Can anyone suggest a tube amp, ideally along cheap simple lines ? A kit would be nice but already built is okay too.
The one must have is tube slop -dripping with the stuff, tons if possible, fidelity not important.
I've got a nice little starter kit tube amp built, have a low-mid range one on the way, that I'm saving for. So all set for clean sound. However this is for something else, more for experimentation, kind of A-B compare with other amps.
Know this sounds contrary. It's for a learning thing, and to check out some ideas.
Any suggestions much appreciated and thanks.
PS
So far all I'd found is PAiA 's HiFi Tube Preamp (http://www.paia.com/tubestuff.asp if curious)
The one must have is tube slop -dripping with the stuff, tons if possible, fidelity not important.
I've got a nice little starter kit tube amp built, have a low-mid range one on the way, that I'm saving for. So all set for clean sound. However this is for something else, more for experimentation, kind of A-B compare with other amps.
Know this sounds contrary. It's for a learning thing, and to check out some ideas.
Any suggestions much appreciated and thanks.
PS
So far all I'd found is PAiA 's HiFi Tube Preamp (http://www.paia.com/tubestuff.asp if curious)
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define "slop". SE harmonic signature? Slow rise into soft clipping? PP crossover distortion? 32db of gFB via an underspecced OPT?
If you want just a poor design that lacks fidelity , there are plenty out there.
Alternatively, start with a GOOD basic design and build in the error you are seeking
If you want just a poor design that lacks fidelity , there are plenty out there.
Alternatively, start with a GOOD basic design and build in the error you are seeking
Hmm thanks good point sorry thought it was much more characteristic, identifiable.
I guess sort of a bloatish liquidy kind of thing, maybe sometimes grainy but more a liquid bloat kind, very syrupy extra overlay to the sound. I guessed hard to miss but hearing what you said, now I second guess myself.
I guess sort of a bloatish liquidy kind of thing, maybe sometimes grainy but more a liquid bloat kind, very syrupy extra overlay to the sound. I guessed hard to miss but hearing what you said, now I second guess myself.
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Yup like underwater listening.
Used to be common, hear about it some anyhow. Probably before tubes reappeared and we all relearned many more ins and outs of them.
Of course then again I could be very way totally wrong there, but pretty sure I'd heard it about and heard the phenomena so to speak.
Used to be common, hear about it some anyhow. Probably before tubes reappeared and we all relearned many more ins and outs of them.
Of course then again I could be very way totally wrong there, but pretty sure I'd heard it about and heard the phenomena so to speak.
I have seen a ready built hybrid tube amp module on ebay.
The heaters are dropped off the dc rail so a complicated and expensive transformer isnt needed.
The heaters are dropped off the dc rail so a complicated and expensive transformer isnt needed.
A 12AU7 in the preamp section might get you that sound...chocolaty tube.
For some reasons that I don't understand a NOS 12AU7 sounds GREAT in a mu follower configuration.
I have the suspicion that the reason why that tube is often used in PP pentode amps is to soften the edgy sound of pentodes but I might be wrong. In theory feedback solves that problem.
For some reasons that I don't understand a NOS 12AU7 sounds GREAT in a mu follower configuration.
I have the suspicion that the reason why that tube is often used in PP pentode amps is to soften the edgy sound of pentodes but I might be wrong. In theory feedback solves that problem.
Much thanks.
The idea of a hybrid's, any idea what they sound like? Was thinking all tube but that's just because anything else hadn't occured to me.
That schematic sounds like just the thing. Is that a Jadis ? (picture's tagged Jadis) Just surprised but hadn't read up on their stuff in ages, used to hear about them in audio mags.
******
I'd 'inherited' a couple of old console stereos a long while back, someone cleaning out their cellar. Nothing valuable, budget line models. Anyway not very hifi but between the amp and speakers got some weird results. Huge open sound but wasn't just the tubes.
One had two small cabs, the amp was in one. The other had 3 channels, 2 stereo and a mono 18" speaker. All had open back cabs. I'd long since gotten rid of them-grabbed them for the wood didn't expect them to fire up.
Anyway just intrigued me that lofi setup (they sounded it) could sound that good, well so deep and wide. Both sounded much like the Jadis description, probably same or more exaggerated.
The idea of a hybrid's, any idea what they sound like? Was thinking all tube but that's just because anything else hadn't occured to me.
That schematic sounds like just the thing. Is that a Jadis ? (picture's tagged Jadis) Just surprised but hadn't read up on their stuff in ages, used to hear about them in audio mags.
******
I'd 'inherited' a couple of old console stereos a long while back, someone cleaning out their cellar. Nothing valuable, budget line models. Anyway not very hifi but between the amp and speakers got some weird results. Huge open sound but wasn't just the tubes.
One had two small cabs, the amp was in one. The other had 3 channels, 2 stereo and a mono 18" speaker. All had open back cabs. I'd long since gotten rid of them-grabbed them for the wood didn't expect them to fire up.
Anyway just intrigued me that lofi setup (they sounded it) could sound that good, well so deep and wide. Both sounded much like the Jadis description, probably same or more exaggerated.
