Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: bruno on March 10, 2012, 02:00:57 pm

Title: Any tips to make a small/medium output stage sound and feel like a bigger one?
Post by: bruno on March 10, 2012, 02:00:57 pm

What could be done to make a 2xEL84 or 2x6V6 output stage amp, sound bigger or have a bigger amp response/feel.

Like trying to make a 2xEl84, sound and feel more like the output stage of an AC30.

Any particular aspects that can be molded to get better results?

Thanks

Title: Re: Any tips to make a small/medium output stage sound and feel like a bigger one?
Post by: Willabe on March 10, 2012, 04:17:37 pm

Bigger, stiffer PSU, more/better efficiency/higher db output speakers can help. Full band width and/or higher rated OT can also help.

Merc. Mags. make replacement OT's that are based on the original but have a bigger iron EI lam. core, I think they call them thick or fat stack? They're said to sound bigger.


                          Brad       :icon_biggrin:

Title: Re: Any tips to make a small/medium output stage sound and feel like a bigger one?
Post by: tubenit on March 10, 2012, 04:27:31 pm

Delay pedal and increase the bass tone..   You can always mic the amp into the PA and add bass also.

with respect, Tubenit

Title: Re: Any tips to make a small/medium output stage sound and feel like a bigger one?
Post by: bruno on March 13, 2012, 05:21:22 am

Would using a bigger output transformer (30w for example) help in this regard? Obviously I'd have to make the impedance ratio match.

Or would I simply be throwing money away on a bigger transformer...

Title: Re: Any tips to make a small/medium output stage sound and feel like a bigger one?
Post by: tubenit on March 13, 2012, 05:49:57 am

Quote

Would using a bigger output transformer (30w for example) help in this regard?

I built two amps that were very similar. One had a 20w OT and the other had a 30w OT.  I did think the 30W OT had more bass when using 6L6/5881 tubes ...........however, I could not tell much more bass response using 6V6's.

With respect, Tubenit

Title: Re: Any tips to make a small/medium output stage sound and feel like a bigger one?
Post by: bruno on March 13, 2012, 06:57:07 am

thanks!

I might be overthinking this amp. Better get to work, and let things happen.  :think1:

Title: Re: Any tips to make a small/medium output stage sound and feel like a bigger one?
Post by: Ritchie200 on March 13, 2012, 09:53:05 am

FWIW, I have built a ton of Firefly amps - can't get much smaller than that!  One day I hooked a new build up to a 15" speaker in an old bass amp carcass to check it out.  It was perfect!  It tamed the somewhat fizzy overdrive and the amp sounds "taller" than it actually is!  That's all I use for them now.  Low wattage 15's are cheap.  You may need to play around with brands and specs for your taste.

Jim

Title: Re: Any tips to make a small/medium output stage sound and feel like a bigger one?
Post by: jim on March 13, 2012, 09:57:31 am

Richie is right. We have all plugged our Champs into a 4X12 just for fun.  It moves some air.  Jim