Anybody using a tube amp in their car?

[GloBug]

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]

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]

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

 

[Francec]

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]

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

 

[503Timber]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[GloBug]

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.

 

[Wavebourn]

Inverters?!
Sctew them! Dynamotor!

 

[Wavebourn]

You should consider pair of Red Light District channels, LEDs instead of stop signals! Cool!

Edit: with Pete's Red Board. And Red Army GU-50 outputs.

 

[scott17]

Drive slow. Don't live in the north (bad roads). Get good shocks.

 

[Variac]

Boy, that would make a fine pick-up truck!

I have lot's of room in my old Porsche.

 

[aardvarkash10]

Boy, that would make a fine pick-up truck!

well, the engine is from a VW commercial van...

 

[rok-n-rol]

One's going in my 51 Flxible bus along with a Tascam 42 r-r. Haven't built it up yet sorry. Try a search on Billy Gibbons fitting his girlfriends car out with one, not sure what you'll find but I read about it years ago. Makes for more fun than 2000 watt 35" sub that's hitting now. Oh yeah....

 

[lduarte1973]

if the roads have lots of holes like here in Portugal , a tube amp is not a good idea...unles you like to change tubes a lot

 

[SY]

Milbert Amplifiers, Most Musical Amplifiers

 

[Doz]

I live in the Cotswolds (which is not renound for the quality of it's roads) and, until recently had a stereo class A amp in the car, using a bespoke inverter and 1625 tubes (807's with different basing and heaters). They were mounted horizontally in something I can only describe as a spring loaded hammock. It worked well, and turned heads. It was in the boot.I must resurrect it. I'm loving the idea of a dynamotor!!

 

[john dozier]

I like the idea of a reel-to-reel. Had one in a Chevelle when in college years ago. It was a battery powered Akai with 5inch reels and cross-field heads. I used small enclosed speakers. I recall it had some 10watts per channel. Regards