My name is Steve White. I am a vacuum tube amplifier scratch builder from Peterborough Ontario Canada. I also go by the name “EMPIRE ELECTRON AMPLIFIERS” and “E E AMPS“. I am a one man operation building the entire amplifier myself by hand. I learned this old world art form from a well known and admired builder from California by the name of Lance Cochrane. As his apprentice, I worked very hard to develop and perfect my own style and master the electronic theories. In order to accommodate the various differences and characteristics of the different components I use (such as different tubes and transformers etc.), I must make changes in the circuit to achieve the best results in sound quality. This tuning is the make or break point in the successful completion of any amplifier. This can only be accomplished by listening and making the appropriate changes using your ears. Your ears will tell you if it sounds good or not, not any kind of measuring equipment. Those devices are simply not accurate enough. With that said, I have measured the T.H.D. (total harmonic distortion) on these units and they consistently read .0001 T.H.D., so if you like numbers, there you go. I am not only the designer and builder of the look of the amplifier, but I also make design changes to the schematic template I use in all of my vacuum tube amplifiers. This is the true definition of a scratch builder, one who builds all aspects of the amplifier including the circuit itself.
Handcrafting these amplifiers has been my calling and passion for quite sometime now and I am more than happy to share my work with all of you out there who are like me, passionate about great uncoloured sound reproduction. To learn more about who I am and how I became involved in vacuum tube technology, click here… “About Steve”
What I build are 100% handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, custom, never to be duplicated, signed and dated on the inside ~ as all great works of art should be, vacuum tube amplifiers. I build all three types of vacuum tube amplifiers, power, integrated and phono stage pre amplifiers. I will bet that once you’ve heard one of these amplifiers, you will say that it is the BEST sounding amplifier you’ve ever heard, and once you’ve seen one of these amplifiers, you’ll say it’s the most unique translation concept of electronics you’ve ever seen!
Please note:
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This blog is a work in progress and has been constantly built upon since 2008. Here you will see nearly every vacuum tube amplifier I have ever made. Before you delve into my work, take a look at this feature video I made compiling a few of my favourite projects in a fun and informative movie that shows these projects take shape from concept to reality.
(HD viewing is available for this video. Where you see 240p, click on it and change the setting to 720p for HD)
Our local news Paper “The Peterborough Examiner” published an article about me and my work back in January 2009. Here is a copy of that….
Here we have an ultra-linear push pull 40 watt per channel 807 power tube amp using 807 radio transmission tubes. This was the fourth amp I ever made, and was my very first sale. It is also the only Ultra Linear amp I’ve ever made. The owner would never part with it saying he’s never heard another amp sound as good as this one. I won’t divulge what he paid for it, but I will say he was very wise to buy it when he did. Those who bought back in the early days now own an investment, as these early amps fetch nearly triple the original sticker price. This is definitely the case here.
The amplifier I have for sale here is the Ocean Blue 807. This is a power amplifier using four 807 radio transmission tubes, three 6SN7GTB input tubes, and a 5V4 rectifier tube. Very similar in design to the Electric Purple UL unit above, but this one runs in Tetrode mode. It’s putting out a modest 30 watts per channel. Built on a 12″ x 12″ x 3″, 18 gauge steel chassis, handcrafted to my specific specifications. This is a stunning Tube amplifier painted a beautiful cobalt blue with tons of ice pearl metal flake in the 3rd of 8 coats of clear. Put this amp under a 50 watt quartz lamp and watch it sparkle! The design, inspired by those old black and white Frankenstein movies from the last century, has taken vacuum tube amplifier design to a whole new level. I like to design works of art, as well as great amplifiers. I wanted to show the audio world that an amplifier doesn’t have to be black, or brushed aluminum,… how boring! A tube amp should capture your mind and imagination and make you take a look! My amps do that! They should also make you stand up and listen. Mine do that too! They really do sound every bit as good as they look. Owning one of my amps, like this one, means you are the ONLY one in the world with an amp like this, made by me.
This is a push-pull 807 tetrode power amplifier softly running the plates of the 807 radio transmission tubes at a very conservative 330vdc. These RCA 807′s will last years at these voltages.
After looking six years for a new amplifier, a new client of mine chose this amp to be his old unit’s replacement. Yes, all the way from Alberta he purchased this Empire Electron Amplifiers 807 power amplifier without actually hearing it. Going purely on what he knew about me and my work. Now that says something about my reputation, doesn’t it! So, after several questions and comments, my new client committed to his new amp without any hesitation. I am truly humbled by this experience!
