Charles1dad,
Good question.
The Bottlehead's trannies are made in the USA by Magnequest, apparently. Magnequest also sells upgraded transformers (several levels of them running $400 to $650) for the Paramount kit. Paul Joppa, the designer, says that they do make a subtle difference but not as much of a difference as tube rolling or, say, upgrading caps. I should add that the Paramount (like Bottlehead's other kits) used solid state rectification. Anyway, Bottlehead is a class act, in my experience, and although some people love to tinker and upgrade the original parts, I feel confident there's no junk in that kit. Paul Joppa is an electrical engineer and respected designer, so I trust that kit.
Now, at least from the photos on the AN web site, that kit seems to have some serious "iron" in it. There are four big transformers in that integrated. Now, it seems that you have an option at the time of ordering our kit to deduct $75 from the price and then order upgraded components from an outfit called Parts Collective in the UK. It's not clear to me from the web site what parts they leave out when you take that route, and I've written to ANKits to try and find out.
Got one other question for you, Charles:
So, that Art Audio PX-25 is still apparently unsold. Let's assume the PX 25 tubes need to be replaced to straighten out that bum tube that the seller says is humming somewhat. Would you still try to cut a deal for that amp? And just how weird-a** is that PX-25 tube, anyway? Lots of online dealers don't even seem to stock it.
Good question.
The Bottlehead's trannies are made in the USA by Magnequest, apparently. Magnequest also sells upgraded transformers (several levels of them running $400 to $650) for the Paramount kit. Paul Joppa, the designer, says that they do make a subtle difference but not as much of a difference as tube rolling or, say, upgrading caps. I should add that the Paramount (like Bottlehead's other kits) used solid state rectification. Anyway, Bottlehead is a class act, in my experience, and although some people love to tinker and upgrade the original parts, I feel confident there's no junk in that kit. Paul Joppa is an electrical engineer and respected designer, so I trust that kit.
Now, at least from the photos on the AN web site, that kit seems to have some serious "iron" in it. There are four big transformers in that integrated. Now, it seems that you have an option at the time of ordering our kit to deduct $75 from the price and then order upgraded components from an outfit called Parts Collective in the UK. It's not clear to me from the web site what parts they leave out when you take that route, and I've written to ANKits to try and find out.
Got one other question for you, Charles:
So, that Art Audio PX-25 is still apparently unsold. Let's assume the PX 25 tubes need to be replaced to straighten out that bum tube that the seller says is humming somewhat. Would you still try to cut a deal for that amp? And just how weird-a** is that PX-25 tube, anyway? Lots of online dealers don't even seem to stock it.
