SIMPLE tube amplifier for...dummy guy...

[tofkitaff]

Good afternoon all,


I am actually looking (for a few weeks, in fact) for DIY tubes amplifiers on the web... Amazing ! so many kind of tubes and of materials can be used, with so many variant of each amplifier, each schema, each single piece of the kit can be changed or adapted ! So, my question is extremely simple :

I am going to buy very (very, very) soon some speakers (JBL E80) with 91dB gain. I have been told by the seller that a 2*20W will be enough for such a gain. Can anybody advise me concerning a simple DIY KIT I could buy. I just would like to SEE the tubes turned red during I hear music and 2*20W... single specs, but will I get s imple response from you, specialists ? I am sure yes, as I have not really a electronic knowledge...


Many thanks in advance !
ToFKiTaFF!

[Carondimonio]

Hi tofkitaff,

not to rain on your parade but, if you really don't have a knowledge in electronics, I would suggest you to stay away from tubes.
Tubes use high, letal voltages and can easily KILL an inexperienced person!

Cheers,

Bruno

[Szyderca]

Hi,

r u sure about the jbl speakers for your tube amp
there are a lot of other speakers that will sound great on a 20 watts amp. But i dont know what your budget is
im form belgium so maybe u wanna some help

just let me know

i have a home built push pull el84 gives me about 5 watts in triode mode and the amp drives the klipsh rf-3 speakers 96dB and it a wonder what those 5 real ;-) watts can deliver

if u want to take a look just let me know

greetz

lukasz

[kevinkr]

Hi Carondimonio I think your response was very harsh. I think you would have served tofkitaff's interests and the interests of our community much better by referring him to the newbie and safety threads here:
On Line Tube Learning for newbies....

and here:

Safety Practices, General and Ultra-High Voltage

Tofkitaff you should familiarize yourself with the material in the two above threads and ask lots of questions. You will find many helpful people here. And expect to be careful, the hazards present when working on tube electronics are significant, and inappropriate technique can result in severe shock, burns, physical injury (involuntary muscle contractions can do a lot of damage) and even electrocution and death.. OTOH you could slip and fall in the shower and die that way too - so I say go for it.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and if I had taken that attitude with everyone who expressed interest in tube audio I would not be fortunate enough to be surrounded by the vibrant diy community I now enjoy both here at diyaudio and in my offline world. There is strength in numbers..

I have friends who had absolutely no background in electronics who have become quite proficient at building and modifying tube audio electronics, some have progressed to the point of being able to do original design work. None had any significant experience and many could not even solder when I first met them.

Hopefully tofkitaff can find someone local to him to help him get started and to tutor him in basic safe electrical practice, soldering, schematic reading and the like. I would recommend a kit as a first project, perhaps something by Velleman, WAD(UK) or one of the other complete kit vendors.

Incidentally 91dB is not that efficient, although arguably 20W per channel ought to be enough, more power up to 40W is also reasonable. There are a number of kit amplifiers in this power range.

Tofkitaff welcome to the world of tube audio, your life will never be the same...

[SHiFTY]

Try a EL84 or EL34 PP kit.

You will need a Push-Pull design for those speakers, maybe something like http://www.worldaudiodesign.com/wadproducts/kel84.html

That looks like a pretty good kit to me...

[Trebla]

Yes, a kit would be a sensible way to start. But you may need to practice your soldering skills on something easier first.

Sadly World Audio Design are no longer in business.
A totally new company called World Designs will hopefully be offering kits in the future.
.

www.world-designs.co.uk

[audio3chung]

Tofkitaff
A 1-2W SE amp. seems more suitable than 2*20w
for a newbie to drive a 91dB speaker!

CHOW

[baggystevo82]

A 1-2W SE amp. seems more suitable than 2*20w

I'm not so sure I'd feel that way, but if a small lower powered project was wanted how about a headphone amp? Don't know how many kits would be available for this though.

If it was for the speakers I'd agree with the el84 or el34 pp kit idea, money permitting.

Steve

[tofkitaff]

Hi all,



Anyway, I have some links about electrocity and basis on electronics, I will read them first carefully, jus to understand wat I will build, it will be all benefits for me.

In fact, I have been told that for 91 dB I need 20 Watt. for sure, I can try less, but I would be glad to make it work with my Speakers. So, Is 1-2 or 5 Watt enough for This ?



ToFKiTaFF

[planet10]

Originally posted by kevinkr
Hi Carondimonio I think your response was very harsh. I think you would have served tofkitaff's interests and the interests of our community much better by referring him to the newbie and safety threads

Thanx for that Kevin. We don't want to discourage anyone from building a tube amp. iEveryone has to start somewhere sometime or we don't have anyone building tube amps.

dave