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Vacuum tubes (valves)

Dimebaggins

I would like to build audio amplifiers. I assume that a vt can be overdriven like a transistor, or is there other ways to create distortion? Are there different configurations (like emitter-follower etc with transistors). What vts have the highest gain, which have the cleanest amplification. Basically, any and all info would be great. I have a basic understanding of electronics, but no education in the field. I would love to build affordable tube amps but its an "ancient" technology. Its kinda like saying i want to build Model As when everybody else is building Corvettes.  : )

Thanks for any help!

Parents

  • Hi,

    Valves/tubes are not something I know anything at all about, but I've definitely seen a lot of literature on it.

    There's a wealth of articles here: https://www.pearl-hifi.com/06_Lit_Archive/Lit_Archive.html#Vol1

    Also, there are archives of electronics and wireless magazines online (some dating back up to 100 years), which will have many articles too, including audio amplifier construction projects.

    You could also examine vintage Hi-Fi circuits, since most of the old products had service manuals and many are online from various sources. 

    If you're a beginner in electronics, then perhaps it is worth finding an old electronics textbook to learn from, although it may be an uphill struggle. I'm looking at a book called "Electronics Made Simple" by Henry Jacobowitz, which certainly has a section on amplifiers using tubes/valves, but I still don't think the book is that "simple", it's not an easy read. (example photos of pages below). Personally I think if you wish to use valves, it may be better to still begin with transistors, even integrated circuits such as op-amps and so on, i.e. follow a contemporary learning path, since there are lots of easy-to-follow resources for that, and besides, some tube amplifiers contain some semiconductors too.

    image

    image

Reply

  • Hi,

    Valves/tubes are not something I know anything at all about, but I've definitely seen a lot of literature on it.

    There's a wealth of articles here: https://www.pearl-hifi.com/06_Lit_Archive/Lit_Archive.html#Vol1

    Also, there are archives of electronics and wireless magazines online (some dating back up to 100 years), which will have many articles too, including audio amplifier construction projects.

    You could also examine vintage Hi-Fi circuits, since most of the old products had service manuals and many are online from various sources. 

    If you're a beginner in electronics, then perhaps it is worth finding an old electronics textbook to learn from, although it may be an uphill struggle. I'm looking at a book called "Electronics Made Simple" by Henry Jacobowitz, which certainly has a section on amplifiers using tubes/valves, but I still don't think the book is that "simple", it's not an easy read. (example photos of pages below). Personally I think if you wish to use valves, it may be better to still begin with transistors, even integrated circuits such as op-amps and so on, i.e. follow a contemporary learning path, since there are lots of easy-to-follow resources for that, and besides, some tube amplifiers contain some semiconductors too.

    image

    image

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