Horizontal TV tubes used in amplifier?

MGH · 3rd May 2006, 02:21 AM

Hi,

Anyone hear about McAlisteraudio.com? He's a one man band who builds his own tube amps using horizontal TV tubes, and he actually winds his own transformers. Totally hand built units. He believes design and implementation are much more important than expensive audiophile components. I was so impressed with his design, cost, and enthusiastic recommendations from owners that I ordered one for my self, the PP150 which is a push-pull 75watt/ch amp at under $1000. The only bad thing is you have to wait several weeks because he takes his time building these things. Note the pictures on his site are old, the new models look much better aesthetically.

I'm no technical guru, so I like to hear more about what you DIYers think about his design and implementation. Any one of you used the horizontal TV tubes in this application? Any manufacturers out there that does this also?

tubelab.com · 3rd May 2006, 02:37 AM

Horizontal output tubes have been used in audio by home builders and big time audio companies alike (McIntosh MC3500). The EL509, EL519and similar big horizontal output tubes are used is some OTL amps. I like the 6LW6 for its sheer power capabilities. I believe it to be the biggest most powerfull of the octal sweep tubes. A pair can crank out 150 watts in push pull. The 6AV5 is a much smaller, older tube that was successfully rewired as a triode and sold as a 6B4 by Sylvania and Philips. It does sound quite good in this application.

Geek · 3rd May 2006, 02:48 AM

Sweep tubes rock!

I like vertical sweep triodes for small amps. They are inherently insanely linear and can be quite efficient.

Got a sweep pentode that isn't particularily linear? Triode mode it! Great example is the EL36, which sounds real icky in pentode, even g2 driven. Triode it and you nearly have a 2A3 set of curves, only with more (5 watts) out.

karma · 3rd May 2006, 03:01 AM

i still have a box full of new 6gt5a tubes i have yet to use

wrenchone · 3rd May 2006, 03:48 AM

Check my 6CD6GA thread. Maybe one of these days I'll finish the amp so I can find out how it sounds.... All joking aside, I'll be done in a couple of weeks. I'm curious about the ultimate output capability of the tube in screen driven single-ended mode, and how it will sound with cheap iron like the Hammond 125ESE.

imix500 · 3rd May 2006, 04:00 AM

I sold 2 pair of Frazier theater amps on ebay last summer. They used 6gt5a 's as outputs. Great amps.

Miles Prower · 3rd May 2006, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MGH
I'm no technical guru, so I like to hear more about what you DIYers think about his design and implementation.

I quite like his design and implementation. Then, again, it looks like his design philosophy is nearly identical to my own. Like McAlister, I favor direct coupling as much as possible, and I believe in fixed bias over auto bias, and stiff drivers for finals. I am, however, not so feedback-o-phobic as he appears to be.

Quote:

Any one of you used the horizontal TV tubes in this application? Any manufacturers out there that does this also?

TV tubes rawk! Since CRT deflection requires precision amplification, vertical and horizontal power amps are excellently linear. The horizontal deflection PAs work quite well with unconventional topologies such as screen drive and "ultra-triode". I have a design in the works that uses 6BQ6GTBs in an ultra-triode. Picked off a loadline giving 4.9W @ 0.3% THD (est). I expect these to sound very good indeed.

MOER · 3rd May 2006, 05:15 AM

I love them. I have a pair of McIntosh MI350s (The pro version of the MC3500) on which I did a full ground up restoration with lots of modifications.

I have listened to many amps which use 6550, KT88, EL34 etc and they do not compare to sweep tubes.

Of course the trick is the output transformer.

Geek · 3rd May 2006, 06:31 AM

Hi Miles,

Quote:

Originally posted by Miles Prower
I have a design in the works that uses 6BQ6GTBs in an ultra-triode. Picked off a loadline giving 4.9W @ 0.3% THD (est). I expect these to sound very good indeed.

I'm interested. Got a 1/2 box full of those. Schema?

