|   Learning About Tubes | massjake
Sep 3, 2002 5:46 PM | | I am interested in entering the world of tubes, however, I don't know where to start. Is there a site or book that includes the basics of tube amps? I have owned solid state amps for the past 25 years and from all the hubbub about tubes I think it's time to explore this area.
Thanks in advance. |
| re: Learning About Tubes | skeptic
Sep 5, 2002 12:13 PM | | You will have to go back back back into history to find old electronics texts and tube manuals to get an understanding of how vacuum tubes work and how they are used in electronics circuits. Unfortunately for anybody who is under about say 30 or 35 years of age, these relics of the past are only of interest to a very small segment of the audio industry. Talk to some old geezer electronics tech or engineer and they will tell you all of their war stories and the history of how they got into electronics. I hope you are the patient type. |
| re: Learning About Tubes | massjake
Sep 5, 2002 7:14 PM | | Thanks for the reply skeptic but I was interested more in the basics of the amps themselves. (I probably wasn't very clear.) When I say basics I mean terminology, how they work, and what I need to know in order to make an informed decision in reguards to purchase. When reading through the threads on tube amps it all looks pretty confusing. |
| re: Learning About Tubes | skeptic
Sep 10, 2002 6:03 PM | | Well except for knowing that it's a black box with inputs and outputs and you shouldn't drive it without a load connected to it, as an audiophile, there isn't much more you need to know. But if you want to know how they work, then you will have to study an elementary course in basic electronics the way it was taught 50 years ago. It's not particularly hard to understand if you can find somebody with the knowledge and patience to teach you. As for making an informed decision know this. There probably hasn't been a new vacuum tube for audio amplifiers in the last 40 years. They still use 12AX7A for preamps and KT88s for output tubes. Although they use better coupling capacitors, the circuits are pretty much the same as tehy always were. There isn't anything remarkable about output transformers that's been discovered recently as far as I know. Of course, solid state power supplies are much better than the old tube rectifiers. Unfortunately, there are few if any kits to build and the rarity of parts and their "exotic" nature makes current prices sky high. There are two schools of thought on buying amplifiers. One is by the specs. The other is by listening. Take your pick. Most audiophiles use the second method. Some would swear they can hear the difference between one amp and another identical model with the very next serial number. |
| re: Learning About Tubes | dr_no
Oct 18, 2002 2:52 AM | | You might check the library for books like "Radio Amateurs Handbook". It has some audio theory. You may purchase an RCA tube manual from Antique Electronics supply. It has some design theory. If you can find one, the RCA RAdioton Designers Handbook is very complete.
There are different designs and philosophies too. But be careful. Many are compensated for selling product and most are just amateurs. Learn from books and go to trusted sites with good names and with excellent reviews, comparing to other brands in writing. Not just "this is the best I have heard" lingo.
Hope this helps. |
| re: Learning About Tubes | massjake
Oct 19, 2002 11:06 AM | | Thanks dr no, I'll try those leads. Hey, FYI, while surfing on this subject I came accross a couple of do-it-yourself amp kits that seem interseting and fairly well received by the bottlehead community. Decware.com and bottlehead.com both offer tube amp kits for the inexperienced through experienced "solder slinger". Seems like a great way to get the feel for tube electronics. I may look into this avenue a little closer. Any thoughts on this ? |
| re: Learning About Tubes | 300A
Oct 21, 2002 3:25 PM | | There are pros and cons of a kt.
1) Easy price since your own labor is involved and don't need the best parts.
2) Get some experience and education building a component. (Don't get too much of a "feel" though or you'll get some shock therapy. BE CAREFUL. Sounds dramatic but it is true and can never be too careful.)
3) Can get good sound for modest amount of money, good value.
4) Reviews? Can product stand on its own, or does it need upgrades. If upgrades needed, means more money, ups the cost, especially on the amplifier. Can approach the cost of prebuilt unit, esp. when good parts are purchased.
5) I would personally listen to each before purchasing. General rule, once bought, usually no return. These gents may be different about return policy though. I would definitely get any return policy in writing. Will amp be low power, like SET? If so, then may need different speakers.
6) In my opinion, the best designs are never in a kit, for several reasons. Of course, for little money, one wouldn't expect the best.
If you are going to low power, at least listen to what you may purchase. If you don't like, then go higher power like pp tubes.
Anyway, I hope this helps a little.
Dr.No |
| re: Learning About Tubes | JimmerJr
Nov 27, 2002 4:27 AM | | I've recently been thinking about trying tubes & building from a kit. The decware & bottlehead kits are single end triode tube kits - this means they are low power - up to 3.5 W/channel. You willl need highly efficient speakers (95dB +) for these kits. Check out diyhifisupply.com, they have some class AB kits starting at about 500. Also if you do a search on vacuum tube theory on the net, you will find much information on the basics. |
| re: Learning About Tubes | Steve Margolis
Nov 5, 2002 1:32 PM | | I would recommend: "Valve Amplifiers" by Morgan Jones (Newnes). That should give you a reasonable feel for the subject. You can then learn more by surfing around or checking out the tube or SET (Single Ended Triode) forums at www.audioasylum.com.
There's actually an incredible amount of learning, tuition and information on the Web. You might start with www.artsandmedia.com. Of course, there's no substitute for listening.
As far as kits are concerned, take a look at www.diyhifisupply.com - very nice guy, very good kits.
I hope that you enjoy this area as much as I do, despite what some have told you.
Steve |
| re: Learning About Tubes | massjake
Nov 17, 2002 7:25 PM | | Steve, Great site! Have you purchased anything from diyhifisupply? If so, could you share your experience-i.e. quality of product, communication, transaction, etc? The DIY sites I've looked at (bottlehead.com , decware.com) naturally claim their products are the best thing since sliced bread. What do the DIYers out there think? |
| re: Learning About Tubes | JimmerJr
Nov 27, 2002 4:33 AM | | Of course ech of those are going to tout their product as the best. For an objective opinion you will need to go to audioasylum. Do a search on Zen or Paramour & you will find several comparisons/opinions. |
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