I like the 1626 but it's a different sound. I wouldn't call it 'delicate' - it's more foot-tapping and gutsy. You won't get much output from it either. I used it as a preamp tube - loved the sound it made on rock and jazz, but it didn't get that lovely delicate treble sound on strings, cymbals etc.
I guess you have to stay with DH tubes. But you have some tetrodes/pentodes you can strap as triodes. I bought a few 1624 to try out like this, and they were not expensive. The 2E22 works nicely but that's closer to a 300b and not too cheap. There's the 46 - don't know what that sounds like in output, but it's a good driver tube. Triode strapping will at least give you that DHT sound.
With indirectly heated tubes, triode strapped 6V6 can sound very nice. And another tube I currently use in the output of my amps is the 6AH4. Now that's a nice sound on a budget - very nice in fact. Needs to be run at higher B+ voltages to get the best out of it, and it's rated at 500v. I run mine around 390v. But I'd look at a DH solution first.
I guess you have to stay with DH tubes. But you have some tetrodes/pentodes you can strap as triodes. I bought a few 1624 to try out like this, and they were not expensive. The 2E22 works nicely but that's closer to a 300b and not too cheap. There's the 46 - don't know what that sounds like in output, but it's a good driver tube. Triode strapping will at least give you that DHT sound.
With indirectly heated tubes, triode strapped 6V6 can sound very nice. And another tube I currently use in the output of my amps is the 6AH4. Now that's a nice sound on a budget - very nice in fact. Needs to be run at higher B+ voltages to get the best out of it, and it's rated at 500v. I run mine around 390v. But I'd look at a DH solution first.
You might want to try the 47 in triode connection. I have heard amplifiers using it this way, and this is about as close to a poor man's 45 that you can get. (And it's close) 47's are still pretty cheap - I have seen them for as little as $3 - $5 at the MIT hamfest recently.
I would recommend a 5K SE transformer when triode connected.
I would recommend a 5K SE transformer when triode connected.
Hi Andy,
Unfortunately I have not heard the 49, I have heard the 45, 46, and 47. I have lots of 45's and have only designed and built using these - I made a habit of buying them whenever and wherever when they were still relatively cheap.
I have heard both 46 and 47 based amplifiers and both were actually very good. I think the 45 wins by an edge over both of these in terms of tonal balance and resolution, but the differences were subtle enough that I would say put them in the realm of differences I hear between a pair of rca globe 245's and a pair of later sylvania st 45's.
I believe all three are capable of powers in the realm of 1.5 - 2Wrms at <5% thd. (I get 1.6W with 4.5% out of my 45 amplifier)
Unfortunately I have not heard the 49, I have heard the 45, 46, and 47. I have lots of 45's and have only designed and built using these - I made a habit of buying them whenever and wherever when they were still relatively cheap.
I have heard both 46 and 47 based amplifiers and both were actually very good. I think the 45 wins by an edge over both of these in terms of tonal balance and resolution, but the differences were subtle enough that I would say put them in the realm of differences I hear between a pair of rca globe 245's and a pair of later sylvania st 45's.
I believe all three are capable of powers in the realm of 1.5 - 2Wrms at <5% thd. (I get 1.6W with 4.5% out of my 45 amplifier)
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