Different Types of Amp Bias Just like the idle of your car may need adjusting when a major change is done to the engine, new power tubes need their idle (the “bias”) adjusted to make…
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The EF86 vacuum tube is a high gain pentode designed to amplify low-level audio signals. It is typically used as a preamp in audio equipment and instrument amplifiers. Because of its design, the EF86 is…
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Atma-Sphere is world renown for fantastic their OTL amplifiers. In this video they use stop-motion animation to provide us with a look into how the award-winning Atma-Sphere M-60 power tube amp is hand assembled. If…
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During a recent visit to China we dropped by the Shuguang tube factory located in the city of Changsha, Province of Hunan. On every visit to the factory we ask to take photos and video…
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A number of years ago we started to see more and more about cryo “treatment” of vacuum tubes. We read through all the marketing and tried to figure out how this could improve a vacuum…
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A re-post from Phil Taylor of Effectrode.com As an electronics engineer and someone who’s in the business of designing tube audio equipment (effects pedals) I’ve a burning interest in anything that might help improve the sound…
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If you’re a serious audiophile with tube gear chances are you know the names Balanced Audio Technology or Lamm Industries. Unlike so many other tube amplifier manufacturers, you won’t find KT88, 6550, or 300B output…
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When shopping for tubes, there are a number of issues to consider such as price, longevity, testing, and tone. Some amps such as the Vox AC-30 can be tough on power tubes, and when power…
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Vacuum tubes, amplifier tubes, or thermionic valves, are the heart of guitar amplification. Even solid state amps are usually designed to emulate the sound of tube amps. But the vacuum tube was actually critical for…
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History fans will enjoy this nostalgic film advertisement from the the tube (valve) manufacturer Mullard in England. They use English actor Jon Pertwee (Dr Who and The Navy Lark) in this piece about the impact…
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