Super simple tube DIY?

[razbo]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone knew of some super simple plans to build a 1 or 2 watt tube amp without resorting to a kit? (I think I might learn more by searching and selecting all my components.)

I'd like to build from scratch, but expect that requires way more knowledge than I possess, so I would need something fairly guided. So, I'm looking for a super-simple, idiot layman's guide.

[cynical1]

There is a lot to be said for building from a kit. The odds are good that nothing will meltdown on initial power-up, the results will be consistent with what is described, and there is generally some customer support available...but that does vary.

Building an amp, especially a tube amp, is not like a crystal radio set...bad things can happen if you guess or spec wrong.

Having given the standard disclaimer...is there a reason you want to stay away from the kits?

HTC1

[sumgai]

razbo,

After you've answered c1's questions above, head over to:

www.ax84.com/

That should satisfy your cravings.

HTH



sumgai

[razbo]

Apr 16, 2010 12:15:16 GMT -5 cynical1 said:

There is a lot to be said for building from a kit. The odds are good that nothing will meltdown on initial power-up, the results will be consistent with what is described, and there is generally some customer support available...but that does vary.

Building an amp, especially a tube amp, is not like a crystal radio set...bad things can happen if you guess or spec wrong.

Having given the standard disclaimer...is there a reason you want to stay away from the kits?

HTC1

Well two reasons. I just figured I would learn more not using a kit. For example, just picking up the transformer supplied in the box seems less enlightening than discovering what kind I need and why and then finding it.

Second reason is I just figure it's got to be cheaper than a kit. (I have not done a price comparison yet.) Oddly enough sumgai suggests this site, because I was looking at this one:
www.ax84.com/october.html

But they seem to have relisted/renamed their amps thru that Doberman site. So now the lowest watt is 5 and I really wanted less than that. I have a 5'er and it's way too loud when anyone is home.

Those are my thoughts. I trust you experienced folks for guidance, though, so I'm not bothered to be redirected toward a more structured approach. Esp for the first time. And I've listened to all the sound samples from that site. The amps sound great.

[tjnugent]

I know you are not interested in a kit, but this is a kit that is worthy of a second look. Dan Torres has designed a very low watt tube amp that has been out for the last 8 years and is a really good amp.

www.torresengineering.com/suplowpowtin.html

[jcgss77]

If I may suggest, if you really want to keep it simple, you could build yourself a tube pre-amp. This is about as easy as it gets, with only 2 tubes and a small handful of components.

diyparadise.com/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=26

They have a nice PowerPoint presentation step-by-step as well as schematics.