S-5 ELECTRONICS TUBE AMP KITS
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The inexpensive vacuum tube (valve) amplifier kits made by S-5 Electronics are an ideal way to get introduced to vacuum tube audio. However, don't be fooled by their low cost. As many builders of these kits have found, these low cost tube amplifiers can sound better than amplifiers that cost many times more. All of the kits are a push-pull tube amplifier that supply from 8W to 16W of power (depending on the kit). The tube amp kits were designed by George Fathauer and the various versions have come with 11MS8, 11BM8 and 10GV8 triode-pentode tubes, with the newer kits using the 5670 triode and 6005 pentode tubes. |
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The S-5 Electronics Tube Amplifier Kits can be purchased online from TubeDepot.
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S-5 Electronics K-8LS Tube Amplifier Kit - 15 December 2007 
Bruce Heran has completed one of the new S-5 Electronics K-8LS Tube Amplifier Kits. Unfortunately, the results are not impressive at all (see the oscilliscope and frequency resposne measurements). Another reader has also confirmed the poor low frequency resposne measured by Bruce. If you have any experience with the new S-5 electronics tube amp kits, please contact us. |
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K-502 Valve Amplifier Kit - 9 July 2007 
Given the low cost and great sound of these tube amp kits, it is no surprise they are popping up everywhere. This is Scott's build of the inexpensive K-502 tube amp kit. It features a fantastic looking enclosure and uses a stepped attenuator for volume control. |
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K-502 Tube Amplifier Kit and The DelSol Speaker - 5 April 2007 
This is Barry's build of a K-502 Tube Amplifier Kit and The DelSol Speaker which uses the Aura NS3-194-8E fullrange driver. The enclosure for the K-502 Tube Amp Kit is wood and plexiglass. Together these two projects make a great looking hi-fi unit. Nice work Barry! |
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More Modifications for the K-12M Tube Amp - 25 January 2007
Another S-5 Electronics K-12M Tube Amplifier Kit! This is Bruce's build of the popular and inexpensive Tube Amplifier Kit. Bruce has completed several modifications which include many of VoltSecond's mods, new input and coupling caps, a beefed up power supply and upgraded output transformers wired in Ultra Linear (UL) Mode. |
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A Case for the K-12M Tube Amplifier Kit - 9 November 2006 
This is Mark's build of the S-5 Electronics K-12M Tube Amplifier Kit. In fact, Mark has built three of these fantastic kits! His modifications include snubbers, a beefed up power supply and upgraded power and output transformers. |
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K-12M Tube Amplifier Kit - 2 January 2005
At $139US for the kit, this is the cheapest Tube Amplifier kit on the block. However, don't let the inexpensive price tag fool you, as this tube amp can go head to head with amps that cost $800. With its very modest price tag, this kit is an affordable step into the wonderful world of vacuum tube audio. I have provided information about my experiences with the K-12M kit as well as several modifications and upgrades that I have tried out. |
S-5 ELECTRONICS TUBE AMP LINKS
Tube Amplifier Kits at TubeDepot
Online supplier of the various S-5 Electronics kits and other Tube Amp Kits.
S-5 Electronics Tube Amp Kit Photo Gallery
A photo gallery of completed S-5 Electroncis Tube Amplifier Kits. Feel free to upload share photos of your tube amp.
S-5 Electronics
Creator of these popular tube amplifier kits.
VoltSecond's Modificaion of a K-12M
The K-12M modifications outlined by VoltSecond are well thought out and have received positive reviews by several others who have implemented them. This page is a must read if you own one of these tube amplifier kits.
audioXpress review of K-12M Kit - (PDF 348KB)
An in-depth review of the S-5 Electronics K-12M kit published in the November 2002 issue of audioXpress.
K-502 Kit built by John Calhoun
A K-502 Tube Amp Kit with an attractive wooden enclosure.