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Valve Amps

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Overview Valve amp Basics Pre-amp Driver Output Stage Output Transformers
Power-supply Valve V Solid-state
Topic 4 of 7

Output stage
The output stage consists of three sections.

1. The negative Bias circuit adjusts the output valves to their linear operating position.
2. The KT88 output valves and current monitoring circuit.
3. The output transformer.

1. A negative Bias adjustment circuit applies approx -85V to the Grids of the KT88s.
2. The KT88s are calibrated to 50mA each quiescent current, and checked that they are matched.
3. The KT88s are tested at full power.
4. Each KT88s delivers approx 300V x 2 = 600V RMS across the output transformer.
5. The output transformer steps down the 600V RMS (approx 22:1) to approx 28V RMS to drive
the 8Ω speaker to full power, approx 100 Watts.

The -V Bias adjustment, KT88 quiescent current calibration and the Output transformer will be
described, showing alternative variations used in different valve amplifiers, and why the Williamson
design was chosen as the most effective method to achieve the best possible performance.

Quiesent current

Cathode bias - Negative bias

Cathode bias is described as Class A. Using 2 output valves is described as push pull.
Therefore 2 output valves that are Cathode biased is described as Class A push pull.

Most output valves in HiFi valve amps (40 Watt and less) are Cathode biased in the same way that
pre-amp valves are biased. The Grids are referenced to ground (chassis) by a 220k resistor.
Cathode bias is mostly used in low cost valve amps that function from a 300V to 400V B+ supply.

A large 10 Watt 470R resistor or similar value Resistor is placed in series with each Cathode. The
value of the Cathode resistor depends on the type of output valves and the B+ supply Voltage.
470R is selected for this explanation. Without a -bias Voltage on the Grids the output valves
attempt to go into full conduction, maximum current. The current through the valve also flows
through the 470R bias resistor causing a +Voltage to appear across the Cathode resistor.

The +Voltage across the 470R Cathode resistor will increase untill it reaches approx +30 to +35V,
and the current will stabilise and self regulate. +35V across 470R is 74mA. The 470R resistor
can be changed to a different value to select the quiescent current required. The +35V at the
Cathode is in reference to the Grid, which means that the Grid is -35V in reference to the
Cathode. The advantage of Cathode Bias is that it is self regulating. Miss-matched or old valves
make little difference to the amps performance. Many valve amp manufacturers use Cathode bias
because it is cheap, any valves will work, no calibration required.

Cathode biased amps are less powerful than Negative biased amps operating form the same B+
supply Voltage. As the current through the valve increases with the signal level, so does the
Cathode Voltage, hereby modulating the quiescent current of the valve. Excessive inter-
modulation is generated as the power increases, and the transient response is poor.
Output valves in Cathode biased amps operate at maximum allowable temperature (quiescent
Anode dissipation) An EL34 (6CA7) is rated at 25 Watts. A 6550 is rated at 30 Watts. A KT88
is rated at 35 Watts. 35V across a 470R resistor is 74mA. 74mA is the current flowing between
Anode and Cathode, from a B+ supply of 380V. 74mA x 380V = 28 Watts. Therefore each
output valve is dissipating 28 Watts of heat regardless of whether it is amplifying music or not.
This Anode to Cathode heat dissipation is in addition to the heat generated by the filament. This
example amp can only deliver approx 30 Watts to drive the speaker. Cathode biased power
valves cause increased inter-modulation distortion and have a poor transient response.

Negative bias is the correct method to bias power valves. A separate -

Voltage supply provides an adjustable -bias Voltage to the Grids of the
output valves. The -bias Voltage required to center the valves in their
linear operating position will depend on the B+ supply Voltage. Also the -
bias Voltage will be different for Ultra-Linear and Tetrode configuration.

