Call me a bit nuts, but I have a sudden urge to play with some WE 416B tubes. Something about their very high voltage gain intrigues me. I'm guessing they would make a really good phono preamp. Over the years I've picked up a half dozen or so at hamfests and eBay.
Problem is, it's optimized for microwave use, so the plate and grid connections are not your typical pin type of connection, the plate/heat sink is an unusual small top cap connection and the grid is a concentric screw-thread thingy. The heater and cathode are semi-conventional odd-sized base pins.
Does anyone know of any available sockets for these things? Making some from scratch is a bit beyond my ability. Thanks.
Problem is, it's optimized for microwave use, so the plate and grid connections are not your typical pin type of connection, the plate/heat sink is an unusual small top cap connection and the grid is a concentric screw-thread thingy. The heater and cathode are semi-conventional odd-sized base pins.
Does anyone know of any available sockets for these things? Making some from scratch is a bit beyond my ability. Thanks.
The socket is a KS14134
This is designed as a microwave (4GHZ) power triode NOT a phono pre amp!
For a socket, take a 1960s microwave oven to bits and there will be one in there if it is made by Ericsson for another seller.
Data sheets for your reference attached.
This is designed as a microwave (4GHZ) power triode NOT a phono pre amp!
For a socket, take a 1960s microwave oven to bits and there will be one in there if it is made by Ericsson for another seller.
Data sheets for your reference attached.
The 416B, a truly Planar triode, is very low noise.
When I say true Planar, I mean the flat plane of the cathode, the flat plane of the grid, and the flat plane of the plate; with all planes the same angle.
It does not get any plainer than that (pun intended).
I have seen it used in preamps, featured in Japan's MJ Magazine.
I also remember it being used in an FM receiver (88-108MHz) that used it as a grounded grid RF input amplifier.
Kill any VHF and UHF oscillations, and have fun using it in Audio.
When I say true Planar, I mean the flat plane of the cathode, the flat plane of the grid, and the flat plane of the plate; with all planes the same angle.
It does not get any plainer than that (pun intended).
I have seen it used in preamps, featured in Japan's MJ Magazine.
I also remember it being used in an FM receiver (88-108MHz) that used it as a grounded grid RF input amplifier.
Kill any VHF and UHF oscillations, and have fun using it in Audio.
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Yes, an amazing tube. The grid is very fine and very close to the cathode. I don't know of any tubes with a voltage gain of 300.
I don't know how noise at GHz correlates to noise at audio frequencies, but I may get to find out.
I don't know how noise at GHz correlates to noise at audio frequencies, but I may get to find out.
Isn't the socket like a cavity that the tube screws into? Acting as a partial heatsink as well. Even finding a picture is difficult. Years ago I had some half baked ideas for trying to build and even sell sockets.
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I have tried several times to buy a pair of these sockets, but the procedure for purchasing them is very complicated.
Very interesting. If the translation is accurate it looks like they're selling the tube and socket together for $200. Doesn't sound too bad given the amount of machining required. I'm guessing the fiberglass socket is an original WE part?
Yes, they selling the Tube for 20,000円 ($135usd) or just the socket assembly for 10,000円 ($67usd).
There's one on ebay is selling an used tube with original socket (KS14134) and the grid flange for $49.50, but still requires an anode connector/adapter to complete it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166281248310
There's one on ebay is selling an used tube with original socket (KS14134) and the grid flange for $49.50, but still requires an anode connector/adapter to complete it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/166281248310
The Melody WE-2688 signature uses two 416 tube with customized holder, looks like it is electrically isolated and must be quite expensive to fabricate!
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The restriction on heater voltage may be due to the close electrode spacing.
The grid-cathode spacing is like 0.6 of a millimeter!!!!
6.3V / 1.18A = 5.34 Ohm filament when it is warm.
The filament resistance when cold is much much less than 5.34 Ohms.
Therefore . . .
10.8V through 4.16 Ohms to a 6.3V heater does one thing . . .
It reduces the power-on transient current; no large banging of the filament during start up.
The filament resistance when cold is much much less than 5.34 Ohms.
Therefore . . .
10.8V through 4.16 Ohms to a 6.3V heater does one thing . . .
It reduces the power-on transient current; no large banging of the filament during start up.