maxg Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Just back from Tsakiridis for tubes. I only needed one EH EL34 - which he gave me FOC because the last set I got from him was less than a year ago and he reckoned it should have lasted longer (what a nice guy). So I bought 4 more - just to cover for future mishaps - and he showed me how to bias my amps - which seems quite easy (so I will be able to get a picture of the interior for you all - finally). Then I saw a couple of quads of Svetlana 6550C tubes on another version of my amp he had there - so I bought those as well. Armed with, therefore, a armful of tubes I set off and picked up a cheap digital multi-meter to try out the biasing tonight. According to Odyseus (Mr Tsakiridis - actually soon to be Dr - he is doing his PhD in Electronics of one form or another) I should aim for 150-200 mV for the EL34's and 200-250 mV for the 6550's. Lots of play ahead. A few other interesting items arising: 1. He is looking to expand - so if any of you know a company keen to get into the tube line with a bunch of ready made designs to cover the US - please let me know. 2. He is looking at digital amps - something good could be coming soon. 3. He has promised me to keep his internet site more up to date. This should mean a page dedicated to some of the one off designs he has done for customers - that are most impressive.... that's it currently - now I am off to see if I can figure out how this multi-meter works... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev313 Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 What is your impression of those Eh's, Max? How do they compare to other el34's you have used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxg Posted April 26, 2004 Author Share Posted April 26, 2004 These are the only EL34's I have ever used so I cant help you much. They came with the amp and when I asked on this forum everyone seemed to think they were the next best thing to NOS. I got them at $15 a piece - which is very reasonable over here - not including the free one of course. The 6550's were more expensive - at $300 for a set of 8 - ah well - easy come - easy go I say - just got to hide the deal from the wife!!! This multi-meter is mystifying - DC-volts, AC-volts, resistance, AC-amps, DC-amps and 2 things I dont understand - one looks like an arrow over-running (diode measurement apparently - just read the manual) a plus sign and the other is hFE - transistor measurement for NPN or PNP type transistors - huh??? Ah well - I think I have the DC voltage sussed and that is the bit I need... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxg Posted April 26, 2004 Author Share Posted April 26, 2004 Hmmm... I dont know - I was expecting a bit more of a response here. Do you guys realize I am heading for a 100 wpc tube setup??? I mean - impressive or what - huh. I hope I like these Svet's... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Max, Craig had to walk me through, over the phone, the first 2 times I biased my scott and the first time I biased the MKIIIs. You're not alone. I wish I could help. Send Craig an email and I'm sure he'd lend you a hand. Unfortunately, it would be an expensive call for you but he could probably help from the keyboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Max, I would help if I was sure of the layout and proper way to bias the amp. I have no way of knowing it without a schematic ! Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxg Posted April 26, 2004 Author Share Posted April 26, 2004 Craig, Thanks for the offer but actually I am quite confident as I have already done one!!!! Odyseus has a clever system. He put the identical unit in front of me in his workshop - stuck some tubes in and made me bias it!! Worked a charm - I could do it in a dark room with my eyes shut (well - almost...) All I needed was the figures to aim for, a meter and instructions about where to stick the needles (dont go there). It was actually quite easy - but a pain in the butt for 8 tubes... 100 wpc here I come!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Max, With a little effort you can light yourself up like Dean. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrench_peddler Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Max, the lack of response probably is due to the fact that your first post was a 4am. Not to many folks up that early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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