Tube amp newbie- where can I learn??


Hey fellow audiophiles- I am just beginning to get into tube amps (having just acquired 4 of them!), and am looking for a book or online resource that will help explain the basics of how a tube amp works (i.e. what a capacitor does; how a transformer works; etc., etc.).

Keep in mind, I have absolutely NO background in electronics, and don't neccesarily want to be able to rebuild anything, I just want to understand the basic principles of tube amp design, and maybe be able to actually look inside my amps and understand what all the parts are, and what they do. Any ideas? Thanks all, and good listening!
sutts

Showing 4 responses by sutts

Thanks guys- I'l check it out.

Whassup Dekay? Alright, alright:
2 Golden Tube (completely modded) 7-watt 300B
2 Altec 1570B monoblocks (re-built and modded from ground up- not by ME of course!!) ~165 wpc in triode.

GTA's on highs; and Altecs on bass duty in a bi-amp setup with Coincident speakers.

Its gonna be fun...
Kubla- check your e-mail- (let's discuss...)

Bruce- how are ya? Haven't decided on speakers yet. Unfortunately, the only room avaialable for the system right now is a tiny 8'x10' second bedroom, with furniture already in there! (gonna be a little tight...). Girlfriend & I are in smaller 2-bdm apartment, and main A/V system (Theta Dreadnaught 5-channel SS amp; 5 Totem Mani-2 speakers; and Sim Attraction Processor; etc.) dominates main room- so only second bdm left.

So, based on that restriction, Israel has recommended the Partial Eclipse for now ('cause Super's or Total's bass would probably overload a tiny room like that big time). But yes, Supers (with new Silk Dome-based tweeter), would be eventual solution given bigger room... How's your system these days?
Rute1- thanks SO much- that sounds like a good resource, and I will definitely check it out!

South 43- They amps were rebuilt by Israel Blume of Coincident Speakers (in fact, they were the heart of his personal reference system, along with a rare Audion preamp and his Total Eclipse speakers). E-mail me if you want to talk about it.