In my quest for better sound, a name that continuously enters the conversation is Decware.  After looking at Steve's web page several times over the last year or better, I decided to take a serious look at S.E.T. amplification. The major set back was $$$.... Yes again its the green, not so much that the amps are expensive but the dollars per watt. Recently I checked back with Decware and found to my liking a DIY SE84 amp kit for a measly $300, but I still have some concerns.

Is 2.3 watts per channel enough?

At this price how much quality can I expect?

Will I really hear the EL-84 tube magic?

Is this kit easy enough for a beginner?

Well it time to find out, I ordered the kit and I am ready to build.

Here is a link to the Decware DIY Kits..   http://www.decware.com/newsite/diy.html

I think Steve pinched the Decware SE84 circuit from a single-ended 6BQ5/EL-84 General Electric console stereo amplifier.....with some modifications of his own of course.

2.3 watts per channel would be plenty for Klipsch LaScala or Khorn, unless you have a giant sized listening area. Then 2.3 watts won't cut it. I listened nearfield with Lascala using a 71A triode. Something like 800 millivolts per side.......but I had enough power and loudness. I couldn't rattle walls, but that's not what listening to triodes is about......

Hopefully, you get plenty of quality for a single ended 6BQ5 amp.

Single-ended 6BQ5 can sound rather good. I prefer pentode connection. Where there is a screen supply instead of triode strapping a 6BQ5/EL-84.

I dunno if you have heard a directly heated triode such as a 2A3 or 300B in a single ended amplifier, but don't expect a SE 6BQ5 amplifier to pull off the same open euphonic "magic" tone. They can get rather close, however......

Single-ended 6BQ5/EL-84 circuits are perfect for someone starting out DIY with vacuum tubes.

The nice thing about a kit is one can just put it together without much if any troubleshooting. Layout has already been done, the builder just has to follow it. Don't forget to add your touch to the amplifier.....personalization so to speak. You don't want it to look like a typical Decware amp. You want a "GotHover" amp.
[EDIT] Dave Harris amp.

I never could afford a kit amplifier, so I always end up doing full ground up projects. Or reworking a vintage amplifier.And it takes a little time to configure a wiring layout, sockets, transformers, etc....I like doing it, so it isn't a big deal to me.

A Magnavox single-ended 6BQ5/El-84 console stereo amplifier can be found for rather cheap. They are rather nice sounding little amplifiers brought up to snuff with some mods.

I did a breadboard of the "RH84" single ended 6BQ5/EL-84 amplifier circuit. It uses a 12AT7 driver. I was using James 6123HS universal output transformers which was kinda overkill.......but the RH84 circuit I threw together had the closest sound to that of a directly heated single-ended triode. It was real close......With the OPT's used, it was better than the Maggotbox amps with respect to bass.

Per the instructions, I verified and separated all of my parts, I started by installing the tube sockets.

Mike, this one I am going to build stock per the instructions, If I absolutely love it, I will install it in a custome chassis, and maybe swap out the caps for ones of my liking.

One of my question is answered so far. This amp is so easy to build, I am anticipating 3-4 hours start to finish.

Here is a closeup, as you can see all of the parts are labeled on the board. This is nearly fool proof, Ooops I hope I didn't speak too soon.

Now that the resistors are installed, I am installing the caps.

Caps instlled, I have to say it kills me to install the $0.25 signal caps in this circuit.

This is the shot where I wire the output transformers incorrectly, so much for idiot proof.

Decware SE84C DIY completed in just over 3 hours. Almost time for the smoke test.

The only Items not included in the base kit is the IEC power cord, tubes and a few jumper wires. Decware does however include the IEC receptacle, and stressees many times in the instruction to strain relief all of the transformer wires to prevent damage.

Nice job, looking foward to your impressions.

Great news, the Decware passed the smoke test, voltage measurements are correct, time for a road test.

For this amp I used 60's vintage RCA 6BQ5 output tubes an a Bugle driver tube. I let the amp warm up a little, then played a few of my favorite artists, ie Diana Krall, Norah Jones, etc...    

Preliminary review, Right out of the gate the Decware SE84C-DIY is a nice sounding amplifier, extremely low noise floor for an amp with AC filaments, and is well balanced. I am not going to get to detailed on this prelim, because I have had not had the oportuninty to critically listen. Doing so would be unfair to myself and Decware.  I will say this kit is alot of fun to build and even a beginner with soldering experiance can complete this amp in a short amount of time without issue. 

I also want to add, I am surprised at how loud 2 watts plays on my Cornscala's.

I will report back in a few days, when I have had a chance to get a little more intimate with this amp.

Comments welcome....Dave Harris

The breadboard thing is cool for swapping out parts, tweaking, etc....

I guess if you want to show everything wired up on a piece of wood, here's my breadboard of the RH84 with James OPT's. Sylvania black plate 6BQ5's with a RCA white label 12AT7, Heathkit tube power supply for B+ and heater voltage.

Now that is a true DIY scratch build, I think the Decware may have been a little easier. I looked into building my own, but by the time I priced out the parts, I was at or near the price of the Decware.

How did your amp sound? So far I am very pleased with the SE84C-DIY Decware, but I am going to give it a few more days before I write a more thorough review, I am also going to compare to another DIY 84 amp and a 300B. Not exactly apples to apples, but will give me a good comparison.