From a B+ 400V supply a pair of KT88s will give approx 45 Watts, and a
Bias of approx -40V is required on the Grids to center the valves in their
linear operating position. From a B+ 560V supply a pair of KT88s in Ultra
Linear configuration will give 100 Watts, and a Bias of approx -80V is
required on the Grids to center the valves in their linear operating
position. The right pic shows the adjustable -bias method.

A 2k2 resistor is placed close to the Grid (right pic) to help stop parasitic
Rf oscillation. An adjustable -bias Voltage (from a potentiometer)
through a 100k resistor is connected to the KT88 Grid. This means that
the driver valve is supplying the audio signal into a 100k load. The -bias
Voltage must be stable, free of noise and power supply ripple.

Without a -bias Voltage on the Grids the power valves will conduct maximum current and damage
the valves. When the amp is switched on, the -bias Voltage should appear immediately on the
Grid. When the amp is turned off, the -bias Voltage should remain after the other supply voltages
have collapsed to zero. When turning a valve amp off, avoid turning it on again, untill it has cooled
down. The -bias Voltage should appear at the Grid, prior to the B+ 560V supply Voltage.

The below pic is the same circuit of the output stage rotated horizontally to enable each of the
points discussed to be easily seen.

Bias Current. The purpose of the 10R resistors in series with the Cathodes is to monitor the
Current flowing through the power valves. The 10R resistor has no effect on the Valves
operation. Meters should be permanently connected across the 10R resistors so the current
through the resistor (and valves) can be monitored and adjusted when necessary.

Unfortunately Bias current monitoring meters or a dual LED monitoring circuit to achieve the same
function is rarely seen in valve amplifiers. It is irresponsible for valve amp manufacturers not to
provide accessible bias calibration and monitoring on every valve amp.

Flash-over The 10R bias monitoring resistors should be wire wound (5 Watt). Low value wire
wound resistors are often +- 20%. Therefore the resistors should be individually measured and
matched. A faulty valve can flash-over between the elements. The physics of flash-over is
similar to lightening. At the moment of flash-over a negative resistance is created that magnifies
the current. A normal resistor can be vaporised, depositing a carbon film throughout the amp. A
wire wound resistor will survive or act as a fuse.

50mA The -bias Voltage is adjusted to achieve 500mV (0.5V) across the 10R resistor which is
50mA flowing through the valve. The -bias Voltage for each valve must be independently adjusted
so the same current is flowing through each valve. Increasing the bias current shifts how far the
valve will remain in Class A before gradually transferring to Class AB as the audio signal
increases. It is inexcusable for bias monitoring with -bias adjustment not to be available in every
valve amp.

The Lenard Ultra-linear 100 Watt / channel amp had Bias calibration for each KT88

KT88s from a B+ 560V DC supply should not be biased less than 40mA and no higher than 60mA.
Adjusting the bias also sets the quiescent dissipation (temperature) of the valve.

• 560V x 40mA = 22.4 Watts

• 560V x 50mA = 28 Watts
• 560V x 60mA = 33.6 Watts

The maximum quiescent dissipation for a KT88 is 35 Watts. Increasing the KT88 above 35 Watts
will cause the Anode plate to become molten red and the life of the tube will be reduced.
Reducing the quiescent dissipation below 20 Watts will shift the valve to its non linear operating
position.

KT88s from a B+ 400V DC supply should not be Biased less than 50mA and no higher than 75mA.

• 400V x 50mA = 20 Watts

 • 400V x 60mA = 24 Watts
• 400V x 75mA = 30 Watts

The Anode heat dissipation is in addition to the heater filament. A quiescent Anode dissipation 25
Watt plus the filament heat of 10 Watt, the total heat generated by a KT88 is approx 35 to 40
Watts.

No bias adjustment. Some valve HiFi amps and many valve guitar amps do not have
independent adjustment for the -bias Voltage to each Grid of the output valves. Many guitar amps
only have a single adjustment for both valves. In some amps the -bias Voltage is fixed with no
ability to adjust the -bias Voltage. Many celeberity brand valve amp manufacturers copy each
other (including mistakes) and are often found to be ignorant of understanding the need to
independently adjust the bias current to center the power valves in their linear operating position.
Because output valves can vary greatly, many valve amps can have one power valve glowing
molten red and the other so cold it can easily be touched.