Yes, Jadis DPL preamp. Use old carbon comp resistors and leaky paper in oil coupling caps and connect this preamp to your clean amp...it won't sound clean anymore. 😀
Just like mine, deep and wide sound.
in that case it wasn't the tubes you were "hearing" as much as the low quality speaker in an open backed enclosure. Warm and sloppy regardless of what was driving it.
lo-fi tube amp
copy a hammond tube amp if you want low fidelity. No feedback, no high frequency response, schematics all over the internet. Their sound generator was so pure they didn't need any high frequency response. For example hamtech.org/shematics.htm. Bogan PA amps were also pretty generic, I've got a couple picked up from charity resale shops.
copy a hammond tube amp if you want low fidelity. No feedback, no high frequency response, schematics all over the internet. Their sound generator was so pure they didn't need any high frequency response. For example hamtech.org/shematics.htm. Bogan PA amps were also pretty generic, I've got a couple picked up from charity resale shops.
I agree that the speaker played a big part but not all low quality speakers have a warm sound. Far from it. As for the OB enclosure... that debate is for the speaker forum.😛
Probably a combination of a tube amp with old resistors that have drifted up in value and lo-fi speakers.
Oh I'd wondered if it were the cabs, yanked both amps, preamps and tried them on modern stereo speakers, decent quality, closed cabs. Yup the cabs contributed a lot but still huge and wide and dripping with liquid slop.
Thanks the Hammond Bogens ideas. Bogens I hadn't known much about-they were PA and I was guitarist just hadn't used 'em.
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PS
This stuff does end up clean hifi. I get to play around with it a lot with guitar, synth and stereo jury rigs. Plus am huge on effects when playing; but with stereo listening it's bare bones clean no alterations.
Probably seemed contrary to accurate sound, which why I explain. Often doesn't do much but sometimes you stumble across usable or interesting things to try. The playing and effects gives a lot of leeway where the clean stereo listening doesn't so much.
You folks seemed interested in chasing good circuits, figured I should explain why the lofi chase. That plus habit guilt too, I get jokingly nagged about the heavy effects use a lot.
Thanks the Hammond Bogens ideas. Bogens I hadn't known much about-they were PA and I was guitarist just hadn't used 'em.
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PS
This stuff does end up clean hifi. I get to play around with it a lot with guitar, synth and stereo jury rigs. Plus am huge on effects when playing; but with stereo listening it's bare bones clean no alterations.
Probably seemed contrary to accurate sound, which why I explain. Often doesn't do much but sometimes you stumble across usable or interesting things to try. The playing and effects gives a lot of leeway where the clean stereo listening doesn't so much.
You folks seemed interested in chasing good circuits, figured I should explain why the lofi chase. That plus habit guilt too, I get jokingly nagged about the heavy effects use a lot.
Vintage or so called lo-fi sound is often more pleasant to the ears that some hi-fi stuff I have heard. I have no problems with definitions; if i like it, I couldn't care less if it's called hi-fi or lo-fi. That being said, if the recording is good I prefer listening it with a clean amp.
Makes much sense. Think the problem is I like a clean amp, get to wanting a change and try things, but always return to a good amp. Gives me something more to do for listening off and on.
Anyhow thanks all for the ideas. Think am going to try the PAiA kit first, see if has a wide adjustable range then try building either like a hammond or jadis after.
thanks again
Anyhow thanks all for the ideas. Think am going to try the PAiA kit first, see if has a wide adjustable range then try building either like a hammond or jadis after.
thanks again
http://www.paia.com/manuals/docs/9305-tubehead-schematic.pdf
"it's designed to be adjustable from crisp, solid-state transparency to an exaggerated caricature of tube amp warmth."
Description is right. It mixes SS sound (IC's) with the sound of a tube operating in a very non linear fashion (12ax7 with a B+ of only 45 volts).
Still, too many parts and the clean sound isn't needed, is it?
The schematic reminds me most modern guitar tube preams, only difference is the possibility of clean sound amplification, but that would be only SS sound. No tube cleans with that one.
Might suit your needs. 150$ is too much money though, with that cash you could buy a vintage tube amp or preamp. But which one? 🙂
"it's designed to be adjustable from crisp, solid-state transparency to an exaggerated caricature of tube amp warmth."
Description is right. It mixes SS sound (IC's) with the sound of a tube operating in a very non linear fashion (12ax7 with a B+ of only 45 volts).
Still, too many parts and the clean sound isn't needed, is it?
The schematic reminds me most modern guitar tube preams, only difference is the possibility of clean sound amplification, but that would be only SS sound. No tube cleans with that one.
Might suit your needs. 150$ is too much money though, with that cash you could buy a vintage tube amp or preamp. But which one? 🙂
Hi, I'm Igaar, if this tone you are trying to get is for a guitar amp it sounds like you want a little SAG in the power supply to give some natural sustain when turning up loud to play some power chords or soloing. You can achieve this by installing some power resistors in series with the main high voltage out if this is a small power amp like 10 to 20 watts use a 100 to 150 ohm resistor at aleast 10 watts value or more like 25 watts if your amp is more like 50 or 60 watts. Of course this only works when the amp is up moderately loud, if you do this to the power amp only the effect is more dramatic but make sure your placement of this resistor effects the screen voltage to the power tubes as well or you will have damaged power tubes before long. Please be careful not to touch high voltage circuits before unplugging and bleeding off the power supply first.
Mate just find a nice EL84 or whatever your fav tube, push-pull, modern design, valve amp and you will have your clean amp with great sound. The DIY ones are good. Save your money and don't buy preamps etc they are an errant path, they won't make any tube amp designed for modern CD input levels sound any better. The tube sound with hifi is different to the guitar tube sound, but it is very good also in the hifi world. To give you an idea, a medium-fi tube hifi amp blows a medium-fi SS hifi amp into the bushes and far away, if I am allowed to say that, just my opinion.
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