]