Elliott Studio Arts 66-100

- Factory Demo unit, 100 hours or less on Electro Harmonix 6550 output tubes -

A
real powerhouse, this amplifier has a transparent quality that combined
with it's bouncy drive and excellent bass control makes for a truly
musical experience.  This no-nonsense amplifier will deliver all the
musical finesse that an audiophile / music lover would expect from a
tube amp.  Works great with more difficult loads due to it's low output
impedance and high current drive (for a tube amp).  Higher sensitivity
speakers will reveal its transparency and ultra low noise.  You'll hear
detail and layers within the recording, stable imaging and powerful
rhythmic drive.  Excellent with rock, jazz or classical music. This is a great sounding amplifier, very reliable and handsome too!

This amp started life in 1989 - when living in Honolulu I got bit by the audiophile bug after hearing my boss' Krell / ProAc / Sota Sapphire rig. Knowing I couldn't afford to buy high-end gear, and always into electronics and especially audio, I decided to build my own gear. First project was a pair of 3-way speakers, then a stereo power amp - the plans for which I photocopied at the UH library from the October 1966 edition of Audio magazine. This started my journey into researching tube power amps, improving the circuit as I learned. 5 years later I re-built the stereo amp as monoblocks which I used for another 10 or so years until I finally was asked by an associate to build him a stereo version of the amps. Well, he loved the prototype and encouraged me to build more to sell. I was also immediately impressed with the sound, so much better then the mono's (I had commissioned custom transformers and made some other improvements to the circuit). This is the final production version of that amp. The prototype is still running in my system and has been pressed into service DJ-ing wedding receptions, dances and talent shows.
Since building this amp I have also created and marketed a stereo preamp, a balanced stereo preamp, a stereo preamp with phono, an outboard MC step-up, several mic preamps, a 15 watt and 25 watt integrated amp with tone controls and repaired / upgraded numerous vintage and contemporary components.

IF you have any questions about this amp or any of my offerings, please reach out.


Features and Specifications
*100 Watts per channel into 4 ohms, 20-20,000 Hz power response
*Distortion @ 1KHz, 100 Watts  / 4 ohms: THD .889%, THD+N .895%
*Unbalanced RCA or optional balanced XLR inputs
*Optional Triode / Ultralinear switch (60 Watts triode mode)
*All point to point with over-specified hand matched parts and high-temp wiring
*Custom wound power and output transformers
*Choke coupled power supply w/ computer grade 'big can' caps
*Built in cooling fan with optional high speed operation for heavy duty use
*Built in bias adjustment setup w/ meter and switch
*Rugged precision steel chassis and engraved aluminum face plates
*Ultralinear mode output stage w/ local and nested feedback
*Low global feedback for lively sound
*Class AB operation, biased heavily into class A under 5 watts
*Tube Compliment: 4ea. 6550(standard)/KT88/KT90, 4 ea. 12AU7A
*120V / 60Hz standard - other line voltages available upon request -
*60-second B+ delay for high voltage to extend tube life
*65 lb. shipping weight
*5 year limited warranty on parts and labor (not tubes) -

Customer impressions:
"I have owned a large number of tube amps over the years. The list
includes a pair of McIntosh MC60, a pair of Paoli 60M which were
enhanced Dynaco MK3, Hadley 601, Conrad Johnson MV50, and Dyna 70. I've
always preferred tubes.

My current amp tops them all. It is a model 66-100 from Elliott Studio Arts
in Seattle.

Each unit is custom-made by hand.

The transformers are made in the USA and they are huge.

The circuit is wired point-to-point. The mechanical construction is
aircraft quality. The heavy gauge metal chassis is machined to tight
tolerances. It uses quality fasteners and sports high-quality paint and
plate finishes. But it's not just beautiful, it is quality throughout. 

The
best part is the sound. My unit uses four KT-120 tubes that provide
plenty of power for my power-hungry vintage JBL L-250ti speakers. (Lower
power tubes can be used as well with slight mod by Kevin Elliott.) Tube bias is easily adjustable with controls on the top and a built-in meter.

The
amp comes with a 5-year warranty plus complimentary minor upgrades if
circuit improvements become available. Kevin is easy to talk to, builds a
great product, and stands squarely behind it. And the price is much
lower than many of the other quality amps of the day. I highly recommend
it." - Jim Schneider

Also reviewed in Stereotimes back in 2009:
"The
Elliott Studio Arts Sixty-Six is a wonderful
sounding amplifier, aesthetically pleasing to both
the eyes and ears. In the past six months, I've not
had any issues with it whatsoever. I enjoyed my time
with it enough to qualify it as a reference for
price and performance. An easy win for my Stereo
Times'  Publisher's Choice 2009 Most Wanted
Component Award!"
Clement Perry