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AB2 Guitar Amp?

Posted by Triode_Kingdom (A) on July 23, 2016 at 12:00:47

I have several sets of identical OPTs/Power Xfmrs that I'd like to use for DIY guitar amps. Although the amplifiers were originally rated at 50W output, the OPTs were designed for a wider BW. I'm certain they'll output 100W or more peak power over the narrower range of guitar, even at the bottom end. Similarly, the OPTs originally powered quite a bit more circuitry than a single amp, so there's considerable excess current capability.

In a "normal" push-pull configuration with 6L6s, the audio output power using these components is limited essentially by the gain of the two output tubes and available anode voltage (about +450V). However, the use of an AB2 driver with an IT to the grids would change all that. A pair of 6L6GCs or 6P3S-Es might be capable of 80-100W peak/intermittent output power in that configuration. This would make much better use of the components, and would put the amps into a power range that I consider more worthwhile for the work involved.

The one unknown in all this is whether AB2 sounds significantly different than the typical AB1 amp when it crunches. Maybe the commercial manufacturers have already tried this and discarded it for that reason. Or, maybe they decided it was more cost effective just to increase the voltage and/or parallel more output tubes for higher power levels.

So, does anyone know if there are 6L6GC datasheets that show AB2 operation at more than +360V? Anyone here have any hands-on experience with this sort of thing?

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