tube amp do i need a special mains transformer

This Antek Toroid would do for a power transformer. You only need one 12AX7, by the way, since they have two triodes in one tube- save 10 bucks. These seem to pop up on eBay all the time (or maybe it just seems that way to me since I'm never looking for them). If you can find some used output transformers for a 6V6 or 6BQ5 from an old console amp, you might be able to save some money over the Edcors. They are electrically equivalent to a 6V6, and a SE 6BQ5 design could easily be modified to use 6AQ5s. If you're worried about the cost of the 6BQ5 tubes, the 6AQ5 is a slightly smaller (7-pin base) tube that is available for a few dollars each. No need to worry about the two voltages- one extra resistor and capacitor in the power supply and you're good to go. Those would have to be crazy efficient speakers to get a reasonable SPL out of it. My vote is for the Magnavox type amp- 1 watt is very small. I wouldn't let this discourage me from implementing it (it would make the whole project significantly cooler), but be aware that it could potentially be problematic. Tube amplifiers are a high impedance circuit, so this could potentially cause some noise problems. One thing you might consider with your stepper drive is that I've found some stepper drivers to be extremely noisy devices. I just need to clarify the cost of transformers. Right now I'm biased toward the Spud amp because of its simplicity. Total: 10*2 + 10*2 + 43*2 = $106 + ?(power supply can be probably borrowed from Spud Amp if it's possible to use only 200V)

The output tube (6BQ5/EL84) is also about $10 on eBay The first amp stage (12AX7) is about $10 per tube on eBay That may need more complicated power supply/transformer. Good wattage ~5W ?Ĭons: requires two different voltages for two amplification stages (180V, 200V). Small number of passive components - 7 resistors, 2 capacirtors per channel. The tube has nice glowing.Ĭons: low wattage (about 1W). Pros: very simple - only one tube (6E5P) per channel, only 4 resistors and 1 capacitor per channel, only one voltage for output stage (200V).

The listed pros and cons of those amps are just for my particular project. I have tried to summarize my understanding of two suggested amplifiers.

Tube amp do i need a special mains transformer