Hi all,
I've been given the makings of an EL34 PP amp - chassis, valves, iron etc. But I'd like to try a different driver stage. I've got about 500V of B+ to play with, good current capability and enough heater current to run the 4 EL34s, 2 x 12..7 and 600-800 mA of 6.3V heaters. Although I do have other Tx I could add in if more current is needed for heaters.
Could someone point me in the direction of a good sounding EL34 PP amp? Something with 6SN7, 6N2P or the 12..7 series would be an added bonus!!
I have searched, but its very hard to figure out what sounds best....
Fran
I've been given the makings of an EL34 PP amp - chassis, valves, iron etc. But I'd like to try a different driver stage. I've got about 500V of B+ to play with, good current capability and enough heater current to run the 4 EL34s, 2 x 12..7 and 600-800 mA of 6.3V heaters. Although I do have other Tx I could add in if more current is needed for heaters.
Could someone point me in the direction of a good sounding EL34 PP amp? Something with 6SN7, 6N2P or the 12..7 series would be an added bonus!!
I have searched, but its very hard to figure out what sounds best....
Fran
toroidal output iron is the kind..... and I don't have other spec's than the fact that they were used for EL34s. I suppose I could also put in KT66s or maybe even KT88, but I thought KT88 would need a bit higher B+ (+ more heater)
So, the long way round is that I'm kinda committed to EL34 unless a good argument is set up for something else!!
Fran
So, the long way round is that I'm kinda committed to EL34 unless a good argument is set up for something else!!
Fran
Impedance would be an important thing to know.
If I were sticking to tried and true output tubes, I'd be inclined toward 6L6GC in class AB2, which will get you 50-60 watts easy, and excellent 6L6GC are available dirt cheap.
If I were sticking to tried and true output tubes, I'd be inclined toward 6L6GC in class AB2, which will get you 50-60 watts easy, and excellent 6L6GC are available dirt cheap.
"different driver stage" - different from what?
You could do a 5-20, although opinions vary about how much this needs to be modified.
You could do a 5-20, although opinions vary about how much this needs to be modified.
Do you have UL taps? Here's one with a Mullard style circuit.
http://www.lundahl.se/pdfs/claus_byrith/amplifier_30wpp.pdf
There are many Dynaco ST-70 circuit's out there too that might work great. Some are Williamson types. Depends on your OPT's what you use.
http://www.lundahl.se/pdfs/claus_byrith/amplifier_30wpp.pdf
There are many Dynaco ST-70 circuit's out there too that might work great. Some are Williamson types. Depends on your OPT's what you use.
My vote would be this, using original ST70 iron or anything reasonably close in primary impedance. Very pleased with the sound. 500V sounds a tad rich for me, but you could go with cathode bias. My preference is strongly toward triode connection; I don't bother with the UL switch.
Take what you like and spit out the bones.
Take what you like and spit out the bones.
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Zigzag: I take your point and agree, but I already have a st70 running kt66s and was going to go for something else. The st70 does sound lovely driving my quads....
Fran
Fran
There's always the old Linear 30 watt circuit here Linear Conchord 30w Amplifier . I can verify that does sound nice as I used to have two back in the day.
toroidal output iron is the kind..... and I don't have other spec's than the fact that they were used for EL34s. I suppose I could also put in KT66s or maybe even KT88, but I thought KT88 would need a bit higher B+ (+ more heater)
Maybe give one of the KT88 PP blocks a try. It's a big thread thou:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/156699-mullard-5-20-kt88-pp-blocks.html
jeff
I've got about 500V of B+ to play with, .....
Fran
from what I have read, some older EL34, and it equivalents, takes the higher voltage better than new ones
and also better than KT88
don't much about tho
The PP2C looks interesting indeed.... I've gone back to ask about the impedance of the OPT, but given as it was made especially for a PP EL34, I'm guessing that the impedance should be about right.
Many thanks for all the suggestions so far!! Is there a thread somewhere about the PP2C? - a search didn't throw up anything...
Fran
Many thanks for all the suggestions so far!! Is there a thread somewhere about the PP2C? - a search didn't throw up anything...
Fran
PP2C was originally developed for an ST70 donor. Issues may be providing sufficient heater current (but this amp really deserves an indendent heater supply) and a shunt reg is mandatory on top of the cascode LTP.
My buddy is building one of these and i am gathering parts for an EL84 derivative.
dave
My buddy is building one of these and i am gathering parts for an EL84 derivative.
dave
Here is another one from tubecad journal
I have built the PPEL84 circuit in this post and it is a terrific amp...I have plans to build this EL34 amp someday....
I have built the PPEL84 circuit in this post and it is a terrific amp...I have plans to build this EL34 amp someday....
Hi cjkpkg,
I can't believe you posted that!! I also built that EL84 amp - its a stunning amp!! Thats the one I'll build - nice winter project!
Thanks a mill for the heads up and everyones suggestions!
Fran
I can't believe you posted that!! I also built that EL84 amp - its a stunning amp!! Thats the one I'll build - nice winter project!

Thanks a mill for the heads up and everyones suggestions!
Fran
Yes indeed...the EL84 amp is quite a nice little setup. I may start collecting my iron for this one as well. I have been wanting to build a higher power tube power amp in a more contemporary enclosure chassis. Like a HiFi2000 3U if it could fit or maybe a 4U if height dictates. The P2P + EL34 height will dictate that. A hammond 10X12 bottom plate should work nicely with a few bends in it....
Power Xformer
OPT's
Power Xformer
OPT's
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I would also like to experiment with an LED bias scheme for the first triode input in lieu of the cathode resistor. This worked wonders on the EL84 amp.
Another interesting approach would be a CCS on the EL34's. I am running 80mA per channel on an LM317 on the EL84 as well.
Another interesting approach would be a CCS on the EL34's. I am running 80mA per channel on an LM317 on the EL84 as well.

If you want triode....
There's also Poinz' 6GK5/EL34 Music Machine. Triode, Fixed bias, CCS under the LTP, very straightforward design...about 12-14W or so.
The power supply in my MM is a fairly conventional CLC.....
Required OT impendance is 5K.
There's also Poinz' 6GK5/EL34 Music Machine. Triode, Fixed bias, CCS under the LTP, very straightforward design...about 12-14W or so.
The power supply in my MM is a fairly conventional CLC.....
Required OT impendance is 5K.
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