URL recommendations - amp basics
Moderator: jingle_jangle
URL recommendations - amp basics
Wow, it seems the more I start to learn about amps, the more questions I have! Can anybody recommend a good online resource that explains tube amp construction/function in a fairly non-technical way. I realize that I'll need to wade into some of the lingo but the sites I've been hitting are either so technical that they make my head spin or they're trying to convince me why such and such an amp is the one I need! I just want a good solid overview of the principles on how these things operate and the major elements that I should be paying some attention to when looking.
-
soundmasterg
- RRF Consultant
- Posts: 1923
- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2002 1:06 pm
Well Bill the problem with learning about amps is that at some point, you have to learn about the stuff that makes your head spin because math gets involved. In order to understand what they are talking about, you have to get into that level of depth with it. Having said that, learning more about them so that you can be a more informed buyer shouldn't be too hard. Some of those other sites I posted links for can help you if you wade through the technical stuff. There are lots of good books too, and even videos. Check out Gerald Weber's stuff at http://www.kendrick-amplifiers.com/. He sells books and videos that are geared from the beginner to the intermediate. Another VERY good book would be Dave Funk's Tube Amp Workbook, which can be had at many online book sellers, or also at www.tubesandmore.com.
You may check out this site too. http://www.tone-lizard.com/. Hope you have a pop up blocker though when you view it as unless he's changed it, it is hosted by some free server that pops up ads a lot.
Here's a basic amount of info that may help you.
Tubes are like valves, specifically like a valve for a water hose. The water pressure at the faucet is like the voltage. The amount of water going through the hose is like the current. The size and material of the hose is like the resistance. The various stages in the amp have specific functions, and they all work together to make the finished product. The valves and the circuits around them are arranged in such a way so as to let more or less current through the amp to where it gets amplified and gets louder. In the beginning it is a trickle, and at the end it is a huge amount.
The various stages in the amp can control not only how much juice (current) goes from the input to the output, but what the shape (frequency response) of the juice is. The resistor and cap choices can influence the sound, not only by the specific value of each that you've chosen, but also the materials they are made from can play a part. The transformers are the third biggest thing that influences the sound besides the circuit design and tube brands and types. Good transformers will take a decent amp and make it top notch, and bad transformer will take a great amp and make it sound like the worst amp you've ever heard.
Construction issues, like whether to use a PCB or go with PTP doesn't have much affect on the sound as long as they are done correctly, but they do affect how long the amp will last and how easy it is to work on should work be needed. When you're looking at an amp in the store, they will let you play it but often will not let you inspect the insides to see how it was made. So you have to find the amps that you like the sound and volume of, and then do some research and find out more about how they are made.
PCB amps are fine as long as the power tube sockets are chassis mounted rather than PCB mounted. Also they should not use the grey data cables to connect things like computers do. Those are a short circuit or intermittant connection waiting to happen. PCB amps are by nature harder to work on then PTP amps and there is no way around that, but often they are very reliable so you don't have to work on them as often sometimes.
Pretty much any PTP amp will be easier to work on, and they are usually quite reliable too. They also cost a lot more due to the labor involved in building one. PCB or PTP doesn't make much difference as far as sound quality usually.
Hope that gives you a little primer. I can explain some more depending on how much detail about stuff you want?
Also a word of advice...as you get into amps and try to learn about them, don't try to take the whole thing at once as it will make you glaze over and not understand. Take a small piece and follow where it leads, kind of like reading a map. This is how you read a schematic...just like reading a map.
You may check out this site too. http://www.tone-lizard.com/. Hope you have a pop up blocker though when you view it as unless he's changed it, it is hosted by some free server that pops up ads a lot.
Here's a basic amount of info that may help you.
Tubes are like valves, specifically like a valve for a water hose. The water pressure at the faucet is like the voltage. The amount of water going through the hose is like the current. The size and material of the hose is like the resistance. The various stages in the amp have specific functions, and they all work together to make the finished product. The valves and the circuits around them are arranged in such a way so as to let more or less current through the amp to where it gets amplified and gets louder. In the beginning it is a trickle, and at the end it is a huge amount.
The various stages in the amp can control not only how much juice (current) goes from the input to the output, but what the shape (frequency response) of the juice is. The resistor and cap choices can influence the sound, not only by the specific value of each that you've chosen, but also the materials they are made from can play a part. The transformers are the third biggest thing that influences the sound besides the circuit design and tube brands and types. Good transformers will take a decent amp and make it top notch, and bad transformer will take a great amp and make it sound like the worst amp you've ever heard.
Construction issues, like whether to use a PCB or go with PTP doesn't have much affect on the sound as long as they are done correctly, but they do affect how long the amp will last and how easy it is to work on should work be needed. When you're looking at an amp in the store, they will let you play it but often will not let you inspect the insides to see how it was made. So you have to find the amps that you like the sound and volume of, and then do some research and find out more about how they are made.
PCB amps are fine as long as the power tube sockets are chassis mounted rather than PCB mounted. Also they should not use the grey data cables to connect things like computers do. Those are a short circuit or intermittant connection waiting to happen. PCB amps are by nature harder to work on then PTP amps and there is no way around that, but often they are very reliable so you don't have to work on them as often sometimes.
Pretty much any PTP amp will be easier to work on, and they are usually quite reliable too. They also cost a lot more due to the labor involved in building one. PCB or PTP doesn't make much difference as far as sound quality usually.
Hope that gives you a little primer. I can explain some more depending on how much detail about stuff you want?
Also a word of advice...as you get into amps and try to learn about them, don't try to take the whole thing at once as it will make you glaze over and not understand. Take a small piece and follow where it leads, kind of like reading a map. This is how you read a schematic...just like reading a map.
Greg's an expert, so his advice is top notch.
For some really basic stuff, try the Machine Gun Amps listing of topics:
http://acruhl.freeshell.org/mga/main/contents.html
It's geared toward Fender amps, but it has some good basic explanations about biasing, rectifiers, etc.
For some really basic stuff, try the Machine Gun Amps listing of topics:
http://acruhl.freeshell.org/mga/main/contents.html
It's geared toward Fender amps, but it has some good basic explanations about biasing, rectifiers, etc.
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca