Hi everyone,
It appears that I have recently inherited a pair of EAR 509 monoblocks. Based on the very low serial number, I expect they're early eighties.
Finding PL509 or PL519 tubes for them is nearly impossible, unless you're willing to shell out some big bucks, which I'm not. All of the big electrolytic capacitors have liberated their life juices from their cases. So I'd expect much of the componentry is kaput. So these guys join my list of things to repair.
Sooooo. I've got nothing to lose, and I'm considering modifying them for another output tube. 40v heaters is a problem, but otherwise perhaps folks smarter than me might suggest a reasonable substitute for the PL509. I've got a box full of 6GV5's, that would be nice to deploy. However I think part of the mystique of the EAR 509 is it's OPT that seems very specifically tuned for the PL509.
Perhaps I could ignore some of the extra windings on the OPT and do something more conventional?
Thoughts?
It appears that I have recently inherited a pair of EAR 509 monoblocks. Based on the very low serial number, I expect they're early eighties.
Finding PL509 or PL519 tubes for them is nearly impossible, unless you're willing to shell out some big bucks, which I'm not. All of the big electrolytic capacitors have liberated their life juices from their cases. So I'd expect much of the componentry is kaput. So these guys join my list of things to repair.
Sooooo. I've got nothing to lose, and I'm considering modifying them for another output tube. 40v heaters is a problem, but otherwise perhaps folks smarter than me might suggest a reasonable substitute for the PL509. I've got a box full of 6GV5's, that would be nice to deploy. However I think part of the mystique of the EAR 509 is it's OPT that seems very specifically tuned for the PL509.
Perhaps I could ignore some of the extra windings on the OPT and do something more conventional?
Thoughts?
Looking for the 6P45S I found this:
https://kaizerpowerelectronics.dk/audio/100w-6p45s-monoblock-tube-amplifier/
I don’t know if it is what you might be looking for, but you may get some new ideas.
Regards, Gerrit
https://kaizerpowerelectronics.dk/audio/100w-6p45s-monoblock-tube-amplifier/
I don’t know if it is what you might be looking for, but you may get some new ideas.
Regards, Gerrit
If you are willing to search well on ebay sometimes there are PL509 at the price of modern power tubes , not very cheap but not worth the time for complex modifications and of course those amplifiers deserve anyway the original tubes
Yeah, I think you may be right about that. You never know what you're going to get though!
In addition to what's been said yet: EAR 509, a Tim de Paravicini design, features unity coupling output transformers, exactly the way Gordon Gow and Frank McIntosh did it. The primary is trifilar, like in early MC275's. I wouldn't even tinker to modify this gem to something 'more conventional'.
According to the schematics, the amp features two 12AX7's, one ECC85 and a pair of PL509's, doesn't it?
Best regards!
According to the schematics, the amp features two 12AX7's, one ECC85 and a pair of PL509's, doesn't it?
Best regards!
Have you looked at JJ EL509S? Will need to modify the amp to take 6.3 V heaters for the power tubes and no plate caps.
Apparently they only have one (1) in stock, but I would grab it anyway.
Vacuumtubes.net doesn't have any.
jeff
Try vacuumtubes.net they list stock at $25 each, but at that price I would be tempted to make something else work, but the 40 volt 300 mA heater of the 40KG6 is not common.
Chances are better in Europe to source PL509's/519's/40KG6's where these 0,3 A P series TV tubes were more common.
Best regards!
Best regards!
Thanks for all the replies everyone. The JJ EL509S seems like a real contender. Octal base. All the 600uf 250v power supply caps are shot. Modern versions are much smaller, so I might be able to sneak a 6.3v header transformer under the cover.
I was really excited because I had an order in at vacuumtubes.net, but it got canceled because they did not have stock. Ooof. Everyone seems cleaned out.
FWIW I rolled the dice and ordered some 40KG6 from ebay.
LOL I've got a pile of really nice amps that I need to rehab, and none that work at the moment. 🤣
I was really excited because I had an order in at vacuumtubes.net, but it got canceled because they did not have stock. Ooof. Everyone seems cleaned out.
FWIW I rolled the dice and ordered some 40KG6 from ebay.
LOL I've got a pile of really nice amps that I need to rehab, and none that work at the moment. 🤣
I think restoring the EAR amps back to original working condition is the way forward, even if the tubes seem expensive. They're only going to get more scarce and expensive as time goes on. A properly working pair of these amps should be worth a few dollars.
jeff
Wow! 60 bucks for one tube 😵 ! About 25 years ago I bought a small stock of PL519's for about 20 Deutsche Mark apiece. By a search yesterday I found the supplier I got them from just lists one piece each of PL509 and PL519 for > EUR 30. I'd go for 6P45S's in this case and install a 12 V 3 A (or more) hickocking SMPS to feed the series connected heaters. Anyway, I wish you good luck with your epay deal.
Sorry, I have to stand corrected in some small detail: The OT's primary isn't trifilar, but quatrofilar instead, as there's a galvanically isolated NFB winding also...
Best regards!
Sorry, I have to stand corrected in some small detail: The OT's primary isn't trifilar, but quatrofilar instead, as there's a galvanically isolated NFB winding also...
Best regards!
At Elektronenbuizen.nl used but well tested ( above 80%) PL 519's can be had for 20 euro a piece. The man sells world wide and is very reliable, I've bought tubes from him several times and never had a problem.
my setup in the 80's was a pair of EAR509 w. MGI imp - just beautiful with lp such as Screamin' Jay (Edsel) and Ivan Kozlovsky's live 1970 concert box set. Briefly had a pair of 549 but one motorboated and there was no schematic so traded them away.
Sometimes one gets lucky with tube lots from e-bay, I recently got a bunch of TV tubes that included four PL509 and two PL519, several PL504s, all looking like NOS, original box, no pin scratches.
I second that. I bought many tubes from there, and just like you never had a problem.
Yesterday I sent the thread starter a PM to inform him about this (and about an other trustworthy Dutch seller), just to try to prevent 'commercial sharks' to go and take 'bites', driving prices even more upwards. The only thing that I don't know is if they are shipping to the USA or other countries outside Europe.
Like Kay Pirinha already pointed out in his post #12: There must be many PL509's and PL519's still being around in Europe since they were used extensively in later TV's for line output duty. So with some patience and regular searching, it must be possible to get your hands on them for reasonable prices.
Edit: I just emigrated from The Netherlands to Ghana about two and a half weeks ago.
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