Bias pot instead of cathode fixed bias

General discussion area for tube amps.

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

User avatar
martin manning
Posts: 14308
Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:43 am
Location: 39°06' N 84°30' W

Re: Bias pot instead of cathode fixed bias

Post by martin manning »

Mikante wrote: Sat Jan 07, 2023 2:41 amI have 261 ohm as primary impedance. If you mean between b+ and the power tube pin 3.
I don t remember each pin voltages, i got 21v on the cathode.
261 is DC resistance. Impedance should be ~8k ohms for a 6V6. Have a look at single-ended output stage load lines here: https://www.valvewizard.co.uk/se.html
User avatar
CraigGa
Posts: 228
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2020 12:02 am
Location: Up in't north of England

Re: Bias pot instead of cathode fixed bias

Post by CraigGa »

The article that Phil_S posted got me thinking,

When one of the EH 6V6s in my Benson Monarch failed I replaced them with some JJs which were notably quieter for a given clean volume setting.
I've since put some NOS 6V6's in and the volume is restored.

If the JJs were passing more current then the cathode voltage would be higher, would that explain the difference?

I know it would be simple to go back and test, the EH's dropped 20V across the 250 Ohm shared cathode resistor.

Craig
Thinking about my second build.
Stevem
Posts: 5144
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:01 pm
Location: 1/3rd the way out one of the arms of the Milkyway.

Re: Bias pot instead of cathode fixed bias

Post by Stevem »

The second 1.5k on the 12ax7 is the one to mess with.
This stage controls how much of the audio signal level is recovered after the loss of passing thru the tone controls.
When I die, I want to go like my Grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming like the passengers in his car!

Cutting out a man's tongue does not mean he’s a liar, but it does show that you fear the truth he might speak about you!
Stevem
Posts: 5144
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:01 pm
Location: 1/3rd the way out one of the arms of the Milkyway.

Re: Bias pot instead of cathode fixed bias

Post by Stevem »

In terms of the bias voltage on pin 8 of the output tubes, the higher the voltage seen, then in terms of volume the more balls the amp will have.

The JJs are a bit of a cross between a 6V6 and a 6l6 and tend to sound more reserved in a class A SE amp like a champ.

You can bias it a little hotter, but you risk burning up the small OT in these amps.
When I die, I want to go like my Grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming like the passengers in his car!

Cutting out a man's tongue does not mean he’s a liar, but it does show that you fear the truth he might speak about you!
Mikante
Posts: 214
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2021 7:07 pm
Location: Italy

Re: Bias pot instead of cathode fixed bias

Post by Mikante »

Stevem wrote: Sat Jan 07, 2023 3:09 pm The second 1.5k on the 12ax7 is the one to mess with.
This stage controls how much of the audio signal level is recovered after the loss of passing thru the tone controls.
Lowering the resistor value what would actually do?
Mikante
Posts: 214
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2021 7:07 pm
Location: Italy

Re: Bias pot instead of cathode fixed bias

Post by Mikante »

martin manning wrote: Sat Jan 07, 2023 11:14 am
Mikante wrote: Sat Jan 07, 2023 2:41 amI have 261 ohm as primary impedance. If you mean between b+ and the power tube pin 3.
I don t remember each pin voltages, i got 21v on the cathode.
261 is DC resistance. Impedance should be ~8k ohms for a 6V6. Have a look at single-ended output stage load lines here: https://www.valvewizard.co.uk/se.html
Wow that is a lot to read and hopefully learn, thank you very much.
Post Reply