On 12/2/2013 4:02 PM, John S wrote:> On 12/2/2013 12:58 PM, Tim Wescott wrote: >> It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. >> >> I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp, but I'm too lazy >> (and time-challenged) to build one up from scratch. >> >> Are there, by any chance, kits out there? I'm not looking for nickel- >> cored transformers with solid silver windings, genuine paper caps rolled >> on the thighs of virgins, toobs dipped in LN2, and all that crap: I'm >> just looking for something that'll give the audio quality of a mid-range >> amplified speaker set, in a cabinet that shows off the fact that it all >> uses ancient technology to get the job done. >> >> Suggestions welcome. >> >> TIA > > Good for you! Nostalgia has its place in our hearts. > > Can 12AX7s and such still be ordered?Yes, there are lots of tube types still in current manufacture, and many types are still available new old-stock.> I have an old 1964 GE Essential Characteristics of tubes data book. If > you promise to actually build your amplifier(s) and it will assist you, > I will send it to you free of charge. > > John >You want to have the Receiving Manual too, so you can check out the full data and curves: http://www.tubebooks.org/tubedata/RC30.pdf
Toob Amplified PC Speakers
Started by ●December 2, 2013
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
In article <CX6nu.285389$ER3.31714@fx28.iad>, robertbaer@localnet.com says...> > Jim Thompson wrote: > > On Mon, 02 Dec 2013 12:58:56 -0600, Tim Wescott > > <tim@seemywebsite.really> wrote: > > > >> It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. > >> > >> I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp, but I'm too lazy > >> (and time-challenged) to build one up from scratch. > >> > >> Are there, by any chance, kits out there? I'm not looking for nickel- > >> cored transformers with solid silver windings, genuine paper caps rolled > >> on the thighs of virgins, toobs dipped in LN2, and all that crap: I'm > >> just looking for something that'll give the audio quality of a mid-range > >> amplified speaker set, in a cabinet that shows off the fact that it all > >> uses ancient technology to get the job done. > >> > >> Suggestions welcome. > >> > >> TIA > > > > Just for fun, you might do a single stage class-A stage using a 2A3. I > > did one when I was a kid, but with 5 in parallel ;-) > > > > ...Jim Thompson > Better yet, a push-pull transformerless design!I remember a quasie tube output, that was bad car ma. It required a safety circuit on the output, not for users but for equipment. The outfit could care less about the user safety! :) This was a magnetic server that required a broad range of bw. the tube outputs were a pair of 4-400Z. Had dual HV supply because you needed the - rail for the bottom side. each heater had their own transformer with CT to tie off to the common for pinch off biasing. The top side had some strange method of driving the tube, but it worked Jamie
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
On Mon, 2 Dec 2013, Tim Wescott wrote:> It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. > > I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp, but I'm too lazy > (and time-challenged) to build one up from scratch. > > Are there, by any chance, kits out there? I'm not looking for nickel- > cored transformers with solid silver windings, genuine paper caps rolled > on the thighs of virgins, toobs dipped in LN2, and all that crap: I'm > just looking for something that'll give the audio quality of a mid-range > amplified speaker set, in a cabinet that shows off the fact that it all > uses ancient technology to get the job done. > > Suggestions welcome. >How I hate the cross-posting. PAIA used to sell a tube preamp, or you could have built it from the article in Radio Electronics. I don't know if PAIA still sells it, but the idea was to "give that tube sound", and apparently just a double triode was good enough. You're not going to find a tube amplifier cheap, the only ones interested are the high end people. Even used tube amplifiers from days gone by likely carry a premium. Build a starved circuit amplifier. Or, Popular Electronics once had a tube amplifier that was a cathode output, though I think they used a transformer. Find something old, and feed the signal into it. People are adding audio input jacks to AA5 radios. I think that TMC GPR-90 I got last year for $20 at a garage sale has audio input connections, it certainly has an IF jack for an SSB converter and I think even audio output jacks, so surely it has audio input jacks. Michael VE2BVW
