educational

[tsutt]

Hi Guys is there any amp building guides, that basic, simple. A dvd coarse available?
I have built 3 amps because i can follow schematics and such, check voltages but if there is a problem i'm not sure what to do. I'd like to learn a lot more of the design side of these. However me and technical books don't get along at all. Has to do with a childhood brain injury. I'm a visual, hands on learner. And now an old man at 51, HAHA! You guys talk in a language i dont understand yet getting some of it but a long way from where i'd like to be.

Thanks guys,
Todd

[TooL46_2]

http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19846

[Mark]

Blencowe's books are great but probably not what this guy is looking for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ByYWlV7xC4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEV1gluw ... hA&index=3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6U08udf ... hA&index=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgA4JG79 ... A&index=10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIDydYIV ... A&index=22

Get your head around the safety references before you even start, otherwise choose a good looking casket. This is a lethal hobby!

[surfsup]

I have built 3 amps because i can follow schematics and such, check voltages but if there is a problem i'm not sure what to do. I'd like to learn a lot more of the design side of these. However me and technical books don't get along at all.

You're like me when I started. Google was my friend. I would just type into google keywords that helped identify a problem and the specific site I wanted to reference. An example, in google type what's between the arrows:

-->"blocking distortion" PI site:ampgarage.com<--

THis returns hits for this stuff on this site only. Huge. I learned a TON in two years. I've solved all my own issues but one and admittedly have had zero time for that amp in the last few months but believe I can solve it with some time.

There are no books/DVDs that show what you need for troubleshooting. Just experience and tools (you'll need a sig gen and a scope to really do this imo). Sure you want to?

[Reeltarded]

It is good to read over your head. You bump into considerations you might never make just flailing around.

www.ampbooks.com is great for calculations and modeling before you ever pull out the glue or know what you'll start with.

[tsutt]

After searching the net for a while i did find Merlin's books and did order them. having read a couple chapters. Looks like the best thing i have found so far. I have a GE, RCA tube manuals but they are written for electrical engineers by electrical engineers. As i said i have built 3 amps. I'm looking more for the design side of things which leads to repair and diagnostic knowledge.

As an example; I read here on a thread Someone was saying to lower the plate resister from 220k to 100k to reduce gain. Ok, But i want to understand why there is a 220 k there in the first place. and why you lower the resistance on the plate to lower gain.

Thanks
Todd

[martin manning]

As an example; I read here on a thread Someone was saying to lower the plate resister from 220k to 100k to reduce gain. Ok, But i want to understand why there is a 220 k there in the first place. and why you lower the resistance on the plate to lower gain.

This subject is well covered in chapter 1 of Blencowe.

[chief mushroom cloud]

As an example; I read here on a thread Someone was saying to lower the plate resister from 220k to 100k to reduce gain. Ok, But i want to understand why there is a 220 k there in the first place. and why you lower the resistance on the plate to lower gain.

This subject is well covered in chapter 1 of Blencowe.

+1 indispensable reference text

[telentubes]

Just picked up my copy of Merlin's 2nd addition at the Post Office. At first glance, it looks really good. I've built about a dozen amps but am really in the same boat as tsutt. I'm basically still painting by numbers and want to know the hows and whys. Time to fasten my seat belt and get to work studying the text, graphs ,and diagrams.

[tsutt]

OH and i do have an rf signal gen, audio tracer but no scope...yet. Im A scavenger. HAHA. Actually my dad had both of those units sitting on his shelf. plus several other do dads. cant wait to get my books.

[rdjones]

Start at the beginning and don't skip the basics.
Learn simple AC/DC theory, ie Ohms Law, the math is fairly straightforward.
You don't need to memorize the formulas, just know that they are there and where to look when you need them.

I learned the basics at an early age out of the Radio Amateur's Handbook.

The RDH and the tube manuals assume the reader has the basics but can be useful for learning the building blocks of circuit design.
I wouldn't say these books are intended strictly for engineers, but rather they do have a prerequisite for the basics.

You'd be surprised at how many guys were building and working on tube circuits in the '50s and '60s with just a minimum of electrical knowledge.

It bears repeating - SAFETY FIRST
For the most part this involves proper AC supply side wiring and grounding.
If there's any doubt at all about what is safe or not please ask.

reddog Steve

[TooL46_2]

I think you can still read the first chapter for free. Just go to Merlin's website.