Do you perchanse have triode curves? I couldn't find any

av-trouvaille · 3rd May 2006, 06:37 AM

Hello Moer,

Could you please expand on the output transformer?

Best regards, Arjen.

Of course the trick is the output transformer.

3rd May 2006, 02:21 AM	#1
MGH diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas	Horizontal TV tubes used in amplifier? Hi, Anyone hear about McAlisteraudio.com? He's a one man band who builds his own tube amps using horizontal TV tubes, and he actually winds his own transformers. Totally hand built units. He believes design and implementation are much more important than expensive audiophile components. I was so impressed with his design, cost, and enthusiastic recommendations from owners that I ordered one for my self, the PP150 which is a push-pull 75watt/ch amp at under $1000. The only bad thing is you have to wait several weeks because he takes his time building these things. Note the pictures on his site are old, the new models look much better aesthetically. I'm no technical guru, so I like to hear more about what you DIYers think about his design and implementation. Any one of you used the horizontal TV tubes in this application? Any manufacturers out there that does this also?

3rd May 2006, 02:37 AM	#2
tubelab.com diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Florida	Horizontal output tubes have been used in audio by home builders and big time audio companies alike (McIntosh MC3500). The EL509, EL519and similar big horizontal output tubes are used is some OTL amps. I like the 6LW6 for its sheer power capabilities. I believe it to be the biggest most powerfull of the octal sweep tubes. A pair can crank out 150 watts in push pull. The 6AV5 is a much smaller, older tube that was successfully rewired as a triode and sold as a 6B4 by Sylvania and Philips. It does sound quite good in this application. __________________ Too much power is almost enough! Turn it up till it explodes - then back up just a little.

3rd May 2006, 03:01 AM	#4
karma diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: hamilton,ontario	i still have a box full of new 6gt5a tubes i have yet to use __________________ http://www.karmaelectronics.info

3rd May 2006, 05:15 AM	#8
MOER diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: SIMI VALLEY CA	Sweep tubes I love them. I have a pair of McIntosh MI350s (The pro version of the MC3500) on which I did a full ground up restoration with lots of modifications. I have listened to many amps which use 6550, KT88, EL34 etc and they do not compare to sweep tubes. Of course the trick is the output transformer.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

3rd May 2006, 02:48 AM	#3
Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004	Sweep tubes rock! I like vertical sweep triodes for small amps. They are inherently insanely linear and can be quite efficient. Got a sweep pentode that isn't particularily linear? Triode mode it! Great example is the EL36, which sounds real icky in pentode, even g2 driven. Triode it and you nearly have a 2A3 set of curves, only with more (5 watts) out.

3rd May 2006, 03:48 AM	#5
wrenchone diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Silicon Valley	Check my 6CD6GA thread. Maybe one of these days I'll finish the amp so I can find out how it sounds.... All joking aside, I'll be done in a couple of weeks. I'm curious about the ultimate output capability of the tube in screen driven single-ended mode, and how it will sound with cheap iron like the Hammond 125ESE.

3rd May 2006, 04:00 AM	#6
imix500 Proud Union Member diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nashville, TN	I sold 2 pair of Frazier theater amps on ebay last summer. They used 6gt5a 's as outputs. Great amps.

3rd May 2006, 06:37 AM	#10
av-trouvaille diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Near Rotterdam	Hello Moer, Could you please expand on the output transformer? Best regards, Arjen. Of course the trick is the output transformer.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Using Horizontal Output Tubes - Power Supply	gingertube	Tubes / Valves	8	29th September 2008 06:50 PM
Thoughts on horizontal sweep tubes?	DaveCan	Tubes / Valves	14	28th August 2008 09:24 PM
tubes amplifier	hbi	Vendor's Bazaar	5	26th November 2007 11:35 AM
Help with horizontal mounting of 01-A and VR tubes	arnoldc	Tubes / Valves	2	14th March 2007 11:32 PM
Tubes operating in horizontal position	G.Cesar	Tubes / Valves	10	24th May 2005 06:35 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read