Anybody using a tube amp in their car?

GloBug · 29th December 2011, 01:26 AM

Not much on here about car amps these days. Is anyone using a tube amp in their car?

I'm thinking with the advent of inexpensive inverters these days one could make something decent, not necessarily using traditional car-audio tubes.

Francec · 29th December 2011, 01:50 AM

It isn't 1950 any more. A tube amp is large and hot so where would you put it?
Would it void your insurance? What would happen in the event of an accident? Broken hot glass isn't much fun. If you can't see it, then what is the point?

Ironically, you are suggesting the use of very modern technology to attempt to resurrect a very old one. My question is: why?

503Timber · 29th December 2011, 01:54 AM

"Why?" Francec are you a true DIY'er? The default answer is "Because he/she can"

Francec · 29th December 2011, 01:58 AM

Since I've built speakers, amps, pre-amps, oh, and a house and garage, I'd say so.
There are some things that are just pointless and this is one of them.

Frank

aardvarkash10 · 29th December 2011, 02:03 AM

Bob D if I recall... In a FIAT!

503Timber · 29th December 2011, 02:05 AM

I'd say pointless is a matter of opinion. There have been a few good companies that produced tube amps for auto use and the Butler I heard was stunning! I say go for it OP and disregard the discouraging comments of Frank.

kevinahcc20 · 29th December 2011, 02:26 AM

Absolutely, Dad had one in his 1948 Chevy Business Coupe. As I recall it ran from a 6VDC power supply and took about 45 seconds to come alive after the power was turned on. Older Brother & I would enjoy the sounds sitting on our wooden stools in the back (no back seat in a Business Coupe)...often fell over sideways in the turns!

503Timber · 29th December 2011, 02:26 AM

If that's the case and they wanted to put an after market SS amp in their car wouldn't they also have the same issues? Tubes can be implemented safely in cars and are no more of a hazard really than any other electronic item you could put in or on your car.

aardvarkash10 · 29th December 2011, 02:36 AM

not getting into the argument on suitability, but here's the link to Bob's page via the wayback machine

GloBug · 29th December 2011, 03:04 AM

Hey that's a good read.

As far as where I would put it, I have lot's of room in my old Porsche.

I will be putting a system of sort's in there this spring, so I thought what the heck.

29th December 2011, 01:26 AM	#1
GloBug Banned Join Date: Jun 2011	Anybody using a tube amp in their car? Not much on here about car amps these days. Is anyone using a tube amp in their car? I'm thinking with the advent of inexpensive inverters these days one could make something decent, not necessarily using traditional car-audio tubes.

29th December 2011, 02:03 AM	#5
aardvarkash10 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Auckland, NZ	Bob D if I recall... In a FIAT! __________________ Yes, conservatism thrives on low intelligence and poor information. But the liberals in politics... continue to back off, yielding to the supremacy of the stupid. It's turkeys all the way down. - George Monbiot, guardian.co.uk, 6 Feb 2012

29th December 2011, 02:26 AM	#7
kevinahcc20 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Farmington Hills, MI USA	Absolutely, Dad had one in his 1948 Chevy Business Coupe. As I recall it ran from a 6VDC power supply and took about 45 seconds to come alive after the power was turned on. Older Brother & I would enjoy the sounds sitting on our wooden stools in the back (no back seat in a Business Coupe)...often fell over sideways in the turns! __________________ Kevin(ahcc20)...I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy!

29th December 2011, 02:36 AM	#9
aardvarkash10 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Auckland, NZ	not getting into the argument on suitability, but here's the link to Bob's page via the wayback machine __________________ Yes, conservatism thrives on low intelligence and poor information. But the liberals in politics... continue to back off, yielding to the supremacy of the stupid. It's turkeys all the way down. - George Monbiot, guardian.co.uk, 6 Feb 2012

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29th December 2011, 01:50 AM	#2
Francec Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Port Melbourne, Australia	It isn't 1950 any more. A tube amp is large and hot so where would you put it? Would it void your insurance? What would happen in the event of an accident? Broken hot glass isn't much fun. If you can't see it, then what is the point? Ironically, you are suggesting the use of very modern technology to attempt to resurrect a very old one. My question is: why?

29th December 2011, 01:54 AM	#3
503Timber diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Portland Oregon	"Why?" Francec are you a true DIY'er? The default answer is "Because he/she can"

29th December 2011, 01:58 AM	#4
Francec Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Port Melbourne, Australia	Since I've built speakers, amps, pre-amps, oh, and a house and garage, I'd say so. There are some things that are just pointless and this is one of them. Frank

29th December 2011, 02:05 AM	#6
503Timber diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Portland Oregon	I'd say pointless is a matter of opinion. There have been a few good companies that produced tube amps for auto use and the Butler I heard was stunning! I say go for it OP and disregard the discouraging comments of Frank.

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