Space charge tube experience???

[mashaffer]

Have any of you played with the low voltage space charge tubes. I was thinking they might be fun to play with for low voltage preamps, guitar effects and even maybe an AM micro transmitter. Just wondering if anyone has enough experience to comment on linearity etc.

I know they were used in car radios but could something like say a 12AE7 be used for a hifi preamp. I like the low rp of the low mu triode for driving SS equipment for example or for driving a moderate impedance line such as in a musical instrument or PA/Recording situation. Thinking the med mu triode for VAS and the low mu section for line driver.

Any input whether theoretical or anecdotal is appreciated.

mike

 

[thefragger]

 

[ke4mcl]

good article here..
http://www.junkbox.com/electronics/lowvoltagetubes.shtml

 

[wa2ise]

I've done some playing around with space charge tubes in radios, see my page
http://www.geocities.com/wa2ise/radios/12ba7.html#aa5

 

[mashaffer]

Thanks guys. The junkbox site is what got me thinking about these critters.

mike

 

[GordonW]

Where the heck is BrassTeacher? He's all sorts of into this kind of thing. 12U7s, you name it...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[mhardy6647]

I use, and like, Pete Millet's original low-voltage hybrid headphone amp/preamp:
http://www.pmillett.com/hybrid_head.htm

He has at least one other space charge tube design on his website.