New owner of a KEL 84....

[Weeman1973]

Hi all,

New here and to the world of WD amps and just picked up a lovely little KEL84.

I don’t know too much about it whether or not it was built by WD or a kit but it is very tidy. It also sounds great with my Heco Einklangs.

I understand it’s relatively easier to start modding these so was wondering first steps - will it be tube rolling I expect and if so, anybody have any recommendations? Currently it’s sporting some Russian EL84’s and Philips ECF80’s.

I’m also open to how else it can be improved but please bear in mind I’m a relative novice to valve amps and tinkering with HiFi in general.

Thanks in advance.

[vinylspinner]

Hello Russell, welcome to the forum.

The KEL84 is a cracker of an amp, wish I had kept mine, can we assume that you bought the one that was recently up for sale on AOS?

Nigel

[Weeman1973]

Originally Posted by vinylspinner

Hello Russell, welcome to the forum.

The KEL84 is a cracker of an amp, wish I had kept mine, can we assume that you bought the one that was recently up for sale on AOS?

Nigel

Thanks Nigel, yes indeed it was the one off AoS.

Picked it up Friday night & set it up last night and as I say, really liking it so far, just wondering how it may be improved.

[vinylspinner]

I would just enjoy it as it is for a while before tinkering with it, post a picture of the inside when you get a chance, that way we can see what’s in there.

[BOONDI]

Welcome to the forum.

The philips ecf 80 are well regarded as a solid choice. If you want, Mullard and seimens are reasonably cheap on the bay. Matthew here at world designs has some EI variety listed at a good price. I would not go mad here as brand new NOS are in good supply and reasonable prices, so dont waste time on used valves.

El84 are slightly more expensive, but again Matthew has some matched pairs at good prices. Just to add that some of the Soviet tubes are very good for the price. A matched pair tungsol reissue goes for about £50, but seem to be same as sovtek insides. Mullards are of course the originals and sound great, but some of the prices are a bit much.

Check it out http://www.world-designs.co.uk/valves.htm

HTH.

[bob orbell]

I don't think you will gain much benefit from different tubes, especially the ECF80,s, my advice would be to use it for some time, then consider better components in the power supply IE low ESR capacitors and Schottky diodes, leave the heater supply as is because better diodes here will return too much voltage to the valve heaters and you will notice no improvement. Bob

[Paul Barker]

I think it was at Ali’s house I first heard KEL84, year 2002. A wonderful little amplifier, second to non in it’s class.

[snowman_al]

They are lovely amps.
My 5 cents are the fitted Russian 6P14P (EL84) valves are an excellent choice. As long as they are not worn out they have the best bass and control of any EL84. Original Mullards do no better and do not have quite the bass performance. If you want a difference try the JJ EL84s, they are good all through the spectrum and after a few minutes use you will be hard pressed to remember which you prefer.

The ECF80s are fine, just choose the quietist you can find, any make.

One thing you might want to try is the shunt volume control mod. See http://www.world-designs.co.uk/forum...ead.php?t=5795

Maybe post pictures of the PCB so we know what mods if any have been done already. Any are rather subtle at the end of the day though.

Best advice is enjoy if for a month or two before you dive in...

[KennyK]

I'm still running my WAD badged KEL84 daily. I think I built it in 2006
It's had the shunt mod but I don't think I made any other component upgrades to it.
I love what it does. It admirably drives my ART Emotion Signatures.

Enjoy!

[Weeman1973]

Many thanks to everyone for your welcome and replies, really appreciated.

I think you're all right in saying leave well alone for the minute and enjoy it for what it's doing as it does sound good.

On the valves, I read that Harma Cryo treated, burst tested EL84's are highly regarded so when funds allow, I may treat myself to a quad of those.

I've also attached a lid off image of the amp as it is now so perhaps those more knowledgeable than I can advise if anything is different to standard on it?

Thanks again.