Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Thisismyname on October 29, 2022, 11:04:47 am

Title: How to Wire Unused Triodes
Post by: Thisismyname on October 29, 2022, 11:04:47 am
Building an amp that has 3 gain stages, not sure how to wire up that 4th, unused triode.

I've seen amps that connect the unused triode to the one being used with jumper wires, but I've also seen amps where that unused triode isn't connected to anything.

Which is better?
Title: Re: How to Wire Unused Triodes
Post by: pdf64 on October 29, 2022, 11:29:03 am
It’s fine to leave a triode section not used.
Unless the heater supply is 12V, it’s probably better to leave its heater disconnected. 
It may be best practice to connect the anode, grid and cathode to 0V circuit common.

If connecting triode sections in parallel, it may be better to recalculate the loadline, as a valve type with double the gm and half the anode resistance is created.
Title: Re: How to Wire Unused Triodes
Post by: Esquirefreak on October 30, 2022, 02:53:12 am
I've recently started using heptodes (7 pin) in a couple of builds, partly because of some circuits using 3 triodes. And also because they are dirt cheap. A 6AV6 tube is a single triode equal to a 12AX7/ECC83 and cost only way less (for a good quality tube).

Might be worth considering :)

/Max
Title: Re: How to Wire Unused Triodes
Post by: thetragichero on October 30, 2022, 08:53:24 am
i'm all about using different tubes but it depends on the goal of an amp. if it's meant for someone to gig it's good practice to try to stick to valves that can be obtained in a strange town on a sunday. less fun but certainly pragmatic
Title: Re: How to Wire Unused Triodes
Post by: scstill on October 30, 2022, 10:49:12 am
I've recently started using heptodes (7 pin) in a couple of builds, partly because of some circuits using 3 triodes. And also because they are dirt cheap. A 6AV6 tube is a single triode equal to a 12AX7/ECC83 and cost only way less (for a good quality tube).

in the 6AV6 application do you ground the unused diode plates?
Title: Re: How to Wire Unused Triodes
Post by: sluckey on October 30, 2022, 11:48:53 am
Just ignore them.

     http://sluckeyamps.com/harvard/harvard_5f10_schem.pdf