2. amps-preamps
  3. 192205-171531

I hate to say it, but now I think maybe I like my amp in ultralinear mode versus triode

It's a Cary V-12; it features a dozen EL34s and each pair has a switch in between them that configures that pair to either triode or ultralinear. In full triode Cary listed in the specs that it makes 50 wpc and in full ultralinear 100 wpc.   For most of the twenty three years that I have owned this amp I have always felt that I preferred triode except for the occasions that I wanted to full out blast (it has literally been many years since I've felt the need to full out blast).

However, today I experimented with a couple of things in my system, and after listening to the same "Jazz Essentials" (compilation) red book CD a couple of times all the way through, the next thing I experimented with was switching to full ultralinear.

Maybe there was more "PRaT"?  (Which is a term I am still not sure that I completely grasp.)  Maybe . . . but what I do feel I noted for sure was that the imaging (particularly the imaging in the center) had more weight (meatier?) and was presented more forward, which I actually like.

I put a few more hours in (one more time with Jazz Essentials, Holly Cole/It Happened One Night, Dave's True Story/Sex Without Bodies, selected tracks from Rebecca Pigeon/The Raven and Once Blue/self titled and Norah Jones/Feels Like Home) after switching to ultralinear.  (No booze during this session, just coffee.) The jury is still out on this, but I do have some CDs in mind that I want to listen to over the next few days as I continue to evaluate.  

immatthewj
immatthewj OP
2,023 posts
 

@emergingsoul  wrote:

Again a nice diagram would be nice

@atmasphere  had previously written:

@emergingsoul The term 'ultra-linear' was used to describe the invention that is the subject matter of US patent number 2710312A. You'll see it used in the text of the patent. Its an accurate description of  the time about a break thru in amplifier technology. Diagrams of how it works are at the link.

Again:  

Diagrams of how it works are at the link.

emergingsoul
1,159 posts
 

@immatthewj 

Yes the link was very helpful. It's good that I am very intelligent and can understand these things. Thank you

immatthewj OP
2,023 posts
 

Yes the link was very helpful. It's good that I am very intelligent and can understand these things. Thank you

Yes, that is good.  I am happy for you.  But do not thank me; thank @atmasphere ,  as he posted the link a few posts before you said you would like to see a diagram.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,912 posts
 

Regardless of what we each think of the term "UltraLinear", and its alignment on the good-versus-evil spectrum, I found the following diagram most succinct and easy to digest. It’s from a web search that hits el34world dot com.

Note the wiring in the orange boxes (these would be easily controlled with switches), and the "UtraLinear" taps coming from the transformer primary, to the right - these UL taps are the legs that are positioned (symmetrically) between the 2 outer taps (each tied to their corresponding push/pull tube’s anode plate) and the center tap. These particular taps are disconnected in triode and pure pentode modes. They are connected to the corresponding tube screen grid in UL mode.

I assume the exact % of the UL taps’ positioning between outer taps and center tap is what’s at issue for "optimal" UL loading to a given output tube type - as circuit gurus like Ralph have pointed out.

In pentode mode, both tube screens are tied to the center tap. In triode mode, each screen is tied to its own tube's anode plate. 

immatthewj OP
2,023 posts
 

Thank you, @mulveling !  I have printed that as well.

You asked for a diagram, @emergingsoul , it appears as if your wish has been granted a couple of times over.

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