Audiophile Vacuum Tube Amplifiers Design Construction Testing Repairing Upgrading

The most complete and practical modern reference on audiophile vacuum tube technology! Destined to become a true classic in its field, this unique DIY design & construction manual presents the theory and practice of amplifier design & construction in a balanced way. For those who dislike formulas and want proven, practical, ready-to-build designs, dozens of such commercial, tried & tested circuits are explained and analyzed. Just get your soldering iron ready and start building! Absolute beginners will benefit from the methodological approach, starting with DC circuits, then moving into AC voltages and currents and their circuits. The first few chapters of Volume 1 are a complete training course in fundamentals of electronics. Although the focus is on audiophile or "hi-fi" vacuum tube amplifiers, those interested in tube guitar amps will also benefit from the wealth of material presented, most of which directly applies to tube guitar amps as well. Apart from various audio circuits, electronic components, power supplies and tests & measurements are also covered in depth. Even tube testing and tube testers are discussed at great length, as is troubleshooting, repairing and modifying (upgrading) tube gear. The advanced topics that other books don't even mention, such as audio transformer design, construction and testing, make this reference manual a valuable addition to your technical library. For those familiar with solid state devices, such as bipolar transistors and FETs, an easy and seamless transition into tube technology is provided in the book, which adopts a unifying approach to amplification and rectification devices, be they of solid state or vacuum tube kind. This practical DIY manual is richly and professionally illustrated with photographs of tubes, components and amplifiers, circuit diagrams, tube pinouts, curves and loadlines, graphs and charts. Hundreds of such valuable illustrations make it easy to comprehend issues. There is no need to search for, download and print such information, saving you valuable time. All the information required to design and build tube amplifiers is compiled in one place. Who is this book for? Audiophiles and guitar players wanting to learn how tubes and tube amplifiers work. DIY constructors who wish to take their knowledge and building skills to a higher level. Buyers and sellers of tubes and tube equipment who need a better understanding of tube technology. Electronic technicians and engineers familiar with solid state devices and circuits, who want to expand their knowledge of tubes and their circuits. Anyone who wants to learn how to design, build, test, fix, or upgrade tube gear. Contents of Volume 1: WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS BOOK AND HOW BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT THEORY ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AUDIO FREQUENCY AMPLIFIERS PHYSICAL FUNDAMENTALS OF VACUUM TUBE OPERATION VOLTAGE AMPLIFICATION WITH TRIODES - THE COMMON CATHODE STAGE OTHER VOLTAGE AMPLIFICATION STAGES WITH TRIODES TETRODES AND PENTODES AS VOLTAGE AMPLIFIERS FREQUENCY RESPONSE OF VACUUM TUBE AMPLIFIERS IMPEDANCE-COUPLED STAGES AND INTERSTAGE TRANSFORMERS NEGATIVE FEEDBACK TONE CONTROLS, ACTIVE CROSSOVERS AND OTHER CIRCUITS PRACTICAL LINE-LEVEL PREAMPLIFIER DESIGNS PHONO PREAMPLIFIERS SINGLE-ENDED TRIODE OUTPUT STAGE PRACTICAL SINGLE-ENDED TRIODE AMPLIFIER DESIGNS PRACTICAL SINGLE-ENDED PSEUDO-TRIODE DESIGNS SINGLE-ENDED PENTODE AND ULTRALINEAR OUTPUT STAGES"

