When I was a kid back in the late 60s and into the 70s my friends and I would find old televisions put out on the sidewalk for trash pickup and get inside for the tubes just so we could throw them against a wall and hear them explode. Now all I can think about is how many rare and obscure tubes we might have destroyed. Ah well...
Couldn't agree with you more where a lot of the modern books are concerned. The older books really had more practical application and more applicable theory. This was a great posting...thanks!
And the old tube data sheets give a wealth of information. The newer tubes, many times, don't even show the curves anymore. Much less design suggestions.
Lately I have been building amplifiers out of television tubes. I have used both vertical and horizontal output tubes. My last was made with 6J4 for pre-amp tubes and 33GY7. The finals also each has a diode inside and I use them as the rectifier as well as the finals. My output transformers in this one are 70.7 volt line matching transformers. and the high voltage which is relatively low, is generated by an inverter board from amazon. It's no power monster, but sounds really nice.
Thanks for listing the books and links in the description! Very much appreciated. My grandfather was a HAM radio operator and built all his own amps. I’ve thankfully got some of his RCA Receiving Tube Manuals from the 50’s and 60’s. Thanks, Steph! 😊👍🔊🎶
In Korea, it is hard to find such kind of books. Most them which are related to tube amplifiers are came from Japan. I really appreciate your information.
I am new to this channel I'm glad I found it. Vintage tube amplifiers and vintage radios on my favorite. I have been collecting and repairing vintage electronics for 45 years now. First I wanted to mention I have found in my experience with some of these vintage amplifiers and such is that the power transformer needs to be fused on each side the primary and the secondary just in case of any shorts. Because if there is a B+ short you would do not want it to carry the power transformer and damage the Transformer same goes for the primary. Yes I have had rectifier tubes and electrolytics short and carry out the Transformer burn it out as well. Low voltage rectifier tubes such as a 5u4 or a 5y3 or a 3D G4 Ken and will short and burn out your power transformer.
These are good resources and suggestions. I love simple amps that perform great. It shows the magic of tubes and it shows that the latest greatest isn't always the case. Glad you are back.
Thanks Skunkie. Great suggestions. Glad to see you back on the air. I finished my A12 rebuild modification and it sounds phenomenal. Thanks for all you do.
As far as books on analog Electronics there are many sources even for used ones but the new ones that are printed now are just as good and as informative. The best training course for analog Electronics I found was the original 1954 RCA study course it is a series of about 10 books including books how to build your own projects such as an audio amplifier and power supplies. Yes I am an old timer and learned years ago. On a personal note it is great to see that much younger people are wanting to get into this field of vintage electronics and vacuum tube equipment. In my opinion digital equipment will never produce that warm tube sound that you get from vacuum tubes.
Someone gave me a box full of books from an old Devry Technical institute course dated 1958. I haven't started on those yet but that should have some great information!
Heya Skunkie - so so glad to have you back , so i can tell you that here in uk i built the kt66 monoblocks in the EJ Jurich book they are outstanding !! i recently sold them and they were run up against a pair of Malvern Audio amps - they simply blew them out the park - now that came from the new owner who has a lot of contact with Malvern not me - i have also built the 6v6 fixed bias amps in the same book - currently running them on ge 7581a's and again the sound is to die for -- that book is superb for anyone wanting to have a go at this - i will try put pics up on your site of my builds -- so glad your back and hope your feeling so much better -- chris
This is a great overview, thank you! The Gauss I sent right back. In my eyes, it explains the functioning of tubes well but beyond that it tries to do too much with too little. As the book moves along, there are parts that just remain underexposed. As someone who needs to get it 100%, I found myself looking for the missing pieces elsewhere. But, it might work for others.
I started with tubes after learning solid state, because tubes were always a fascination for me and I always wanted to understand how they worked. The old RCA tube manual (maybe RC-19) was where I started. It starts with basic tube theory and then goes into a lot of depth in terms of load lines, etc., plus you have some great charts and example circuits, as well as all the tube data, all in one book!
