View source for Electron Tube Class

== About ==

Some people have made the mistake of expressing interest in electron tubes. They're about to learn more than they bargained for.


== Schedule ==

Not yet determined. 


== Silly Bus == 

* Thermionic emission: From the lightbulb to the pentode.
* Fundamental circuits
* Phase splitting circuits
* Advanced circuits

* Hands-on experience building a battery-powered single tube filamentary pentode pre-amp. 

* Power supplies and tweaking. 

* What is the real secret to great sound? 

=== Laboratory Supplies === 

[http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php?crn=220&rn=438&action=show_detail cheap demo pre-amp] 

Go to [tubedata.info] and obtain what you think is the most informative datasheet for the following tubes and print out a copy. -- you need a physical copy. 

'''filamentary diode'''
5U4*
Optional: GZ34 / 5AR4

'''canonical triode'''
2A3
Optional: 845 

'''to explore gain versus output'''
6SN7*  
6SL7*  or  12AX7 / ECC83

'''Pentodes'''
6BQ5 / EL84
Optional: KT88, EF86

3S4   <<< absolutely required, this is the tube we're using. 

=== Suggested Reading ===

Radiotron Designer's Handbook 4th ed.   [www.pmillett.com] Might have one lying around. 

Tube Circuits for Audio Amplifiers (1-882580-03-6) features some very elegant and practical designs.

An Approach To Audio Frequency Amplifier Design. (1-882580-05-2) Has some good discussions about output transformers and ultralinear design. Then it starts out with some nice practical amps but, before long at all, starts talking about 1,100 watt monsters with 2.5KV power supplies. 

Building Valve Amplifiers (0-7506-5695-6) is probably too practical to be enjoyable but I have to deem it essential. His other book is fantastic, one of the most well worn tomes in my personal library, but get this one first.