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
>On a sunny day (Mon, 02 Dec 2013 12:58:56 -0600) it happened Tim Wescott ><tim@seemywebsite.really> wrote in > >It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. > >I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp,Tim, You might want to join a yahoo mailing list called funwithtubes. It's a fairly active list with a wide spectrum of ages and experiences. The files section has schematics for several low power power amps. The plate transformer is the high $$$ item. Still available new from Hammon and a couple of other companies but you'll looking at something like $90 for a 5 watt capable transformer. My Bro has a friend whose hobby is salvaging old discarded tube stuff and building and selling low power PAs. He gave me a 2 watt per channel amp and it'll run me out of my den even with small speakers. I can find out what he sells them for if you like. If you decide that fire bottles are out of your price range, you might want to look at this: http://www.parts-express.com/2x15w-class-d-stereo-power-amp-kit-tpa3122--320-322 I have two of them and am building a couple of sets of self-powered speakers for mine and my Bro's MP3 players. I picked up 2 sets of these http://www.walmart.com/ip/Scosche-Full-Range-Speaker-System-with-Two-6.5-Woofers/17128654 at a pawn shop for $5. That's what started the project. I'm using large pouch type Li-ion RC car batteries right now, though I may switch over to the very economical Ryobi Li-ion cordless tool battery. I'm having a woodworking friend of mine cut pockets into the top of each cabinet and make a leather compartment to hold the MP3 player and supply it with power. The amp draws a little less than a milliamp quiescent so a power switch almost isn't needed. It sounds very good. I'll put a page up on my website when I get the project finished. John John DeArmond http://www.neon-john.com http://www.fluxeon.com Tellico Plains, Occupied TN See website for email address
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
On Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:13:52 -0600, John S wrote:> On 12/2/2013 3:02 PM, John S wrote: >> On 12/2/2013 12:58 PM, Tim Wescott wrote: >>> It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. >>> >>> I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp, but I'm too >>> lazy (and time-challenged) to build one up from scratch. >>> >>> Are there, by any chance, kits out there? I'm not looking for nickel- >>> cored transformers with solid silver windings, genuine paper caps >>> rolled on the thighs of virgins, toobs dipped in LN2, and all that >>> crap: I'm just looking for something that'll give the audio quality of >>> a mid-range amplified speaker set, in a cabinet that shows off the >>> fact that it all uses ancient technology to get the job done. >>> >>> Suggestions welcome. >>> >>> TIA >> >> Good for you! Nostalgia has its place in our hearts. >> >> Can 12AX7s and such still be ordered? >> >> I have an old 1964 GE Essential Characteristics of tubes data book. If >> you promise to actually build your amplifier(s) and it will assist you, >> I will send it to you free of charge. >> >> John >> >> > Well, somehow my brain elided the fact that you don't want to scratch > build. So, my offer is probably worth nothing. Sorry.'sokay, I appreciate the thought. I have tons of tubes and data, what I lack is decent output transformers and the will to do yet another design project. I may go that route, particularly now that someone's suggested a kit and I've taken a look at the price (!!!). -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
On Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:54:52 -0500, bitrex wrote:> On 12/2/2013 1:58 PM, Tim Wescott wrote: >> It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. >> >> I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp, but I'm too lazy >> (and time-challenged) to build one up from scratch. >> >> Are there, by any chance, kits out there? I'm not looking for nickel- >> cored transformers with solid silver windings, genuine paper caps >> rolled on the thighs of virgins, toobs dipped in LN2, and all that >> crap: I'm just looking for something that'll give the audio quality of >> a mid-range amplified speaker set, in a cabinet that shows off the fact >> that it all uses ancient technology to get the job done. >> >> Suggestions welcome. >> >> TIA >> >> > This kit has been around forever and seems to get good reviews: > > http://store.tubedepot.com/diy-k12g.html?vfsku=diy.k12g.2&gpla=pla&gclid=CJL-56C1krsCFWLNOgoduWkAIA> > There's also this little kit from a Chinese seller on Ebay: > > http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hifi-stereo-6N2-6P14-tube-headphone-amplifier-diy-kit-/230910167825?_trksid=p2054897.l4275> > which has the output transformers on board - you'd need to supply a > power transformer. > > You'd have to put them in a chassis if you wanted it, but since they're > both mounted on PCBs it shouldn't be too hard: buy an aluminum chassis > and punch holes for the tubes, mount the board underneath so the tubes > poke through and then mount the transformers underneath or on top as > your preference.Thanks. That's exactly what I was looking for, except that now that I know what a fair price is, I may just buy new speakers :(. -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
Den tirsdag den 3. december 2013 00.51.05 UTC+1 skrev Tim Wescott:> On Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:13:52 -0600, John S wrote: > > > > > On 12/2/2013 3:02 PM, John S wrote: > > >> On 12/2/2013 12:58 PM, Tim Wescott wrote: > > >>> It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. > > >>> > > >>> I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp, but I'm too > > >>> lazy (and time-challenged) to build one up from scratch. > > >>> > > >>> Are there, by any chance, kits out there? I'm not looking for nickel- > > >>> cored transformers with solid silver windings, genuine paper caps > > >>> rolled on the thighs of virgins, toobs dipped in LN2, and all that > > >>> crap: I'm just looking for something that'll give the audio quality of > > >>> a mid-range amplified speaker set, in a cabinet that shows off the > > >>> fact that it all uses ancient technology to get the job done. > > >>> > > >>> Suggestions welcome. > > >>> > > >>> TIA > > >> > > >> Good for you! Nostalgia has its place in our hearts. > > >> > > >> Can 12AX7s and such still be ordered? > > >> > > >> I have an old 1964 GE Essential Characteristics of tubes data book. If > > >> you promise to actually build your amplifier(s) and it will assist you, > > >> I will send it to you free of charge. > > >> > > >> John > > >> > > >> > > > Well, somehow my brain elided the fact that you don't want to scratch > > > build. So, my offer is probably worth nothing. Sorry. > > > > 'sokay, I appreciate the thought. I have tons of tubes and data, what I > > lack is decent output transformers and the will to do yet another design > > project. > > > > I may go that route, particularly now that someone's suggested a kit and > > I've taken a look at the price (!!!). >get on of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-AC-DC-12V-15W-15W-TDA7297-Dual-Channel-Amplifier-Board-Module-A871-/121227299140?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c39b5c944 put in a with couple of must impressive looking tubes you have on top and power the filaments ;) -Lasse
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
On Mon, 02 Dec 2013 12:58:56 -0600, Tim Wescott <tim@seemywebsite.really> wrote:>It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. > >I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp, but I'm too lazy >(and time-challenged) to build one up from scratch. > >Are there, by any chance, kits out there? I'm not looking for nickel- >cored transformers with solid silver windings, genuine paper caps rolled >on the thighs of virgins, toobs dipped in LN2, and all that crap: I'm >just looking for something that'll give the audio quality of a mid-range >amplified speaker set, in a cabinet that shows off the fact that it all >uses ancient technology to get the job done. > >Suggestions welcome. > >TIASearch for 'Zen Amp' there are some DIY pages out there. Both Tube and Mosfet designs. Cheers
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
