Can someone point me in the direction of a schematic to build a tube amp. I am a first time tube DIYer and am having trouble finding a good first project.
Im looking for a somewhat proven design that provides good results and would be a good first project.
Also, the kits that you can buy; Is it significantly cheaper to build from a schematicas oppossed to the kit price?
Thanks,
Im looking for a somewhat proven design that provides good results and would be a good first project.
Also, the kits that you can buy; Is it significantly cheaper to build from a schematicas oppossed to the kit price?
Thanks,
Milzie said:
This is really vague. What do you mean by good results? What type of speakers do you want to drive? What source are you going to use? How big is your listening room? And what is your budget?
All of these things will dictate the answer.
Also, the kits that you can buy; Is it significantly cheaper to build from a schematicas oppossed to the kit price?
In most cases, no. But it's more fun to shop on your own, and you can also select every component to meet your needs.
Joel
I guess by good results, Im looking for a design that has already been completed with no hum, noise, etc problems. Something that is generally regarded as a good design.
I would like to keep my budget to less than $500
Source will be CD
Listening room is small, about 12 by 12
Speakers are DIY using Morel MW-164 and MDT-30
By the sounds of it, a kit may be my best bet?????
Any recommendations for a good kit that is point to point, no PCB's, as I feel its a better way to learn as oppossed to just soldering a bunch of components to a board.
I would like to keep my budget to less than $500
Source will be CD
Listening room is small, about 12 by 12
Speakers are DIY using Morel MW-164 and MDT-30
By the sounds of it, a kit may be my best bet?????
Any recommendations for a good kit that is point to point, no PCB's, as I feel its a better way to learn as oppossed to just soldering a bunch of components to a board.
Well, hum and noise are more a problem with layout - usually - and that comes with knowing the basics. Looking at commercial amp layouts will help a lot.
I'm not familiar with those speakers. What is the sensitivity rating? If it's high, you could start with a simple single-ended amp. One 6SL7 gain stage, and a triode-wired EL84. That was my first DIY amp, and it was reliable, and good sounding. Cost was under $250.
Is that the last word in amps? Hell no. But the point of the first amp is to allow you to make mistakes, and learn. It helps if the end result is something you want to listen to as well! Take a look at the Decware "Zen". That's the basic topology I'm referring to, but you can make one for a lot less than they charge. Output, 2 watts.
Obviously, if your speakers are low sensitivity, you should probably start with something more powerfull.
I'm not familiar with those speakers. What is the sensitivity rating? If it's high, you could start with a simple single-ended amp. One 6SL7 gain stage, and a triode-wired EL84. That was my first DIY amp, and it was reliable, and good sounding. Cost was under $250.
Is that the last word in amps? Hell no. But the point of the first amp is to allow you to make mistakes, and learn. It helps if the end result is something you want to listen to as well! Take a look at the Decware "Zen". That's the basic topology I'm referring to, but you can make one for a lot less than they charge. Output, 2 watts.
Obviously, if your speakers are low sensitivity, you should probably start with something more powerfull.
The woofers are rated at 86dB
By the sounds of your fist prject, its exactly what I am looking for. I want to learn. I dont want to invest a lot of money in case of screw ups, and I want to end up with something that I would be happy to listen to.
Would 2 watts be enough for my speakers? DO you have the schematic that you could send me?
By the sounds of your fist prject, its exactly what I am looking for. I want to learn. I dont want to invest a lot of money in case of screw ups, and I want to end up with something that I would be happy to listen to.
Would 2 watts be enough for my speakers? DO you have the schematic that you could send me?
Milzie,
It might not be the best match for your speakers (god those are inefficient!!!)... but it is a great project to learn on. With only a single gain stage, there is no chance of oscillation, or coupling problems, and there is a minimal parts count. It's the simplest form of amplifier you can make. (I think that's why it sounds good too).
I'd be happy to post a schematic and parts list as soon as I can.