About the 807 tube…
I’d like to talk a bit about the 807 radio transmission tube for a minute. The 807 was originally intended and designed for the military during World War II. Used as the final output tube in field radio transmitters, it’s a very robust and powerful tube capable of 750 vdc on it’s plates or anode. The operator of the field radio was called a ‘Sparky’ due to the fact that he was often jolted with the high voltages used in the radio as he operated and maintained the unit. All 807 tubes are military tubes and therefore are superbly built able to withstand just about any environment. These operators were highly skilled and a tight bunch that used to hang out together and share thoughts and ideas. When they would say, “I’ll meet you for an 807 later on.” they meant a cold beer. The 807 tube having that Coke bottle shape to it was the reason for the reference.
The 807 was therefore never intended to be used as an amplifier tube in audio Hi-Fi, but since I liked the shape and the grid wire on the top, I made adjustments and designed my circuit around the 807 to accept the unique voltage and operating parameters of the tube. Success meant that I would have an amplifier available to my clients that no one else could offer. So beautiful and unique, the 807 amplifier sounds as good or better than any other amplifier I’ve ever heard. It has a lot to do with the large glass envelope and very high voltage capabilities. As far as I know, the 807 amplifier is an exclusive offering that only I manufacture as a regular offering. All of my 807 amps run at voltages far below the maximum allowable so expect the tubes to last many many years, and since the 807 is so plentiful at very reasonable prices,mainly because the only ones using the 807 are ‘Ham’ radio operators that have tubes based equipment making the 807 amplifier a bargain to re-tube.
Here’s an up close picture of an RCA- 807 Radiotron tube…
If you grew up as a teen in the 1980s as I did, then you remember the Ford Mustang GT as being the best bang for the buck!
This army green 6AQ5 runs in Tetrode mode at 15 watts per channel with 12AU7 input driver tubes. The owner would never part with it. If this amp were for sale today, it would be priced at $1,800.00 Since this was my second sale back in 2008, it remains a solid investment, as the customer bought when my work was not known.
The Afrikaan Eclips Orange 807
Now, here I have a very unique 807 amp that can run in either Tetrode or Triode mode via a switch on the back of the amp that can be selected on-the-fly while the amp is in operation with absolutely no danger to the amp. Most amps must be powered down when any mode selecting is taking place but not my amps. You can select at anytime.
This amp will give you 40 watts per channel in Tetrode mode and about 30 watts per channel in Triode mode.
It also uses a solid state rectifier so a stand-by switch is used to allow the tubes to be warmed up first before adding the 359 vdc to the plates of the 807 radio transmission tubes.
As with all of my amps, this is a unique design of my own, never to be duplicated.
This amp is no longer available. It went to all time favourite teacher from high school Mr. Grant Soper as a gift. It’s really nice when things in life come full circle!
The amplifier I have for sale here is one of my favourite styles and layouts. This one has inspired quite a few of my later creations. The 807 ‘Book-shelf’ amp. This is a power amplifier using four 807 radio transmission tubes and three 6SN7GTB input tubes, putting out a modest 40 watts per channel. Meant to be long and lean to sit on a shelf that has a white wall behind it. You see, there are six blue neon lights that line the back panel of the amp and with the aid of the white wall behind the amp, you will see a blue glow along the back of the amp. To help with this effect, I had the amp painted white and added blue pearl metal flake imbedded in the eight coats of clear on top of the white paint. This makes the entire amp seem to have a blue glow as it picks up the blue light that is being reflected off the back wall. The look and effect is really spectacular! Operating with a set of 6 amp silicon diodes for AC/DC rectification, this amp uses the dual set of On/Off and Stand-By switches to allow for tube warm up time during start up.
A timeless, classic 1950′s throw-back, with balance, symmetry, and simplicity like no other amp I’ve created. Truly a testament to my designs and functionality.
Priced at $3,800.00
The very first amplifier I ever made, a beautiful Sunscape yellow 6L6 / EL-34 with 40 watts per channel. I said I would never part with my first amp, but when a collector offered me an offer I couldn’t refuse, I didn’t. This customer is the classic audiophile and one who loves my work. He has four of my amps. One of each type including the red V push-pull-parallel 100 watt per channel unit I made custom for him. I have a number of clients who own multiple amplifiers. It really does become an addiction!
Dubbed the ‘Twins” even though they’re not, each of these 6L6 / EL-34′s put out 40 watts per channel in a Tetrode mode. One is in Peterborough and the other in California. Both have had these units for some time now, and are avid audiophiles.
A push pull 6BQ5 unit rated at 18 watts per channel. 
This beautiful Ocean blue 6BQ5 18 watt per channel amp.
