[Niteshade]

It is a proprietary circuit (made with non proprietary parts), so I will leave you folks to guessing, partly.....

The output does come from the cathode side.   

[guest1632]

It is a proprietary circuit (made with non proprietary parts), so I will leave you folks to guessing, partly.....

The output does come from the cathode side.   

Hi Blair,

Well, then, May I ask then how many tubes would it take to bring the output impedance down to say under 800 ohms?

As far as using the 12au7 or the 6SN7, as of this moment, I don't have a preference. Being new to this tube stuff, I have some ideas but a little guidance as to which tube to use would be helpful. Why would you use one tube over the other. Now, I do have some knowledge of tube stuff but it is primitive at best. So if you could please elaborate a bit more on the subject, that'll help. Thanks for your time.

Ray Bronk

[Niteshade]

Let's go for 500 ohms. I'm estimating about 9 tubes, four of them ganged per side and one driver tube. The output would be from the cathode. I would make some power supply upgrades as well. 

[guest1632]

Let's go for 500 ohms. I'm estimating about 9 tubes, four of them ganged per side and one driver tube. The output would be from the cathode. I would make some power supply upgrades as well. 

Wow! lots of tubes there. I've always been told as far as tubes go, the lesser the better. Wouldn't having all those tubes muddy up the sound?

Also, you didn't elaborate much about the difference in sound between the two types of tubes.

Ray

[Niteshade]

Hi Ray,

There's 9 tubes, but still only two gain stages. 

It's the same principle as my 100 watt monoblocks. Ganging tubes when the object is more current instead of gain will not promote sonic degradation, at least the way I handle it. When you add stages for voltage gain, that's when the fun and headaches begin. This is why tube phono stages are difficult to design.

There's more wire and tubes, some power supply upgrades and various other small things that have to be accounted for, but ultimately the circuit's block diagram remains the same and the signal path remains short.

[jon_010101]

It is a proprietary circuit (made with non proprietary parts), so I will leave you folks to guessing, partly.....

The output does come from the cathode side.   

Well, not guessing too long, as it is on your website 

Although I normally wouldn't describe that as taking the output from the cathode - that threw me off for a bit.

[Niteshade]

The output can be taken from either end depending on how you look at things...

I do change circuit types from time to time for the purpose of upgrading products. The 9 tube preamp uses a different circuit.

[Niteshade]

This preamplifier is SOLD! It sold a while ago and I forgot to mention that.


However, this is a regular product of ours and it can be ordered at any time. When ordered, you get to choose the color!.

[guest1632]

This preamplifier is SOLD! It sold a while ago and I forgot to mention that.


However, this is a regular product of ours and it can be ordered at any time. When ordered, you get to choose the color!.

Hi again,

One more time, so then 8 tubes for the audio, and one for rectification, does it sound any different than say the 3 tube version? Also, what is the sound differences using the 6SN7 versus the 12 series tubes in this application?

In the 9 tube version, would you be mixing up the tubes or using one primary tube set? I do not have any preference, since I've not had the chance to hear the differences in the two type of tubes.

Ray

[Niteshade]

Hello Ray,

The standard Dual Tube preamplifier uses solid state diodes. One can be made with tube rectification. 

With the 9 tube model, there are 4 paralleled tubes per channel and a single driver tube (dual triode). The tubes are paralleled to increase current production. This stage has no gain, the first tube is the gain stage.


The extra output tubes will not sonically effect the output vs the Dual Tube preamp.

[Niteshade]

Just how close can the source be brought to the power amplifier? VERY CLOSE! Less in the middle means better sound. Our circuit does not look like a metropolitan road map. Going from Point A ----> B as directly as possible, as accurately as possible is Niteshade's design policy, no matter what it is we develop.

Price: $950.00 delivered within the Lower 48


This exact preamp has been sold.

The good news! You can order one at the same price AND get to choose the color.