Vacuum Tube Amplifiers by Steve White

EMPIRE ELECTRON AMPLIFIERS

Posted in vacuum tube amplifiers on October 16, 2008 by glassart1684

My name is Steve White. I am a vacuum tube power amplifier scratch builder from Peterborough Ontario Canada. I also go by the name “EMPIRE ELECTRON AMPLIFIERS“. I am a one man operation building the entire amplifier myself by hand. I learned this old world art form from a well known and admired builder from California. As his apprentice, I worked very hard to develop and perfect my own style and master the electronic theories. In order to accommodate the various differences and characteristics of the different components I use (such as different tubes and transformers etc.), I must make changes in the circuit to achieve the best results in sound quality. This tuning is the make or break point in the successful completion of any amplifier. This can only be accomplished by listening and making the appropriate changes using your ears. Your ears will tell you if it sounds good or not, not any kind of measuring equipment. Those devices are simply not accurate enough. With that said, I have measured the T.H.D. (total harmonic distortion) on these units and they consistently read .0001 T.H.D., so if you like numbers, there you go. I am not only the designer and builder of the look of the amplifier, but I also make design changes to the schematic template I use in all of my vacuum tube amplifiers. This is the true definition of a scratch builder, one who builds all aspects of the amplifier including the circuit itself.

Handcrafting these amplifiers has been my calling and passion for quite sometime now and I am more than happy to share my work with all of you out there who are like me, passionate about great uncoloured sound reproduction. What I build are 100% handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, custom, never to be duplicated, signed and dated on the inside ~ as all great works of art should be, power vacuum tube amplifiers. I will bet that once you’ve heard one of my works, you will say that it is the BEST sounding amplifier you’ve ever heard, and once you’ve seen one of these amplifiers, you’ll say it’s the most unique looking piece of electronics you’ve ever seen!

If you would like to contact me, please do so via my email address at…

eeamps@gmail.com

or by telephone at

(705)876-9193

Steve White

Please note:

To see availability, prices and general information on each picture, just drag your mouse over the picture without clicking and the information window will appear. Click your mouse once and the picture will super-size. Click again and you can really zoom in to see the finest details.

Our local news Paper “The Peterborough Examiner” published an article about me and my work. Here is a copy of that….

The Examiner has a short video that you can view by clicking on the link in the right hand column called “Peterborough Examiner Article” under the “Blogroll” column.

ALL AMPLIFIERS YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE BELOW OPERATE IN CLASS ‘A’ MODE.

This is the first amp I ever sold. It’s an ultra-linear push pull 40 watt per channel 807 power tube amp using 807 radio transmission tubes….

Here is another 807 amp, but this one runs in Tetrode mode at 30 watts per channel. Operating at 325 vdc on the plates of the 807’s, this amp has a very nice set of power and output transformers. It’s available for $2,775.00

Painted Ocean blue with lots of ice peal metal flake.

I’d like to talk a bit about the 807 radio transmission tube for a minute. The 807 was originally intended and designed for the military during World War II. Used as the final output tube in field radio transmitters, it’s a very robust and powerful tube capable of 750 vdc on it’s plates or anode. The operator of the field radio was called a ‘Sparky’ due to the fact that he was often jolted with the high voltages used in the radio as he operated and maintained the unit. All 807 tubes are military tubes and therefore are superbly built able to withstand just about any environment. These operators were highly skilled and a tight bunch that used to hang out together and share thoughts and ideas. When they would say, “I’ll meet you for an 807 later on.” they meant a cold beer. The 807 tube having that Coke bottle shape to it was the reason for the reference.

The 807 was therefore never intended to be used as an amplifier tube in audio Hi-Fi, but since I liked the shape and the grid wire on the top, I made adjustments and designed my circuit around the 807 to accept the unique voltage and operating parameters of the tube. Success meant that I would have an amplifier available to my clients that no one else could offer. So beautiful and unique, the 807 amplifier sounds as good or better than any other amplifier I’ve ever heard. It has a lot to do with the large glass envelope and very high voltage capabilities. As far as I know, the 807 amplifier is an exclusive offering that only I manufacture as a regular offering. All of my 807 amps run at voltages far below the maximum allowable so expect the tubes to last many many years, and since the 807 is so plentiful at very reasonable prices, largely due to the fact that the only ones using the 807 are ‘Ham’ radio operators that have tubes based equipment making the 807 amplifier a bargain to re-tube.

Here’s an up close picture of an RCA- 807 Radiotron tube…

This army green 6AQ5 runs in Tetrode mode at 15 watts per channel with 12AU7 input driver tubes. Sold long ago, the owner would never part with it.

Now, here I have a very unique 807 amp that can run in either Tetrode or Triode mode via a switch on the back of the amp that can be selected on-the-fly while the amp is in operation with absolutely no danger to the amp. Most amps must be powered down when any mode selecting is taking place but not my amps. You can select at anytime.