Here is my second ever amp much like the first except it has different outputs and is red. This amp lives in sunny Florida. An EL-34 / 6L6 rated at 30 watts per channel.
This amp resides in Toronto where it’s owner who has owned units worth $20k plus bought this amp from me. He has since sold off ALL of his current and vintage tube and solid state amplifiers. In his own words Mike says my amplifiers ‘eat’ everything out there! Even the most expensive gear can’t compare, he says. This is a sentiment I hear all the time, just take a look down at the bottom of the page where you’ll be able to read comments left by my customers. They speak volumes!
Here is Mike’s amp…
6L6 / EL- 34 40 watts per channel amplifier painted in a jet black with prismatic sparkles that change colour depending on the angle you view the amp at.
This little 6AQ5 single ended amp putting out 6 watts per channel would surprise you. The owner of this amp has four of my units including the 1950′s red push-pull-parallel 100 watt per channel monster I made just for him. With 300 vdc on the plates of the 6AQ5 power tubes, this amp can easily put a solid state amp pumping out 10 times the power to shame!
This EL-34 / 6L6 amp styled in a 1950′s theme lives here in Peterborough. Just an other example of how word of mouth promoting my work has really spread here in town. I have 14 clients in town who own one or more of my units. All through word of mouth or being at a client’s home and seeing/hearing one of my amps and you know how it goes the next thing you know, they are calling to place an order.
This has to be my favourite single ended amp. The design was taken directly from the Afrikann Eclipse orange 807 that does Tetrode and Triode modes. Bought by a gentleman who makes very nice and expensive custom speakers, loved this unit the second he heard it. The speakers he makes are very efficient so he didn’t need more than 20 watts per channel. This amp delivers 25 watts per channel so it was a nice fit with plenty of head room thanks to the large envelope of the 807 radio transmission tubes. With 409 vdc on the plates, the only way to really describe this amp is magic! The amp can also run 5933 power tubes. They are an even higher grade of military 807.
Owned by a client who was a friend before I started building amplifiers, was a driving force for me where audio was concerned– Professor Driscoll of Trent University owns this amp. Jim has the pleasure and privilege of being my second set of ears. When ever I complete a new amp, I let Jim take it for a test drive. He has always loved my work, and he really enjoys the job!
His amp is a 6L6 / EL-34 with 12AU7 driver tubes and a 5U4G rectifier putting out a conservative 35 watts per channel.
Here is a look at an amplifier’s circuit. This is the old way of wiring. It’s called “point-to-point”.
With the heat generated by the tubes, this method is the only way to go. Printed circuit boards can’t take the heat and tend to de-laminate and break up, causing all kinds of problems. Also, if a circuit board is printed on both sides, it can actually act like a capacitor introducing hum and noise that is impossible to locate and rectify.
Now on to more amps…
I have been getting a lot of requests for one of these ~ here’s the new 80 watt per channel Push-Pull-Parallel 6L6. Huge sound stage and great depth. Way more power than anyone really needs!
For those of you who have been following my work and this particular amplifier, here it is all finished! Painted a stunning electric purple. The tuning is all complete and it sounds fantastic! Your neighbours will be calling the boys in blue if you crank up the volume on this one!
Watch a video of this beautiful amplifier along with my phono preamplifier…. Big Purple Video
This next amp is a single ended 5881. The chassis measures 10″x 6″x 2″, perfect for a condo where room is at a premium, or in the study. Depending on what rectifier tube you choose, you can run 6v6, 6L6, 5881, or EL-34 power tubes. A very fun and versatile little amp!
Since the last push-pull-parallel was so successful, I’ve been commissioned to build another one. Since this amp was being designed for a real techie, I wanted him to be able to have fun trying different output tubes. With this amp, he can run 6V6, 5881, 6L6, Kt-66, Kt-77, and EL-34 simply by changing rectifier tubes and with the addition of a switch, he can turn off one of the two rectifier tubes to give him the option to change the operating voltages from 290vdc all the way up to 380vdc.
Designed to have a 1950′s flair, here is my next Push-pull-parallel amplifier.
Here’s the next available amp. Designed for the heavy machinery crowd, the CATERPILLAR amp. With a heavy-duty On/Off switch and classic amber jewel pilot light, and 4-8-16 ohm selector switch on the back panel, this amp painted the classic Caterpillar yellow with brilliant white pearl metal flake imbedded in the eight coats of clear gives the guy who has everything, even more. For those of you who know the Kt-66 / 7581 tube, this amp was designed to take that tube. This is priced far below the other 807′s or Kt-88 but is by no means lacking in power, sound quality or looks. The 807′s are much more involved to make and the Kt-88 has very hard to find transformers.
