[Andre Jute]

For the purest nirvana of sound, OTL and electrostatic diaphragms are
the way to go. OTL stands for output-transformerless amplifier and of
it is built with tubes. What makes OTL amps so good is that they are
naturally push-pull as are stats, best built with triodes (actually, I
don't know of any suitable pentodes), easily arranged to operate in
Class A1 and with ZNFB, which is what the socalled "single-ended
sound" is all about anyway. There are three kings of OTL tubes: they
are the 6SL7 and 6SN7 for driving STAX and other electrostatic
headphones, and the 6C33 for killer high-power amps; the more
expensive Russian tubes out of MIGs are rock-solid reliable; the
Chinese tubes need a little sorting and burning-in. Some common little
tubes have a vogue because they're cheap like the EL509 and the 6AS7
but they can be tiresome because you design OTL with them despite
themselves, not because they are the first choice for anything except
being cheap and plentiful. Balanced amps, or forced balanced after a
single input, works best with OTL because you're gonna have to balance
everything at the output anyway, so you may as well start right. If
you start right, an OTL amp is a doddle to specify, design and build.
Unless it is very simple (read, small) you need to be prepared to tune
it constantly or build in self-tuning mechanisms, for tubes never stay
matched. OTL is the ideal DIY; it will keep you out of the pub
forever.

HTH those lost souls who think OTL is a cheap alternative to
transformers... It ain't, not at any size above a little 6SL7/6SN7
STAX driver. What you don't spend on the trannies, you will spend on
the constant-fettle circuitry or new quads of tubes.

Andre Jute
Visit Jute on Amps at http://members.lycos.co.uk/fiultra/
"wonderfully well written and reasoned information
for the tube audio constructor"
John Broskie TubeCAD & GlassWare
"an unbelievably comprehensive web site
containing vital gems of wisdom"
Stuart Perry Hi-Fi News & Record Review

Futter you too, man

[Eeyore]

Andre Jute wrote:

For the purest nirvana of sound, OTL and electrostatic diaphragms are
the way to go. OTL stands for output-transformerless amplifier and of
it is built with tubes.

There's nothing tube / valve specific to the term OTL.

Graham

[Arny Krueger]

"Eeyore" wrote in
message
Andre Jute wrote:

For the purest nirvana of sound, OTL and electrostatic
diaphragms are the way to go. OTL stands for
output-transformerless amplifier and of it is built with
tubes.

There's nothing tube / valve specific to the term OTL.

Indeed. The big difference between OTL SS and OTL tube is that the OTL tubed
gear has less power, more distortion, poorer bandwidth, costs a ton more, is
bigger, runs hotter, and is less reliable. IOW, the tubed OTL gear is good
for people with money and time to burn - i.e., they have no life.

[tubegarden]

On Jan 11, 8:18�am, "Arny Krueger" wrote:
"Eeyore" wrote in
they have no life.

Hi RATs!

Please be advised that Eyesore and Amy Kruegar have Real Big lives.
They like to post here because we are soft targets for their "fact
based" opinions.

Just ignore the ******s. Life is beautiful, only thugs are ugly. And,
they claim to be 'beautiful ministers of the Absolute Truth' ...
disgusting, posing morons who love to **** at the champagne fountains
of others.

It is OK, there is a LOT of champagne, and they can't **** straight

Some people make being mortal a blessing

Happy Ears!
Al

[Iain Churches[_2_]]

--
Iain
Aural perception is a skill that requires study and careful development over
along period of time. Few have it as a natural gift.
"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
. ..
"Eeyore" wrote in
message
Andre Jute wrote:

For the purest nirvana of sound, OTL and electrostatic
diaphragms are the way to go. OTL stands for
output-transformerless amplifier and of it is built with
tubes.

There's nothing tube / valve specific to the term OTL.

Indeed. The big difference between OTL SS and OTL tube is that the OTL
tubed gear has less power, more distortion, poorer bandwidth, costs a ton
more, is bigger, runs hotter, and is less reliable. IOW, the tubed OTL
gear is good for people with money and time to burn - i.e., they have no
life.

