Low Power 6U8A Vacuum Tube Audio Amp V2

(C) 2011, G. Forrest Cook

Top of 6U8A amp

Bottom of 6U8A amp

6U8A amp schematic

Introduction

This project involves the construction of a one tube audio amplifier built around a common 6U8A triode/pentode tube. The amp is suitable for use as an audio output stage for a home-brew radio. Two of these amps would work nicely to power a pair of stereo computer speakers or as a headphone amp. The peak output power is around 100 milliwatts. The amp is designed to be a module that can be combined with other modules to build a variety of low-powered audio devices.

The 6U8A amp is very simple, it would make an excellent first project for someone who wants to learn about vacuum tubes. Several other common tubes such as the 6EA8 and 6GH8 may be substitued for the 6U8A, these tubes share the same pinouts but have somewhat different gain and frequency response characteristics.

Warning

This project uses high voltages including 120VAC and 250VDC. The project should only be taken on by someone who has experience working with high voltage circuitry. The power supply should always be disconnected and the B+ line should be shorted to ground when working on the amp.

Connections

Power Input - 6.3VAC filament and 120-250VDC B+
Audio Input - 500K Impedance
Speaker Output - 8 ohms

Theory

The line-level audio signal is sent through a 100K audio volume control and into the grid of the 6U8A triode section. The triode is wired as a tyical class-A tube amplifier. The B+ line to the triode is isolated from the final amplifier's B+ through a 5.5K/22uF low pass filter, this prevents interstage feedback and oscillation.

The output of the triode amp is sent to the control grid of the 6U8A pentode section through a 10nF DC blockingcapacitor. The pentode is wired as a class-A amplifier with a transformer output. A negative feedback loop linearizes the amplifier's frequency response, this consists of a 120K resistor and 470pF capacitor from the speaker side of the output transformer to the cathode of the 6U8A triode. Feedback is kept to a fairly light level to preserve the amp's dynamics. The R/C network across the output transformer primary helps to give the amp a flat frequency response and eliminate RF resonance issues.

The pentode's screen grid is pulled up to the B+ voltage through a 3.3K current limiting resistor and is AC-bypassed with a 10nF capacitor. The screen current varies between 1.5mA and 4.5mA depending on the B+ voltage and the output signal level.

If a tone control is desired, it can be built onto the feedback loop, see my Squirrel Monkey amp project for an example of this type of tone control. If you build the amplfier and it oscillates, swap either the primary or secondary leads on the output transformer to correctly phase the feedback signal.

This amplifier can be powered by my Power Supply for Vacuum Tube Experiments. The supply can produce either 135VDC or 250VDC (under load) to power the amplifier, the higher voltage will provide the full 100mW of output power. A power supply similar to that used for my Squirrel Monkey guitar amplifier project will also work with this amp. Any standard vacuum tube power supply should also work here, it just needs to provide 6.3VAC for the filament and around 250VDC for the B+ circuit.

Construction

The amplifier was built onto a standard 4"x4" electrical utility box cover plate. The plate was the type with a conduit knockout in the center. The knockout was removed and two small holes were drilled on either side to hold the 9 pin tube socket. Three more 5/32" holes were drilled around the perimeter of the tube socket to hold the terminal strips. Holes were drilled for mounting the transformer. The various resistors and capacitors were connected between the tube socket and terminal strip pins.

Standard Romex style cable clamps were used on the power supply box for securing the power input and output wires.

Use

Connect an 8 ohm speaker to the amp and plug an audio source into the input. Apply power and turn the volume control up to the desired listening level. With a selected 6U8A tube, this simple design can produce very little hiss. Since the amp only uses one tube, it makes a good test platform for comparing the hiss and microphonics levels of different tubes.

Circuit Extensions

This amp was put to use in my House Finch Direct Conversion Tube Receiver project, an extra 6C4 triode preamp stage was added to increase the gain. That version of the amp become the Low Power 6U8A Vacuum Tube Audio Amp V3.

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