The most complete and practical modern reference on audiophile vacuum tube technology! Destined to become a true classic in its field, this unique DIY design & construction manual presents the theory and practice of amplifier design & construction in a balanced way. For those who dislike formulas and want proven, practical, ready-to-build designs, dozens of such commercial, tried & tested circuits are explained and analyzed. Just get your soldering iron ready and start building! Absolute beginners will benefit from the methodological approach, starting with DC circuits, then moving into AC voltages and currents and their circuits. The first few chapters of Volume 1 are a complete training course in fundamentals of electronics. Although the focus is on audiophile or "hi-fi" vacuum tube amplifiers, those interested in tube guitar amps will also benefit from the wealth of material presented, most of which directly applies to tube guitar amps as well. Apart from various audio circuits, electronic components, power supplies and tests & measurements are also covered in depth. Even tube testing and tube testers are discussed at great length, as is troubleshooting, repairing and modifying (upgrading) tube gear. The advanced topics that other books don't even mention, such as audio transformer design, construction and testing, make this reference manual a valuable addition to your technical library. For those familiar with solid state devices, such as bipolar transistors and FETs, an easy and seamless transition into tube technology is provided in the book, which adopts a unifying approach to amplification and rectification devices, be they of solid state or vacuum tube kind. This practical DIY manual is richly and professionally illustrated with photographs of tubes, components and amplifiers, circuit diagrams, tube pinouts, curves and loadlines, graphs and charts. Hundreds of such valuable illustrations make it easy to comprehend issues. There is no need to search for, download and print such information, saving you valuable time. All the information required to design and build tube amplifiers is compiled in one place. Who is this book for? Audiophiles and guitar players wanting to learn how tubes and tube amplifiers work. DIY constructors who wish to take their knowledge and building skills to a higher level. Buyers and sellers of tubes and tube equipment who need a better understanding of tube technology. Electronic technicians and engineers familiar with solid state devices and circuits, who want to expand their knowledge of tubes and their circuits. Anyone who wants to learn how to design, build, test, fix, or upgrade tube gear. Contents of Volume 2: PRACTICAL SINGLE-ENDED PENTODE AND ULTRALINEAR DESIGNS PUSH-PULL OUTPUT STAGES PRACTICAL PUSH-PULL AMPLIFIER DESIGNS BALANCED, BRIDGE AND OTL (OUTPUT TRANSFORMERLESS) AMPLIFIERS THE DESIGN PROCESS FUNDAMENTALS OF MAGNETIC CIRCUITS AND TRANSFORMERS MAINS TRANSFORMERS AND FILTERING CHOKES POWER SUPPLIES FOR TUBE AMPLIFIERS AUDIO TRANSFORMERS TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIRING TUBE AMPLIFIERS UPGRADING & IMPROVING TUBE AMPLIFIERS SOUND CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES AUDIO TESTS & MEASUREMENTS TESTING & MATCHING VACUUM TUBES "

Building Valve Amplifiers is a unique hands-on guide for anyone working with tube audio equipment--as an electronics hobbyist, audiophile or audio engineer. This 2nd Edition builds on the success of the first with technology and technique revisions throughout and, significantly, a major new self-build project, worked through step-by-step, which puts into practice the principles and techniques introduced throughout the book. Particular attention has been paid to answering questions commonly asked by newcomers to the world of the valve, whether audio enthusiasts tackling their first build or more experienced amplifier designers seeking to learn about the design principles and trade-offs of "glass audio." Safety considerations are always to the fore, and the practical side of this book is reinforced by numerous clear illustrations throughout. The only hands-on approach to building valve and tube amps--classic and modern--with a minimum of theory Design, construction, fault-finding, and testing are all illustrated by step-by-step examples, enabling readers to clearly understand the content and succeed in their own projects Includes a complete self-build amplifier project, putting into practice the key techniques introduced throughout the book

The only practical transformer design & construction manual in English language, 40+ designs (winding diagrams) of power, output & interstage transformers, filtering, grid & anode chokes. Covers physical fundamentals of magnetic circuits & transformers and makes design easy by using simple rules-of-thumb formulas to keep calculations to a minimum.

