Valvet E1R Mono Amps

boxer12,   I had always wondered about this brand and their amps --assuming that these are their operating in class A amps.   @ 10wpc  I would assume that but want to be sure we are talking about the same thing as I haven't  googled the model yet.    Walter - can't remember his last name at the moment --- seemed to be an early retailer of these here on the Gon awhile ago.   So are they getting nice and hot in operation?   I always wonder about some of the companies that purport to sell S/S class A amps because often they are not quite biased high enough to be class A.  Pass labs is generally the benchmark  of this type of amp (that I am most familiar with)   I do have one...  but back to yours I  have a liking also for a lower power  class A  amp as it can be operated  with less cost and impact on the room with the heat output and would certainly sound good with the proper speakers.    How is yours coming along?  Assuming you bought used?     and how much?    What are using for pre and phono? 

Skiroe,
The amps are developing nicely. Still improving. My biggest concern for them was stage width & depth which was less than the tube amps I've had in the system before these. That concern is now out, these amps go wall to wall with a nice detailed stage. One of the things I like about Lowthers are there ability to reproduce lifelike vocals. These amps are certainly helping them in that area as well. Very 3d with nuance detailing. Beautiful. I did buy them used for $900. They are worth every dime of that for sure. I believe they sold new for around $2800 with the WBT rca's. My preamp is a Melos 222 & the phono amp is a Sonic Frontiers SFP-1 signature. The amps are mating well with them & the Lowthers. These are 10 watts single ended class A mono blocks. I was in the market for either this brand or First Watt. These came up first in my price range. Not sure how they compare with First Watt but am very pleased with their performance so far.  

Glad they're working for you. $900 seems like quite a bargain. Years ago I had a pair of Blue Circle BC-2s which are also class A single ended solid-state. They sounded glorious, very organic, wonderful on vocals. Not a lot of punch, though. They could raise the temperature in my room 15° easy, you wouldn't dare touch them.

Thanks Paullb. I can touch these without pain :-), but they do run hot.  

Sounds like you got a good deal on these esp being mono's makes it that much better.    The prices on their amps have continued to rise it would appear and not sure they carry these anymore ..   re/your phono stage---  SF built quality  equipment.   Im on my 2nd  Line 1 preamp and sent it in to Parts Connection  for an upgrade awhile back..  Nothing too expensive..  The upgrade to the volume control chips .    At one point years ago I was reading everything I could find on Melos and there was someone that was part of the company I think that was doing service and/or upgrade on them to further enhance their sound reproducing.    I have gotten a bit too dependent on remote controlled pre's these days so probably won't venture into that realm but can appreciate the simplicity of a remote free setup. 

Valvet replaced this model (mono blocks) with a one piece stereo amp. I am really digging these amps. I second SF's build quility. The Phono amp has to be one of the most reliable pieces of high end gear I've had to date. I've owned it for years & it operates flawlessly. Melos is also very good sounding equipment. There is absolutely zero support for that gear anymore however. To my knowledge the schematics never made it out of the failed factory either. Bummer. 

Im finding  that apparently a  Mark Porzilli  was the most recent person to offer services on Melos.  It would seem from what I have read that he was  original designer  for Melos .    There is a site called  The Memory Player 64  which he was involved in as his name is mentioned but no contact info ... 

Thanks skiroe!

sure thing,  boxer12.   I like digging up any info -- but can't really find any info on him although he may well be on linked in.   Im no longer registered on that site  so couldn't follow up..   

I meant to say it does appear he is on Linked--i just can't use the service as no longer registered