Maximum B+ supply Voltage

Most octal based output valves will function reliably from a B+ 400V supply and deliver 30 to 50
Watts from a pair in push pull. Valve data sheets are readily available on the internet. The higher
the B+ Voltage the greater the power, but what is the maximum ?

Many power transmitting tubes (6146) operate at Voltages well above 600V and have
been used in audio amps. The Anode pin is on the top of power transmitting tubes
(right pic) to insure high Voltage flashover cannot occur. Many audio power valves
evolved from Transmitting tubes and therefore the Anode is often capable of much
higher Voltages than the spacing between the pins of a conventional octal base will
allow.

The Anodes of EL34 (6CA7) and KT88 can function from a B+ 800V supply. But with
a high B+ supply Voltage above +600V, flashovers can and do occur. The upper
recommended limit is +560V.

Carbon footprint

Power efficiency. At 100 Watts each KT88 is conducting 160mA. A pair of KT88s is conducting
320mA total. 320mA x 560V = 180 Watts. 180 Watts is consumed from the B+ for an audio
output of 100 Watts to the speaker. Plus, the filament consumes 10 Watts to heat each KT88. 20
Watts + 180 Watts = 200 Watts (50% efficient).

The conversion of 120V 240V AC mains to B+560V is 70% efficient. 200 Watts x 1.4 = 280 Watts.
280 Watts is consumed from the AC mains to deliver 100 Watts to the speaker. A 100 Watt
valve amp at full power is approx 35% efficient, not 50% efficient.

At sensible room listening level a stereo 100 Watt per channel valve amp has 4 x KT88s at 50mA
quiescent current each = 200mA. 200mA x B+560V = 112 Watts. Calculating for 70% efficiency
conversion from the mains = 112 Watts x 1.4 = 156 Watts. Plus 40 Watts for the filaments to heat
the valves = 196 Watts. Add a couple of Watts for music = 200 Watts. Grand total 2% efficient.
Therefore a valve amp has a high carbon footprint.
 Triode, Tetrode and Ultra-linear.

Triode operation. If the screen is connected to the Anode then the valve behaves as a Triode.
In Triode operation, power output is reduced to being almost useless. Some audiophiles claim
that the laws of physics are transcended and magical transformations occur when the Screen and
Anode of a KT88 or EL34 etc are connected together and the valve is forced to function as a
triode.

Tetrode configeration is the most efficient method to obtain maximum power at low cost with
minimum mass. Most cheap HiFi valve amps and almost all guitar amps are in Tetrode
configeration.

Ultra-Linear gives the same power as Tetrode configeration with lower distortion figurers than
Triode operation. Ultra-Linear is slightly more complex, higher cost and higher mass.

Tetrode configeration

Tetrode circuit configuration, is where the Screens of the power valves are connected to a
separate stable B+ supply that has extra filtering. Regardless if the output valves are Tetrodes,
Beam power Tetrodes or Pentodes. The purpose of the screen is to increases the efficiency and
gain of the valve, enabling the valve to achieve approx x3 more power than as a triode.

Approx 50% of HiFi valve amps and almost all valve guitar amps are configured in Tetrode
operation. Removing the B+ Voltage from the screen shuts off the valve, quiescent current is
zero. Many guitar amps have a standby switch that simply disconnects the B+ Voltage from the
screens.

Tetrode configuration is the most efficient method to obtain maximum power from output valves.
A good pair of KT88s can easily achieve 100 Watt from a B+ 560V supply. It is recommended that
the screens have a separate supply Voltage not in excess of 400V. A bias of -40V is is required
on the Grid to set the correct quiescent current of 50mA through the output valves. A drive signal
of approx 30V RMS will easily drive a pair of KT88s to full power.

