6A3/6B4G/6S4S(2A3/2S4S) project

[widowmaker]

Schematic, (standart Loftin - White schematic):
here
Amplifier - early version, input stage with double triode 6N3P in paralel (without power supply module):
Gallery of Bulgarian Audiophile Society

Input stage - russian single triode 6S3P-EV
Output triode - 6A3/6B4G/6S4S; 2A3/2S4S (with 2.5V heating)
Kenotron - russian 5C4S(EZ81 with 6.3V h.v.)
bypass el. capacitors - russian silver-tantalum, military production.
Geometry of used core in attachment.

[widowmaker]

Need two (or more) 2A3, sovtek production.
Summer months (VI-VII-VIII) production is preferable.
Also need 6S4S(or 2S4S;ÓÎ-186) - svetlana, early production - (1950-1969).

Picture of ÓÎ-186:

[widowmaker]

The project was "slightly" modified
Here is the last version:
http://www.geocities.com/dreamsdestroyer/6C4C_cap.gif

[AndreasS]

Hello,

the 6B4G has a maximum plate voltage of 300V and plate dissipation of 15W; 340V x 50mA gives a plate dissipation of 17 Watts.

Better connect the cathode resistor and bypass cap to the negative pole of the
heater-DC.

regards Andreas

[widowmaker]

Yes, 17 watts is more than the absolute maximum... Ua max=360V (for 6S4S) not 300
It is a little more than recommended power dissipation, but all is OK, Anode become reddish when power dissipation is more than 21-22 watts
The sound is much "bigger" than early wersion - 250V a-c Ia=60mA
Also I changed the transformer ratio (29.63:1) and anode load (more than 3k)

[James D.]

I find the 6S4S likes lots of volts too, I run them at 350V and 50mA so very close to your point. I'm using a 5K load aand it is super. There is more delicacy in the amp at this loading than at 2.5K.

I prefer the 6S4S run like this to the 6B4Gs and 2A3 that I have tried at their recommended points.

AGree on the getting the pre 1969 6S4S too

James

[AndreasS]

Hello James,

you're increasing the plate dissipation and degreasing the output power..., what are the benefits?

regards Andreas

[planet IX]

The benefit seems to be a better sounding amp - but surely on cost of the lifespan of the tube…

[James D.]

Yes, exactly that - a better sounding amp.

As for reducing the output power - No it doesn't as I can still swing the full current range but with greater voltage swing than a 3K load... thats a secondary benefit of the lifted Va - more voltage swing for the same current swing and a higher load with better sound...

So I get an honest 4Wrms output. Price is higher dissapation and shorter tube life - propbably only 2-3,000hours... small price for a better sounding 2A3 amp with tubes less than 20% the price of premium tubes that don't sound as good...

I should bequiet - or the price will go up!

James

[AndreasS]

Originally posted by James D.
....a better sounding amp.
...output power - No it doesn't

Hello James,

please look at Fig. 13.14 (RDH4, p. 558), showing the power output and distorsions of a 45 against load:
at a load resistance of 6 x Ra the output power ist reduced to 1/2, but there is no further reduction of distorsions.

regards Andreas