We build variety of classic and customized vacuum tube amplifiers and preamplifiers in Ottawa, ON, Canada
Our objective is to assist audio enthusiasts in accessing high quality equipment without breaking the bank. By offering our help, we strive to empower them to acquire the best audio gear while staying within their budget constraints. All our amplifiers are built to order in accordance with customer specifications and component choices. We also may offer a balanced trade-off between cost and performance. While quality components are clearly important, most makers agree that you need to know why you’re using a part in any given position because simply stringing together the most expensive components you can acquire doesn’t always yield the best results. Sometimes "less perfect" components, when married together correctly, give a better output than "top of the line" incredibly expensive components.
Interest in new amps and maintaining old amps is keeping tube factories operating in several countries. The tubes choice is usually up to the customer, however, our tubes of choice are New Sensor Corporation (including Electro-Harmonix, Genalex, Mullard, Sovtek, Svetlana, Tung-Sol) and Slovak JJ Electronic. We also using lots of NOS tubes (especially old Soviet era military stock).
The importance of quality power and output transformers is well known in the tube’s world. Output transformers made with high-quality materials and construction techniques can produce a more detailed, dynamic, and balanced sound, with better bass response, smoother midrange, and extended high frequencies. Most of our transformers are built to order by Edcor USA or Hammond Canada.
The coupling capacitors are very important components. There is great reward in voicing your electronics with coupling capacitors that suit your taste. We are using Jantzen Audio Denmark, Audience's Auricap , Audyn , Mundorf's MCap as well as multiple NOS PIO audio capacitors such as K40Y-9, K75-10 etc.
The power supply components are also important to the amplifier's sound and power output capabilities. We are using only high quality Electrolytic capacitors mostly manufactured in Japan by Nichicon, Elna and Rubycon as well as TDK-EPCOS Metallized Polypropylene MKP Capacitors (for power supply stability).
You are welcome to bring your own parts to be incorporated in our customizable designs for you. We realize the impact of inflation on new parts cost. Tubes, transformers, capacitors (except of used electrolitic) even old chassis, everything may be reused to save more.
Introduction to Vacuum Tube Audio Electronics by Michael S. McCorquodale, Ph.D.
How It's Made - Vacuum Tubes (Video)
Journey to the Center of a Tube (Video by TubeDepot.com)
Valve Amplifiers Introduction by Lenard Audio Institute
Beginner Introduction Guide to Tubes & Valves in Amps & Audio by Spartan Music
Why Tubes Sound Better by Ken Rockwell
The Cool Sound of Tubes by Eric Barbour
Tube vs Solid-State by John Templeton (TheTubestore.com)
And if you are interested in commercially available and expensive quality equipment here are some examples:
Element Acoustics Ottawa
Cary Audio
Unison Research
Primaluna USA
Dedicated Audio Store
We are located in Ottawa
Ontario, Canada
contact@alevaudio.com