Im looking to build a Hi-Fi Tube system for my theater and music listening room. I was wondering if anyone could direct me on what amps I could build for this application, also what would be needed to have a system like that....Is a preamp needed, or what? Any help is welcomed and appreciated!
Hi-Fi system build
- Thread starter DMoe
- Start date
That's a complex question. You need to know the efficiency of your speakers and how loud you want to go determine power needed. Many modern speakers are so inefficient that building a tube amp may not be a good choice. Also, many speakers may sound much different with a tube amp, especially if their impedance varies dramatically. Some speakers just don't sound right with a tube amp.
It's good to research the subject out, and remember that tube amps use potentially lethal voltages.
It's good to research the subject out, and remember that tube amps use potentially lethal voltages.
Tube theatre
Multi-channel is very easy with tube amps as many designs are of a mono-block single channel configuration.
Unfortunatly your $2-3K limit could be easily surpassed with multiple channels.
Don't get me wrong it can be done but you do need to do some research on your prefered configuration with pricing amongst the top priorities.
_______________________________Rick...........
Multi-channel is very easy with tube amps as many designs are of a mono-block single channel configuration.
Unfortunatly your $2-3K limit could be easily surpassed with multiple channels.
Don't get me wrong it can be done but you do need to do some research on your prefered configuration with pricing amongst the top priorities.
_______________________________Rick...........
If I were you I would start out with a simple stereo amp kit powering the front channels. Use push-pull EL34s, 6550s or KT88s for 30-40 watts. Buy a proper home theatre preamp, that way you get a remote control plus all the bells and whistles. Used preamps can be picked up for a song and they don't really wear out.
A powered sub & a separate solid state amp can be added for surround and centre channels.
If you want to build it yourself, there are a number of good kits available, and some of the new manufacture tubes available are really good. The kits come with all the transformers, tubes, a nice chassis and are good for the beginner/intermediate.
Unless you are an electronics tech and metalworker I wouldn't build from scratch- too much work!
As always, read the safety thread.
A powered sub & a separate solid state amp can be added for surround and centre channels.
If you want to build it yourself, there are a number of good kits available, and some of the new manufacture tubes available are really good. The kits come with all the transformers, tubes, a nice chassis and are good for the beginner/intermediate.
Unless you are an electronics tech and metalworker I wouldn't build from scratch- too much work!
As always, read the safety thread.
I have 3-way stereo, it sounds gorgeous!
All 3 stereo amps are hybrid. Subwoofer amp (40 Hz and below) works in A+C, woofer amp (40-200 Hz) works in A+C, mid and high amp works in class A.
For subwoofer I have a horn under floor made of concrete with 2 Pioneer 12" drivers; for woofers I have couple of concrete bricks with 1 in each Alpine 12" with treated by composite material cones, for mid and highs I have arrays of 8 Infinity Reference 4.5 coaxials plus 8 cellphone speakers to correct vertical directivity pattern. Crossovers are made of LC contours inside of Altec Lansing 1/3 octave crossovers.
Damping panels are placed on walls.
I have also 6.5" coaxials for center and rear speakers, but I don't use them: when a room is properly treated 5+1 is odd...
More details (Russian): http://www.wavebourn.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=934
All 3 stereo amps are hybrid. Subwoofer amp (40 Hz and below) works in A+C, woofer amp (40-200 Hz) works in A+C, mid and high amp works in class A.
For subwoofer I have a horn under floor made of concrete with 2 Pioneer 12" drivers; for woofers I have couple of concrete bricks with 1 in each Alpine 12" with treated by composite material cones, for mid and highs I have arrays of 8 Infinity Reference 4.5 coaxials plus 8 cellphone speakers to correct vertical directivity pattern. Crossovers are made of LC contours inside of Altec Lansing 1/3 octave crossovers.
Damping panels are placed on walls.
I have also 6.5" coaxials for center and rear speakers, but I don't use them: when a room is properly treated 5+1 is odd...
More details (Russian): http://www.wavebourn.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=934
Well as far as electronics, I use to repair Weigh scales that were HV, and UHF radio. So I have some degree of knowledge when it comes to electronics. Metal working....I'm No accomplished welder, but I can weld pretty good...
I've been searching the web pretty consistantly for kits, and most of them that I've found only put out about 8W's per channel. Now I know tubes are very powerful, and have some juice to produce good sound, but I need some kits that I can build that will be able to throw out some decent sound... I will take your advice shifty, and start out with something simple....I can build my own PCB also...but I just need direction... I dont want to spend 3 weeks trying to build off a schematic.
