Fatman or not? - World-Designs-Forum

a91gti · #1 1st December 2009, 01:36 AM

I've just spotted a Fatman valve amp on ebay for £115, seems to me that this might be a good buy as my first foray into valves.
Anyone have an opinion they would like to share or experience with Fatman?

a91gti · #2 2nd December 2009, 05:05 PM

Maybe someone could clarify the "hybrid" nature of this amp? Is it as I suspect a trannie based input and a valve output stage?

Richard · #3 2nd December 2009, 06:34 PM

Hi Andrew,

If it's this one, http://www.fat-man.co.uk/docs/produc...alveDock.shtml
then I guess it will be valve input stage and transistor output as you won't get 25W from ECC85 and a tuning indicator. Sorry I don't know anything else about them. Depends what you're into, maybe the ipod dock is of use, otherwise, if you're 2 channel CD or vinyl, I'd pay a bit more and get a Leak ST20 or Kel84 secondhand if you're ok with a bit of maintenance.

Rich

a91gti · #4 2nd December 2009, 09:06 PM

Thanks for your input Richard, that is the one. The ipod thingie is no use to me as I use cd only. Looks like I'm back to scouring ebay, bloody nuisance as I can't afford much more than £100. If I could find a wreck it wouldn't be a problem to fix as I'm pretty well versed in electronics.

Richard · #5 2nd December 2009, 09:38 PM

Hi Andrew, Hmm, true enthusiast territory then. Something with line sensitivity so it just needs a volume pot, ST20 and Kel84 fit that brief well. Maybe someone has a project that needs finishing or maybe a venture into single ended land if your speakers are fairly sensitive, or even scratch build if you can find trannys at a good price? Hopefully someone will have something. Rich.

a91gti · #6 3rd December 2009, 12:00 AM

My speakers will do fine, Pre65 brought some of his fine product to my house last year so I could get an idea of the valve sound. Oh, and in my previous incarnation on this forum we had a bit of a debate as to their suitability.
I'd like to get to know valves a bit before I get too ambitious so an unfinished project or something in need of repair seem sensible options.

pre65 · #7 3rd December 2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewknight

My speakers will do fine, Pre65 brought some of his fine product to my house last year so I could get an idea of the valve sound. .

Yes, I'd forgotten about that !

That would be my 832a push pull amp (about 8 WPC) and Foundation Research valve pre-amp.

a91gti · #8 3rd December 2009, 01:20 PM

Bloody good it was too! I`ve been infatuated with valves ever since Philip, thanks again for your efforts.