Rather than go solid state, check out current production direct-heated triodes ...

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In Reply to: Re: Valvo Hamburg ECC83, Sylvania 5751 posted by Alexander H on April 28, 2006 at 15:14:20:

Great thread gentlemen! Thank you.
If there comes a day when there are no more NOS tubes left from the 1950s and 1960s production eras, then rather than go solid state, current production direct-heated triodes and the new amplifier designs that use them (both single-ended and push pull) will be the way to go.
While the top NOS versions of the popular 9-pin miniature metal oxide cathode dual triodes from the 1950s and 1960s, will probably never be equaled (let alone surpassed), the situation with direct heated triodes appears to be different. The designs are simpler and easier to manufacture. Moreover, current production direct-heated triodes benefit from the advances in tube manufacturing that occurred after most of the classic direct-heated triodes were no longer in production.
In contrast to the popular 12A*7 and 6 Volt dual triode input tube families as well as the popular beam tetrode/beam pentode (e.g. KT88, 6550, EL34, etc.) power tube families, direct-heated triodes are very linear with near vanishing distortion. Direct-heated triodes can be used in zero negative feedback amplifier designs. Moreover, some of the newer push-pull 811- or 300B-based designs have enough power that they can drive the newer high-efficiency speaker designs (that do not use horns).
Not only are the current production beam tetrode/pentode power tubes getting better thanks to guitar players, the direct-heated triode tubes, especially the Czech and Slovak varieties, are approaching parity with the rare NOS varieties thanks to the DIY enthusiasts in Asia, Europe, and North America. I predict that in the next several years, there will be more mainstream direct-heated triode-based amplifiers using current production valves as more modern-design high-efficiency speakers appear in the marketplace. Here is a great two-part article that puts the current direct-heated triode "Ultra-Fi" revolution in context:
PART 1:
http://www.nutshellhifi.com/library/tinyhistory1.html
PART 2:
http://www.nutshellhifi.com/library/tinyhistory2.html

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Valvo hamburg ecc83 declined getter - Alexander H 15:08:30 04/27/06 (7)

Valvo Hamburg ECC83 - Bambi B 23:25:52 04/27/06 (6)

Re: Valvo Hamburg ECC83 - Alexander H 02:56:36 04/28/06 (5)

Valvo Hamburg ECC83, Sylvania 5751 - Bambi B 07:24:01 04/28/06 (4)

Re: Valvo Hamburg ECC83, Sylvania 5751 - Alexander H 12:11:11 04/28/06 (3)

Re: Valvo Hamburg ECC83, Sylvania 5751 - Bambi B 14:07:23 04/28/06 (2)

Re: Valvo Hamburg ECC83, Sylvania 5751 - Alexander H 15:14:20 04/28/06 (1)

Rather than go solid state, check out current production direct-heated triodes ... - musicpre 13:59:32 04/30/06 (0)

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Rather than go solid state, check out current production direct-heated triodes ... - musicpre 13:59:32 04/30/06 (0)

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