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Custom Builder For P/P Power Pentode Amplifier

Hello All,

This is not a request to debate the merits of SET vs Power Pentode (push/pull) amplification. Instead, it is a request to the community for recommendations for any custom builders you know of (e.g., Niteshade, Trafomatic) who are quite good at this craft of building a p/p power pentode amplifier. These will be integrated with speakers that are :

A 2-box ( per channel ) loudspeaker, where the full-range module (7” driver) is physically separated from the bass module. The latter has three 6.5” drivers into a 4 ‘ long horn. Bass module is driven by its own FET custom amplifier. Overall sensitivity 102 db/w/m. Nominal impedance 8 ohms and frequency response of 18Hz to 20Khz.

Again, this is not a request for arguments pro and con. I am beyond this now. It is a search for recommendations for the very best builders for this kind of amp. Many of the builders that are ofter shared are really into SET as opposed to what I am looking for.

Thanks for your help.
amilcar
hifiharv
351 posts
 
You can go with EL84's if your speakers are this sensitive. A pair per channel will probably sound better than four if you don't need the extra power. Sorry, not sure who to suggest to build them for you. Restoring something vintage to the max may give you better value than custom newly built. You could splurge on the best tubes and you would have fine old output transformers on board. The Fisher 30A mono's come to mind. Or even the 80's with 6L6 tubes.
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,613 posts
 
Just out of interest why do you want a custom piece in place of a "stock" amplifier - there surely are many to choose from ?

A one of a kind piece is nice but be prepared to pay for it.

Best of luck

Peter
amilcar OP
9 posts
 
Thanks Hifiharv for the suggestion. It is an option that I have considered, especially with the tubes that you make note of.

And Pbnaudio, let me give a little push back on the cost-value question. I would agree with you if I were having a triode amp (SET or PP) built. However a PP pentode or sweep tube amp can be had by some good builders for less than a few thousand at most in monoblock and slightly less still in stereo. Check out Niteshade, for example. Because of some simple circuitry I'm interested in as well as rectification and iron selection, the custome builder route is preferred over the "off the shelf" commercial producers. My quest is to find the very best builders possible within a specific price band and put the project out to bid--so to speak.
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