The Essex Blonde is a single valve output 8 Watt Amplifier that I have just checked out. There was an issue with electrostatic hum pickup which I have repaired. This amplifier can run with output valves from 6V6GT to KT88. The sound changes but of course the output is limited to the output transformer and the internal power supply. 9 out of 10 for design and layout but 6 out of 10 for using poor quality components. The jack sockets are just cheap and junky without decent plating for a good contact, there is no subtle way of routing the output speaker lead. Shame on you Hayden, you spoilt the whole ship for a half pence of tar. Profit before quality is always an error.
