3.1 integrated possible?

Brit01 · 5th July 2008, 01:37 PM

Has anyone built an all tube 3.1 integrated amp so I can hook up a center speaker for movies? Can I modify a stereo amp (K-502 for example) to add 3.1 channels from the dvd player?

Tweeker · 5th July 2008, 02:29 PM

You probably wont be able to add channels to an existing commercial stereo unit even if there was room, the power iron would likely be over strained.

The .1 is a sub channel. One approach would be a second stereo amp.

Fuling · 5th July 2008, 02:45 PM

Not a 3.1 amp but a 2+2 ch tube power amp. Two HF channels with small output transformers and triode wired output tubes and
two bass channels with bigger iron and UL-connected outputs.
That amp served to drive a biamped speaker setup for a year or two before I rearranged the whole setup.

Brit01 · 5th July 2008, 03:16 PM

The .1 sub is not a requirement for me. I should have excluded that one. Just 3 channels.

Haven't seen any kits for 3 channels. One option I guess could be to buy an assembled preamp ready for 3 or 5 channels and then use 3 tube monoblocks for the power stage to drive the front and center speakers?
But I'm exceeding my budget with this set.

Eli Duttman · 5th July 2008, 05:34 PM

An amp with 3 channels and 3 individual volume controls is not especially difficult. You may run afoul of "Catch 22", if your signal source can't produce, on its own, Left, Right, and Center "line" level signals.

Assuming the 3 I/P channels are available, how much power per channel are you going to need? Are you targeting the same amout of power in the center, "dialog", channel as you are targeting for the L/R channels.

BTW, think in terms of speakers that are reasonably efficient and that also exhibit a tube friendly "flat" impedance curve.

5th July 2008, 01:37 PM	#1
Brit01 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	3.1 integrated possible? Has anyone built an all tube 3.1 integrated amp so I can hook up a center speaker for movies? Can I modify a stereo amp (K-502 for example) to add 3.1 channels from the dvd player?

5th July 2008, 02:29 PM	#2
Tweeker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio	You probably wont be able to add channels to an existing commercial stereo unit even if there was room, the power iron would likely be over strained. The .1 is a sub channel. One approach would be a second stereo amp. __________________ Be sure your foil hat has a good low impedance ground.

5th July 2008, 05:34 PM	#5
Eli Duttman diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Plainsboro, NJ	An amp with 3 channels and 3 individual volume controls is not especially difficult. You may run afoul of "Catch 22", if your signal source can't produce, on its own, Left, Right, and Center "line" level signals. Assuming the 3 I/P channels are available, how much power per channel are you going to need? Are you targeting the same amout of power in the center, "dialog", channel as you are targeting for the L/R channels. BTW, think in terms of speakers that are reasonably efficient and that also exhibit a tube friendly "flat" impedance curve. __________________ Eli D.

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5th July 2008, 02:45 PM	#3
Fuling diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sweden (Mora)	Not a 3.1 amp but a 2+2 ch tube power amp. Two HF channels with small output transformers and triode wired output tubes and two bass channels with bigger iron and UL-connected outputs. That amp served to drive a biamped speaker setup for a year or two before I rearranged the whole setup.

5th July 2008, 03:16 PM	#4
Brit01 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	The .1 sub is not a requirement for me. I should have excluded that one. Just 3 channels. Haven't seen any kits for 3 channels. One option I guess could be to buy an assembled preamp ready for 3 or 5 channels and then use 3 tube monoblocks for the power stage to drive the front and center speakers? But I'm exceeding my budget with this set.

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