From November 2020 going TS has asked a couple of tube related questions on this forum. Still TS writes in post #1 of this thread that he is a "100% total newb". So the only logical conclusion is that the way TS is trying to learn about tube related electronics is 100% ineffective.
I fully agree with EL506 (see post #32). TS should not insult helpful members who do know a thing or two about tube electronics and are willing to share that with beginners, especially under these circumstances.
I fully agree with EL506 (see post #32). TS should not insult helpful members who do know a thing or two about tube electronics and are willing to share that with beginners, especially under these circumstances.
Understood, and I have devoured your videos, along with Marks and Uncle Doug's.
Many are literally downloaded on my phone.
I have the Yaquin MC-13S, a PP EL34 which sounded pretty good new. As it was my first Tube amp, I had no point of reference.... Hearing folks talk about SE 300B magic and seeing one for sale locally, jumped on it.. Its an older Yaquin MS-300B (SE). Turns out the MS-300B was worked on before me, but still had some issues. I upgraded the coupling caps, replaced most if not all of the electrolytics (someone had replaced a few with miss matched values), and added the ability to turn off local and global feedback. There is also a FB group which is tailored for the Yaquin's and it had a ton of info on my amps... The Yaquin 300B was designed for 110V, think who ever was in before me tried to dial it down by cathode resistor, instead of a bucking or step down... I have the 120-110 Step down trans, so wanted to bring the cathode resistor closer to original design, and have a proper heat sink on it...
I think the 300B amp sounds fantastic now, definitely better than when I got it BUT its only the 2nd tube amp I have ever heard (With my speakers at least).
I Purchased the Analogue Discovery, so plan on making checking the 300B's performance. Have plans to make the GNF and LNF adjustable instead of off and on...
I can tell the PP has way more "authority" especially down low but the 300B has almost a holographic presentation. At the volume I listen too, the 300B is fine 99.9% of the time... (My speakers are about 96db) SO GNF and LNF are almost always off. If I have company over and we plan on going up in volume, I typically enable one or the other as the base tightens up when cranked...
Anyway, I am reading, watching and digesting as much as I can. My bench has an Oscope, Sig Gen, variac, dim bulb limiter, isolation trans, 2-3 multi meters, dummy load box, bla bla bla.. In the last year I have learned much but know there is no substitute for experience. That said, is why I type questions here !
Im pretty sure after I get done with these last mods, I will do a build of my own (Using marks or your design of course!!)
You don't sound like a total noob to me. I learned the same way as you are, reading, experimenting and seeing for myself what works and what doesn't. I also ran into "Don't even try this", "Leave this to the experts" when I first started and it feels like to me there is a group of folks who want to make this stuff WAY more complex than it actually is. The best way for me to learn is by doing, making mistakes and then figuring out why it didn't work like I thought it should.
I am a newb. I have gear which Im fantastic at turning on, past that sometimes takes a painful amount of time to use... I understand the very very basics and that's all. I prefer to be somewhat modest when there will be amazing, talented and experienced people in the room. After all, isn't perspective everything ?
I still struggle with some core concepts. When my amp is on the bench, Id have to run down the test setup 10 times beofre I flip the switch to be sure I am safe.
You Tubers make it looks simple, when in real life real concentration is required. Measuring voltages is never as easy as the you tube videos make it look, one second I had 380, 5 seconds later its 360. Then I say, ok there must be oxidation so press the probe harder and read 410. Now I have multiple measurements of
everything. The only thing that is consistent was reading the value of a resistor lol.. Oh, And was I looking to read AC or DC ... Hmmm have to remember what Im doing and why....
And yes, there are folks who suggest not doing anything, but I try to ignore them. What gets me is when the entire train derails on someones post that literally offered zero information. To suggest to anyone to read a book... well... I guess Im old. Its all we did back in the day. As a matter of fact Id bet many of us old folks actually look back and fondly remember learning from books.
That said I am truly thank full to anyone who posted a link to read. Good stuff is ALWAYS welcome. And just like watching a video a few times, I can read some articles over and over for days on end. Thanks again to all who have helped, and hell thanks to those who missed the barn by a country mile, your intentions are truly appreciated !
I still struggle with some core concepts. When my amp is on the bench, Id have to run down the test setup 10 times beofre I flip the switch to be sure I am safe.
You Tubers make it looks simple, when in real life real concentration is required. Measuring voltages is never as easy as the you tube videos make it look, one second I had 380, 5 seconds later its 360. Then I say, ok there must be oxidation so press the probe harder and read 410. Now I have multiple measurements of
everything. The only thing that is consistent was reading the value of a resistor lol.. Oh, And was I looking to read AC or DC ... Hmmm have to remember what Im doing and why....
And yes, there are folks who suggest not doing anything, but I try to ignore them. What gets me is when the entire train derails on someones post that literally offered zero information. To suggest to anyone to read a book... well... I guess Im old. Its all we did back in the day. As a matter of fact Id bet many of us old folks actually look back and fondly remember learning from books.
That said I am truly thank full to anyone who posted a link to read. Good stuff is ALWAYS welcome. And just like watching a video a few times, I can read some articles over and over for days on end. Thanks again to all who have helped, and hell thanks to those who missed the barn by a country mile, your intentions are truly appreciated !