Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 07, 2025, 08:27:51 am
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: SE EL34 with reverb  (Read 2435 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Electricmonkey

  • Level 1
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
SE EL34 with reverb
« on: November 03, 2019, 09:44:15 am »
I have a 275V@160mA ; 6,3V@3A power transformer and I want to build a single ended amp with EL34 as power tube.
Inspirations are Allen Chihuahua/Carr Mercury/Champ Reverb.
Pretty sure about the topology but some points are still not clear for me.
A little bit lost in filtering B+, should I connect the OT on the first cap, thought it was better to benefit from the choke.
Not sure about V2 cathode resistor, a little bit lost in math concerning // 12AT7. Do I have enough B+ for this type of reverb since I'm not looking for the surf type you have with a stand alone reverb.
The 7k OT is here to keep the amp under 10W (8.something if my calculation is good), with a more suitable 5K max power would be 12.something W.
Possible tweaks/add on : tone stack defeat switch, unbypassed cathode resistor on V1a, negative feedback.

What are your thoughts?


Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: SE EL34 with reverb
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2019, 09:54:16 am »
Quote
A little bit lost in filtering B+, should I connect the OT on the first cap, thought it was better to benefit from the choke.
Connect as shown in your schematic. The choke must be rated to carry the entire amp current draw.

I think your B+ will work with that reverb circuit, but don't expect Dick Dale performance.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline PRR

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 17082
  • Maine USA
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: SE EL34 with reverb
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2019, 04:23:30 pm »
EL34 at 380V can pull a lot lower load than 7k. And you have way more current than is needed. 5k and 76mA gets significantly more power out.

This part is drawn wrong:

Offline 2deaf

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1667
  • Now too deaf for 100 watts
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: SE EL34 with reverb
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2019, 04:47:55 pm »
I have a 275V@160mA ; 6,3V@3A power transformer and I want to build a single ended amp with EL34 as power tube.
Inspirations are Allen Chihuahua/Carr Mercury/Champ Reverb.
Pretty sure about the topology but some points are still not clear for me.
A little bit lost in filtering B+, should I connect the OT on the first cap, thought it was better to benefit from the choke.
Not sure about V2 cathode resistor, a little bit lost in math concerning // 12AT7. Do I have enough B+ for this type of reverb since I'm not looking for the surf type you have with a stand alone reverb.
The 7k OT is here to keep the amp under 10W (8.something if my calculation is good), with a more suitable 5K max power would be 12.something W.
Possible tweaks/add on : tone stack defeat switch, unbypassed cathode resistor on V1a, negative feedback.

What are your thoughts?

Probably no big deal but EL34 datasheets say 700K max for g1 and you have 1M.  I don't like the way VR5 loads down V3B more and more as you turn the volume down.  If you want to load down V3B like a Twin Reverb, use a 50K pot wired up normal.  If you don't want to load down V3B, use a 500K pot wired up normal.

I wouldn't remove the cathode bypass cap on V1A (C2) because it shunts 60Hz noise to ground.  You can turn down VR3 if you want less gain.

C1 (250pF) is going to make the amp very trebly. Move it to between R4 and VR1.

You can apply NFB to V3B if you separate the cathodes of V3A and V3B.  That's what I would do.

I would use an un-bypassed 470R resistor for the cathode of V2.  It will chew up a lot of current at idle, but it will really drive that tank at your lower  B+ voltage.         

Offline DummyLoad

  • SMG
  • Level 5
  • *****
  • Posts: 5791
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: SE EL34 with reverb
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2019, 05:25:26 am »
see attached - i'd also add a third RC network for V1a-b (call it A') split R21 to 8.2K for A and A'.

--Pete

 


Choose a link from the
Hoffman Amplifiers parts catalog
Mobile Device
Catalog Link
Yard Sale
Discontinued
Misc. Hardware
What's New Board Building
 Parts
Amp trim
Handles
Lamps
Diodes
Hoffman Turret
 Boards
Channel
Switching
Resistors Fender Eyelet
 Boards
Screws/Nuts
Washers
Jacks/Plugs
Connectors
Misc Eyelet
Boards
Tools
Capacitors Custom Boards
Tubes
Valves
Pots
Knobs
Fuses/Cords Chassis
Tube
Sockets
Switches Wire
Cable


Handy Links
Tube Amp Library
Tube Amp
Schematics library
Design a custom Eyelet or
Turret Board
DIY Layout Creator
File analyzer program
DIY Layout Creator
File library
Transformer Wiring
Diagrams
Hoffmanamps
Facebook page
Hoffman Amplifiers
Discount Program


password