Looking to build my first tube amplifier

[tubemax]

Hi, maybe Angela SE EL34 tube amp... it is very simple and easy for P2P soldering... of course good sound too.

[Mickeystan]

Originally Posted by Vincent77

You should keep a few electrolytic caps handy, because the ones right next to the tubes on your PCB will die young...

Since your PCB is already made, I would recommend you mount the vertical electrolytic capacitors on the bottom side of the board to keep them as far away from the radiated tube heat as possible. You maybe Ok top mounting the two smaller vertical electrolytic capacitors that are the furthest away from the tubes as it is hard to tell how close they actually are in the picture. If you choose to mount them on the bottom be careful about polarity when installing. Mickeystan

[Vincent77]

Originally Posted by tubemax

Hi, maybe Angela SE EL34 tube amp... it is very simple and easy for P2P soldering... of course good sound too.

That's a 5W amp. This kind of power is OK with big, high sensitivity speakers, but our friend here does not have such speakers.

Sure, this kind of amp will make "sound" with any speaker. But it won't make MUSIC.

[DeathRex]

A push pull EL84 will get you about 15 watts. A Dynaco ST-35 would be kinda easy to wire point to point. You might be able to change the 7247 to a 6DJ8. Have to make a few changes in the circuit.

Dynaco ST35 Tube Amplifier Schematic and Manual

[20to20]

Originally Posted by cb5

I dont want to spend hundreds, i want to experiment building my first tube amp so the more simple the better.

Does anyone have any reccomendations?

Thanks

Clone a Magnavox 196-xx or 197-xx SE amp. But even with a cheap and low parts count SE amp, your still going to be close to $200 for parts.

[matejsirk]

Anyone ever made the EL84 P-P circuit referenced on the Tubecad Journal site?

One more 4P1L SE

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[cb5]

So many options, but everything seems over my head!

[roline]

The caps go on the other side.............. of the PCB. I check component spacings and count, look for missing components prior to etching the PCB's. I use the brittle green florist foam to push the leads into to do a mock-up.
Example of the KEG-EAR amp in process attached.....

[tomchr]

My 6LU8 Spud can be built for close to nothing and provides good sound for the money. I think I spent maybe a grand total of $200~$250 including walnut chassis, connectors, tubes, etc.

~Tom

[scott17]

That's a very cool design Tom. The Edcor GXSE series might be a mid-point in the cost factor and offer a bit more performance compared to the XSE as an option.

I just checked ESRC, those tubes are only 5 bucks! Excellent.

Scott