2. amps-preamps
  3. 1366831918

Firing up old tube amps. Should I worry?

Hey, I'm going to fire up a pair of World Audio Design KEL80 monoblocks I built probably 15 years ago. They probably haven't been on in 10+ years. Anything I should worry about? All parts used back then were new and good ones - may have upgraded the capacitors. I don't have a Variac, so I can't ramp up the voltage. They worked back then, but I'm just a little concerned they'll arc or something and blow my speakers.
128x128marlin38

Showing 5 responses by marlin38

marlin38's avatar
marlin38 OP
20 posts
 
This is the P/P EL34 type tube amp.
marlin38's avatar
marlin38 OP
20 posts
 
Thanks for all your input. I'm running the left channel right now on a cheapo computer speaker. Seems fine, no weird popping noises or buzzing at start up. I think I'm in the clear on this one. I'm going to run it for about 15 minutes, shut it down and then do the same to the right monoblock.

Fingers crossed.
marlin38's avatar
marlin38 OP
20 posts
 
Right channel works normally too. I'll try not to let another 10 years pass before I run them!
marlin38's avatar
marlin38 OP
20 posts
 
I did. They're monoblocks, so I had the speaker connected to the one I turned on.

Really pleased and surprised at how quiet these amps are after sitting so long. Was expecting some hums or buzzes. Really a nice warm sound with a good amount of punch.

This was a World Audio Design KEL-80 kit amp that I built back in the late 90's. Not even sure if they're still around.
marlin38's avatar
marlin38 OP
20 posts
 
4 x EL-34 per channel, driven by a 6AU6 and a 5687.
More to discover