[Boatanchors] [External Sender] Re: Is "Price Insanity" Really Insane?

[Robert Nickels]

On 12/20/2023 1:40 PM, Rob Atkinson wrote:
> vacuum tube audio

I agree, Rob.  If not for the hi-fi and guitar amp builders, we wouldn't 
have the transformer and tube suppliers that exist today.     And while 
I'm sure we all have no time for the "oxygen-free RCA plug" types, there 
are some very sharp designers and some outstanding builders in the audio 
world.    So many hams have turned away from homebrewing but it's going 
strong on the audio side of things and while some may go overboard, I 
see nothing wrong with making gear that not only works well but looks 
good too.

One group I'm on has some very talented audio designers that most hams 
could learn a few things from - like innovative uses for oddball tubes.  
An example just posted today:  "

here’s a 40 wpc amp I just finished based on 6JN6 TV sweep tubes (Oh no, another amp?? What’s wrong with you?). This is the latest in my series of TV power tube amps. The front end is the same as in many of my previous designs, a 5751 and a pair of 8CG7s with an active load for each 5751 triode and current sources for the 8CG7 splitters. The output runs 6JN6 tubes in pentode mode with 480 plate and 170 screen volts.

More building and experimenting will lead to smarter hams and a more 
vibrant hobby, no matter what gets you into it.

I had a CW QSO yesterday with a friend who was running his newly 
completed transmitter that uses a similar compactron, the 6GE5, which 
was used with great success by Heathkit in the Singlebanders and 
HW-16.   Both of these sweep tubes can be had for $5-10 each and a pair 
will give you over 100 watts output.


73,  Bob W9RAN