Priced at $2,800.00
Here is another single ended 6L6 I just finished. Built as a gift for a very generous retired Bell Canada tech. Finished in a deep sea green. Thanks again Stan!
The Firecracker Amp
Now, here is an amp that a lot people wait in the weeds for; a 6550 / Kt-88 / Kt-66 / El-34 push-pull power house! This is the Firecracker amp. Named as such because of the strikingly bold red paint with lots of ice pearl metal flake in it. Power is 70 watts per channel in a tetrode mode. Strictly an 8 ohm unit, as the Canadian Electrohome output transformers only had 8 ohm taps. The power transformer is also Canadian, made by the Hammond transformer company. These are very heavy and capable transformers, and the power transformer is somewhat rare, as it’s high voltage taps and size are capable of handling the current demands of 6550. With power to spare, it’s been built on a sleek 2″ chassis with a footprint of 20″ x 7″. A beautiful emerald green jewel light indicates power with the switch on the side as I like to do it. Gold plated RCA input jacks on the back, along with a set of 5 way binding posts for your speakers. This is a power amp, so therefore a pre amplifier is needed. If you choose, you can run any of my power amps directly with an I-Pod with no need for a pre amplifier. As with all of my amps, the circuit is all point-to-point wired, and in this case, I used NOS vintage cloth wire to build the circuit.
I don’t make too many amps like this, not because I don’t want to, but because it’s very hard to find a power transformer with these voltage and current parameters. In fact, this is only one of two 6550 / Kt-88 amps I’ve made to date. Big, Bold, Powerful sound in a small package. One of my favourites for sure!
Priced at $3,800.00
Amplifier number 29 is named ‘FLASH-QUATTRO’ or four flashes. The name came to me while building this new 807. I was thinking of how art-deco the 807 tube really is and the old 1930′s series called Flash-Gordon came to mind. The name seemed to fit, and since there are four 807 tubes the Italian word ‘quattro’ meaning 4 just seemed to have the sound and feel I was looking for, hence the name.
This new 807 is rated at 40 watts per channel and is painted with the exact same colour and affect as the Fire-Cracker amp. This colour is called ‘fire-cracker-red’ and the affect is ‘ice-pearl’ metal flake. The colour and look seemed to really suite this amp as well.
Flash-Quattro has very unique output transformers, in that they have output taps for 1,4,8,16 ohm speakers. I’ve added a selector switch on the back so that the user can choose which impedance he prefers on-the-fly. No one does this, but to me it just makes sense to do things this way.
You can now visit Flash Quattro in Port Hope Ontario on the old down town main street at a restaurant called ‘Black Beans’. The owners had spent a considerable amount of money on their sound system there and wanted one of my works to be the heart of it. If you’re ever in Port Hope Ontario, drop into Black Beans for a fantastic dinner and hear some really great music amplified through one of my creations.
I recently had the opportunity to re-build a pair of stereo organ amps that would be used for Hi-Fi. The customer initially brought them over to my house in their original form with the original 6BQ5 circuit to see if they sounded as good as my amps. Within 5 seconds it was clear that these units deserved to be reconstructed keeping only the chassis and transformers, the rest of the circuit would be stripped out, as they did not sound good at all. I suggest to the customer that I could be-build these units into really great sounding 6L6 monsters instead of 6BQ5 units. After answering a few questions, he agreed to the re- construction.
Here is the result….
That’s how it goes with my amps, once someone hears them on his own stereo system, and the amp being the only thing that is changing, they have to have it. The sound improvement over what they already have is unmistakable! They can never go back to what they were used to listening to ever again.
One of my transformer suppliers sent me 2 of these mono Baldwin Organ chassis. I liked the tube layout, so I turned them into 2 stereo 6BQ5 push pull 12 watt per channel amps and painted them both black. The only visible difference between the two is one has a pilot light where the other has a tube. They each have different output transformers but the power transformer is the same on both. One went to the transformer supplier- Steve, as his personal amp, and the other went to Tim at Bluestreak Records who has been a huge promoter of my work.
The best way to describe this next amplifier is it’s a Titan. It has to be the biggest, badest, heaviest and most powerful amplifier I’ve made to date! Weighing in at just under 60 lbs. this push-pull-parallel EL-34 / 6L6 is conservatively rated at 110 watts per channel using EL-34 tubes. Capable of driving 8 or 16 ohm speakers via a switch on the back panel. This amp is a tube roller’s dream. Simply by plugging in which rectifier tubes you want to use, be it a pair of 5Y3′s, 5R4′s, 5U4′s or even 5AR4′s you can match the correct plate voltage with what ever power tubes you choose, be it a set of 6V6′s, 6L6′s, 5881′s Kt-66′s, Kt-77′s, EL-34′s, or even 7591′s. You also have the choice of running the amp in push-pull instead of push-pull-parallel simply by not installing the front four power tubes and switching off one of the two rectifier tubes via a switch located on the right hand side of the chassis. The signal and phase-inverter pre amp tubes used are my favourite large dual triodes 6SN7′s.
