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Tubes -N- Batteries

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Niteshade

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Tubes -N- Batteries
« on: 25 Nov 2008, 10:31 pm »
I've noticed many people like battery powered tube preamplifiers. With today's solid state regulator technology plus excellent filter capacitors, I do not see any reason for batteries. Admittedly, I have never tried a battery powered preamp. What's the scoop?
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ZLS

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Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #1 on: 26 Nov 2008, 01:00 am »
    Battery Power represents Alexander The Great as regards the Power Grid.


The Gordian Knot is a legend associated with Alexander the Great. It is often used as a metaphor for an intractable problem, solved by a bold stroke ("cutting the Gordian knot"):
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BillB

Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #2 on: 26 Nov 2008, 01:15 am »
So is that good or bad?  :lol:
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JoshK

Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #3 on: 26 Nov 2008, 01:19 am »
I haven't powered a tube circuit from batteries but I powered a pair of UcD 400's from SLA packs.  Sounded pretty decent, but I think I had a slight imbalance of current or something because the lower rail drained much faster than the top.  Gordy I think had much better success.



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ghpicard

Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #4 on: 26 Nov 2008, 01:42 am »
Quote from: Niteshade on 25 Nov 2008, 10:31 pm
I've noticed many people like battery powered tube preamplifiers. With today's solid state regulator technology plus excellent filter capacitors, I do not see any reason for batteries. Admittedly, I have never tried a battery powered preamp. What's the scoop?

IMO, if you are in for no-sand into your (pre)amps, battery power means clean power with a circuit as simple as it can be.
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JoshK

Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #5 on: 26 Nov 2008, 03:16 am »
Except for the self-noise batteries make.
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jeffdavison

Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #6 on: 26 Nov 2008, 06:48 am »
I've used Nickle Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH)for cathode biasing on input tupes for amps.

JD
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zacster

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Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #7 on: 26 Nov 2008, 10:18 am »
I have an Aikido tube preamp that runs on a 24v linear regulated supply that both the plates (24v) and filaments (6.3v x 4 in series, close enough) use.  I could easily run it on batteries but have never tried it.
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BillB

Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #8 on: 7 Dec 2008, 08:01 pm »
I run the same Aikido...it would be relatively easy to convert to battery but to me it seems like a lot of work.

Though I do many things backwards so maybe it isn't as bad as I imagine.

My Aikido uses a SMPS though.
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Niteshade

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Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #9 on: 7 Dec 2008, 08:37 pm »
Most of the noise I end up dealing with in a preamp is from the filaments. It might be an interesting idea to power the filaments from a lead acid battery and use AC for the high voltage in the traditional sense. A motorcycle or garden tractor battery should do the trick and inexpensively. I never liked using low voltage on tube plates.
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BillB

Re: Tubes -N- Batteries
« Reply #10 on: 8 Dec 2008, 12:14 am »
Well these low voltage tubes are designed for that, their max plate is 30v.
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