Tube DIY Asylum: Facts, etc. by gdahl

Hi cheap-Jack,

We have been using 6CJ3â€™s, which we got from Antique Electronic Supply. As Lynn wrote on Nutshell, they are quieter than the other rectifiers we have tried, and have a nice, slow warm-up characteristic. On the down side, they draw fairly high heater current, and must be used in pairs.

If you have the chance to audition Sakumaâ€™s amplifiers, it wonâ€™t provide any insight into the sound of Lynnâ€™s designs. There are too many differences, especially in impedance ratios and operating points. I have heard both Sakuma's and Lynn's amps, and they donâ€™t sound at all similarâ€”in fact, they couldnâ€™t be more different. As far as the issue of inserting transformers into the audio signal, I would just say that we consider them to be more transparent than capacitors, and have higher impedance than resistors. Most importantly, transformers allow one to keep the audio signal out of capacitors, as much as possible.

You criticize Lynn for allegedly promoting tube equipment as a manufacturer. Lynn has never offered a single tube component for sale to anyone in his whole life. None are for sale on the Nutshell site, and if you contacted him to ask, he would have to suggest that you either build it yourself or find someone to build it for you. Doesnâ€™t sound like an equipment manufacturer, does it?

For ten years now, beginning with the Ariel loudspeaker, Lynn has offered his designs on the web, free for anyoneâ€™s personal use. Many people have built his designs.

Lynn does operate a business (formerly with Hiroshi Ito, now with me) which sells audio-related items, which can be found on our web site. Since you are so interested in facts, you have undoubtedly noticed that we never mention these products on the forum. We believe in abiding by the rules.

I donâ€™t recall Lynn ever having posted anything to the forum about having plans to offer amplifiers for sale; maybe I missed it. But he is free to write anything he wants on his own web site, isn't he? Lynn doesnâ€™t owe it to anyone to refrain perpetually from earning money from his designs.

If we ever do offer tube components for sale, then of course we will need to refrain from discussing them on the forum, except in response to specific questions, in accordance with the rules.

I'm sure the moderators let us know if we post anything in violation of the rules.

Gary Dahl

"So many tubes, so little time..."