space_cowboy Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 I really have no idea what this means, thus the question. Say a manufacturer will factory strap an integrated amp for either 25W triode, or 50W UL. Is there a way to describe the differences (pro or con) between the two modes without listening. The only tubes I have ever heard are my modest ASL stuff. So from a Klipsch viewpoint it would seem 25W would be plenty as I can attest 8W pushes KLF-20's just fine, and any speaker change would be to either La Scalas or Belles. This is just out of curiosity, no purchase is really pending. Thanks for any comments, suggestions, or informative links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 I'll try but others are better at explaining these things than am I. In ultralinear mode a type of feedback signal is fed to the screen grid of the power tube. since it is say fourty % of the windings lower than the plate connection there is a phase difference between the grid and the plate. This either accelerates or retards the flow of electrons to the plate resulting in an increased plate current swing. This translates into more power across the output transformer. In strapper or quasi-triode mode the screen grid is tied to the plate through a small value resistor. Since they are resistively coupled there is no phase shift between the elements and the screen grid can be considered invisible(nonexistant). Since there is no screen grid on a triode the reaction of the electrons is similiar to the triode; faster reaction clearer sound in most instances. What differentiates Strapped triodes from true triodes is the third grid or beam focus element. This element is tied to and has the same potential as the cathode . This focuses the electrons toward the plate and repels and electrons that bounce off the plate back to the plate. letting the tube disipate more power than a true triode. The net result is a faster clearer sound from a pentode tube, with a cost of some power. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Odd, I always thought Ultra-linear sounded livelier than "triode". I don't know about the "clearer" thing, as I always thought "triode" sounded a little dark and warm. I think Ultra-linear sounds more neutral to me. Ah, but give me a dirty pentode amp with lots of feedback. Now we're talkin Rock-n-Roll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLKlipscher Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Chose the option with higher output. Cave the walls in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Dean, Back when I sold cars in 1972 I had a salesmanager who closed every meeting with the phrase " There's an a$$ for every seat!" Applies to audio too! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Craig gave me that choice with the MkIIIs I bought from him and not having the slightest idea what the differences were, I let him choose. He said I'd like ultra linear better. More power I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdepot Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 The switch between triode and ultralinear for a pentode tube is easy and quickly reversible. The ultralinear tap from the output transformer is removed and insulated. The output tubes' screens are then tied to their grids with 200 ohm resistors. The output power is reduced roughly by 1/2. With 6550 output tubes in the Dyna Mk III's and Citation II's I have played with the sound has been much sweeter, and more of what one thinks of as "tube" like. I don't know with lower power amps. With the efficiency of Klipsches try it and I suspect that you will like it. Either way it's easy to switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Rick, Exactly. It's completely ears, room, and system dependant. There's simply no way to predict what someone will prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdepot Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Just caught the typo in my post. It's tie the screeens to the plates via the resistors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
space_cowboy Posted February 22, 2004 Author Share Posted February 22, 2004 Thanks Rick, that sorta clarifies it, don't understand some of your reply, but will research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
space_cowboy Posted February 22, 2004 Author Share Posted February 22, 2004 OK, kdepot, that is furthing making sense........... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Good point Ryan! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 So true so true. Mark Deneen has brought that up several times as well. The problem is -- most amps don't give us the 16 ohm taps anymore. You have to run something like some POS Scott to get that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Quite a few SET amps have 16ohm taps with their iron. kh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Yup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Double post? I only submitted once! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 That's nice. So how do I wire my a SET amp back to Ultra-linear if I grow weary of triode? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Hey, what happened to triode driver, pentode output Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klipsch RF7 Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 I have sent the Dynaco Mark 3's that I just purchased to Craig to have him strap them down in Full triode and do some more of his tweaks to the amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted February 23, 2004 Share Posted February 23, 2004 Hadn't they already been modified? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.