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The internals are almost identical to the KAT6550 so with a few simple mods you can run 6550 or KT88s in the amp.
If you ever want to go down that path give me a shout as I have all of the old WAD conversion papers and build manuals.

 

Thanks Rob - I'll un-bolt the front panel and have a look-see at what's behind it. If I did convert from KaT to KiT I'd need to drill a couple of extra holes in the rear panel to add more input sockets. Not too concerned about a tape-out as my DAC has a very acceptable headphone output. Saying that, I'm running the passive pre into the amp with only 30cm interconnects so I probably wouldn't gain much (if anything) apart from losing another box.

I'm going to try a set of 5881's in the amp soon - I have it on good authority (from someone who's hot-rodded a KaT34) that these strike a good compromise between the EL34's and KT88's. I'm not convinced where 88's are concerned tbh - never heard an 88-equipped amp which I've liked.

Bottom line though, this amp sounds wonderful and I'm a happy bunny.

 

Hi Richard,

I can't imagine you would get any benefit by not using the NVA, other than a lower box count and less wiring but it should sound the same.

IIRC EL34 and 5881 are closely related tubes.
6550 and KT88s certainly are and share very similar internal construction so you shouldn't get a large swing in sound character between them. Having said that not all tubes are created equal so you can get great KT88s from one company and mediocre ones from another.
FWIW I used 'Winged C' Svetlana KT88s in my WAD amp and they sounded superb. Remember that you do need to make some simple internal changes if swapping to the bigger tubes.
Those are a nice family of amps though with excellent overrated transformers and excellent choke smoothed valve PSUs.
My Kit6550 is currently up in the frozen northern wastelands with Jonathan R on a nice long holiday.

 

A slightly hazy view of my main system.

 

Hi Joe - what does your rig consist of? I think I can see a Roksan turntable (correct me if I'm wrong!).

Big changes at Gromit Towers - yes, I know I know, I'd got myself a lovely WAD KaT34 in nigh in mint condition and was all up for building a neat little system around it. Big problem was, Peter at Noteworthy Audio received (in part/ex) the pre-amp I've aspired to own for something like 15 years now - an Exposure IX/XIV. I never thought I'd see one, let alone own one. Part of this package was a IV Dual-reg power amp. The IX & IV have both very recently had a full re-cap at Exposure with original (NOS) caps so I've effectively got a nearly-new amp.

A few folk know I'm a big fan of the Farlowe-era Exposure amps. JF's amplification (of varying size and sophistication) has powered the sounds in my living room for 16 out of the last 20 years - with this set-up it feels like I've come home...

 

Hi Gromit

As you spotted, a Roksan X turntable, with Rega RB600 arm and Van den Hul Frog Gold cartridge. Rest of the system is Tom Evans Audio Design Groove phono amp and Vibe pre-amp; Meridian 500CD transport, Chord DAC64; Border Patrol 300B SE power amp. Speakers are Audiovector M3 Signatures. The record playing is 'Can't Buy a Thrill' by Steely Dan.

Will post a picture of the 'upstairs' system soon. That's Exposure-based!

 

Hi, my set has a:
- Marantz pm17 mkII
- Mission 751 freedom speakers
- Gemini BK II subwoofer
- Marantz CD7 cdplayer
- Marantz project D-1 d/a converter
- Musical Fidelity xcan v3 & xpsu v3
- AKG K701 headphone
- Teac WAP4500 mediaplayer
- Philips SCD2000 sacd prototype

Some pics:











I have more pics on my site: http://www.marantzphilips.nl

 

Hi.

Hi, this is my first post so here goes!
My kit.
TT- Thorens td160 with sme 3009 improved.

Amp @ pre amp- quad 33/303.

Speakers- Early spendor bc1s.

Thats it really, as you can see i love vintage hifi. I collect vinyl lps from about 64-74ish the golden period of music ( in my eyes anyway! ).

 

my kit

Not been on this site long either:
mf3.2 cd, pre, pwr+pwr.
home made pure silver connects
oddysey 4 cables.

home made 2 box speakers:
slate lined
seas excel x2, atc mid and scan speak 950000
outboard crossovers with hovland caps.

 

Welcome guys, I hope you'll enjoy participating here.

 

Tackleberry: interesting speakers - got any pics?

Dunc

 

My Speakers

My Speakers

 

Great system, beautiful speakers. BUT it is being strangled by the 34, I had a 44 and changing it for a Croft (or any modern pre) just let through so much more info.

Have you tried others pre amps in your system?

 

Dear RobHolt,

Just wonder why Philips give up the Hi Fi market

Regards
Han

 

My kit #4

Hi again.
A further update because of many newcomers (above all a DAC and a Mac)

Amp: Primaluna Prologue one (tubes: NOS Mullard ECC83, NOS Tung-Sol 12AU7, Russian current production Genalex Gold Lion KT66)
DAC/Headphone amp: Beresford Caiman
CDP: Monrio NAS-DAC
BD/SACD/DVD-A/DVD-V player: Oppo BDP-83
FM Tuner: Denon TU-245
Loudspeakers: Audio Note AZ-two
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 595
Laptop: Apple MacBook Pro 13"

Analogue interconnects: Ecosse Nu Diva (from the CDP), Van den Hul D102 III (from the DAC), Monster Interlink 400 MkII (from the BDP), Monster Interlink 300 MkII (from the tuner)
Digital interconnects: QED Performance Coaxial (from the CDP and the BDP to the DAC), Beresford TC-3618 Toslink (from the Mac to the DAC)
Speaker cables and jumpers: QED XT-400
Mains cables : Wireworld Stratus 5² (to the amp and the cdp), QED Qonduit (to the BDP)
Block: Tacima CS929

plus
LCD-TV: Panasonic - TX32LX70F
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Hi there

Just joined the forum so thought I'd introduce myself. Here's a picture of my system but it's going to change any day soon as I'm getting a new cd player. The Linn has a new black plinth which makes it look much better and matches the rest of the kit.

Linn LP12/Mose Hercules 2 PSU with Origin Live Silver Mk2 arm and Denon DL110 cart

Naim "Avondaled" NAC62 with Naim "Avondaled Dual Rail SNAPS and Naim NAP250 power amp

Linn Kan Mk1's

Linn Karik CD player & Linn Numerik DAC

Sounds pretty good but I know it's going to get a lot better

 

Hello

I've just joined the forum, and am introducing myself to everyone. I like music in a big way, though I have never studied it. I often go to concerts and still buy CDs. I attach a picture of the room where I have the audio equipment.

It is all 8 years old, and I'm looking forward to making it sound better without wasting any money over it. Clearly, I'll be working my way slowly over the choices.

Best wishes,

Michael

 

Welcome to the forum Blurboy and Michael.

 

Lurked for some time. I thought I'd show pics of my main system - four Exposure XVI mono amps for starters:



Exposure MCX pre-amp, and Esoteric UX-1 CDP:



The new toy - Eclipse SE t/t, SME V arm, Ortofon Cadenza Blue cart, Whest Two phono stage:





Neat Ultimatum MF7 speakers:



All sounds completely wonderful...

 

Update

Lovely looking Eclipse Theo and I hope it sounds as good as it looks. Funny thing is I bought my Linn from the chap who makes them turntables and spent a very pleasureable afternnon having it delivered and set up by him a while ago and I wished him all the best in his new adventure then. I thought I'd upload a picture of my system as it is now as it has changed from the one above and it'll be staying that way for a good while now