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In the Forum: Melquiades Amplifier
In the Thread: The one-stage Melquiades.
Post Subject: Charting ValuePosted by Paul S on: 2/12/2009
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Something that has long puzzled me is that circuit designers seem ever determined to wring the last ounce of gain from every tube in a given circuit, or they will "starve" them, and the circuit in turn is designed as if it were simply a mathematical and/or intellectual excercise.  Of course, there is probably room for more careful mathematics than are applied in given instances, but at the same time, the circuit does have a purpose, after all, and that winds up being the sole criterion for evaluating its worth, IMO, including the power tube, as it is implemented.

Of the handful of 6C33C amps I have heard, every single one was more or less "stretched", IMO, at least in terms of the sound I heard.  And now that I have had a while with the ML2s, I will say that these amps also benefitted from backing off on the throttle, compared to the "House Setting".  Whether this is a simple case of "optimising" a given power tube in use is moot in this case, because what we are after is exactly the optimum implementation.

 Funny that the ML2 is not "neutral" with respect to effects.  At the same time, one would be hard pressed to apply adjectives relating to its "character".  That it uses 6C33Cs is all the "proof" that tube needs, IMO.

Clearly, the 6C33C is no panacea.  From my experience, no tube is, and it is hard to find an example of a more "neutral" output tube that will do anywhere near the range or useable power of the 6C33C, used correctly.

Yes, the 45, 10Y and 50 have remarkable sonic attributes, including laconic clarity in the "right" use.  But, as everyone knows, the penalty for these tubes is very limited range and power, especially compared to the plebeian 6C33C.

Paul S

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