Tag: 6P21S

Flexible HT supply

The return of the Jedi

Time has come when breadboarding and HT is not longer an option. With a baby around, I was forced to remove most of the valve equipment. However, the return of the Jedi is closer than you expect. With very little time, albeit at continuous pace when I get a free 30min here or there every weekend, I keep very focused on my objective. The 814 SE monster amp is close to retirement (probably before Christmas) and although I have a fantastic LME amp already working, I need to get the valves back on the scene providing I can prove I’ve complied with “heath and safety” – as my wife well put it.

Well, I had a nice attempt of a wooden frame made out of pine wood. Yes, I’m really bad at woodworking but I’m getting better. The top plates are 4mm thick. I have added a nice set of 2 100mA meters at the front of the frame. A 300VA custom-wounded multi-tap HT transformer from JMS which gives me full flexibility from 100 to 500V in 25V steps. The supply is choke input (LL1638) and filtered with a set of nice 50uF oil caps and 20H chokes. Damper valves used with some nice SiC to form a hybrid rectifier.

Top plates are protected with paper before drilling!

This looks to be quite neat in my view!

The idea is to use this supply for my new 4P1L PSE, 300B and DHT Schade experiments with 6P21S/47 and 1624 valves. A lot planned and so little time for this unfortunately.

Cheers, Ale

 

 

 

 

6P21S tetrode curves and model

6P21STime ago I generated the tetrode curves for this great directly heated tetrode using my analog curve tracer. I originally used this tetrode in triode-mode. Although it’s a good candidate for a SET amplifier with its 21W in triode-mode, I always wanted to find out how it will perform with Schade-type anode to grid feedback. Building an accurate beam-type tetrode model was key. Luckily now, Derk Reefman has developed an accurate model for these type of valves.

I also worked with Ronald Dekker and insisted him to build in the “Schade” feedback capability in the uTracer using software rather than hardware:

Continue reading “6P21S tetrode curves and model”

6P21S triode curves

6P21S

This is a great unknown russian DHT. Just like his brother 4P1L :). An output beam tetrode with direct heated cathode filament. This 18W valve is a great candidate for an output stage, with its standard filament voltage of 6.3V and octal socket, many ones out there will be really attracted by this valve as it can easily be adapted in many classic output stages.

I did some initial tests about a year ago and this valve proved to be very linear and capable DHT. Was planning to use it as a pre-amp valve with filament starvation as THD results were more than promising.

Paul Leclerq, Andy Evans and I now want to test this one as an output valve. With 18W+3.5W=21.5W of anode power capability, it’s a great DHT for output stages clearly.

So I went back to the workshop to trace the curves first.

Initial tests were done with If=700mA / Vf=6.3V

6P21S triode curves

And here is a SPICE model for any volunteer to test:

 

Finally, here is a THD plot for the 6P21S showing how linear this valve can be. The following quiescent point was found to be very good for this valve:

  1. Ia=40 mA
  2. Va=200V
  3. Vg=-11V