This is my own personal OTL amplifier prototype that I built as a possible Decware flagship product several years back. It uses the 6C33C output tubes, two per channel to give 20 watts into 8 ohms.  

The design turned out to be far too difficult to put into production without circuit boards, in fact I remember the two weeks of bench time when I built it almost put me in the hospital with a stuck vertebra in my neck. That was a big deciding factor, but more importantly was the price. This would have been a 20K amplifier in a slightly more dolled up chassis and our market wouldn't have supported it.

It has always exceeded the fidelity of all other Decware amplifiers as you would expect and still does with the possible exception of our new Anniversary amp, but that amp is only 2 watts and no direct comparisons have been made since the applications are so different.

I have always only listened to the things I sell because if it's not good enough for me, I shouldn't be selling it. The only exceptions are amps, like this, which were built with the intension of putting into production. Since I know for a fact that this amp won't be going into production I find no pleasure in seeing it set on a shelf and not doing what I created it for.  It would be best to sell it.  I could always make another one someday if I had to.

The R&D on this was a lot. It is the only one that exists like it in the world.  I firmly believe it to be the best sounding OTL amp ever made because there are no tubes in parallel. In fact it is basically a single tube per channel with the second tube being used as a constant current source.  

This amp is fan cooled with dual quiet slow running fans built into the base.

Price is 10K OBO

Terms are personal check or money order made out to Steve Deckert, amp ships when cleared. Shipping is included at the 10K price, although it would be advisable to drive here and pick it up. This way we know it won't get broken in shipping, and you can hear it before you hand over the check, and I can give hands on lesson on how to use it. I will warranty it against defects for 1 year, after that any repairs are parts and labor.  A functioning set of tubes will be supplied, however the buyer will be expected to have at least four output tubes on hand. The tubes cost about $50 each from ebay and if your not familiar with them, you are also expected to do some research as these are not normal audio tubes and by their nature can not be tested with any constancy in 99% of all tube testers. The only way to test them is in the amp and see how they behave. The amplifier has meters for each channel to show the tube bias and watching how it warms up and balances out is how test and match the tubes. The current draw idles at 200 mA per channel and should be limited to 400mA per channel when playing music.

While the tubes get hot, the amp stays cool to the touch so long as the fans are on.  The fans must never not be used else the amp will melt down in less than 20 minutes.

If you're new to tubes don't even ask about this amp, it's not for sale to you at any price.  


Steve

Plus it has the cool skull with ruby eyes volume knob. Worth at least $2k by itself.

What an amp. I'm sure it sounds spectacular. I've spent more than enough on Decware over the years to have bought this if I hadn't spent the money before, but look at all the great listening I would have missed in the meantime! I hope this finds a great home!

Justify?   What does that mean?    ;D

If I had the money, I would absolutely get this amp. This amp (probably literally) rewired my brain when it comes to listening to music.

Thankfully, a CDApS member is putting in an offer so we can keep in the family. And being local, it looks like he would drive down to learn from Steve how to feed and water his new pet and pick up the amp.

I've always loved this amp, I just can't see me being able to afford it without selling my ZMA - and that's not happening anytime soon. (unless Steve wants a straight up trade!?  :D  )

(Virtual High-Five)

Next CDApS meet at your house!!

Or feel free to bring it down south and we'll do an OTL tour. We just need to rent a Brinks security truck to transport it.  ;)

I had to put my spare bedroom build on pause due to being sick constantly since like late November. So I still have all my foam diffusers piled up and not yet mounted to the walls. I'll see what I can bring along. We just need to plan the When!

Quote:


I like the sound of that.

Going to a good home indeed!

Here’s an infrared picture of the OTL. This helps show just how much heat this puts off as this picture is entirely illuminated by the infrared radiation from the tubes.

Steve said 200 to 400 watts depending if it’s sitting idle or being driven. Far less than I expected actually. It takes it a long time to warm up and a long time to cool down. When it’s been used for a few hours it really puts off a lot of heat.

Since I've redone the wiring nothing dims lights. Though I doubt this amp would in any normal situation. Sometime I’ll measure its inrush current.

Well the infrared picture is just cooler than shit!  

So how does it feel to be listening to tubes designed for Russian ICBM's that were intended specifically to kill you?

Steve