RE: RC-19 or RC-30

[chungtat]

RE: RC-19 or RC-30

Hi,

I am newbie of tube amp. I was wondering which RCA manual to buy, RC-19 or RC-30? Does RC-30 covers tubes that mentioned in RC-19? I am looking for schematics and applications. Thanks.

 

[Tom Bavis]

RC-30 is about twice the thickness, and I'm sure it has all the tubes that are in RC-19 plus the later ones. If you're looking for tube data and schematics, start here: http://www.audiophool.cjb.net/Techno.htm

 

[chungtat]

Thank you. I will buy RC-30.

 

[PRR]

I have 22, 23, and 30. They are 99% the same. Some of the very last tubes, like 8417, are in 30 but not in 22/23; being the last tubes they are not used in very many designs. RC22 has a little more info on the very old tubes like 2A3, and the very special tubes used in beach-radios and vibratorless car radios; but if you are working with old tubes you should know Frank's online data, and compare all the data-sheets available.

If you will only get one RC book, 30 is a good one to get.

 

[EC8010]

I have both. I once found something in RC19 that was missing in RC30 but I can't remember what it was. I mostly use Frank's site, but the RCA books are very convenient.

 

[Brian Beck]

A plug for Frank's website

Frank's website is my second most used bookmark, after Google! I'm exaggerating perhaps, but it seems that a big chunk of my hard drive space is devoted to tube data sheets, many of which were downloaded from Frank. Whenever any tube is mentioned as even remotely related to audio, I download it. I guess I worry about the terrible day when Frank decides to drop his avocation. Meanwhile, thanks Frank!

 

[Enzo]

The RC30 has a lot more information in it. But it depends on what you are going to work on. Newer tubes like the 6550 and EL34 won't be in the older one. But if you want to fiddle with really old stuff, then RC19 might have a few more insights.