RC-19 was reprinted and is still available new from the big online antique electronics vendors. A lot of other revisions are online as free downloadable PDFs. One advantage of learning from the old texts and manuals is that it sidesteps a lot of misinformation that seems to spread online, particularly in the audio community. Once you learn from the original sources, you'll be able to spot a lot of nonsense and mythology for what it is.
I have the Gauss book, definitely right about reading it first. It's a really well put together primer that doesn't read like a technical manual written by Umberto Eco.
I just stumbled into your channel. I've been working on learning basic analog electronics, and tubes for about a year and a half now. I have some of the books you listed, but will be buying the others. Do you have a video covering what information you need to know, and where to begin with actual hands on electronics. I have a 5E3 kit from Weber waiting for me to assemble it, but I feel like it would be best to really have a handle on all the fundamentals. subscribed and liked. Will be watching more.
Great collection of resources! Might I also suggest a couple of books by Merlin Blencowe; they are very thorough and yet easy to comprehend without an electrical engineering degree: "Designing Power Supplies for Tube Amplifiers" and "Designing High-Fidelity Tube Preamps."
I have liked and subscribed to your channel based on this wonderfully helpful video. I then reviewed some of your posted videos. I love your energy and passion for electronics and am now considering starting a new hobby because of your work. Thank you for sharing your hobby and inspiring others. I wish you the very best.
Hi Ms Skunkie. Can't find your name anywhere so hope it's ok. I'm a 62 yr old newbie but I've always loved tubes and the difference it brings to audio. And this precisely is the point I wish to make. It would be interesting to perhaps quantify how much parts influence the end result in percentage terms given these specific parts in a basic single ended circuit wired point to point 1. Output tubes 2. Driver tubes 3. Rectifier tubes 4. Coupling capacitor 5. Output transformer and 6. Hookup wire Each of these influence but to what extent is the question. I for one have always wanted to compare output transformers but can't afford to and don't have enough technical skills to do it. Always heard of Tango, Tamura, Lundahl, Audio Note, Jadis, etc Who knows, OTs might be equal to tube influence. More power to you Skunkie! PS One Japanese tube legend even built his amps with exact same driver tube as his output tubes ie his 300B SETs all had 300B drivers too! No matter the output tube he uses the same to drive them, his philosophy for is sonic superiority.
Ms Skunkie is fine :) In order of impact on sound: Driver tube, these can impact the sound a lot. 25% Circuit design/feedback implementation 20%, sometimes more! Output transformer, mainly large enough to not lose bass response/designed for hifi 15%. Coupling cap, close to the difference of a decent quality OT 15% between cheap and good quality Output tube, does have some impact. 15%, sometimes more, esp with direct heated tubes like a 300B Quality of other components 8% Layout and other factors 7% On a single ended amp with a good power supply, never heard the rectifier tube change anything Same with hookup wire, as long as you are using decent gauge wire and shielded wire where needed. I have heard of using the same output tube as a driver, never tried it so can't say yes or no on that one! This was a quick down and dirty chart, hope it helps!
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics Thanks for the info Ms Skunkie. I noted you gave the driver tube the highest share. That would affirm Sakuma's philosophy of homogeneous tube set. Imagine using an 845 to drive another 845, extreme. Cheers!
On a personal note I use analog multimeters with vintage electronics. I feel that the digital multimeters will not give me the proper results that I am looking for as I do with an analog meter I like to observe the swinging of the needle back and forth as I make my measurements especially when it comes to checking capacitors and electrolytics. But that is just my opinion and what works best for me.
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics hi again, I use analog meters from the 1970s, sutch as the realistic brand from Radio Shack uses standard batteries. Plus I have a Simpson analog meter that dates back to the 1960s uses standard batteries as well. Plus I have a bell and howl and log meter from the 1970s as well. This is just my preference to use analog meters especially when it comes to checking capacitors for leakage. 99% of capacitors need to be replaced anyway in vintage electronics and audio equipment. On a personal note glad to see much younger people getting involved in interest in vacuum tube equipment such as yourself good luck
I stumbled onto Giuseppe Amato's book by way of his website. I'd be curious about your thoughts on his "Il Primo Bis" design. I was strongly considering building it with the power supply in a separate chassis.
