ANK Audiokitis are proud to announce our latest version EL34 C-Core amplification products producing the finest quality EL34/6CA7 integrated and power CLASS AB amps on the market today! The custom designed and manufactured EL34 Double C-Core output transformers are the heart of the system extending the highs, mids and lows to extraordinary levels. We have packaged the kit at a reasonable price to allow users to experience C-Cores technology. All the wonderful aspects of EL34 sonics are now extended with this product release.

The new version amplifier can purchased as a pure power amp or as our new Integrated amp technology complete with tube pre-amp section, ELMA extension kit and three pairs of RCA inputs.

The amplifier sports an updated power supply section complete with new massive low inductance CHOKE and Mundorfs latest power capacitor technology. The new Choke, ultra Quiet Mains T-190 and newly designed PCB make up the new EL34 Power Supply section.

A new ultra thick PCB has been designed to house the EL34 & ECF80 driver sections. Every detail has been taken into account to make for a very clean build - large chassis and signal ground traces expertly layed out assure a perfect sonic operation! Our new CMC black teflon valve bases are used for the EL34's such that they have an ultra snug fit into the board.

Here is the new EL34 PCB using the CMC black valve bases. Expertly designed with all the ideal grounding strategies for ultra quiet operation. Click on the image to see a larger picture.

We designed a new 12au7 tube pre-amp buffer section to drive the EL34/ECF80 power amp - this board is installed on the inside front of the chassis. This ultra quiet tube stage add the desired gain for an ideal integrated amplifier - it's so quiet as we have used some tricks to minimize any possible noise from this pre-amp section. Tube-roll away with your 12au7 collection to get different characteristics to your overall sound.

We have also added our ELMA selector extension kit with custom bracket similar to the L3 pre-amp - this assures very short RCA input wire lengths into the selector switch controlled from the front. From the selector, the audio signal uses AN-A shielded signal cable to travel to the ALPS PCB pot or which ever Potentiometer you want to install (the chassis fits all the standard types from various manufacturers including GoldPoint, DACT, ELMA, TKD, etc.) Alps is also offering a Remote control version of their 100K ALPS pot which easily fits into the amp.

The chassis is made of our usual thick 3mm aluminum powder coated black. Chassis fittings include AN gold brass knobs, AN speaker posts and gold plated RCA's.

Mullard introduced the EL34 late 1953 and has been used in many famous amplifiers throughout the years from manufacturers such as Marantz, Dynaco, Acrosound, Heath, H. H. Scott, Eico, etc.

A large version of this schematic is supplied with each kit

"I have spent many hours enjoying my favorite Al Di Meola mid 70's latin rock guitar fusion albums on my EL34 C-core amplifier - incredible punch and mind blowing realistic guitars, along with incredible detail, definition and information at the high end" - Brian Smith

Our custom made C-core transformers for the CLASS AB1 EL34 amplifiers extend the sonics in both the lower and upper registers for amazing control, definition and detail. Under development for over 3 years, we are now in full production mode. Order our C-core version amplifier in either power or integrated configurations for outrageous sonic quality.

EL34i Integrated Amplifier - C-Core Edition

$2,875(USD)

 

The integrated version extends the power only version with the following additions:

 

ELMA selector DACT extension kit ALPS 100K potentiometer 12AU7 pre-amp board Mundorf Silver capacitors Takman resistor set

 

EL34p Power Amplifier - C-Core Edition

$2,800(USD)

 

The power only version includes the following:

 

T-195 Mains CH-100W Choke Mundorf Mlytic Power Supply caps Rubycon & Panasonic FC electrolytics Silver Plated PTFE wire Gold RCAs Mundorf Silver capacitors Takman resistor set AN-A shielded cable

 

The EL34 stereo CLASS AB1 amplifier from AudioNote Kits was designed by master craftsman Andy Grove of Audio Note UK. This amplifier is near & dear to Andy’s heart and he has used many years of amplifier design knowledge to come up with this EL34 tube amplifier for the DIY market. As one customer recently put it – it sounds ridiculous! (that means very good!)

