Decision time: upgrade KAT88 or new WD88VA?

[pre65]

Hi-what about other manufacturers like Hammond,Ask Jan and Audionote ?

Audionote PP transformers are quite reasonably priced

8K 15W @ £62 + vat

6K 25W @ £81 + vat

each of course.

Hammonds from Bluebell a bit cheaper.



Philip

[NealG]

You only get what you pay for Philip

I was another that jumped on the Sowter band wagon for KiT88 and they made a huge difference to the amp. However, I never truly fell in love with KiT88 even with the stunning bass and all the mods applied, I always found it too 'Hi-Fi' and so I stuck with the original 300B PP. It did suit Richards room though but not my more average sized living space and 'speakers where the Bass improvements where not apparent. So be warned.

I would say and I have to trust my memory on this, the WD88VA is a better amp. overall. Yes even with Sowters on the KiT88! It has a more open and natural presentation than KiT88 and can really punch when called on to do so. Maybe not as hard as KiT88 but more than good enough for most occasions. I've not directly compared the two but if I needed to make a choice between upgrading or buying the WD88 now, I would go with WD88...

[MartinJones]

As a side issue: has anyone tried changing the output Tx's on the WAD 300B PSE amps? If the answer is a 'silent' but resounding 'no', then does anyone have their specs to hand?

Martin

[leo:)]

Originally Posted by Richard

Well, Gerry, Jonny and I want to have a listen to what's been distracting you from valves these days Leo A meet-up before the end of the year? Stuart's promised a listen to some interconnects too so we could make a bit of a day of it if you fancy. Stuart, sorry, but, as the Yanks say, you can't beat cubes! Not got them myself now so I've no axe to grind but they are wonderful. Found the supplement write up and a pic of how they'll look on Kit88 (when Greg fits them for you ?)

Hopefully I can get a couple of cases by then, I've actually been listening mainly to headphones a lot lately believe it or not after getting sick of messing about having to build the amp up everytime I wanted to listen to some music I decided to knock up a headphone amp and stick it inside one of those little Hammond cases from Maplins.
Its now easier to listen to music whilst the missus watches her programs

[Black Stuart]

Leo,
h/amps are a way of listening to music that have been completely overlooked by many. At the very least they can defuse 'listening' problems with spouses and with twin jacks can actually get couples to share the same space in an amicable fashion.

As all are agreed that Txs are so important. nowhere are they more important than with h/amps.

As you know I bought a Bada PH12, not really to get into h/amps but because it is a hybrid and I wanted to hear for myself what the hybrid sound was really like. With a few mods it's wonderful and I'm not conscious of what type of amp I'm listening to - it has a huge mains Tx, which I'm sure is responsible for the totally open soundstage.

If only those with small listening rooms and who tend not to listen to music with others would realise that not only is there a huge financial saving to be made by listening to music via a h/amp ie. no need for power amps or speakers or trailing wires but this also is very very acceptable to 'her indoors'. It is also a way to really hear your source/s and cables - there is nowhere to hide.

I wish I could be there to hear what your Hypex modules are capable of. I will try to get a readable diagram made of the Bada's valve front end to go with your Hypex, I'll bet we would both be gobsmacked at the sound.

Now I'm getting proper treatment for the sciatic problem Richard I will begin making I/Cs very soon, shall I leave it to you to burn them in? - they will need a minimum of 150 hours to define their basic sonic character.

Leo I will pm/email with more info/ideas on pres for your modules.

[MarkL]

I thought I'd take the cover off my amp to see how much work would be involved with swapping transformers.
It has always hummed a bit, so I thought I would replace the grid stoppers on the 6AU6's and the KT88's while I was at it as per a previous post from ages ago(you know how it is actually getting round to doing stuff sometimes!)
Guess what? I'd already done it! (no recollection at all) but, well, the amp still hums.
Would replacing the electrolytic capacitors of the power supply help?

many thanks

Mark