Now, about the transformers, seeing that this amplifier has to drive thirteen tubes, I thought it only made sense to use a separate filament power transformer. The transformer right next to the larger power transformer is the 20 amp filament transformer. By doing this, I’ve removed the heater load off of the main power transformer which now only has to supply the high voltages the amp needs. By sharing the load this way, the main power transformer will not be taxed nearly as much. The output transformers are massive Hammonds that can easily handle the wattage this amp delivers.
You will notice a volume control knob located right smack in the middle of the mirror in front of the amp that’s surrounded in pure copper foil, and that is because this is a fully integrated power amp with a line stage pre amplifier built into it. That means you do not need to buy a separate pre amplifier. You only need to plug in your CD player, satellite, MP3, I-pod, or what ever type of line stage device you like to use, directly into the amplifier. There are two benefits to an integrated amp, one, you don’t have to go out and spend money on a separate pre amp, and two, you are amplifying completely with tubes throughout the whole amplifying process from pre amp to power amp, and that makes it sound better, way better!
Painted the ever popular ‘Firecracker Red’ with ice pearl metal flake.
Priced at $5,800.00 this Titan will drive what ever speakers you have, and well! If you want an amp that has huge power, great depth, and sound stage that takes you to the concert, this is the amp!
It was sold to a guy who wants everyone on his lake to know that he has this powerhouse! Another amplifier of mine living here in Peterborough on Chemong lake. I wouldn’t want to be his neighbour, but then again, I wouldn’t want to be mine either! The Peterborough / Lakefield police will be busy with noise complaints this summer.
Here is the little brother to the PPP-6L6 / EL-34. This integrated amp that is a 30 watt per channel push-pull 6L6 / EL-34 . Went to a client who owns four of my units. Again, this unit went one of my customers who own multiple units of mine. Like is said, it’s an addiction.
Everybody likes black, don’t they? Black definitely has it’s place, and here is a great example of that!
This is a great looking 6L6 / EL-34 power amplifier built for two very good friends of mine. They have this unit as a focal point in their living room. With 15 foot ceilings, nice hardwood floors and 500 square feet of space in this room, this amplifier sounds as big as the entire house!
Using a trio set of vintage Baldwin transformers that are total overkill and running at 357 VDC on the plates using 6L6GC power tubes. A trio set of 6SN7GTB’s and a 5U4G rectifier complete the tube line up. This amp is rated at a conservative 40 watts per channel. Use a 5AR4 rectifier and get close to 50 watts per channel with no trouble at all. With a 22″ chassis, the 6L6GC’s are afforded great radiant cooling due to being spaced 5″ apart from each other. This is a text book design, with great cooling, great symmetry, and a very appealing look. One of my favourites!
Next is a very unusual design I came up with one morning as I mulled over new design ideas. I thought, there are a lot of car and motorcycle guys out there, so what can I make to appeal to them? And then it hit me, make an amp to look like an engine! Since I used to own motorcycles all of which were the wrist rocket type, and my favourite by far being my Ducati 748. I thought about making an amp that looked like a V-Twin. Sure, a single ended amp that looks like a 90º V-Twin. So here it is…
It really ended up looking like something you’d find in a Hydro-electric sub station or a 1930′s Art Deco movie set. Looks powerful, and it is! Looks deadly, but it’s not.
20 glorious watts per channel with 375 volts on each of those anode wires using 1625 radio transmission tubes and a pair of 12AU7 signal tubes. 1625′s are electrically the same as 807 radio transmission tubes, except they have 12 volt heaters and use large 7 pin sockets. 807′s are 6 volt and use 5 pin sockets.
Here is a very small but great sounding Single Ended 6BQ5 power amplifier. Perfect for the study or small space where you want reasonable volume levels. Sold to a repeat customer.
The deciding factor of what I build next is almost always dictated by what transformers I have at the time. When opportunity presents itself, and it often does, I just go with it. This is the case with these next two mono-block amps. Do you like to pump iron like I do? Well have a look at these massive Hammond power transformers! I have never,.. ever, seen such huge and capable power transformers!
Just ONE mono-block weighs OVER 50 lbs.