In article <GP-dnZ8hlvx0gQDPnZ2dnUVZ_hednZ2d@giganews.com>, tim@seemywebsite.really says...> > On Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:13:52 -0600, John S wrote: > > > On 12/2/2013 3:02 PM, John S wrote: > >> On 12/2/2013 12:58 PM, Tim Wescott wrote: > >>> It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. > >>> > >>> I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp, but I'm too > >>> lazy (and time-challenged) to build one up from scratch. > >>> > >>> Are there, by any chance, kits out there? I'm not looking for nickel- > >>> cored transformers with solid silver windings, genuine paper caps > >>> rolled on the thighs of virgins, toobs dipped in LN2, and all that > >>> crap: I'm just looking for something that'll give the audio quality of > >>> a mid-range amplified speaker set, in a cabinet that shows off the > >>> fact that it all uses ancient technology to get the job done. > >>> > >>> Suggestions welcome. > >>> > >>> TIA > >> > >> Good for you! Nostalgia has its place in our hearts. > >> > >> Can 12AX7s and such still be ordered? > >> > >> I have an old 1964 GE Essential Characteristics of tubes data book. If > >> you promise to actually build your amplifier(s) and it will assist you, > >> I will send it to you free of charge. > >> > >> John > >> > >> > > Well, somehow my brain elided the fact that you don't want to scratch > > build. So, my offer is probably worth nothing. Sorry. > > 'sokay, I appreciate the thought. I have tons of tubes and data, what I > lack is decent output transformers and the will to do yet another design > project. > > I may go that route, particularly now that someone's suggested a kit and > I've taken a look at the price (!!!).I think I still have a box of prime used 4-400's around the shop packed away if you'd like? I know I gave away a couple of them in the past, but should still have at least 4 of them. I also have some 3-500Z but you aint getting them! I'll have to look to refresh my mind! Jamie
Reply by ●December 2, 20132013-12-02
On Mon, 02 Dec 2013 19:25:53 -0500, Maynard A. Philbrook Jr. wrote:> In article <GP-dnZ8hlvx0gQDPnZ2dnUVZ_hednZ2d@giganews.com>, > tim@seemywebsite.really says... >> >> On Mon, 02 Dec 2013 15:13:52 -0600, John S wrote: >> >> > On 12/2/2013 3:02 PM, John S wrote: >> >> On 12/2/2013 12:58 PM, Tim Wescott wrote: >> >>> It's winter, and the amplifier in my PC speakers just died. >> >>> >> >>> I think it'd be kinda cool to have a toob speaker amp, but I'm too >> >>> lazy (and time-challenged) to build one up from scratch. >> >>> >> >>> Are there, by any chance, kits out there? I'm not looking for >> >>> nickel- >> >>> cored transformers with solid silver windings, genuine paper caps >> >>> rolled on the thighs of virgins, toobs dipped in LN2, and all that >> >>> crap: I'm just looking for something that'll give the audio quality >> >>> of a mid-range amplified speaker set, in a cabinet that shows off >> >>> the fact that it all uses ancient technology to get the job done. >> >>> >> >>> Suggestions welcome. >> >>> >> >>> TIA >> >> >> >> Good for you! Nostalgia has its place in our hearts. >> >> >> >> Can 12AX7s and such still be ordered? >> >> >> >> I have an old 1964 GE Essential Characteristics of tubes data book. >> >> If you promise to actually build your amplifier(s) and it will >> >> assist you, >> >> I will send it to you free of charge. >> >> >> >> John >> >> >> >> >> > Well, somehow my brain elided the fact that you don't want to scratch >> > build. So, my offer is probably worth nothing. Sorry. >> >> 'sokay, I appreciate the thought. I have tons of tubes and data, what >> I lack is decent output transformers and the will to do yet another >> design project. >> >> I may go that route, particularly now that someone's suggested a kit >> and I've taken a look at the price (!!!). > > I think I still have a box of prime used 4-400's around the shop packed > away if you'd like? I know I gave away a couple of them in the past, but > should still have at least 4 of them. > I also have some 3-500Z but you aint getting them! > > I'll have to look to refresh my mind!4-400's would be good if I wanted amplified speakers fit for a stadium, I suppose. I have various old power tubes, including some VT-4's, if I want POWER tubes. I was thinking more on the lines of a couple of 6V6 single-ended stages. -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com