I asked Andy to write me an article on how the design came about – what were some of the reasons you went with the Pentode wiring instead of the Ultra linear mode as used in the famous DYNA ST-70. From the development of the output transformers, the overall circuit design– the prototype building, the tuning and optimizations of the circuits, the partitioning of the circuits into hardwired and PCB – the overall layout of the amplifier, the manual and all the parts sourcing – the end result is a DIY kit of the highest quality with amazing sound results. At 35W it is very flexible and running in CLASS AB1 it has many of the benefits of a single ended sound with the advantages of push pull.

Below is Andy’s article – Enjoy!

Brian Smith

The EL34 Integrated C core sounds freaking awesome! So smooth…. I don’t think that I have very discerning ears, but I am pretty sensitive to any harshness. (A lot of systems actually cause me a bit of pain).
There is absolutely none with this amp. The music also just seems more completely formed. The sound stage is so much more crisp and organized. The difference between my old amp and this one is pretty amazing in this regard. Another surprise is the potency of the 35 watts! My last few amps have been 100 watters. This seems pretty much as powerful. It has no problem driving my 86db efficient Sonus Faber Liuto monitors.

Anyway I couldn’t be happier. I’m not expecting or hoping for any improvement with the break in. Do you think there will be? I can’t imagine it.

Pete – great job with the build. As I’m sure you realized after answering my multitude of calls, I am a bit of a perfectionist. The craftsmanship is impeccable. I can’t stop staring at it. I defiantly don’t want to hide it with the cover. I will be having you build something else for me in the future.

Christopher Robertson

Daniel Oertli

Oh man does that look good! You have taken the levels of your kits through the roof. It's great to see that you get it, your bang for the buck is unparalleled. I am, and will continue to be a loyal customer.

Kevin Brandnor

John Thompson (Owner of the Record Center, Ottawa)

Dear Brian

I am really angry that I lost so many years experimenting with various more or less successful amps :)

-this is the best sound reproduction I have heard so far! My cousin put it this way “I have heard over 200 various top line solid state amps and some of them are really great (some Sansui and Yamaha early models, AUX1111, 2302, B-2x, M-2, etc.) but the easiness and effortlessness of this L4 ANK amp is just shocking! And this is what I observed – my speakers at long last got alive! There is a punch, timing, live emotions, life, MUSIC! This is kind of re-definition of music for me – you can quote me, no problem :)

best regards,
Woytec Bugg

L4 - EL34 kit design

The build quality and design of the L4-EL34 is of Extreme high quality, well thought out, and no different than any Audio Note finished product. The online instruction manual is highly visual and informative with description. The step by step CD photos make it impossible to go wrong.

Customer Service

Brian is extremely helpful (and a nice guy!), answering all questions related to kit parts, build connections, troubleshooting, upgrading parts, and general advice directing you toward the best sound reproduction possible....he really knows his stuff!!

Sound Quality

Turning on the built amp for the first time (a very nerve racking thing), revealed a quiet but very clear sound envelope. The amazing thing right away is that you notice is the extreme low noise floor....is there even a noise floor?.... It is so quiet that even with the volume up and no source pumping through, I have to keep looking to see if this amp is on...... Jet black background that is unbelievable to experience. (this unit must have a mini-black hole inside it sucking in all the back ground radiation :-)) The 50 hour mark started to allow this amp to open up, revealing a sound with excellent weight and sound pressure, but so detailed and non-fatiguing without imparting any colour, or favoring any particular frequency range. I am a professional musical as well and believe you me, I have tested this amp musically and am proud to have my music reproduced through the L4. At 80 hours, more of the signature parts are starting to burn in, revealing a large room canopy of sound......the sides get wider, the separation of instruments is excellent, and the note decay and air around each note and is breathtaking!! What truly needs to be heard is how this amp magically creates a depth of sound stage presence, giving you a 3D effect, allowing you to be right there in front of the musicians. The L4 is no filter and doesn't hold anything back. My preamp is the AN M8 and if the L4 was holding anything back..... it would tell me!! The truly amazing thing is, the silver caps and the output transformers still haven't burned in completely and I can't wait to hear this result. I can't imaging how this L4, (or anything else for that matter) could be any better. I'd like to see Stereophile Magazine review this L4 and put it up against anything in the 10k+ range!! You will not be disappointed one bit with this amplifier's performance!!! This one is a winner!!!.....and Highly recommended !!!

Excellent Job AN Kits!!!