Small Signal Pentodes

Garthhog · Post by **Garthhog** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 9:23 pm

I have a couple of ideas about amp building I would like to explore (without simply cloning or copying another design). One idea is to use cascaded small signal pentodes in the overdrive end of a 2 channel cascaded preamp to generate the addictive harmonic content of an overdriven EL34 or 6L6. Theoretically this would allowing me to bias the power amplifier for maximum clean headroom, yet retain a beautifully rich and non-buzzy overdrive tone.

I don't have a lot of experience with the various small signal pentodes, so I was wondering which ones should be considered if the goal was to generate similar harmonic content as their big brothers.

Suggestions?

TUBEDUDE · Post by **TUBEDUDE** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 10:40 pm

5879, 6AU6, most small signal pentodes could do. Look at the difference, some are sharp cutoff tubes, some aren't. Look online, there are many !esigns using little pentode to generate distortion. Personally, I like the 5879. Little is new under the sun.

Stevem · Post by **Stevem** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:42 am

If want about a 3 watt amp you may want to check a a 6BM8 wihch is a preamp triode and a pentode output in the same bottle.

Garthhog · Post by **Garthhog** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 1:00 pm

Thanks for the suggestions... I've got a little homework to do.

Structo · Post by **Structo** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 5:06 pm

This looks pretty cool.

http://lh-electric.net/projects/tiny3w.html

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Small Signal Pentodes

Small Signal Pentodes

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