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Ask an Expert Forum Vacuum tubes (valves)
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Vacuum tubes (valves)

Dimebaggins
Dimebaggins over 2 years ago

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!

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Top Replies

  • robogary
    robogary over 2 years ago +3
    tube amplifiers are still alive and popular, especially with electric guitars. I'd start with designs already proven, and experiment, before trying to design them. https://www.westernelectric.com/li…
  • dougw
    dougw over 2 years ago +3
    I built an experimental tube amp you can have a look at.... Tube Amp on a PCB
  • shabaz
    shabaz over 2 years ago +2
    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…
Parents
  • DAB
    DAB over 2 years ago

    We used tubes/valves when I went to Tech School in the 1970's.

    If you know transistor and FET theory, then you should be able to learn and use tubes/valves.

    Audio purists swear by them.

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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 2 years ago in reply to DAB

    They were still on the curriculum when I studied electronics in the first half of the 80s. Although the only one that we really focused on for longer time was the - then still mainstream - CRT.

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  • DAB
    DAB over 2 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    We went through the range of tubes up to the Pentode, I think.

    We also did transistor theory, but they were still too expensive to introduce into the curriculum.

    Still, I worked with both in by career, once you understand what is going on, it is easy to implement either.

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  • DAB
    DAB over 2 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    We went through the range of tubes up to the Pentode, I think.

    We also did transistor theory, but they were still too expensive to introduce into the curriculum.

    Still, I worked with both in by career, once you understand what is going on, it is easy to implement either.

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