Volume 3 of the most complete and practical modern reference on audiophile vacuum tube technology If you liked the practical side of Volumes 1 and 2, Volume 3 will delight you. No theory, just dozens of practical designs, proven circuits and useful test & measurement methods. Various directly-heated triodes are explored and used in line stages and power amplifiers, a true heaven for DHT lovers. Dozens of DIY and commercial amps and preamps with 2A3, 300B, VT25, #46, 12A, 201A, GM70, 805, 845, 813, 211A are described in detail, their circuits analyzed and improvements suggested. Most use no negative feedback and many feature interstage transformers or direct coupling. Many less known preamplifier and driver tubes are also explored and used in practical designs: EL33, 12B4A, EC8010, 6EM7, 6DN7, 6N30P, 5670, C3m, C3g and 1626 (VT-137). Most sound divine in preamplifiers and driver stages of power amplifiers More than a dozen of vintage designs were discussed and analyzed, amplifiers that featured prominently in the history of hi-fi or are recommended as upgrade platforms, QUAD II, The Williamson amplifier, Dynaco MkIII, Quicksilver 8417 and Fisher SA-1000 among others. Designs by contemporary amplifier makers such as Audio Research, E.A.R., Shindo Labs, Leben, Jadis, Audion, Bel Canto, Marantz and others, also feature prominently in this volume. Valuable lessons can be learned from these case studies. Finally, for those who want proven, practical, ready-to-build designs, many of our own, tried & tested circuits are explained and analyzed. Most outperform expensive commercial audiophile gear by a wide margin. As an amateur DIY builder you are free to build them for your personal use, so just get your soldering iron ready and start building This practical DIY manual is richly and professionally illustrated with photographs of tubes, components and amplifiers, circuit diagrams, tube pinouts, curves and loadlines, graphs and charts. These valuable illustrations make it faster and easier to comprehend issues, a picture is worth a thousand words All the information required to design and build tube amplifiers is compiled in one place. Contents of Volume 3: WHY THE NEED FOR VOLUME 3, AND HOW IT DIFFERS FROM THE FIRST TWO> THE FRONT-END: SUPERIOR INPUT & DRIVER STAGES> FROM SHOCKING TO SUBLIME: LESSONS FROM COMMERCIAL LINE STAGES> DIY LINE-LEVEL PREAMPLIFIERS: $10,000 SOUND ON $500-$1,000 BUDGET> THE STARS OF THE AUDION ERA: ANCIENT TUBES IN MODERN AMPS> CHEAP & CHEERFUL: PREAMP & DRIVER TUBES FOR AUDIO EXPLORERS SLEEPING GIANTS: OUTPUT TUBES FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE DIFFERENT THE QUEEN OF HEARTS: SINGLE-ENDED AMPLIFIERS WITH 300B TRIODES TRIODES, PENTODES AND BEAM TUBES: MORE SINGLE-ENDED DESIGNS BIG BOTTLES: SET AMPLIFIERS WITH HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMITTING TUBES THE WAY IT USED TO BE: VINTAGE PUSH-PULL AMPLIFIERS NEW? IMPROVED? MODERN PUSH-PULL AMPLIFIER DESIGNS CUTE, CLEVER OR CONTROVERSIAL? INTERESTING IDEAS FROM TUBE AUDIO'S PAST AND PRESENT THRIFTY TIPS & TRICKS: TIME & MONEY SAVING IDEAS OUTPUT AND INTERSTAGE TRANSFORMERS: FROM COMMERCIALBENCHMARKS TO YOUR OWN DESIGNS MEASUREMENTS VERSUS LISTENING AND OTHER AUDIO DESIGN DILEMMAS"

"The most comprehensive and up to date text on vacuum tube audio currently available"--Page 4 of cover.

Designing High-Fidelity Tube Preamps is a comprehensive guide to the design of small-signal, tube-based amplifiers. This book examines in unprecidented detail the inner workings and practical design of small signal stages, volume and tone controls, RIAA equalisation, power supplies and more. Aimed at intermediate to advanced-level hobbyists and professionals it teaches the principles of low-noise, low-distortion tube design, through easy-to-read explanations and minimal math. With over 400 diagrams and figures, and hundreds of real measurements of real circuits, it asserts itself as an essential handbook for any tube amp enthusiast.