Tube trolling

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Comments

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    kharp1 wrote: »
    I hate when a couple of tubes just hang on the edge and don't light up quite as much as the others. They're sitting there watching me, just trolling... waiting for their opportunity. Hate that!

    you would not like vintage 2A3s. They barely light up at all.

    B)
  • Moss_Man
    Moss_Man Posts: 28
    edited December 2018
    LOL, I remember getting those kinds of tubes a couple of times on EL34. Depending on how the filaments were placed, sometimes one tube out of four on the amp would look like it's not glowing as much.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    edited December 2018
    Between the physical construction and the 2.5 V direct-heated cathode, the old 2A3s just don't light up much. This can be a recipe for finger burns, too -- don't ask me how I know this ;)

    The current production Sovtek 2A3 also doesn't light up much at all.

    On the other hand the Sophia/TJ 'meshplate' (perforated plate) 2A3s kind of took things to the other extreme.

    9587513420_8b179eacbb_b.jpgmeshplate2A3 by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

    Goofy looking tubes, but they do sound good. :|
  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited December 2018
    Looks like a little toaster. B)

    The one in the back looks like a jelly fish. That's cool too. B)
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,801
    heh - never thought of a 5V4 lookin' like a jellyfish (in the dark) -- but I see your point.

    B)

    A 2A3 would make a pretty good (albeit small) toaster.