Best SET driver stage with lots of B+?

[leadbelly]

I am still researching how I would like to build my SET 6L6GC amp. I have a 480V control transformer, and a hybrid bridge with 6AX4's to get 500+ B+. I have been acquiring various candidates for input/driver tubes such as EF184, 1579, 6H8C, 6N6P, 6H30 for this and other projects.

My question is, when you do have plenty of B+ available for your input/driver stage, how best to use this to advantage? One technique I see is a hybrid pentode/SS CCS for plate loading, which needs quite a bit of voltage to work, and I like the idea of a EF184/SS CCS plate loading a triode strapped EF184 as driver. What other techniques can I research, or if too broad a question, what's your favourite?

[agent.5]

I will try the following 2 options:

[1] choke loaded DHT that can take higher voltage. Suggestions: 75TL, 100TL, 100TH, 3C24, 801A, GM70

[2] Aikido type driver stage, with say a 45 loading a 45.

[Tweeker]

Will 6l6GC as triode really like that sort of B+? You might consider a choke input supply, unless your trying to direct couple or something.

One not so fancy answer to what do do with lots of B+ is to just use a big plate load and LED bias for the pre tube. Possibly with "e-linear" feedback OPT allowing- plate load resistor connected to OPT UL tap.

A cross coupled Aikido using 2 identical tubes (such as the 6H8Cs [6N8C], 6N6Ps or 6N1Ps) would also work, the top triodes in one envelope, bottoms in the other.

[1] choke loaded DHT that can take higher voltage. Suggestions: 75TL, 100TL, 100TH, 3C24, 801A, GM70

None of these tubes really make sense driving 6L6GCs.

45s are rather expensive, and Aikido gain is only about half mu. Gain of the stage would be less than 2. Also 2 filament supplies, one floating, would be a pain.