low-power output tube quality

PRNDL · 17th May 2007, 02:41 PM

I'm comparing low-power output tubes (1-5 Watts) and was wondering if anyone could comment on the sound quality for guitar amps.

Here's my list so far

Pentode 7-pins: EL95 $34, 6AQ5 $6, 6AK6 $4, 12C5 $2
Dual pentode 9-pin: ELL80 $35
Dual triode 9-pin: 6N1P $6

The EL95 & ELL80 are too expensive, unless the sound quality is far superior.
The 12C5 (or 6C5) is an interesting choice, since it was used in radios.
The 6N1P is also interesting, since it is a dual triode, but UL is out.

My plan is to use a Jensen Mod6-15 6" 4 ohm speaker.
Also, I favor push-pull ultralinear.

Also, is there a guide that shows what the abbreviations (Ia, Ra, S, etc) are in the Duncan TDSL tube database?

ilimzn · 17th May 2007, 02:55 PM

The list is hardly comprehensive...
ELL80 is expensive formost because it is rare, it was even rare when it was still being made. IIRC it is actually two EL95's in the same bottle.
6N1P is hardly something to consider as an output tube, although it is possible. Something like an 6SN7, 6FQ7, 6CG7 or ECC99 would be more suited, though less power available compared to pentodes.

Ia = anode (plate) current
Ra = anode (plate) resistor or resistance (depends on who wrote the data, usually in the tables it is the plate resistance)
S = gm = rate of change of plate current with grid voltage

arnoldc · 17th May 2007, 02:55 PM

Class Class of operation
Va Anode voltage
Vg2 Screen voltage
Vg1 Grid voltage
Ia Anode current in mA
Ig2 Screen current in mA
Ra Anode resistance in ohms
S Transconductance in mA/V *
Rk Cathode resistor in ohms
Zout Output load impedance
Pout Power output in watts
THD Total harmonic distortion in %
RMSin Maximum RMS input voltage
Irect Maximum DC rectified current in mA
Cout Maximum load capacitance in uF
Rser Minimum series resistance per anode

These came from the Help file of TDSL.

PRNDL · 17th May 2007, 03:32 PM

I really like the ECC99 since it's new and fairly inexpensive.

Does anyone have detailed info on it?
The online TDSL doesn't have anything.
The JJ spec sheet has some data.

Would the Edcore XPP10-4-8K be appropriate for a 4-ohm speaker?

Also, would any champ OT be suitable?
Triode TF103-48

17th May 2007, 02:41 PM	#1
PRNDL diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	low-power output tube quality I'm comparing low-power output tubes (1-5 Watts) and was wondering if anyone could comment on the sound quality for guitar amps. Here's my list so far Pentode 7-pins: EL95 $34, 6AQ5 $6, 6AK6 $4, 12C5 $2 Dual pentode 9-pin: ELL80 $35 Dual triode 9-pin: 6N1P $6 The EL95 & ELL80 are too expensive, unless the sound quality is far superior. The 12C5 (or 6C5) is an interesting choice, since it was used in radios. The 6N1P is also interesting, since it is a dual triode, but UL is out. My plan is to use a Jensen Mod6-15 6" 4 ohm speaker. Also, I favor push-pull ultralinear. Also, is there a guide that shows what the abbreviations (Ia, Ra, S, etc) are in the Duncan TDSL tube database?

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17th May 2007, 02:55 PM	#2
ilimzn diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Zagreb	The list is hardly comprehensive... ELL80 is expensive formost because it is rare, it was even rare when it was still being made. IIRC it is actually two EL95's in the same bottle. 6N1P is hardly something to consider as an output tube, although it is possible. Something like an 6SN7, 6FQ7, 6CG7 or ECC99 would be more suited, though less power available compared to pentodes. Ia = anode (plate) current Ra = anode (plate) resistor or resistance (depends on who wrote the data, usually in the tables it is the plate resistance) S = gm = rate of change of plate current with grid voltage

17th May 2007, 02:55 PM	#3
arnoldc diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Makati	Class Class of operation Va Anode voltage Vg2 Screen voltage Vg1 Grid voltage Ia Anode current in mA Ig2 Screen current in mA Ra Anode resistance in ohms S Transconductance in mA/V * Rk Cathode resistor in ohms Zout Output load impedance Pout Power output in watts THD Total harmonic distortion in % RMSin Maximum RMS input voltage Irect Maximum DC rectified current in mA Cout Maximum load capacitance in uF Rser Minimum series resistance per anode These came from the Help file of TDSL.

17th May 2007, 03:32 PM	#4
PRNDL diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	I really like the ECC99 since it's new and fairly inexpensive. Does anyone have detailed info on it? The online TDSL doesn't have anything. The JJ spec sheet has some data. Would the Edcore XPP10-4-8K be appropriate for a 4-ohm speaker? Also, would any champ OT be suitable? Triode TF103-48

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