|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
76.90.39.24
In Reply to: RE: if 7B4 is the best driver tube for SE DC 2A3 ... posted by tube wrangler on March 01, 2017 at 20:25:27
"The 12BZ7 is controversial in that it's not perfectly linear on paper."That might be the understatement of the year.
"...will in addition provide some extra current needed to drive less efficient wiring..."
Wire takes current to drive it?
I think you need to explain why.
"The linearity problem is NOT really a problem. The 12BZ7 can be run where it will easily be linear enough for its intended application."
Please show us where you would operate the 12bz7 to make it "linear enough" for a low distortion audio application.
Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"
Edits: 03/01/17Follow Ups:
The 12BZ7 isn't really any less "linear" than a 12AX7. The curves you posted are almost exactly those of a 12AX7 but with "Ip" multiplied by 2. There's a reason for that. For all practical purposes, each section of a 12BZ7 is almost exactly a 12AX7 with both sections paralleled. 12BZ7 gm is double that of 12AX7, rp=1/2, If=2x, u=100, etc. If the 12BZ7 has a weakness compared to the 12AX7 it's excessive microphonics. Every one I've tried to use was a microphone. YMMV
I disagree with you, I do not think the graphs are similar.
But the graphs, and " maximum swing analysis " are NOT the sole reason to use, or discard, any tube. There are other factors one must weigh. The less-linear graphs I see, won't stop me in my intended use of the tube, one time in my audio chain.
In what gear were you employing the tube, preamp or amp, may I ask you ??
How many stages, one, or more in series??
Aside from microphonics, how did it compare to a 12AX7 sonically-speaking, in your circuit, and from your direct experience ??
Thanks in advance.
Jeff Medwin
Thanks,
Jeff Medwin
There are minor differences in the curves, mostly at extremes. In part no doubt an artifact of manually fitting a smooth curves to discrete data points as was done in those days.
My experience with 12BZ7 was in an attempt at improving drive capabilities of two traditional PP driver topologies that utilized 12AX7: Mullard circuit and gain stage direct coupled to split load inverter. In both situations the sound was pretty much same as 12AX7 but didn't do much serious listening before moving on because of microphonics. Maybe I had a bunch of bad examples of the type. Maybe they'll work out fine in your apps. Fortunately they're still inexpensive so no great loss if they don't work out. As always with tubes like this, YMMV.
Good observations. For preamp use, Low-Noise tubes
are chosen. Anything special about "low noise" tubes?
The plates are shorter! The less area, the lower the microphonics.
(and incidentally, the lesser the musical dynamics-- if all else is equal).
I'll be leaving operating points to the user of any tube-- it's
his amp, not mine....
I love tubes that have a large surface area and low operating currents, and low thermal stress levels.
Lots of dynamics VS distortion levels. Of course, all tubes are
microphones in one way or the other. As always-- there are degrees of trade-off.
Thanks for pointing out your observations to all of us!
-Dennis-
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: