6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp

Posted by Freo-1 (A) on March 31, 2014 at 17:40:08

I was discussing new projects for amps/preamps with a buddy, and the subject of low mu tubes for use in a preamp came up. He said he had made 12B4 preamps in the past with excellent results, so I suggested a preamp with 6AH4 tubes.

Well, he put a prototype together, based on the DIY 12B4 circuit, with a 5U4/5V4 rectifier. Well, the results far exceed expectations.

The 6AH4 is one dynamite tube for preamp applications. Easily one of the best preamp tubes I've ever heard. The low mu tube approach seems to be the way to go. I've got it mated to a pair of 120 watt mono block amps with 12SN7 input and a quad of 1625 power tubes.

Honestly, I don't know why anyone would bother with 6DJ8/6H30 tubes (with all the associated issues) when there are tubes like the 6AH4 readily available.

I'm currently having a high end version of a 6AH4 preamp, based largely on the Thomas Mayer circuit (with a few small differences). Should be finished in a couple of weeks. Will post some pics once completed.
" Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you"

Satchel Paige

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Topic - 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - Freo-1 17:40:08 03/31/14 (20)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - PakProtector 08:52:01 04/01/14 (7)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - Freo-1 15:41:20 04/01/14 (6)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - PakProtector 03:45:45 04/02/14 (5)

6AH4 vs 6CK4 linestage - Jim Dowdy 07:55:12 04/02/14 (4)

6CK4 - hifipaul 19:43:06 04/02/14 (0)

RE: 6AH4 vs 6CK4 linestage - PakProtector 08:49:03 04/02/14 (2)

my 6AH4 linestage op points - Jim Dowdy 14:52:32 04/02/14 (1)

RE: my 6AH4 linestage op points - PakProtector 05:22:20 04/03/14 (0)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - Thomas Mayer 05:25:24 04/01/14 (0)

26 preamps..... - andy evans 02:57:35 04/01/14 (3)

RE: 26 preamps..... - xaudiomanx 05:33:14 04/01/14 (2)

4P1L line stages - andy evans 16:59:16 04/01/14 (1)

2 volts input? - rickmcinnis@dogwoodfabrics.com 13:32:44 04/02/14 (0)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - danlaudionut 21:37:55 03/31/14 (0)

Any schematic available? - xaudiomanx 19:51:51 03/31/14 (0)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - Caucasian Blackplate 17:50:06 03/31/14 (4)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - Freo-1 19:08:39 03/31/14 (3)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - Caucasian Blackplate 19:16:44 03/31/14 (2)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - hennfarm 21:59:38 03/31/14 (1)

RE: 6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp - Caucasian Blackplate 22:03:53 03/31/14 (0)

6AH4 tube for DIY Preamp

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