6SL7 or 6SL7GT for broken Tubalizer

[Sonusthree]

Originally posted by jleaman
I like how small and compact this is, looks like a interesting design. Any impressions on the sound so far ?

Which design? The Tubalizer buffer or Alastair E's circuit with gain? (The E Pre perhaps?)

[jleaman]

Originally posted by Sonusthree


Which design? The Tubalizer buffer or Alastair E's circuit with gain? (The E Pre perhaps?)

THis one, im thinking about tackling it this weekend or maybe a little whyle down the road. Im playing with several buffers pre-amps and passive volume pots used with my aleph amplifiers.

[Sonusthree]

Hi Jase,
I own the original Tubalizer (80 Euros!!!!) and made this schematic (badly) from that. I had endless problems running it on 12V. I never did work out exactly why it wouldn't work at 12V as designed but it is very happy at 24V. I'd never pay that much again but I have learned a lot from it and through the generous help from Alastair E.

It just didn't have the headroom at 12V and distorted quite obviously. It was painful listening waiting for the loud bits of my favorite tunes. I found it to be unusable at 12V but it is a commercially sold circuit so maybe it was just me. I tried everything I could think of, believe me. (attenuators, Op-amp buffers following it .... )

Anyway, It definitely does the 'tube' thing rather well from a very simple and very safe circuit. I found a definite psychoacoustic effect. Even my girlfriend heard it. It's just a little less Hi-fi and a lot more emotional. You'd be crazy not to try it for yourself!! ... but don't pay the 80 euros!!!

I'm currently resurrecting it from my bits box and splitting the the regulator section to another board so that it may have a separate supply. The reg. gets VERY hot at 24V, especially with the 6SN7. The tubalizer comes with a 6SL7 but I prefer the 6SN7 at the moment. They can both be used at 24V with no circuit changes. It's worth experimenting since they are both common types.

I say build it!! Why not? I'd like to see how it would work at higher voltages.

Alastair's circuit is also extremely simple to prototype so give that a try also. I am using 6SN7/6SL7 but perhaps these are not the best choice in this circuit.

Cheers,
Martin.

[jleaman]

Originally posted by Sonusthree
Hi Jase,
I own the original Tubalizer (80 Euros!!!!) and made this schematic (badly) from that. I had endless problems running it on 12V. I never did work out exactly why it wouldn't work at 12V as designed but it is very happy at 24V. I'd never pay that much again but I have learned a lot from it and through the generous help from Alastair E.

It just didn't have the headroom at 12V and distorted quite obviously. It was painful listening waiting for the loud bits of my favorite tunes. I found it to be unusable at 12V but it is a commercially sold circuit so maybe it was just me. I tried everything I could think of, believe me. (attenuators, Op-amp buffers following it .... )

Anyway, It definitely does the 'tube' thing rather well from a very simple and very safe circuit. I found a definite psychoacoustic effect. Even my girlfriend heard it. It's just a little less Hi-fi and a lot more emotional. You'd be crazy not to try it for yourself!! ... but don't pay the 80 euros!!!

I'm currently resurrecting it from my bits box and splitting the the regulator section to another board so that it may have a separate supply. The reg. gets VERY hot at 24V, especially with the 6SN7. The tubalizer comes with a 6SL7 but I prefer the 6SN7 at the moment. They can both be used at 24V with no circuit changes. It's worth experimenting since they are both common types.

I say build it!! Why not? I'd like to see how it would work at higher voltages.

Alastair's circuit is also extremely simple to prototype so give that a try also. I am using 6SN7/6SL7 but perhaps these are not the best choice in this circuit.

Cheers,
Martin.

I will try your suggestions, are you designing a board design too ? id be interested in one to try.

[Sonusthree]

Originally posted by jleaman

I will try your suggestions, are you designing a board design too ? id be interested in one to try.

I am working with breadboard and stripboard
Hell, You could probably do these point to point if necessary.
I look forward to one day owning all the tools I need!

[jleaman]

Originally posted by Sonusthree


I am working with breadboard and stripboard
Hell, You could probably do these point to point if necessary.
I look forward to one day owning all the tools I need!

It all takes time to buy the proper tools, i use ebay. Im going to try this p2p and see how it goes from there, this will allow tweeking with out killing pcb boards.

[jrevillug]

Aparrantly, p2p gives better sound than PCB- less stray capacitance.

Also means that you can work in 3d.

I am planning to build Alastair's design- nice and simple, with a stereo one the heaters can be run from the 12v as well.

It will be a buffer between my PC soundcard and an Amp32 from 41Hz.com (both running from the PC +12v supply), driving a pair of cheap standmounts.

All the components are low voltages- I think I can scavange all the caps from a VCR I took apart. So should be very cheap.

James

[Alastair E]

Im happy you guys are having fun with that scheme i posted....

I wonder, if anyone has tried the 9V dry-batt in series with the cathode cct to earth yet....?--De couple with a 10uF cap or sommit like that should be good.

At a rough guess, the batt should last for months even if perminently connected, as the current would only flow when there is heater volts....

Any impressions on sound etc. I havent had much time to 'play' lately, Been designing a new BioDiesel plant at work, as well as making fuel Been completely bushed when I get home...!

[audioatdawn]

hi sonus,


i am still wondering abt the signal input and output grounds(neg), as, to where are they connected? 0volts? a bit curious here

[plovati]

Pay attention that seems the Tubalizer schematic reverse engineered is wrong. No right to publish the original schematic.

But, for people wants to run a 12V buffer with 6SL7, we playing a little bit with spice and we got a simple schematics: