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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> SE84UFO >> Opinions on Decware Inspired Amp
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Message started by Lawson Kelley on 06/26/18 at 00:24:22

Title: Opinions on Decware Inspired Amp
Post by Lawson Kelley on 06/26/18 at 00:24:22

I am looking for used Decware equipment here in Australia and it there is not much to be found. However I did run across a "Decware Inspired" EL84 amp that is for sale and looks to be well built. Would love to get more experienced opinions.

https://retro-thermionic.blogspot.com/2015/11/el84-se-ul-power-amp-with-attenuator.html
Asking price is around $400 usd.

Lawson

Title: Re: Opinions on Decware Inspired Amp
Post by Retro on 06/28/18 at 14:16:22

It was an amp I built with some reference to Decware ideas. I have great respect for the Decware amps and design.

Partially inspired by Decware design and Bruce Heron of oddwatt loving the EL84 I built this amp. My build was a SE UL with Audio Note Tin foil caps, National NOS EL84s, Alps Blue Velvet pot and Ozzie Spotted Gum base. Sophia mesh plate rectifier tube.

Hammond iron and Edcor OPTs with WBT silver solder used throughout. When it came up for re-sale I nearly put in an offer to buy it back. It was really that good.

Title: Re: Opinions on Decware Inspired Amp
Post by mark58 on 06/28/18 at 14:57:17

Sounds like a great Amp. What's the difference between a Triode
and SE UL Amp? Mark.

Title: Re: Opinions on Decware Inspired Amp
Post by Retro on 06/28/18 at 22:54:07

Decware strap the EL84s as triodes and tie the screen grid to the plate. In my build the OPTs have a feedback tap on the primary winding of the tranni. That tap sends part of the signal back to the screen grid to act as local NFB.

This allows the amp to generate a little more power, extends the frequency range and to me sounds better all over with more solid bass.