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simple question about cathodyne PI

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hpupo

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Joined 2011
#1
i still dont fully understand the cathode follower (an thus the cathodyne PI), but i am not looking for an explanation on this thread. My question is: since the gain is almost unity, does it mean i am limited to more or less 4Vpp on the input (for a 12ax7)? Or the whole essense of this circuity is that it allows the input voltage to go higher (of course to the limitations of voltage swing available for both resistors). lets say i have, for example a V supply of 300V, which half would be for the tube (150) and half divided on the 2 resistor (75V), could actually (assuming correct bias) input 75Vpp on the tube grid?

Thanks
 
#2
My question is: since the gain is almost unity, does it mean i am limited to more or less 4Vpp on the input (for a 12ax7)?
Click to expand...

No. The input voltage swing can be essentially higher since the cathode potential "follows" the the grid voltage variations.

Or the whole essense of this circuity is that it allows the input voltage to go higher
Click to expand...

Exactly so.

lets say i have, for example a V supply of 300V, which half would be for the tube (150) and half divided on the 2 resistor (75V), could actually (assuming correct bias) input 75Vpp on the tube grid?
Click to expand...

Yes. The typical available output swing (peak-to-peak) of a cathodyne phase splitter is some 0,25 x supply voltage.
 
#5
If you look at the example on the valvewizard web site you will see the plate curves for a 12AX7. As it says, input voltage swing will be from 0V to 4V peak to peak. That's it. Any further input will cause the tube to go into cutoff and saturation.

The maximum input voltage to the cathodyne will be the difference in voltage between the cathode and the grid. In the example above it is 2V peak or 1.4VRMS.

Don't confound grid voltage and grid to cathode voltage.
 
#6
Ok, now im confused again. As palustris said, let's say the max Vpp is in fact 4V. how can we drive a power tube that would require at least 10Vpp? One could argue that we could use a driver in between, but all the circuits ive seen have a voltage amplifier PROCEEDING the cathodyne. Actually that's what the valvewizard says on the article....
 
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