In Tetrode configuration the screens of almost all output valves are not designed to be supplied
with a B+ above 400V. Only the KT88 KT90 and 6550 can withstand a B+ on the screens above
+400V, providing the valves are not driven to full power.
400V Screen. The screen is not intended to conduct current. With a screen Voltage above 400V
the valve must not be driven at full power for more than a few seconds. In the quiescent position
(zero signal) no current flows through the screen. As the signal is increased a small current flows
through the screen. Just prior to the valve reaching full power (with a screen Voltage above
+400V) screen current rapidly increases, which can harm or destroy the valve. The majority of
valve guitar amps have a screen Voltage above 400V. The valves are easilly destroyed when
constantly driven into full power distortion.

A B+ Voltage less than 380V on the screen will limit the valves achieving full specified power. A
B+ of 380V is the minimum screen Voltage that will enable EL34 (6CA7) and KT88 to achieve
maximum specified power, with minimum current through the screen. A screen Voltage above
400V will not enable the valves to give greater power than specified. +400V is the maximum V
that should ever be allowed on the screen. Above +400V the screen will conduct excessive
current and damage the valve, when driven at high power.

Screen resistor. A resistor should always be placed in series with the Screen as close to the
valve pin as possible. This helps limit the excessive current into the Screen at full power and also
restricts parasitic Rf oscillation. In guitar amps which are constantly driven at full power, the
Screen resistor should be 5 Watt rating approx 470R to 1k.

Guitar amps. The majority of guitar valve amps have a B+ 500V which also supplies the Screens.
When valve guitar amps were originally designed it was inconceivable that rock musos would
drive them into hard distortion most of the time, reducing valve life to a fraction. Because these
problems still exist today, demonstrates that guitar amp designers appear to be mostly unaware of
the physics of valve behaviour when the amp is constantly driven into hard distortion.

Regulated screen. The supply Voltage on the screen effects the gain of the valve. It is essential
that the screen Voltage be stable (regulated) and should not change (reduce) when the amp is
driven to full power. Tetrode configured HiFi amps are rarely designed with a circuit to regulate
the screen Voltage. This is considered un-necessary because HiFi amps are rarely driven at full
power. All that is provided is extra filtering to insure 100Hz / 120Hz power supply ripple does not
get to the screens.

The power transformer in valve guitar amps is made as low weight as possible. The regulation of
a power tranny is dependant on its mass. Most guitar amps have poor (soggy) B+ supply
regulation. When the amp is driven to full power the B+ supply will often drop by 50 to 60 Volts.

At full power, the over Voltaged screen draws excessive current and the tube is almost always
partially damaged. As the B+ supply Voltage drops when the amp is driven at full power, so does
the screen Voltage, partially limiting the excessive screen current. But, as the B+ to the Screen
drops so does the gain of the valve, shifting the valve outside of its linear operating position,
toward Class B and excessive distortion is created, particularly inter-modulation distortion.

False statements are made to justify that this dramatic increase in distortion as being desirable and
what musicians want, claiming this makes valve amps magical and warm. When musician are
given the opportunity to play through a valve amp that has a stable power supply and regulated
screen Voltage he/she immediately recognises the superior performance and prefers it. Un-
fortunately very few musicians get the chance to hear this comparison.

Ultra-linear

In Ultra-linear configuration the screens are connected to tap positions on the primary of the output
transformer (40% to 50%). The Screens are partially connected to the Anodes resulting in the
valves behaving as triodes, but with the full power capacity of Tetrode configuration. The Screens
are modulated with 50% of the audio signal, that appears at the Anodes. The result is win win.
The fidelity and reduced distortion figurers are superior to Triode operation, with higher power
equal to Tetrode configeration.

The Screen acts as a second Grid modulating the gain of the valve in opposite phase to the
Anode. This return path acts as an automatic Negative feedback that removes most if not all
residual distortion created by the output valves and output transformer. This local feedback from
the 50% primary taps to the Screen results in the speaker connected to the secondary being
included in the UL feedback structure.

