LF: DIY Tube Amp for tweeters only?!?

[gc1]

I'm almost done with a set-up I can stop messin' with for awhile!!
The main thing my little heart desires is a small DIY tube amp to drive my tweeters in an active system....... anyone know of something I could build low cost that would sound best used with tweeters... to add a richness and smooth that harsh "digital sound"???
Thanks!!

btw... a plain stereo amp... not integrated, not mono, and not $pricey$... I'm just a poor hillbilly!!
:)

[Æ]

I'm almost done with a set-up I can stop messin' with for awhile!!
The main thing my little heart desires is a small DIY tube amp to drive my tweeters in an active system....... anyone know of something I could build low cost that would sound best used with tweeters... to add a richness and smooth that harsh "digital sound"???
Thanks!!

btw... a plain stereo amp... not integrated, not mono, and not $pricey$... I'm just a poor hillbilly!!
:)

I once had a similar idea in mind, but it never did come to fruition.
However, I did build a very nice little really affordable DIY tube amp. Wonderful smooth sound.
http://www.s5electronics.com/

[Andy_G]

I'm almost done with a set-up I can stop messin' with for awhile!!
The main thing my little heart desires is a small DIY tube amp to drive my tweeters in an active system....... anyone know of something I could build low cost that would sound best used with tweeters... to add a richness and smooth that harsh "digital sound"???
Thanks!!

btw... a plain stereo amp... not integrated, not mono, and not $pricey$... I'm just a poor hillbilly!!
:)

If you are just a poor hillbilly, what would your intent be for applying the cross-over between mids and tweeter ?

What sort of active x-o are you thinking of using?

Just saying that you need to think the issue through as a "whole speaker" approach before going too far.


ps. that harsh digital sound can often be caused by a passive x-o that is not particularly well implemented.

[gc1]

I once had a similar idea in mind, but it never did come to fruition.
However, I did build a very nice little really affordable DIY tube amp. Wonderful smooth sound.
http://www.s5electronics.com/

Nice!!
:cool:

[gc1]

If you are just a poor hillbilly, what would your intent be for applying the cross-over between mids and tweeter ?

What sort of active x-o are you thinking of using?

Just saying that you need to think the issue through as a "whole speaker" approach before going too far.


ps. that harsh digital sound can often be caused by a passive x-o that is not particularly well implemented.

I've been using a BSR 3way stereo active with 12db slopes... discrete line stage, variable state... works very nicely.

Using a 6 channel amp for mid and tweeters... but would like to "upgrade" to tubes for the tweeters... adding a little "color" to augment digital sound.

Is there anything in particular that I'm missing, especially not knowing much about tube gear/etc?? I've heard that tubes have a particular reaction to driver load, but not sure how a tweeter would effect this..... positive or negative.

The only problem I've encountered [with active] is the combined acoustic slopes with different drivers, but not much to do about that other than mating drivers well, and designing the system to alter this to what degree one can. Naturally, I put perfectly flat response down the list of priorities...... but what is one to do?? ;)

[Face]

Bi-amping can be a real PITA if you don't have identical amps top and bottom.

[Andy_G]

My thought would be to look at a tube amp more for the mids. Around 10-20 watts. That is where I would suspect you would get more of the "tube" sound into the system, if that is really what you want,.... but then what for the top end. ?

3 way active when you already have the amplifier channels available... hmmm. Requires some thinking.
Don't want to waste the amp channels that you have, that would be silly.

Have you any grunty stereo amps, that you could use for the bass, floating about?

ps , you wrote "Naturally, I put perfectly flat response down the list of priorities" did you mean " I put flat response down ON the list of priorities" ?

[philiparcario]

you want a tube preamp feed it into the x over. does all six channels or put it in between the x over and the six channel amp 1st way tubes all six channels 2n way tubes two channels. use 2 of these

two of these

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=245-8606

two of these

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=091-1010

103 dollars mono tube preamp

[gc1]

you want a tube preamp feed it into the x over. does all six channels or put it in between the x over and the six channel amp 1st way tubes all six channels 2n way tubes two channels. use 2 of these

two of these

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=245-8606

two of these

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=091-1010

103 dollars mono tube preamp

Yeah, a tube preamp is hopefully something in the future... or maybe a tube buffer like the one you showed me... NICE!! I've looked at a couple tube buffers before, but they were too pricey, but this thing of yours looks mighty fine!!
Thanks phil!!
:cool:

[gc1]

My thought would be to look at a tube amp more for the mids. Around 10-20 watts. That is where I would suspect you would get more of the "tube" sound into the system, if that is really what you want,.... but then what for the top end. ?

3 way active when you already have the amplifier channels available... hmmm. Requires some thinking.
Don't want to waste the amp channels that you have, that would be silly.

Have you any grunty stereo amps, that you could use for the bass, floating about?

ps , you wrote "Naturally, I put perfectly flat response down the list of priorities" did you mean " I put flat response down ON the list of priorities" ?

Yeah, I've got a stack of amps, just nothing tubed. And if I could find something priced right, I would love to use tubes on some of the midwoofer/midrange drivers I have... but maybe one of the tube buffers will "sooth my soul".
Flat response is one of the most challenging objectives... passive or active!!
:)
Thanks Andy!!

[Face]

I sent you some info in a PM before, I may as well recite most of it here.

I've bi-amp two pairs of my Tannoys on occasion. Having amps with adjustable gain is very helpful, but still doesn't make things perfect. I was able to dial my speakers in for a certain volume level, but once I deviated from that level, the HF/LF started to tilt in one direction or the other.

http://face.cleanandquiet.com/store/ST-70%20MC2125.jpg

I wouldn't recommend a tube buffer since they're just a band aid and you're adding more links to the chain. I would consider a tube preamp instead. You can sometimes find a Dodd ELP for a couple hundred dollars. At the risk of starting a flame war:rolleyes:, how about trying a different capacitor in your HF circuit, or maybe padding it down a small amount?
http://techtalk.parts-express.com/%5BURL=http://img257.imageshack.us/i/40516big.jpg/%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2595/40516big.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D