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Tube preamp topologies and music

I am searching for a tube power amplifier. I know very little (nothing) about what the pros and cons of tube topologies as they relate to certain types of music.

as an example, let’s take hard rock/heavy metal. It seems to be the consensus that say 300b single ended amps would be the wrong choice even if you had 100+db efficient speakers. Why is this?

Also, tube compliment. 211? EL84? 300B? I understand that they have power output differences, but what else?

 

I welcome everyone’s input.

gochurchgo
gochurchgo OP
921 posts
 

Perfect thanks. That makes sense.
So Probably a push/pull design would fare better? What role do the tubes play in this say a push/pull kit-88 (Air Tight ATM-2) vs a 211 push/pull (LampizatOr)?

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,203 posts
 

The radio-transmitter tubes - 211, 805, 845 - require high plate voltages on the order of 1K + volts DC. Building output transformers able to handle a kilo volt without insulation breakdown is difficult. Plus having such a high voltage circuit in a chassis makes it a potential execution device!

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,203 posts
 

Push-pull can have superior signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio and less harmonic distortion due to the self-canceling effect of a balanced circuit. Also there is no DC current flowing in the output transformer of a push-pull circuit. 

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,203 posts
 

AudioXpress magazine had a good article on building a single-end 211 amp some years ago. The authors cautioned that such a project was not for the inexperienced! I suggest you track down this article! I no longer have my copy. Another valuable source of information on tube amp design are the issues of Sound Practices - recommended! Lastly, find issues of Glass Audio - more information on design and construction of tube amps.

gochurchgo OP
921 posts
 

Great thanks

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