The output Impedance from the secondary winding tends to reflect the speaker Impedance. A
remarkable result is that this reflected Impedance tends to naturally maintain constant power to the
speaker, over the frequency spectrum, providing the ideal damping that enables the speaker to
give the most pleasing musical performance.

Why is the Ultra-linear method not used in all valve amplifiers ?

Ultra-linear amps are higher cost to make. The output tranny is more complex. The output stage
has low gain. The output valves require x 2 greater audio signal 50V RMS approx to drive KT88s
to 100 Watt. A -bias Voltage of approx -80V is required to center the valves in their linear
operating position (quiescent current 50mA). A Tetrode amp with 400V Screens requires approx -
40V bias for the same quiescent current.
EL34 (6CA7) and most smaller power octal based valves can only be used within the screen
Voltage parameters, therefore a B+ 400V supply for Ultra-linear application is the maximum
allowable, approx 30 to 40 Watts.

KT88s were specially designed for Ultra Linear operation to give 100 Watts from a B+ 560V
supply. Many 6550s and KT88s can be interchanged. But some 6550s will not function reliably
from a B+ 560V supply. Un-fortunately some KT88s are re-labeled valves similar to the 6550.
Anything to do with audiophile land is open to scams. The EH KT90 is now superior to the KT88
and is possibly the most reliable valve to use today for the 100 Watt Ultra-linear amp.

The power supply must be absolutely stable (greater mass) and free of power supply ripple and
noise. Any modulation on the power supply is directly transferred to the Screens resulting in the
gain of the output valves being modulated causing inter-modulation distortion. Providing all quality
conditions are met, the Williamson Ultra Linear is the best performing design of a valve amp.

Negative Feedback (Local - External)

There are at two different types of negative feedback in valve amps. Local negative feedback is
applied around a pre-amp stage. Local negative feedback forces a pre-amp stage to be linear,
reducing its internal distortion. A typical example is is a high gain microphone pre-amp, which
requires an exact specified gain. Another example is a high gain phono pre-amp which includes
acurate RIAA EQ managnment.

www.wikipedia.org / RIAA equalization

External negative feedback is the process of feeding back a small amount of signal from the
speaker output to the Cathode of the pre-amp valve (in opposite phase) to reduce the overall gain
of an amplifier. External Negative feedback has a limited effect on reducing distortion because the
output cannot be exactly 180 deg out of phase with the input at all frequencies. 6dB to 12dB
feedback is the maximum that can be achieved before most valve amps are caused to oscillate.

Almost all valve amplifiers have external negative feedback. But, external Negative feedback is
not required to enable a valve amp to function. If the external negative feedback is removed, the
amp will appear to sound more responsive with approx 6dB to 12dB more gain. The immediate
experience is sound quality has improved.

What is the purpose of external negative feedback in valve amps?

The primary purpose of Negative feedback in valve amps is to quieten the amplifier. Valve amps
are naturally noisy and in the past (before solid-state) there was nothing to compare them with,
therefore a small amount of hum and hiss was considered normal. Instead of stating "Negative
feedback reduces the noise of the amp" the emphasis was to state the benefit as "Negative
feedback reduces distortion".
Thermionic hiss and mechanical rattling of the valve internal elements is clearly audible. Tapping
a valve with a finger reveals this. The valve filaments in the majority of valve amps are fed with
6.3V AC from the mains transformer. Hum leakage from the AC current flowing through the
filaments is imposed on the Cathodes. EI power trannys induce eddy currents into the chassis
which is heard as a residual background hum. Valve amp circuits do not have common mode
rejection, therefore any ripple from the power supply, no matter how small, introduces a small
audio hum which also causes amplitude modulation of the audio signal.

