ValveMark Tube amps

barfind · « **on:** 10 Mar 2005, 04:23 am »

Hi all, Has anyone had any experience with these amps. I notice they closed their doors last year , but there amps are floating around still, Anyone?

Nigel

Mal P · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 May 2005, 03:27 am »

Greetings,

Bought one a couple of years back, their 300B model. Looks good, soundwise... very clean, neutral and transparent. Basically, it sounded like my ME solid-state amplifier. And the only reason I'd put up with the low power output, high distortion, hum, noise etc of a single-ended amp was for euphonic colouration, so I returned it! I now have another 300B single-ended amp, which is much more "tubey" i.e. has all that warmth and lushness one expects. BUT with some tube-rolling, I reckon the Valvemark could be made into something a tad more coloured... despite the solid-state rectifier. So if you can give it a go, and can get one for cheap, go for it... I paid $2700 for the 300B model, I'd hope you pay less than half that for something with no warranty and unsupported.

Btw this assumes the reason you want a tube amp is for a coloured sound? That's why I went with a single-ended tube amp. A truly neutral, good tube amp sounds indistuingishable to me from a truly neutral, good solid-state amp.

Sincerely,
Mal

Malcolm Fear · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 May 2005, 11:15 am »

Hi Mal

Where in Oz are you? If convenient. I would like to hear your 300B's.

I am an AKSA (Aspen Amplifiers) person, with Diatone full range speakers.

regards
Mal

Mal P · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 May 2005, 11:31 am »

I'm in Canberra, no worries about having a listen, if you're nearby drop in! Actually I wouldn't mind hearing the AKSA myself, heard good, tubey things about it.

Sincerely,
Mal

Malcolm Fear · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 May 2005, 06:08 am »

I don't often get to Canberra.
If you are in Sydney, however, do drop in.

barfind · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 May 2005, 11:37 pm »

Thanks Mal. I only paid 900 for a 12w 300B set. It sounds good. It has more detail and better soundstage than my PP tube amp. Seems quite well made, well designed anyway. Wire dress is non existant. It has chokes on both the output trannies and the power trannies so it has potential. When it has burnt in I mey rebuilt it, maybe without SS regulation. This amp was not one they sold, it was one they had in delevopment, but it never reached the assembly line.

Malcolm Fear, I get to Sydney all the time, I'm in Newcastle. If you like I could bring it down for a listen.

Nigel

Mal P · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 May 2005, 12:49 am »

Hi Malcolm - will do!

Hi barfind,

Excellent, that's a good price for a 300B amp! May I ask what the tube complement is? The Valvemark I had used Svetlana 300Bs, but I can't remember the driver or grid coupler. 6SN7 perhaps followed by... ?

Show us a picture if you get the chance... what can I say, I'm a hankerer for tube-porn

Sincerely,
Mal

barfind · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 May 2005, 02:29 am »

Mal Here is the info.
Valveart 300b's Soon to be rolled
driver 5687 followed by 2 x 12ax7 Just ordered nos mullards ouch!

Has only about 30hrs on it but is becoming very dynamic and soundstage is becoming more 3D. Its driving a pair of Open Baffle speakers 100db so its got heaps of slam.

Maybe we should all try and hookup for a day of music and comparing.

You can see my amp at this forum http://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=General;action=display;num=1111647228

And my speakers at this page http://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=diy;action=display;num=1109229075;start=15