It looks VERY similar to the tubelab Simple Push Pull design except it is using EL34 tubes on the output stage. I like it! Honestly there is no reason to build the power supply in a separate chassis on a power amp, although I would replace R1 and R2 with 2 chokes using the same DC resistance. I might add this to my build list :)
These audio output tubes I am sure that you are aware of are extremely expensive and are not the easiest to get especially the ones from the 1930s such as # 45 and # 50 audio output tubes.
@SkunkieDesignsElectronics lol, I was at a red light and wanted to remember that book. Thanks for this video. I have a few of the books you mentioned, and was encouraged when you mentioned them.
![[TH] JFT vs RLF - VCT Ascension Pacific - Day 2](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PuIH7w_jO6c/mqdefault.jpg)
Hello from Kyiv and many thanks for very interesting and saturated information about valve/tube literature!!!
When I was a kid back in the late 60s and into the 70s my friends and I would find old televisions put out on the sidewalk for trash pickup and get inside for the tubes just so we could throw them against a wall and hear them explode. Now all I can think about is how many rare and obscure tubes we might have destroyed. Ah well...
That's hilarious lol
Couldn't agree with you more where a lot of the modern books are concerned. The older books really had more practical application and more applicable theory. This was a great posting...thanks!
And the old tube data sheets give a wealth of information. The newer tubes, many times, don't even show the curves anymore. Much less design suggestions.
Lately I have been building amplifiers out of television tubes. I have used both vertical and horizontal output tubes. My last was made with 6J4 for pre-amp tubes and 33GY7. The finals also each has a diode inside and I use them as the rectifier as well as the finals. My output transformers in this one are 70.7 volt line matching transformers. and the high voltage which is relatively low, is generated by an inverter board from amazon. It's no power monster, but sounds really nice.
Thanks for listing the books and links in the description! Very much appreciated. My grandfather was a HAM radio operator and built all his own amps. I’ve thankfully got some of his RCA Receiving Tube Manuals from the 50’s and 60’s. Thanks, Steph! 😊👍🔊🎶
Very cool!
Thanks, Ordered first two
Good choice!
Thanks!
Obrigado por dividir seus conhecimentos com pessoas apaixonadas por amplificadores a válvulas.
You're welcome
In Korea, it is hard to find such kind of books. Most them which are related to tube amplifiers are came from Japan. I really appreciate your information.
I am new to this channel I'm glad I found it. Vintage tube amplifiers and vintage radios on my favorite. I have been collecting and repairing vintage electronics for 45 years now. First I wanted to mention I have found in my experience with some of these vintage amplifiers and such is that the power transformer needs to be fused on each side the primary and the secondary just in case of any shorts. Because if there is a B+ short you would do not want it to carry the power transformer and damage the Transformer same goes for the primary. Yes I have had rectifier tubes and electrolytics short and carry out the Transformer burn it out as well. Low voltage rectifier tubes such as a 5u4 or a 5y3 or a 3D G4 Ken and will short and burn out your power transformer.
These are good resources and suggestions. I love simple amps that perform great. It shows the magic of tubes and it shows that the latest greatest isn't always the case. Glad you are back.
Hi, I've missed your coming back on line. So glad to see your videos again ! Thanks.
Howdy,. Thanks for this video. Always good to have something else to read.👍
Thanks Skunkie. Great suggestions. Glad to see you back on the air. I finished my A12 rebuild modification and it sounds phenomenal. Thanks for all you do.