These are a once in life time offering, as I will likely never ever see these transformers again. Believe it or not, they were powering only TWO 6L6GC’s in their original form. Now they are push-pull-parallel 100 watt each, monster mono EL-34 / KT-77 power amplifiers. These could power a dance club and never break a sweat!
They each have an IEC power-cord connector, Cardas RCA and speaker binding posts for those of you who appreciate, and want very high-end connectors. There is also an un-switched A/C outlet on the top of each amp with it’s own separate 5a fuse to plug in what ever other Hi-Fi gear you may have, and therefore you can take advantage of only needing to buy one nice power-cord. A rotary Ω selector to select between 4-8-16 ohms to match up with what ever speakers or speaker arrangement you have, meaning, these units are powerful enough to run say two 8Ω speakers in series which would give you 16Ω or you can run the same two sets of 8Ω speakers in parallel to give you 4Ω. Configuring this way allows you to have multiple speakers running off of one amplifier. The only requirement is wattage and enough wattage to run multiple speakers in such arrangements which these amps have plenty of. The combinations are endless.
Painted a beautiful Hammertone Jet-Black with ultra fine ice-metal flake, these twins are fine examples of great industrial art!
Priced at $6,800.00 for the pair.
Now, while I’m on the subject of Mono-blocks, here is another beautiful pair. These, made with potted transformers and painted the exact same Jet black. Only this time the affect is blue- ice peal fine metal flake and no Hammertone process. These are an example of the fun I can have with creating something unique. These were designed to be mirror images of each other. I think the affect works quite well! Certainly mirror image mono-block amps aren’t anything new, but new for me.
These too are Kt-66 / EL-34 push-pull-parallel 100 watt per channel mono-blocks. These are units I made for my own stereo, since Ken took away my big purple push-pull-parallel amplifier a while ago. I just really missed having all that power. I don’t plan to sell these, but I’ve said that before. Anyhow, have a look….
The Candy Amp
After making over 50 amplifiers, your style, as a designer, takes on a life of it’s own. You become very focused, and designs just seem to flow. Over the past three years I’ve made some amps that have design features I really like. This amp has all of those great features and some new ones I’ve wanted to try. It has dual tube rectifiers, integration, stand-by, and dual source inputs. It’s all been neatly packed into a short 2″ chassis, for that sleek look. Lastly, it has a few neat things I’ve wanted to include in an amp for a while like pinch tube retainers for the rectifier tubes, an A/C outlet on the back panel for say a CD player, and dual high voltage switchable capabilities for those of you who are Tube-Rollers.
Priced at $6,300.00
Yes, It’s been a while since I’ve built an amplifier. I took this summer off to enjoy the perfect weather, and it was perfect! Hot, sunny, and not too much humidity every single day.Now that summer has passed, and winter is fast approaching, I’m finding the need to build something new returning. And just as fate would have it, someone else had been scoping out my work on my web site, here. Seemed he’d been looking for over a year! He couldn’t decide whether he wanted one I had for sale, or if he wanted me to make one especially for him. He knew one thing though, he knew he wanted a Kt-88 / 6550. He loved the tonal quality of the larger power tubes. In the end it came down to needing to be able to switch from 4-8-16 ohm’s for his speakers, which the Firecracker amp doesn’t do, – it’s 8 ohms only you see. So, we talked, and I designed, and he decided, and I designed some more, until we came up with what ended up being the perfect amplifier for him. Here is the result of that process…One beautiful Jet-Black with ice pearl metal flake 70 watt per channel Kt-88 / 6550 / El-34 / Kt-66 power amplifier weighing close to 40 lbs., and measuring 20″ x 9″ x 2.5″ high. Capable of selecting from 4-8-16 ohms via a selector switch on the back panel, with Cardas binding posts and RCA inputs, along with an audio grade IEC. Dual rectification is necessary here due to the high current needs of Kt-88′s and 6550′s.So, without any further a-du, here is Anthony’s new custom amplifier…
I normally don’t do this, but I liked the set-up so much that I thought I would share it – this is the Balloon amp in its new home, have a look…
As with just about every client I have, one is never happy with just a single amplifier, they need to have another one, and Anthony is no different. After owning the first amp I made for him for about five months, he just had to have a second unit, only this time he wanted a nice 6L6 / 5881 / EL-34 power amp to go with his 6550 / Kt-88 monster power-house. While this amplifier has been painted black at his request, it is a very different type of black than his last amp. The paint used is a gloss Jet black, but instead of the ice peal metal flake in the clear coat, there is a very fine blue pearl metallic metal fleck in the paint itself. This gives a very different effect and under the right light, looks very dramatic. As you can see, the output transformers are massive! They’re actually larger than the power transformer! These were a rare find and were supplied by the client. I was more than happy to use them since I have never seen anything quite like them before. Putting out a modest 40 watts per channel, these outputs are exactly what you would expect- sound wise when you couple large efficient output transformers like this, with a superior circuit like the one I use. You feel like you’re right there in the recording studio with the artist or at the concert — FRONT ROW CENTRE. Coupling a great circuit with average parts will give you an amp better then most, but couple a great circuit with great components and look out, you’re in for a real treat! The amp I have created here is an audiophile’s sonic dream! Now, take that one step further by coupling this power amplifier to one of my new phono stage pre amplifiers, a good MC cartridge, some nice quality speaker cables and interconnects; you’ll have a system that will bring you to your knees, really… I have one just like that!
