tube matching

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Read 1384 times.

rbwalt

tube matching
« on: 3 Jun 2011, 03:17 pm »
 here is a link that explains the virtues of proper tube matching and how it should be done. a must read for all tube lovers.http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/virtues.html

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 20889
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: tube matching
« Reply #1 on: 4 Jun 2011, 09:04 pm »
Hi,
I have a question about tubes matching since long time.
I thought there was only one kind of matching valves, that is test dozens of tubes and choose the best tubes.
But I have heard the following statement from some tube brokers in various countries:
If you want I can matching the valves for you?

Sometimes they charge $ 1 to make this ''matching''.
So what kind of tube matching is it ?? or it is a fake matching/ a fraud??
Thanks for help,
Gustavo

> Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a cat or dog from the street. On the streets pets live only two years average.

rbwalt

Re: tube matching
« Reply #2 on: 4 Jun 2011, 11:20 pm »
Gustavo i recommend that you e-mail roger at music reference/ ram labs. he will give you all the information that you will need and then some on tube testing. he is most reputable and will not steer you in the wrong direction.

good luck and let us know how you make out.

rob.

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 20889
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: tube matching
« Reply #3 on: 5 Jun 2011, 12:12 am »
Thanks for your reply Rob. I would love to clear this doubt, but I afraid of boder Mr.Modjeski with my dumbness, he surely has lots of things to do.
I sure there is other tube expert in the AC members that will help.
Regards, Gustavo

Ericus Rex

Re: tube matching
« Reply #4 on: 5 Jun 2011, 02:00 pm »
Hi Gustavo,  I'm no expert but I'll give it a shot.

Perfectly good brand-new tubes all have some variations in them.  They can all be perfectly good, they just react slightly differently to the same input factors (current and voltage).  Matching tubes insures that they all react about the same when presented with the same factors (loads, current, voltage, bias etc).  The best analogy I can think of right now is car tires.  When brand new and perfectly good, tires can be slightly out-of-round and need balancing, otherwise you run into some problems.  While tubes can't be altered after production they can be matched at purchase and you can hope that they will perform consistently as a group.  It's not the best analogy but hopefully it gives you an idea.

Is matching worth it?  I suspect alot of people who sell "matched" tubes either don't really know what they're doing or don't have the proper equipment.  And there are cases where matching tubes won't really make any difference.  For instance, if your amps are single-tubed SET monos then those power tubes don't need to be matched.  If you have a stereo amp with fixed bias then the two sides don't need to be matched.  If your stereo amp runs cathode bias or multiple tubes are biased with one pot then you absolutely need matched power tubes.  Sometimes small signal tubes need to be matched as well but this is less critical than power tubes.

Hope this helps!

Ericus Rex

Re: tube matching
« Reply #5 on: 5 Jun 2011, 02:01 pm »
Oh, and check out the articles here...

http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/

...for lots more info on matching.

FullRangeMan

  • Volunteer
  • Posts: 20889
  • To whom more was given more will be required.
    • Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a straycat or dog. On the street they live only two years average.
Re: tube matching
« Reply #6 on: 5 Jun 2011, 09:29 pm »
Very thanks Ericus Rex for your detailed explanation.
Now I understand that ''tube matching'' is to match the compatible valves each other.

It happens a translation error on my part sometime in the past that created this misconception of tube matching.
Thankyou, Gustavo