Glad to help
As far as books on analog Electronics there are many sources even for used ones but the new ones that are printed now are just as good and as informative. The best training course for analog Electronics I found was the original 1954 RCA study course it is a series of about 10 books including books how to build your own projects such as an audio amplifier and power supplies. Yes I am an old timer and learned years ago. On a personal note it is great to see that much younger people are wanting to get into this field of vintage electronics and vacuum tube equipment. In my opinion digital equipment will never produce that warm tube sound that you get from vacuum tubes.
Someone gave me a box full of books from an old Devry Technical institute course dated 1958. I haven't started on those yet but that should have some great information!
Very interesting and helpful.
Great video!!!...Love the Tube Lore II book!
Thanks for the information on the books, and the links made it easy.
Glad it was helpful!
Heya Skunkie - so so glad to have you back , so i can tell you that here in uk i built the kt66 monoblocks in the EJ Jurich book they are outstanding !! i recently sold them and they were run up against a pair of Malvern Audio amps - they simply blew them out the park - now that came from the new owner who has a lot of contact with Malvern not me - i have also built the 6v6 fixed bias amps in the same book - currently running them on ge 7581a's and again the sound is to die for -- that book is superb for anyone wanting to have a go at this - i will try put pics up on your site of my builds -- so glad your back and hope your feeling so much better -- chris
Some 6V6 amps sound like a fun project! I will check those out, thanks!
This is a great overview, thank you! The Gauss I sent right back. In my eyes, it explains the functioning of tubes well but beyond that it tries to do too much with too little. As the book moves along, there are parts that just remain underexposed. As someone who needs to get it 100%, I found myself looking for the missing pieces elsewhere. But, it might work for others.
Yeah, that is more of a primer. I don't consider that a one and done book!
Thank you Stephe. Inspiring video
I started with tubes after learning solid state, because tubes were always a fascination for me and I always wanted to understand how they worked. The old RCA tube manual (maybe RC-19) was where I started. It starts with basic tube theory and then goes into a lot of depth in terms of load lines, etc., plus you have some great charts and example circuits, as well as all the tube data, all in one book!
I used RC-10 when I was building my 47 globe tube amp! I will look for RC-19.
RC-19 was reprinted and is still available new from the big online antique electronics vendors. A lot of other revisions are online as free downloadable PDFs. One advantage of learning from the old texts and manuals is that it sidesteps a lot of misinformation that seems to spread online, particularly in the audio community. Once you learn from the original sources, you'll be able to spot a lot of nonsense and mythology for what it is.
I have the Gauss book, definitely right about reading it first. It's a really well put together primer that doesn't read like a technical manual written by Umberto Eco.
I just stumbled into your channel. I've been working on learning basic analog electronics, and tubes for about a year and a half now. I have some of the books you listed, but will be buying the others. Do you have a video covering what information you need to know, and where to begin with actual hands on electronics. I have a 5E3 kit from Weber waiting for me to assemble it, but I feel like it would be best to really have a handle on all the fundamentals. subscribed and liked. Will be watching more.
This little one tube pre-amp might be a great first project and is an easy to understand into into tube gear.
th-cam.com/video/7UBhY-fVkc4/w-d-xo.html
Thank you I just ordered the book for novice lol it's where I'm at and looking forward to learning
Hope you enjoy it!
Great collection of resources! Might I also suggest a couple of books by Merlin Blencowe; they are very thorough and yet easy to comprehend without an electrical engineering degree: "Designing Power Supplies for Tube Amplifiers" and "Designing High-Fidelity Tube Preamps."
Thanks for the tip!
I have liked and subscribed to your channel based on this wonderfully helpful video. I then reviewed some of your posted videos. I love your energy and passion for electronics and am now considering starting a new hobby because of your work. Thank you for sharing your hobby and inspiring others. I wish you the very best.
Thank you for your videos!!!❤❤❤
Glad you like them!
Nice list. I keep my RC23 next to my scope. There are many technical pdfs at tubebooks, add org to that, including RDF4. Thanks from Colorado.
Thanks for the info!
I’ve got that book in the middle there by Carl gauss!
Hi Ms Skunkie. Can't find your name anywhere so hope it's ok.