Staying current is the single most important thing every artist must be on top of all the time, but how do you stay current with 100+ year old technology? Easy! You keep coming up with new attractive and unique designs. This new power amplifier I just finished is a prime example of design meeting necessity. Let me explain…
Normally on any given stereo amp I build, you’ll see three transformers: a power, and two output transformers– one for each channel. Now and then you might see a fourth smaller transformer, but that’s usually a filament transformer or a choke. Here the forth transformer is another power transformer that is identical in every way to the first one. Therefore I had to come up with a design that complimented the four transformers and their two different shapes and sizes. The design idea here is what I like to call “complimenting angles”; (I can’t think of a better phrase for it, so there you go). The client who ordered this custom amplifier had a few requests on the design parameters which were as follows: 17″ long chassis, tube rectification, being able to see all the tubes while looking at the amp straight on, Kt-66 power tubes, 6SN7 input and phase-inverter tubes, and it could be any colour I wanted as long as it was black with ice-pearl metal flake (Now where have I heard that before?). So, after trying different design ideas, I settled on the complimenting angles idea because it allowed him to see all the tubes while sitting right in front of the amp, and while pleasing and balanced to the eye, it stays in keeping with my usual asymmetrical designs. Being balanced and symmetrical are two different things. To me, a perfectly symmetrical design is predictable and flat-out Boring! Blah! Gag me! Now take a look at this amp.~ The stepped design of the output transformers are mirrored by the rectifier tubes on the other side of the chassis. While the power / pre-heat and stand-by switches sit unseen while looking straight on to the amp~ stepped in tandem right behind the outer most output transformer. Having the power transformers side by side and at the back of the chassis keeps the weight even over the surface of the amp both visually and physically, while directing your eyes to the staggered outputs and then over to the opposing rectifiers. Electrically speaking, having the power transformers at the rear of the chassis keeps the 60hz hum they produce far away from the sensitive 6SN7GTB signal tubes located near the front making this amp nice and quiet. Neat! It’s an attractive and clean look, don’t you think?
Now, back to why there are two power transformers instead of one. You see, these power transformers and the outputs were originally on separate chassis as mono-blocks in an Electrohome console stereo. Therefore, one power and one output transformer per chassis. I know, these outputs are huge for a console stereo, but that’s what they came out of. It just shows the high quality of the old Canadian made products back in the ’60s. Notice the size of the power transformers? Do they look rather small compared to what you see one my other amps where there’s only one? This is a clue as to how much current each power transformer can deliver. I could have used another, much larger power transformer to build this amp, but why? I have two perfectly good power transformers here that where meant to work with these outputs, and to top it off, they put out the exact voltages I needed for Kt-66! The only problem lie in the fact that one power transformer can only supply enough current for the mono block it was designed to power originally, not a stereo amp which requires double (2xX). To fix this problem, why not incorporate both power transformers into a new design that is both aesthetically pleasing and electrically perfect. In my mind, this was a golden opportunity to try something I’ve never tried before, which was to build a perfectly balanced true-dual mono stereo power amplifier. Using two power transformers in a stereo set-up like this can introduce all kinds of problems with unbalanced voltages between the channels, causing volume, phasing and tuning issues. I overcame these problems with a truly new and unique power supply circuit design. The method at which I perfectly balanced the voltages for both channels while keeping them in phase is proprietary, sorry. It functions accurately and is rock solid stable. In the end, I built an amp that fit the client’s wants and needs and is the only one like it in the entire world! I know my client will be blown away! I am very pleased with this amp.
