<html>
Hi JH,<br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite cite>Is a stabilized PSU desirable for audio tube
circuits at all ?<br>
(Many say it's not.)</blockquote><br>
I guess that depends on the circuit's application. The sound of many
"classic" guitar amps is related to the power supply's
stability (or lack thereof). The small capacitor values and low
purveyance of the vacuum rectifier create a supply that can be modulated
by the transients in the signal. It's well known that you can destroy the
sound of a some classic pieces by replacing the caps with larger values,
or even parts of different impedance, ESR etc.<br>
<br>
On the other hand, in hi fidelity applications, a rigid supply is always
desirable, with the possible exception of localized degeneration used as
negative feedback. Many high-end tube circuits employ vacuum-tube
regulated power supplies, for several reasons. The fact that tube
regulators handle high voltages well is a primary reason, but there is
also a difference in the sound. The tube regulators have a more musical,
less grainy sound than do solid state regulators... Believe it or not
:)<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div>+----------------------------------------------------------+</div>
<div>| "The" Bill Layer -
Frogtown, Minnesota. U.S.A. |</div>
<div>| Vacuum tubes, Analog, Motorcycles and Other Alternatives |</div>
<div>+----------------------------------------------------------+<x-tab> </x-tab></div>
<div>+---------------------+
+---------------------------------+</div>
<div>| <blayer@uswest.net> | |
<b.layer@vikingelectronics.com> |</div>
<div>+---------------------+
+---------------------------------+</div>
</html>