Gosh Arny. You *are* a sad, depressing, impoverished
individual.

This is a hobby tube amp group, in which we enjoy
discussing tube amp topics. If the subject is not to
your liking then please don't let us hinder your
departure.

Iain
May God protect you from His followers

[Arny Krueger]

"Iain Churches" wrote in message
ti.fi


Gosh Arny. You *are* a sad, depressing, impoverished
individual.

That's Iain's strategy for uplifting conversation - pile on the personal
attacks.

[tubegarden]

On Jan 12, 8:58�am, "Arny Krueger" wrote:

That's Iain's strategy for uplifting conversation - pile on the personal
attacks.

Hi RATs!

Tubes bring joy and contentent to many.

Amy brings bitter resentment to all. What a hero! He knows we should
be punished for enjoying anything he has not got an endorsement
contract active on at this moment.

Kiss, kiss, dear grumploader

Happy Ears!
Al

[Arny Krueger]

"Bret Ludwig" wrote in message

There's nothing tube / valve specific to the term OTL.

Indeed. The big difference between OTL SS and OTL tube
is that the OTL tubed gear has less power, more
distortion, poorer bandwidth, costs a ton more, is
bigger, runs hotter, and is less reliable. IOW, the
tubed OTL gear is good for people with money and time to
burn - i.e., they have no life.

If common speakers had impedances in the 100-1000 ohm
range the reverse would be true.

Not lately. Transistors are better high voltage devices than tubes, up to at
least 400 volts.

[Iain Churches[_2_]]

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Iain Churches" wrote in message
ti.fi


Gosh Arny. You *are* a sad, depressing, impoverished
individual.

That's Iain's strategy for uplifting conversation - pile on the personal
attacks.

Arny, my old born-again sackcloth and ashes tambourine basher,
you would not recognise an uplifting conversation if it jumped up
and bit you:-)

Your constant moaning about the apparent shortcomings
of tube amplifiers on a tube amp forum cannot by any stretch
of the imagination be regarded as positive.

You never make a contributioin to the thermionic discussion.
Perhaps you jjst hanging around here hoping we will pass
the hat round and buy you an amp?

Iain

[Eeyore]

Arny Krueger wrote:

"Bret Ludwig" wrote

There's nothing tube / valve specific to the term OTL.

Indeed. The big difference between OTL SS and OTL tube
is that the OTL tubed gear has less power, more
distortion, poorer bandwidth, costs a ton more, is
bigger, runs hotter, and is less reliable. IOW, the
tubed OTL gear is good for people with money and time to
burn - i.e., they have no life.

If common speakers had impedances in the 100-1000 ohm
range the reverse would be true.

Not lately. Transistors are better high voltage devices than tubes, up to at
least 400 volts.

And even more these days.

Graham

[Eeyore]

Bret Ludwig wrote:

If common speakers had impedances in the 100-1000 ohm
range the reverse would be true.

Not lately. Transistors are better high voltage devices than tubes, up to at
least 400 volts.

It's my understanding that HV silicon is becoming scarce, with many
classic parts now NLA.

You're mistaken.

Graham

[Arny Krueger]

"Bret Ludwig" wrote in message


If common speakers had impedances in the 100-1000 ohm
range the reverse would be true.

Not lately. Transistors are better high voltage devices
than tubes, up to at least 400 volts.

It's my understanding that HV silicon is becoming scarce,
with many classic parts now NLA.

HV silicon has more then enough applications to keep it alive in the
marketplace.

[Arny Krueger]

"Bret Ludwig" wrote in message

Not lately. Transistors are better high voltage devices
than tubes, up to at least 400 volts.
It's my understanding that HV silicon is becoming
scarce, with many classic parts now NLA.

HV silicon has more then enough applications to keep it
alive in the marketplace.

Many Tek scopes have NLA transistors which Maxim "bought"
from Tek and then quit making.

So what?

Bret, do you need a reality check composed of pointing out that an exception
does not make a rule?