TubeSync - way better than YOUR tube tech

[xtian]

TubeSync, WTF? Anyone know about this?

http://tubesync.co.uk/products-308.htm

[selloutrr]

it's taking for ever to load the brochure but I can only Ass-u-me it would have to be a smart chip or module that senses the voltage and automatically adapts, or auto bias the tubes in real time.

It said it replaces the bias circuit. probably have to select which tube type you are using and the module or chip has a preset program it runs based on which pin you tie into.

Ok the manual loaded.

Still looking for a price. - it's not hard to make an amp dual bias so it's major selling feaute of running unmatched tubes is not a new technology.
It looks rather large so finding room in an aftermarket amp may also be a difficult task.
It might make sense from an OEM stand point if you are going thru a large number of unmatched tubes and $ wasted on labor.

[selloutrr]

the stand alone box looks pretty cool from an amp voicing point of view - find which tubes sound the best then open up the amp and set the bias.

It's interesting orange amps UK partnered with them and incorporated the device into at least one design. and from what I could see from the shotty camera work they also have a stand alone version silk screened with the orange logo.

but still no price...

[selloutrr]

http://www.orangeamps.com/features.asp?ID=238

I sent off emails to both Ornage UK / USA and the parent company requesting prices i'll post any news.

[selloutrr]

I heard back this morning from the developing company - currently they are working on importing product to the USA via Orange Amps. No comment on price. The way I read it was they are not offering product directly from the manufacture only through Orange amps.

[xtian]

Maybe in the future, because they target amp techs right on their home page. Thanks for checking into it!

[Drumslinger]

One of the guitar mags listed it as 239 pounds ($382 US) and add additional 30 pounds for the footswitch ($48 US). Just can't remember which mag. I read it while visiting my nephew. That's quite a bit of cost for plug and play.

Looks like HiWatt is implementing it as well.

[Bob-I]

It said it replaces the bias circuit. probably have to select which tube type you are using and the module or chip has a preset program it runs based on which pin you tie into.

Ok the manual loaded.

Still looking for a price. - it's not hard to make an amp dual bias so it's major selling feaute of running unmatched tubes is not a new technology.
It looks rather large so finding room in an aftermarket amp may also be a difficult task.

Bias isn't the only issue in balancing tubes. It replaces the bias ckt, but appears to be more than just a bias adjust, since they say it balances distortion as well.

Interesting.

[KellyBass]

The big question is...

anybody got a gutshot or schematic?

Just kidding, of course...sound like an interesting device.

[teemuk]

anybody got a gutshot or schematic? .

Gutshots are all over their webpage. The related patent applications are:
GB:
#2462368 Adjustment of quiescent cathode current in a thermionic valve audio amplifier, Fallon Andrew, Arrowsmith Colin, KBO Dynamics Ltd
#2462445 Microprocessor-controlled bias adjustment in a thermionic valve amplifier, Fallon Andrew, Arrowsmith Colin, KBO Dynamics Ltd
US:
2010/0033245 A1, Controlling The Performance Of A Thermionic Tube, Arrowsmith et al.

The esp@cenet search engine (http://ep.espacenet.com/) will find them.

[JamesHealey]

I've seen these in action fitted to some hiwatts at the factory.. very cool but look flimsy to me with all ribbon cables etc..

[guitarmike2107]

Is this what Marshall have fitted in the new Slash amp maybe?

[selloutrr]

I'm trying to buy a stand alone unit for experimenting on the bench - it makes sense for voicing amps, saving you time not having to bias for each swap, but due to my experiences with digital it's not an if it fails just a when. Unlike analog it's probably a throw away not a repair. This keeps me from wanting to buy or install it inside an amp.

Now all we need is the supplier to sell them in the USA or at least a 120V version and give an official price.

[MCK]

Another key selling point seems to be how it keeps an amp running even when a power tube dies during performance. If they have managed to make this real it might be a big bonus for regular performing musicians.