KiT/KaT6550 and fuse blowing inrush current

[pre65]

Thanks Richard.

[pre65]

Anyone here can help me with the allen key size for the grub screw on the big chrome knobs ?

I thought I'd got one somewhere but the little blighter is in hiding.

[Richard]

Hi Philip, just checked mine and it's 1.5mm

[pre65]

Originally Posted by Richard

Hi Philip, just checked mine and it's 1.5mm

Thanks Richard.

[Yellow]

Originally Posted by Greg.

"...If he/she is and is willing to spend, I can’t recommend the Sowter option enough. They really do make a cracking difference to this amp and in my view, actually worth the financial outlay.

I've just had a quick look at the Sowter website and indeed, they look "cost-prohibitive". The U069 version is £286 each. Which version did you fit exactly?
I've never really considered a Tx change though, but at that price, I simply hope mine last a few more years!

Neil.

[Greg.]

It’s not so much about how long the original output Tx’s will last but more about the improvement to sound the Sowter’s render. This is not insignificant and why I say a replacement pair at just south of £600 really is in my opinion and ears, worth it.

To be certain of the Tx model fitted, I’ll have to look next time my friend wants some work doing on it. We are at the moment discussing upgrading the power supply board with new low esr electrolytics. To the best of my knowledge the Sowters are UO82. These certainly were the flavour of choice back in the day. I’ll update when I next get a chance to look.

[Yellow]

Hi Greg,
Completely agree. All I meant was I hoped nothing failed soon meaning I had to shell out £600 for new pair of TX.
These are also now on my radar if the improvement is so huge. Is there an alternative for say £300 that also improves massively on the standard transformers?

Cheers,

Neil.

[Greg.]

I don’t have a clue about alternatives either for the original Tx’s or for the Sowter option. What I do know is the Sowter option is a worthwhile and significant sound noticeable upgrade. If you are looking for alternatives, you’ll need to do your own research.

Let’s get this in perspective. Yes, a pair of Sowter UO82 will cost more than you probably paid for your original KiT/KaT 6550. But in today’s currency, your 6550, assuming it is working ultimately is probably producing a sound comparable with amplifiers bought through dealers in the £2 - 6K bracket. Don’t believe me? Go visit a dealer and listen for yourself. I visit a good dealer at least twice a year to keep me orientated on this thing of sound quality versus value for money.

So, £600 on an upgrade through your High Street dealer will offer you a small improvement on a manufactured product, but £600 on a pair of Sowters for your original WAD kit will lift it onto a very new, highly identifiable and beneficial listening plain. I assure you, incorporated properly, you’ll never regret it. Actually, that £600 is an absolute bargain, and a price considered as ‘small potatoes’ in the current commercial hi-fi world.

I absolutely love the sound of my friends 6550 into his Edingdale speakers and would happily have one myself. Dare I say it, having previously built and lived with a clone of the original flagship WAD 300B PP circa 1995, regardless of all the tweaking and esoteric components I fitted, my observation is my friends 6550 sounds far better. I simply love it........I think he does as well

[Phil Y]

Damn it,

You have me wondering now.

[Chris]

Greg has made some good points. It's easy to spend a few hundred pounds on new tubes or Caps that will eventually need replacing, but a set of quality Tx's are a better long term investment.
I would also put a pair of Sowters Tx's on my list of future upgrades.

Chris