Newbie with valves...

Bloosman

Bloosman

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Folks,

Just acquired an Audio Innovations 200 mkII power amp...

I have to say that I'm now a convert to tubes!

For something that's over ten years old, it is absolutely superb, driving my rear loaded Fostex's to perfection.

I have a query though...

Should it be running so hot...?

Do all valve amplifiers heat up so much...?

I can only gauge with previous equipment - all solid state.

Dougie.
 
yes they can run very hot to the point of self destruction.....

the glass can get up to 200deg but the body of the amp should be hot but not scorthing ....my cyber800 will heat my listening room to such a point that during the hot spell last summer listening was a trail ..
 
Oh yes they can get very hot but doesn't matter: just buy a professional air condition and then everything is ok again. ;)
 
and make sure you cool the room before you listen because you can't have the noise of the conditioner going while listening!
 
what a classic.

Partner with an Audio Innovations L1 or L2 and you'll have a visual and sonic treat.

Enjoy :)
 
Bloosman said:
Should it be running so hot...?

Do all valve amplifiers heat up so much...?

I can only gauge with previous equipment - all solid state.

Dougie.
Click to expand...

If the mains transformer is 230v, it will make the valves work harder on our 240v mains (which can be over 250v depending on where you live). This is not necessarily a problem with other components but can be with valve preamps and power amps. Also check that valves are correctly biased if applicable.

Edit: Using a 230v transformer in the UK could reduce the lifespan of your output tubes by 20%- something to consider if using Western Electrics, for example.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Newbie with Valves

Many thanks for the replies people.

I can put up with the heat, it's baltic here just now.

One thing I've noticed though is that my pre-amp (using my Cairn Aria integrated) doesn't actually have to be on for the power amp to work...!!!!

If left on stand-by, the pairing operates admirably. Volume control, source selection etc.

It makes no difference when it's actually switched on...!

Dougie.
 
hi bloosman, it means it's basically just a 'potentiometer' - or just a volume knob if you like - it's not got any electricity going through it.

The Audio Innovations L1 pre-amp (which I used to own by the way) is superb, and can be had for £175-£250 second hand.

If you see one, I reccomend getting it!

The designer made this the matching pre-amp (and the L2 I believe), so I wouldn't personally say a passive is (on paper, and IMHO) the best match.. although I'm sure it's capable of working well with one.

There are people on ZG who know an awful lot more about Audio Innovations amps than me, so I'll leave it to them, in case they want to pipe up.

NB
Time for some Audio Innovations porn, and one of the loveliest, classiest valve amp designs ever I think.. especially for my mind, because I salivated over this series of power amp for YEARS in the 90's, when I couldn't afford it.

AudioInnovationsFirst.jpg



Isn't she lovely?
 
Think of it as just a volume control and source selector on the path to your power amp, rather than another output stage getting in the way.
Active pre amps give more gain and some would prefer the sound that these bring, but i prefer the more 'minimalistic' approach.
 
From memory the 200 uses sweet little EL84 tubes in psh/pull and delivers 12wpc. It should sound great into efficient speakers that don't require serious grunt or bottom end grip.

Tube power amps ussually have high input impedance which makes them very passive pot friendly. Use low capacitance screened interconnect and keep the length as short as possible.

I have an old Hi-Fi Answers review of the 200 somewhere. I'll post a scan if I can locate it
 
RobHolt said:
From memory the 200 uses sweet little EL84 tubes in psh/pull and delivers 12wpc. It should sound great into efficient speakers that don't require serious grunt or bottom end grip.

Tube power amps ussually have high input impedance which makes them very passive pot friendly. Use low capacitance screened interconnect and keep the length as short as possible.

I have an old Hi-Fi Answers review of the 200 somewhere. I'll post a scan if I can locate it
Click to expand...

Hi,

The Series 200 mkII does indeed use EL84 which are cheap and plentiful. This versions was designed to be used with the Series 200 pre amp which had a passive line stage.

Later on, the L2 came out and the later Series 200 amps (MKIII/IV) were design with that in mind.

I agree with Rob about the interconnects.

SCIDB
 

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