Gainclone vs tube

navin · 13th January 2006, 04:39 AM

both the gainclone and most tube amps can be very simple designs and deliver performance that belies their cost but how would they compare to each other.

Say a good gainclone like the gain card (25W) v/s an EL34 PP Triode or UL (15-30W) ?

BTW I did read the thread comparing the gainclone to Leach etc..but that was a SS only comparision and I did not see the AKSA mentioned.

dsavitsk · 13th January 2006, 05:52 PM

I'm not sure what "most tube amps" involves, but my experience is that they take considerably more money and skill than a GC. Mind you, I prefer a good DHT SET and think it sounds better, but it is not going to get built for $100 like a GC.

Salas · 13th January 2006, 08:28 PM

I had the chance to compare a GC with a 3 stage DIY PP 20W classA triode, both made by me. The tubed amp kills the GC in every department. But the GC is way too good for the time and effort. Its certainly cool and fast sounding. For those that havent experienced the GC, I can say that it reminds a lot low powered Naim Audio models for tonality and pace.

navin · 14th January 2006, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by salas
I had the chance to compare a GC with a 3 stage DIY PP 20W classA triode, both made by me. The tubed amp kills the GC in every department..

for the record what tubes/schematic were you using?

Peter Daniel · 14th January 2006, 03:29 AM

Here, you can find an interesting comparison of a Gainclone vs Tube:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/a...r/patek_4.html

navin · 14th January 2006, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Daniel
Here, you can find an interesting comparison of a Gainclone vs Tube:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/a...r/patek_4.html

Excellent review. SO any other tube-chip combos out there?

Peter Daniel · 14th January 2006, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by navin
SO any other tube-chip combos out there?

Check the second letter here:

http://www.6moons.com/lettersfeedbac...sfeedback.html

lineup · 14th January 2006, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by navin
So any other tube-chip combos out there?

Joe Rasmussen has a wellknown hybrid:
Tube + LM3875

Joe homepage:
http://www.customanalogue.com/diytub...lone/index.htm

diyaudio thread:
Tube with Power IC Output Stage - JLTi

latest version tnt-audio review:
http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/jlti_mk2_e.html

Dumbass · 14th January 2006, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by navin
Excellent review. SO any other tube-chip combos out there?

I use tube pre (Bottlehead foreplay) with IGC power amp.

Suits me.

Almost everything I've read about gainclones says, you want a right-sized power supply that can supply current at a moment's notice. Battery PS has been recommended, as has hi-cap Carlos AC PS. Regulated PS gets mixed reviews, personally I think regulation just gets in the way of supplying current to the IC. To me, a well-implemented GC is inherently low-noise, regulated PS doesn't appeal, but that isn't dogmatic.

The catch with tubes is that they require good iron. That's the thing that has struck me, again and again, while looking into these things. And good iron = $$$.

Salas · 14th January 2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

for the record what tubes/schematic were you using?

13th January 2006, 04:39 AM	#1
navin diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mumbai (Bombay), India	Gainclone vs tube both the gainclone and most tube amps can be very simple designs and deliver performance that belies their cost but how would they compare to each other. Say a good gainclone like the gain card (25W) v/s an EL34 PP Triode or UL (15-30W) ? BTW I did read the thread comparing the gainclone to Leach etc..but that was a SS only comparision and I did not see the AKSA mentioned. __________________ ...still looking for the holy grail.

14th January 2006, 03:29 AM	#5
Peter Daniel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada	Here, you can find an interesting comparison of a Gainclone vs Tube: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/a...r/patek_4.html __________________ www.audiosector.com “Do something really well. See how much time it takes. It might be a product, a work of art, who knows? Then give it away cheaply, just because you feel that it should not cost so much, even if it took a lot of time and expensive materials to make it.” - JC

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13th January 2006, 05:52 PM	#2
dsavitsk diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	I'm not sure what "most tube amps" involves, but my experience is that they take considerably more money and skill than a GC. Mind you, I prefer a good DHT SET and think it sounds better, but it is not going to get built for $100 like a GC.

13th January 2006, 08:28 PM	#3
Salas diyAudio Chief Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Athens-Greece	I had the chance to compare a GC with a 3 stage DIY PP 20W classA triode, both made by me. The tubed amp kills the GC in every department. But the GC is way too good for the time and effort. Its certainly cool and fast sounding. For those that havent experienced the GC, I can say that it reminds a lot low powered Naim Audio models for tonality and pace.

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