• WARNING: Tube/Valve amplifiers use potentially LETHAL HIGH VOLTAGES.
    Building, troubleshooting and testing of these amplifiers should only be
    performed by someone who is thoroughly familiar with
    the safety precautions around high voltages.

Photo Gallery

6P3C push-pull amp using 6CG7 and 6211 tubes.....


110905-031.jpg

110905-030.jpg

110905-029.jpg
 
Super Simple Single Stage Tube preamp

Three very simple single stage tubes preamps I have built of late. A forth (there is one other not shown) has been finished but has some issues. But then again haven't we all.
 

Attachments

  • 4SMKII_Finishedss.jpg
    4SMKII_Finishedss.jpg
    91.7 KB · Views: 1,543
  • 4S MKIII Black.jpg
    4S MKIII Black.jpg
    98.9 KB · Views: 1,585
  • 4SMKII_Insidess.jpg
    4SMKII_Insidess.jpg
    132.2 KB · Views: 1,539
  • MKIVCasedSS.jpg
    MKIVCasedSS.jpg
    81.6 KB · Views: 1,502
  • MattSpecial_IIss.jpg
    MattSpecial_IIss.jpg
    89.8 KB · Views: 1,465
I was asked for the schematic of the Single Stage tube preamp. This schematic has not been evaluated from a sonic point of view but it does have some advantages. It can take any 12Axx tube you want. True plug and play.

It is not my design it belongs to Suncalc but I know he is happy to share. I have built this one (Hammond case see images in earlier post) but have not had the time to listen to it properly. Build and Share!
 

Attachments

  • LatestSchematic.jpg
    LatestSchematic.jpg
    70.4 KB · Views: 483
I have built a version and used the first schematic you posted. Beautiful sound, but little to much gain!
Very easy to fix the gain issues. Remove one or both of the NFB loops. From now building four different versions of the original cct. I would recommend deleting the voltage NFB (resistor from the plate to the grid) but leave in the current FB (un-bypassed cathode R). So do not put a cap across the cathode resistor.

Easiest way to do it is cut away the plate to grid resistor.
 
Very easy to fix the gain issues. Remove one or both of the NFB loops. From now building four different versions of the original cct. I would recommend deleting the voltage NFB (resistor from the plate to the grid) but leave in the current FB (un-bypassed cathode R). So do not put a cap across the cathode resistor.

Easiest way to do it is cut away the plate to grid resistor.

I'm just lurking here, but I'm interested.
Which schematic are y'all talking about? (I can't see any plate-to-grid resistor in the schematic just a few posts above...)
Also, won't removing NFB increase the gain? I thought stenak wanted less gain?

Thanks.
 
Well this is at least one of the original ccts. Even in the very original there was no bypass cap on the cathode R.

In more recent buils please note I have increased Rp to 28K and reduced Rc to 800ohms.

Rp=28K up from 20K and Rc=800ohms down from 1.1K.

Here are the live measurements:
HT=280V
Plate to GRND voltage = 125V
Cathode drop (bias)=3.6V
Total current draw through both plates added together = 9ma (4.5mA through each plate).
Plate dissipated in each tube = (125 - 3.6) * 4.5mA = 100mW

In even more recent builds drop the plate to grid FB and un-bypass the cathode resistor. So no cap on the cathode resistor.
 

Attachments

  • OriginalCct..jpg
    OriginalCct..jpg
    32.1 KB · Views: 357
Last edited: