For your appreciation and information:
Our new EL34 budget integrated amp that is coming out very soon , is equipped with an active line stage. It is no longer a power amp with a passive line stage preamp. This is code named: APOLLO 2The circuit topology is very different from the amplifiers we built before. The line stage preamp uses a 6NIP or may be upgraded to 6DJ8. The phase inverter topology uses the floating paraphase scheme, and the power supply uses both a tube rectifier and high speed diodes together.
The budget EL34 basic power amp , code named APOLLO 1 , has no volume control and will need a separate preamp to drive it to full power.
APOLLO 1 and 2 will also be available in premium models, fitted out with Auricaps, NOS driver tubes, JJ Filter capacitors, fully chrome plated chassis and transformer covers. Of course the price will be higher but will still affordable.
Also in the test lab is our new passive gain line preamp. It uses an inductor to increase the gain from 250mv (CD output) to 1 volt (power amp input) No tubes and no power requirement. Check this out soon. CHEERS!