It might not be the best match for your speakers (god those are inefficient!!!)... but it is a great project to learn on. With only a single gain stage, there is no chance of oscillation, or coupling problems, and there is a minimal parts count. It's the simplest form of amplifier you can make. (I think that's why it sounds good too).
I'd be happy to post a schematic and parts list as soon as I can.
Thats fine if it doesnt match my speakers very well. Just gives me an excuse to build another set!
They may be inefficient, but they sound incredible!
I would very much appreciate it if you could post the schematic and parts list, or send it to me via email.
jeff.mills@sympatico.ca
They may be inefficient, but they sound incredible!
I would very much appreciate it if you could post the schematic and parts list, or send it to me via email.
jeff.mills@sympatico.ca
schematic
milzie,
Ok, here it is. I make no claims that this is original, or daring in any way (except maybe the 5755) - but it works good, is pleasant to listen to, and is about as easy as you can get.
After you build something like this, you can move on to more complex topologies, or directly-heated tubes, etc.
Parts list to follow.
milzie,
Ok, here it is. I make no claims that this is original, or daring in any way (except maybe the 5755) - but it works good, is pleasant to listen to, and is about as easy as you can get.
After you build something like this, you can move on to more complex topologies, or directly-heated tubes, etc.
Parts list to follow.
Attachments
Parts list
Raytheon 5755 twin triode (1)
EL84 pentodes (2)
5Y3GT rectifier (1)
Power transformer, Hammond 272DX, 300volts/ct@125mA (1)
Output transformers, Hammond 125ESE (2)
RCA input jacks (2)
Speaker binding posts (4)
On/Off SPDT switch (1)
Fuse holder (1)
3-prong power cord, 6 ft (1)
Chassis, Hammond aluminum, 8”x12”x2”
Rubber feet (4)
.1uF-400 volt capacitor (2)
100uF-35 volt capacitor (2)
100uF-450 volt capacitor (1)
40uF-450 volt capacitor (1)
500-ohm 5w resistor (2)
100-ohm 5w resistor (4)
100-ohm 1w resistor (2)
10k-ohm 1/2w resistor (2)
1.8k-ohm 1/2w resistor (2)
100k-ohm 1/2w resistor (2)
220k-ohm 1/2w resistor (2)
270-ohm 5w resistor (2)
Volume potentiometer, dual-ganged, 100k-ohm, audio taper.
9-pin tube socket (3)
Copper hookup wire, 18-22gauge
You can get most of these at angela.com or someplace similar online, and the remainder at radioshack. I wouldn't buy any expensive parts for your first project - carbon film resistors, polyester and electrolytic capacitors, and import tubes will work just fine for you. I recommend Ei brand EL84's - they are cheap and they work. The 5755's are $2 at angela instruments. They also sell cheap 5Y3GT's.
If you want better fidelity (maybe), upgrade the output trannies to the $89 Hammond 1628SE they sell. Only drawback is they are 11lbs each!
Good luck.
Joel
Raytheon 5755 twin triode (1)
EL84 pentodes (2)
5Y3GT rectifier (1)
Power transformer, Hammond 272DX, 300volts/ct@125mA (1)
Output transformers, Hammond 125ESE (2)
RCA input jacks (2)
Speaker binding posts (4)
On/Off SPDT switch (1)
Fuse holder (1)
3-prong power cord, 6 ft (1)
Chassis, Hammond aluminum, 8”x12”x2”
Rubber feet (4)
.1uF-400 volt capacitor (2)
100uF-35 volt capacitor (2)
100uF-450 volt capacitor (1)
40uF-450 volt capacitor (1)
500-ohm 5w resistor (2)
100-ohm 5w resistor (4)
100-ohm 1w resistor (2)
10k-ohm 1/2w resistor (2)
1.8k-ohm 1/2w resistor (2)
100k-ohm 1/2w resistor (2)
220k-ohm 1/2w resistor (2)
270-ohm 5w resistor (2)
Volume potentiometer, dual-ganged, 100k-ohm, audio taper.
