> what's the big deal? (with tube amps)
The tube amp itself is very easy really. There are plenty of good
designs out there in netland to copy and improve upon. BUT... the MOTM
power supply gives out only +15V. Now we need to get this up to 100V or
higher to run our tube(s) properly. This can be done by a variety of
ways but it is noisy, in an interfering with gentle analogue
electronics, kind of way. If we had access to the AC line voltage, or
even a low voltage AC feed it would be easier. However, any voltage
above 25V needs to be insulated to prevent any contact between it and
you. This is very hard on my PCBs, open at the back, and even on Paul's
he needs to consider how he's going to get the power to the tubes
safely.
I have shied away from my own power supply project too, although I do
have one of my own, I do not intend to market any PCB for it. I actually
don't know what the legal restrictions are on selling to users with
regard to line level or equivalent voltages. But it does appear to be a
minefield that I do not intend to go into. If someone were to illuminate
me on this topic I would be interested. But no matter how many
disclaimers I make with this sort of project, I wonder just how safe my
liability is.
Regards,
Tony Allgood Penrith, Cumbria, England
Oakley Modular Synth and TB3030:
www.techrepairs.freeserve.co.uk/projects.htm
My music: www.mp3.com/taklamakan