GoodSoundClub - Romy the Cat's Audio Site

In the Forum: Melquiades Amplifier
In the Thread: Staxquiades project

Post Subject: DC coupling and line stabilizationPosted by Romy the Cat on: 9/28/2012

Yes, in case of tube DC coupling line stabilization is desirable but it would serve only practical aspect of locking the operation point of output tube. The way HOW the line was stabilized very much might affect negatively the way how the whole amplifier sounds. So, here we have a dilemma. From one side the output tube might run out of the optimum operation point and it might impact sound negatively. From another side putting stabilization also might impact sound negatively. So how to find a good balance of negatives and positive and how to evaluate what negative impact is uglier?

I do not have the answer. I do not look for one either as I am sitting behind PP that has the line stabilized. In my house the line might run from 167V to 127V and for all intended purposes it is not too horribly impact the operation of the amp. If I was in the world where my voltage swing too widely over the course of a day and if I do not want to put AC stabilization, then I would probably implement some kind of threshold guard with one single step. Let say if the voltage go over 125V then I would hard re-tap the transformer with a powerful relay. I would certainly avoid a taper that all time runs across the wires of the transformer and constancy adjusts voltage. I do not insist that it is the best way to do the things but my experience with variac was not so encouraging.

Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site