I'm a 62 yr old newbie but I've always loved tubes and the difference it brings to audio. And this precisely is the point I wish to make.
It would be interesting to perhaps quantify how much parts influence the end result in percentage terms given these specific parts in a basic single ended circuit wired point to point
1. Output tubes
2. Driver tubes
3. Rectifier tubes
4. Coupling capacitor
5. Output transformer and
6. Hookup wire
Each of these influence but to what extent is the question. I for one have always wanted to compare output transformers but can't afford to and don't have enough technical skills to do it.
Always heard of Tango, Tamura, Lundahl, Audio Note, Jadis, etc
Who knows, OTs might be equal to tube influence. More power to you Skunkie!
PS
One Japanese tube legend even built his amps with exact same driver tube as his output tubes ie his 300B SETs all had 300B drivers too! No matter the output tube he uses the same to drive them, his philosophy for is sonic superiority.
Ms Skunkie is fine :)
In order of impact on sound:
Driver tube, these can impact the sound a lot. 25%
Circuit design/feedback implementation 20%, sometimes more!
Output transformer, mainly large enough to not lose bass response/designed for hifi 15%.
Coupling cap, close to the difference of a decent quality OT 15% between cheap and good quality
Output tube, does have some impact. 15%, sometimes more, esp with direct heated tubes like a 300B
Quality of other components 8%
Layout and other factors 7%
On a single ended amp with a good power supply, never heard the rectifier tube change anything
Same with hookup wire, as long as you are using decent gauge wire and shielded wire where needed.
I have heard of using the same output tube as a driver, never tried it so can't say yes or no on that one!
This was a quick down and dirty chart, hope it helps!
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics Thanks for the info Ms Skunkie. I noted you gave the driver tube the highest share. That would affirm Sakuma's philosophy of homogeneous tube set. Imagine using an 845 to drive another 845, extreme. Cheers!
On a personal note I use analog multimeters with vintage electronics. I feel that the digital multimeters will not give me the proper results that I am looking for as I do with an analog meter I like to observe the swinging of the needle back and forth as I make my measurements especially when it comes to checking capacitors and electrolytics. But that is just my opinion and what works best for me.
Any specific meter you like? An analog meter would be useful!
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics hi again, I use analog meters from the 1970s, sutch as the realistic brand from Radio Shack uses standard batteries. Plus I have a Simpson analog meter that dates back to the 1960s uses standard batteries as well. Plus I have a bell and howl and log meter from the 1970s as well. This is just my preference to use analog meters especially when it comes to checking capacitors for leakage. 99% of capacitors need to be replaced anyway in vintage electronics and audio equipment. On a personal note glad to see much younger people getting involved in interest in vacuum tube equipment such as yourself good luck
Like & Subscribed!!!
Thanks!
I stumbled onto Giuseppe Amato's book by way of his website. I'd be curious about your thoughts on his "Il Primo Bis" design. I was strongly considering building it with the power supply in a separate chassis.
It looks VERY similar to the tubelab Simple Push Pull design except it is using EL34 tubes on the output stage. I like it! Honestly there is no reason to build the power supply in a separate chassis on a power amp, although I would replace R1 and R2 with 2 chokes using the same DC resistance.
I might add this to my build list :)
Those circuits in the back of those tube manuals were free use. Leo Fender anybody?
These audio output tubes I am sure that you are aware of are extremely expensive and are not the easiest to get especially the ones from the 1930s such as # 45 and # 50 audio output tubes.
Oh no doubt! If you want to play around, use something like a JJ EL34 :)
8:15 RCA
Yep, those old RCA manuals are GREAT!
@SkunkieDesignsElectronics lol, I was at a red light and wanted to remember that book. Thanks for this video. I have a few of the books you mentioned, and was encouraged when you mentioned them.
hello i watched your video about tinnitus 6 months ago
how is it going today?
It's getting better slowly. Have very few "screaming" episodes anymore and am learning to live with this.
Thanks for asking!