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Post subject: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:42 am
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I ran across a couple of you tube videos regarding tube amp operation and theory. I thought the information was well presented and the individual did a pretty good job of explaining things in a very practical and informative way. Anyway, I thought I'd share the links so that anyone interested in wanting to get a better understanding of what all the different components do can access it.

Basically, the videos involve taking a simple circuit and breaking it down into several sections at a time to define what role the components play. I definitely learned a lot from the two videos and I have gained a better understanding of what and where to check components should I need to diagnose my amps.

I know there are many well seasoned professionals on this site with tons of knowledge on tube amp theory and repair that will probably not benefit from these videos. So this is more for someone who's wanting to gain a better understanding of tube amp circuits, such as myself.

Hope it helps, it sure helped me.

http://youtu.be/x5SSKX74DKg
http://youtu.be/901iaPVVzY0

Disclaimer:
If you do not feel comfortable working with high voltages, please do not attempt to service or maintain a tube amp. High voltages are present that can cause injury or worse, death. If you do not know what you are doing, please take your amp to a professional.
The links are provided as a source of information. In no way, shape, or form am I encouraging you to service your own amp.
Thanks :D

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:19 pm
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Here's a better video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryCr4Y7ypLA

:mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:47 pm
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Good Stuff all of it !!

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 4:49 pm
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Social, Thanks for the links. That guy really does a great job explaining the way the tube amps work in a way that the average guy can understand. :idea: :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 4:56 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:


That's a good video Bill, it does a good job of establishing the different types of amplification classes and coupling methods. My hope is that this becomes the go to source for people who are new to amp tubes or maybe just want to learn more about their amps.

:D

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 4:57 pm
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S Bender wrote:
Social, Thanks for the links. That guy really does a great job explaining the way the tube amps work in a way that the average guy can understand. :idea: :idea:


Yeah, I know what you mean.

Thanks,
Average guy :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 5:38 pm
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Bump....

So here's his explanation for the phase inverter. Good stuff for the "common man". :wink:

http://youtu.be/U6By31V9fDo

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 5:51 pm
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Really the name "phase inverter" is a bit of a misnomer as most tube stages invert the amplified signal. The term "phase splitter" is a better description of what they do, split the signal into an inverted and non-inverted copy.

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 9:03 am
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GilgaFrank wrote:
Really the name "phase inverter" is a bit of a misnomer as most tube stages invert the amplified signal. The term "phase splitter" is a better description of what they do, split the signal into an inverted and non-inverted copy.


+10000

It was also great to know why the signals had to be split into an inverted and non inverted copy when using two output tubes. Is this why it's commonly referred to as a a push/pull circuit?

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 10:44 am
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socal323 wrote:
It was also great to know why the signals had to be split into an inverted and non inverted copy when using two output tubes. Is this why it's commonly referred to as a a push/pull circuit?


Correct.

In a single-ended amp there is no phase inverter and the power tube assumes a 100% duty cycle, direct-coupled to the gain stage(s) of the pre-amp.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 4:07 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
socal323 wrote:
It was also great to know why the signals had to be split into an inverted and non inverted copy when using two output tubes. Is this why it's commonly referred to as a a push/pull circuit?


Correct.

In a single-ended amp there is no phase inverter and the power tube assumes a 100% duty cycle, direct-coupled to the gain stage(s) of the pre-amp.

Arjay


Just because an amp has two power tubes does not always mean it is push/pull. Here is a single-ended class A amp with parallel power tubes:

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 5:08 pm
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That's a confusing schematic. At first glance it looks like the second half of V1 is a phase splitter. And the way the 6V6 grid leak resistor is positioned is just confusing. Probably sounds pretty good though.

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 5:44 pm
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GilgaFrank wrote:
That's a confusing schematic. At first glance it looks like the second half of V1 is a phase splitter. And the way the 6V6 grid leak resistor is positioned is just confusing. Probably sounds pretty good though.


Compare the Angela to a 5E3 where the second half of V2 is a phase splitter:

http://ampwares.com/schematics/deluxe_5e3.pdf

Here's a Gibson GA-9:

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 8:25 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
socal323 wrote:
It was also great to know why the signals had to be split into an inverted and non inverted copy when using two output tubes. Is this why it's commonly referred to as a a push/pull circuit?


Correct.

In a single-ended amp there is no phase inverter and the power tube assumes a 100% duty cycle, direct-coupled to the gain stage(s) of the pre-amp.

Arjay

I'm sure what you meant to say is the gain stage directly follows the pre-amp. Sometimes the term "direct-coupled" is used in place of DC coupled. I don't know if I've ever seen a guitar amp with DC coupled stages.

DC Coupling

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Post subject: Re: Tube amp operation
Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 8:31 pm
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Direct coupled cathode followers aren't uncommon

http://ampbooks.com/home/classic-circui ... -preamp-6/

Parallel tubes sometimes crop up in preamps, Twin Reverb's reverb driver being a case in point.

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EDIT: although that's a bad example, really that's being used as a mini power amp.

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