Here Ya Are.What's the output impedance using CCS for 12B4
Simulation shows -3 db is at ~180 KHz for 12B4 CC Loading
When R = Xc, if we know f we can solve for R
f = 1 / 2*PI*RC……………………….f ~ 0.16 / RC
F ~ 180 KHz and C is 200 pF
R ~ 0.15 / fC………………R ~ 0.16 * ( 0.2*10^9 ) / (0.18*10^6)
R ~ 0.16*1.25 (10^3……………….1.25K
🙂
The output impedance largely dependent of "lower" FET.
Samples:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/26-pre-amp.151421/page-221#post-5117183
Samples:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/26-pre-amp.151421/page-221#post-5117183
I measured the output impedance of Ale's Hybrid Mu-Follower rev 0.8 with BSH111BK is 870R, load is 26.
I guess you discuss source follower mode, not at the anode of the driver tube used, where the ccs should have an extremely high impedance and Zout of the circuit being close to the tubes Rp.The output impedance largely dependent of "lower" FET.
Samples:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/26-pre-amp.151421/page-221#post-5117183
As you can see, the simulation of gyrator shows 109R impedance at 1kHz (105-109R at 10Hz..100kHz).I measured the output impedance of Ale's Hybrid Mu-Follower rev 0.8 with BSH111BK is 870R, load is 26.

Read here too
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/26-pre-amp.151421/page-211#post-5033415
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/45-amp-build-direct-coupled.320418/page-6
Last edited:
Thanks for the links Bela, you are right the lower fet used is 2SK3557 not BSH111BK (I was confused because I own four PCBs sorry), I do my maths:
Ale's formula:
Zout = (Rp+Rmu)/(1+Rmu*gfs)
Zout = (7600 (tube 26)+470) / (1+470x 24mS for 2SK3557)
Zout = 8070 / 11281 = 715R as Zout not far the 860R measured
Ale's formula:
Zout = (Rp+Rmu)/(1+Rmu*gfs)
Zout = (7600 (tube 26)+470) / (1+470x 24mS for 2SK3557)
Zout = 8070 / 11281 = 715R as Zout not far the 860R measured
I have an old commercial pre based on 12b4a and its a wet dog. Wouldn't mind improving on it . I can use plate choke or anode current source or both and tweak it a little. I don't want to hack the design completely.I built a 12b4a preamp, tried multiple iterations and landed on my current version using Ale's gyrator and I have no desire to build anything else.
I tried a lot other preamp circuits 6sn7 01a 4p1l 2p29l and two well respected commercial preamp.
Psu is a 83 valve plus RC string. Regulated 6.3V filament.
Attachments
Hi analog_sa,This is probably not news but ime a dht+mosfet follower kills both objectively and subjectively any of the low Rp triodes.
Do you have an exemple (schematic) for such a dht+mosfet follower?
Hi analog_sa,
Do you have an exemple (schematic) for such a dht+mosfet follower?
Sure. Seems like LTspice lost the 4-pin triode symbol, sorry about that, no time to fix it atm. The actual mosfets i use in the ccs are IXTP-U-Y01N100D. Tube is 10Y.
Attachments
I just finished a 6C4C line stage which is very interesting - exceptionally lean, clean and detailed. Just about the complete opposite of my 26 stage which is full and lush. It's different from anything I've heard or built. Intriguing. For what it does it's quite remarkable, but it isn't full and lush at all. Very good on classical music and piano, wide precise soundstage. Dynamic and effortless - it's an output tube after all. Low gain and 800 ohm output impedance. Svetlana quality tubes. I could probably put more current through it. KBG PIO output caps.
Attachments
Why don't use the 6H30 , beautiful linearity and 800 ohm of Rp, mu of 16-20?
Or 6N6, sister of it?
In Srpp with point of job a the upper limit?
Walter
Or 6N6, sister of it?
In Srpp with point of job a the upper limit?
Walter
6C4C Ri is 840R +/-280R.
In this low operating point (near the curved part) it is in the higher side.
Output impedance of your preamp (on anode) about 1k2.
It's enough good for DHT, but at larger (30..35mA) current it would be much smaller.
In this low operating point (near the curved part) it is in the higher side.
Output impedance of your preamp (on anode) about 1k2.
It's enough good for DHT, but at larger (30..35mA) current it would be much smaller.
If you want a line preamp with gain of less than 10X, and you don't want to use negative voltage feedback, then 6N30P and 6N6P will end up with too much gain (at least 12X, even with cathode degeneration). That's why there's interest in using power output tubes for a line stage. There are several on diyAudio including a 12B4A version, a 6V6-triode version, and several others. 4P1L-triode also fits this category, but I know andjevans has tried that and other similar things.Why don't use the 6H30 , beautiful linearity and 800 ohm of Rp, mu of 16-20?
Or 6N6, sister of it?
In Srpp with point of job a the upper limit?
Walter
It is close to 10x in Srpp but with a lot of advantages.f you want a line preamp with gain of less than 10X
W
- Home
- Amplifiers
- Tubes / Valves
- Low Rp tube for line stage - ideas?