I've been searching the web pretty consistantly for kits, and most of them that I've found only put out about 8W's per channel. Now I know tubes are very powerful, and have some juice to produce good sound, but I need some kits that I can build that will be able to throw out some decent sound... I will take your advice shifty, and start out with something simple....I can build my own PCB also...but I just need direction... I dont want to spend 3 weeks trying to build off a schematic.
ok so you've gotta 12' X 14' room...
pretty small, so lots of power shouldn't be a requirement.
I'd recommend small fullrangers, and the best quality tube amp possible. That should leave you enough for quite a good 5.1 or 6.1 preamp/processor ($700-$1000). I did a quick search and found one that is very good for as little as $325. For the centre channel, and the two (or three) rears, I'd go for something from 41Hz.com, build a three or four channel kit at what ever power you need. A four channel with power supply could be put together for under $200 or so. And T-amps sound very "tubey", and should integrate well with a 2 channel tube , "main" amplifier. A sub pair can be put together inexpensively from parts from Apex Jr. . Perhaps allow $280 for a pair of good subs and plate amps...and 5 channels (say) of full-range drivers for $350 from any number of sources
That could leave you with $850 for a nice DIY tube main amp.
Some bargains can be had refurbishing an old tube integrated amp, or building a kit or purchasing some of the Chinese tube amps (some of which are excellent from first hand experience, but be warned, I am becoming a dealer for some of these so my view may be skewed a bit.).
I don't think there is a better way to do a home theatre setup using a high quality processor, good full-range drivers, 2 subs, 3 channels + of T-amp amplification and 2 channels of tube amplification. Personally I think it would completely rock. And play music too.
Personally in such a small room, I'd just go for a good pair of near full bandwidth (multi-way or single driver type) speakers, no surround, no processor, multiple speakers and amps. Just good 2 channel with fairly deep response, and a great DIY integrated amp (or amp pre-amp pair)
stew
pretty small, so lots of power shouldn't be a requirement.
I'd recommend small fullrangers, and the best quality tube amp possible. That should leave you enough for quite a good 5.1 or 6.1 preamp/processor ($700-$1000). I did a quick search and found one that is very good for as little as $325. For the centre channel, and the two (or three) rears, I'd go for something from 41Hz.com, build a three or four channel kit at what ever power you need. A four channel with power supply could be put together for under $200 or so. And T-amps sound very "tubey", and should integrate well with a 2 channel tube , "main" amplifier. A sub pair can be put together inexpensively from parts from Apex Jr. . Perhaps allow $280 for a pair of good subs and plate amps...and 5 channels (say) of full-range drivers for $350 from any number of sources
That could leave you with $850 for a nice DIY tube main amp.
Some bargains can be had refurbishing an old tube integrated amp, or building a kit or purchasing some of the Chinese tube amps (some of which are excellent from first hand experience, but be warned, I am becoming a dealer for some of these so my view may be skewed a bit.).
I don't think there is a better way to do a home theatre setup using a high quality processor, good full-range drivers, 2 subs, 3 channels + of T-amp amplification and 2 channels of tube amplification. Personally I think it would completely rock. And play music too.
Personally in such a small room, I'd just go for a good pair of near full bandwidth (multi-way or single driver type) speakers, no surround, no processor, multiple speakers and amps. Just good 2 channel with fairly deep response, and a great DIY integrated amp (or amp pre-amp pair)
stew
NOW that idea I like a lot.
what I was thinking about was building a solid KT88 amp, and integrate the AMP9 from 41Hz. I was going to add digital audio, Fm radio, full remote integration with LCD display and micro process control and a whole slew of electronics from http://electronics.dantimax.dk .
what I was thinking about was building a solid KT88 amp, and integrate the AMP9 from 41Hz. I was going to add digital audio, Fm radio, full remote integration with LCD display and micro process control and a whole slew of electronics from http://electronics.dantimax.dk .
My biggest issue is I need to be able to read schematics better than i do right now...it's been so long. I need to get some practice building these amps first....So i decided that I would build a small system for my studio. I also need a amp for my Hammond's Leslie(which I'm going to have to build strait from schematic also)...and I also need a guitar amp.... So before I build my HI-Fi system I'm hope'n to have more experience building high end sound equipment.
If you are looking to build a simple guitar amp, browse the http://www.ax84.com/ site, there's a boatload of information there...
I built a similar one and it cranks!
I built a similar one and it cranks!