You ask, how does it sound? Well, it sounds exactly like all my other amps do. That’s why the tuning process is so important. This tuning eliminates all those component tolerances, and brings the tonal balance to pin point accuracy, giving the amp my signature sound. I really enjoyed making this one, that’s for sure! So here is my latest Kt-66 / EL-34 / Kt-77 / 7591. My only true-dual mono stereo power vacuum tube amplifier rated at 40 watts per channel with separate power / pre-heat and stand-by switches. The tube compliment is one 5U4G (or 5U4 if you prefer) rectifier for each power transformer, a trio set of 6SN7GTBs, and any one of the four power tubes I listed earlier. All the transformers are Electrohome made in Guelph Ontario Canada. On the back panel is an IEC power receptacle, a 3a fuse, a set of “push-in” speaker posts, two gold plated RCA inputs, and a rotary Ω selector to switch between 4~8~16Ω to match up with what ever speakers you like to use. The chassis is 18 gauge mild steel with dimensions of 17″ wide, by 14″ deep by 2.5″ high. And, as I eluded to earlier, it has been spoken for, and therefore not available.
Even though this amp is sold, there are still a few on the site that are not as of yet, or I can build any power or integrated amplifier you might like with nearly endless design parameters, it just has to thought up. Once the idea has been conceived, I can make it happen. If you like my work and would like a unit for yourself, send me an email anytime, I’m always more than happy to build something new! My email address is eeamps@gmail.com
Here is a Phono Pre-Amplifier with the RIAA correction. This is the first of it’s kind for me and is a prototype. I plan to only make a select few of these. The unit you see here is my 3rd attempt at it and it’s perfect! This unit with one of my power or integrated amplifiers will easily out perform most if not all systems available on the market today in any price range.
This phono pre amp only has an On/Off switch and a volume control for the user to select, no tone controls of any kind here! Since the unit has such great gain capabilities, you can use either MM or MC phono cartridges with it. The unit also incorporates a separate power supply with a 3′ cord connecting the two units together. This ensures no noise from the power supply reaches the high gain stages of the pre-amplifier.
Built as a custom unit for a great customer and painted his favourite ‘Firecraker Red’ with ice pearl metal flake.
There is no substitute for that clean vacuum tube sound. That means you MUST use vacuum tubes throughout the entire amplification process, from the phono cartridge all the way to the speakers. Here is the phono pre amplifier I built for my system. Painted in a stunning Emerald Green this pre amp is considerably smaller than the first one I built. As you can see, no tone controls, only a volume / balance combination and a mute switch. A separate power supply to ensure no noise makes it to the very sensitive phono stage pre amp. And like the first phono pre amp, you can use either MM or MC cartridges
Just a word on my phono stage pre amplifiers,…
They will only be made available for those who already have either one of my power or integrated amplifiers for compatibility reasons. These are highly sensitive units, and may pick up unwanted noise from a foreign made power or integrated amplifier or other related source. I know they work very well with my components and I also like the idea of rewarding my existing clients with an exclusive offering that only they qualify for, if they so choose.
Now, here’s a look at how my personal stereo system looks today.
I’m using my new pair of EL-34 mono block power amps with my phono stage pre-amplifier & separate power supply. Along with my 1977 Sansui SPx-9000 speakers and my 1977 Pioneer PL-570 turntable with an audioquest MC cartridge. The speaker cables are Cardas Golden Cross and the interconnects are Monster Sigma. I do use a power conditioner to keep out unwanted line noise. As with everything in life, it keeps on evolving, and only getting better as we learn.
To see a video of my stereo system click here… Steve’s system demo
Here is a very unique project that I’ve wanted to do since I was 5 years old,… really! I’ve always wanted to build my own 1960′s style console stereo, so here is my version of a 1966 Empire console stereo.
First I took a pair of identical cabinets made by Magnavox and added height to one to accommodate the height of the turntable, and shrunk the other one to create a satellite speaker that can be placed anywhere in the room and spaced far enough away from the main system to create the true stereo affect. Next I had the two cabinets painted Jet black with ice-pearl metal flake in the clear coat to give it that 1960′s look. Next I took a 1960′s Garrard Type A turntable and re-built it to it’s original splender and instead of hiding the tube amplifier inside the cabinet, I placed an 807 power tube amplifier right next to the turntable for all to see, because to me the tubes are art!
Here is the result…
I have a couple of videos available showing the console…
Steve’s console playing Lady GaGa
In conclusion, I would like to give credit where credit is due….
To my mentor and teacher Mr. Lance Cochrane (Morro Bay California USA)
To my suppliers:
West Florida Components (Florida USA)
Ashburnham Metal Fabricators (Peterborough Ontario Canada)
Steve Baker (Kitchener Ontario Canada)
Peterborough Glass & Window (Peterborough Ontario Canada)