Because the majority of domestic valve amps were 15 Watts per channel or less, speakers were
made as efficient as possible (approx 6 to 10dB more efficient than the majority of speakers today).
The excessive noise generated by valve amps is clearly audible with high efficiency speakers.
Valve amp noise is less noticeable with most modern less efficient speakers.

Distortion reduction Negative feedback reduces the hum and hiss of a HiFi valve amp, but has
little to zero effect on reducing audible distortion. Many so called valve amp experts will have a
hostile reaction to this statement. The theory and education behind electronics technology of the
past concentrated on telecommunications and not HiFi amps. Valve telecommunication repeater
amplifiers are very different, where Negative feedback had a large effect in reducing distortion.
This is where much of the confusion about Negative feedback in HiFi valve amps came from.
www.wikipedia.org / Negative feedback
www.wikipedia.org / Harold Black

The most significant effect of Negative feedback is reducing the output Impedance, providing more
damping to the speaker. Many high quality valve amps made during the 60s allowed the Negative
feedback to be adjusted to tune the damping of the speaker.

Matched valves

When purchasing matched valves, do not trust that they are matched. The only advantage in
purchasing matched valves is that they may have been checked that they work, and if one is faulty
the distributer may replace it without question. The only way to insure valves are identically
matched is to do it yourself or know someone you trust to do it for you.

Output valves in a push pull amplifiers should be close to identical. This is similar to vehicle
engines having balanced pistons. Un-fortunately no two output valves are identical. However, it
is essential to select 2 KT88s that are identical. 20 output valves are sometimes required to select
2 pair that are close to identical.

1. Select 2 valves that conduct the same Bias current with the same -bias Voltage on the Grid.
2. With a 400Hz sine wave, drive the valves to 100mA (3/4 power). Check both valves are the
same.

• GM - represents the gain of a valve.

• Plate resistance - represents the maximum current when driven.

A pair of power valves may have similar quiescent current with the same -bias Voltage, but will
have different gains when driven with a audio signal. The valves should be identical with the
same -bias Voltage and also have identical gains when driven with a signal. At full power the
valves should conduct identical current approx 150mA each. The parameters of GM and Plate
resistance of each pair of valves must be equal. Approx 20 valves are required to select matched
pairs.

No bias adjustment. Some valve HiFi amps and many valve guitar amps do not have
independent adjustment for the -bias Voltage to each Grid of the output valves. Many guitar amps
only have a single adjustment for both valves. In some amps the -bias Voltage is fixed with no
ability to adjust the -bias Voltage. Many celeberity brand valve amp manufacturers copy each
other (including mistakes) and are often found to be ignorant of understanding the need to
independently adjust the bias current to center the power valves in their linear operating position.
Because output valves can vary greatly, many valve amps can have one power valve glowing
molten red and the other so cold it can easily be touched.

Balanced driver The driver valve should be selected to

insure both 1/2 of the 12AU7 is identical by having the
same quiescent DC Voltage at the anodes, 180V DC
approx. Some driver circuits have a 10k trim adjustment
in series with the 41k Anode resistors to balance the drive
signal. This adjustment can also be used to adjust the
drive signal to compensate for miss-matched output
valves. Whenever the driver or output valves are
replaced this balancing procedure should be repeated.

Fingerprints Do not put fingerprints on output valves.

Clean the glass if you touch it.

Coupling capacitors. The coupling capacitor between the 12AU7

driver and the KT88 should be the highest quality 600V rating.
Absolutely no DC leakage must occur through this capacitor. Any
DC leakage no matter how small will interfere with the -bias Voltage
on the Grid of the KT88. If this capacitor failed (short circuit) the
KT88 will go into full conduction and be partially destroyed. Also, be
wary of audiophile marketing scams selling relabeled capacitors
glossy black with gold lettering as having a magical sound.
End of Topic 4 Written by John Burnett Volgen

Created: 28-May-2010

Valve Amps
Overview Valve amp Basics Pre-amp Driver Output Stage Output Transformers
Power-supply Valve V Solid-state

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