9-pin tube socket (3)
Copper hookup wire, 18-22gauge
You can get most of these at angela.com or someplace similar online, and the remainder at radioshack. I wouldn't buy any expensive parts for your first project - carbon film resistors, polyester and electrolytic capacitors, and import tubes will work just fine for you. I recommend Ei brand EL84's - they are cheap and they work. The 5755's are $2 at angela instruments. They also sell cheap 5Y3GT's.
If you want better fidelity (maybe), upgrade the output trannies to the $89 Hammond 1628SE they sell. Only drawback is they are 11lbs each!
Good luck.
Joel
Re: Parts list
If you want to get these ones, get them from Electro Sonic. Cheapest place i could find them -- and they are in Ontario (and from your email address i'm guessing you are too. One of the reasons is that they are much closer to the factory.
http://www.e-sonic.com
I was quoted $122.25 CAD each in March.
The EL84 is a nice amp. If you run it in pentode you can get double the power -- 4 W -- out of it. A little more complex, and perhaps not as good sounding (i never got around to wiring mine in triode i was enjoying it so much -- now on the bench for a refurb).
A real cheap way to get the basic elements of an SE EL84 amp is to scope up an old console, gut the amp and rebuild it. You could probably do the thing for less than $100 CAD going this route.
dave
Joel said:
If you want to get these ones, get them from Electro Sonic. Cheapest place i could find them -- and they are in Ontario (and from your email address i'm guessing you are too. One of the reasons is that they are much closer to the factory.
http://www.e-sonic.com
I was quoted $122.25 CAD each in March.
The EL84 is a nice amp. If you run it in pentode you can get double the power -- 4 W -- out of it. A little more complex, and perhaps not as good sounding (i never got around to wiring mine in triode i was enjoying it so much -- now on the bench for a refurb).
A real cheap way to get the basic elements of an SE EL84 amp is to scope up an old console, gut the amp and rebuild it. You could probably do the thing for less than $100 CAD going this route.
dave
Two notes:
Depending on your line voltages, and rectifier choice, you'll probably need to increase the value of the first power supply resistor. This is from memory, but I think used a 1k, 10W.
Also, if you experience any hum, increase the value of the 2nd filter cap to 80MF. That should quiet it right down.
Depending on your line voltages, and rectifier choice, you'll probably need to increase the value of the first power supply resistor. This is from memory, but I think used a 1k, 10W.
Also, if you experience any hum, increase the value of the 2nd filter cap to 80MF. That should quiet it right down.
If your interested in an inexpensive kit try the 11BM8 kit offered by "Antique Electronics Supply".
Is it the best amp in the world? NO WAY! For the price ($140 delivered) it's not bad at all. About 7 or 8 watts of push/pull pentode output and sounds good into 89 dB spl speakers. Works best as the top half of a biamp.
I'm happy with the one I got and plan on doing some mods later (triode mode, different iron, new Cs and Rs, Reg. PS).
Later
Bruce
PS: It's a stereo amp by the way. You need to supply the cabinet.
Is it the best amp in the world? NO WAY! For the price ($140 delivered) it's not bad at all. About 7 or 8 watts of push/pull pentode output and sounds good into 89 dB spl speakers. Works best as the top half of a biamp.
I'm happy with the one I got and plan on doing some mods later (triode mode, different iron, new Cs and Rs, Reg. PS).
Later
Bruce
PS: It's a stereo amp by the way. You need to supply the cabinet.
Re: Re: Parts list
Dave,
This sounds like another good option for my first foray into DIY amplifiers also. (Either a small tube or a headphone amp - haven't decided yet) Any thoughts on places to look here in the lower mainland for some used tube gear? I could always buy new stuff also, but if there's a chance to save some cash, may as well take advantage of it.
thanks,
Duane
(Northwest DIY)
planet10 said:
Dave,
This sounds like another good option for my first foray into DIY amplifiers also. (Either a small tube or a headphone amp - haven't decided yet) Any thoughts on places to look here in the lower mainland for some used tube gear? I could always buy new stuff also, but if there's a chance to save some cash, may as well take advantage of it.
thanks,
Duane
(Northwest DIY)
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