This amp will give you 40 watts per channel in Tetrode mode and about 30 watts per channel in Triode mode.

It also uses a solid state rectifier so a stand-by switch is used to allow the tubes to be warmed up first before adding the 359 vdc to the plates of the 807 radio transmission tubes.

As with all of my amps, this is a unique design of my own, never to be duplicated.

Priced at $3,345.00

Here is one of my favourite styles and layouts. This one has inspired quite a few of my later creations. The 807 ‘Book-shelf’ amp. Meant to be long and lean to sit on a shelf that has hopefully a white wall behind it. You see, there are six blue neon lights that line the back panel of the amp and with the aid of the white wall behind the amp, you will see a blue glow along the back of the amp. To help with this affect, I had the amp painted white and added blue pearl metal flake imbedded in the eight coats of clear on top of the white paint. This makes the entire amp seem to have a blue glow as it picks up the blue light that is being reflected off the back wall. The look and affect is really spectacular! Also operating with a set of 6 amp silicon diodes for AC/DC rectification, this amp uses the dual set of On/Off and Stand-By switches to allow for tube warm up time during start up.

Priced at $3,300.00

The very first amplifier I ever made, and long since sold, a beautiful Sunscape yellow 6L6 / EL-34 with 40 watts per channel.

Dubbed the ‘Twins” even though they’re not, each of these 6L6 / EL-34’s put out 40 watts per channel in a Tetrode mode. Both are sold.

A push pull 6BQ5 unit rated at 18 watts per channel. This unit is also sold.

This beautiful Ocean blue 6BQ5 18 watt per channel amp was a special order and sold before it was begun.

Here is my second ever amp much like the first except it has different outputs. This amp lives in sunny Florida. An EL-34 / 6L6 rated at 30 watts per channel. Sold.

This amp resides in Toronto where it’s owner who has owned units worth $20k plus bought this amp from me. He has since sold off ALL of his current and vintage tube and solid state amplifiers. In his own words Mike says my amplifiers ‘eat’ everything out there! Even the most expensive gear can’t compare, he says. This is a sentiment I hear all the time, just take a look down at the bottom of the page where you’ll be able to read comments left by my customers. They speak volumes!

Here is Mike’s amp…

6L6 / EL- 34 40 watts per channel amplifier painted in a jet black with prismatic sparkles that change colour depending on the angle you view the amp at.

This little 6AQ5 single ended amp putting out 6 watts per channel would surprise you. The owner of this amp has four of my units including the 1950’s red push-pull-parallel 100 watt per channel monster I made just for him. He bought this little amp for his Son. With 300 vdc on the plates of the 6AQ5 power tubes, this amp can easily put a solid state amp pumping out 10 times the power to shame!

This EL-34 / 6L6 amp styled in a 1950’s theme lives here in Peterborough. Just an other example of how word of mouth promoting my work has really spread here in town. I have 14 clients in town who own one or more of my units. All through word of mouth or being at a client’s home and seeing/hearing one of my amps and you know how it goes the next thing you know, they are calling to place an order.

This next amp dubbed the Black Knight is a unique amp that has only just become available. It’s an Integrated amp meaning it doesn’t need a pre-amplifier. Since there is a line stage pre-amp with a volume control built in, you only need to plug your CD player or what ever line stage device you have, be it a tuner, satellite input, stereo TV receiver, I-pod, or what have you into the amp and after connecting a set of speakers to the outputs, you’re done! This amp was built for someone who just wanted a simple set up at a great price point!

(A good pre-amp can cost anywhere from $800.00 to a few thousand.)

With 40 watts per channel using 6L6 or EL-34 power tubes, 6SN7 driver tubes and a dual set of 5AR4 rectifier tubes that give you maximum current and voltage values, this all octal amp is well priced at $1,100.00

This has to be my favourite single ended amp. The design was taken directly from the Afrikann Eclipse orange 807 that does Tetrode and Triode modes. Bought by a gentleman who makes very nice and expensive custom speakers, loved this unit the second he heard it. The speakers he makes are very efficient so he didn’t need more than 20 watts per channel. This amp delivers 25 watts per channel so it was a nice fit with plenty of head room thanks to the large envelope of the 807 radio transmission tubes. With 409 vdc on the plates, the only way to really describe this amp is magic! The amp can also run 5933 power tubes. They are an even higher grade of military 807.

Owned by a client who was a friend before I started building amplifiers, was a driving force for me where audio was concerned– Professor Driscoll of Trent University owns this amp. Jim has the pleasure and privilege of being my second set of ears. When ever I complete a new amp, I let Jim take it for a test drive. He has always loved my work, and he really enjoys the job!

His amp is a 6L6 / EL-34 with 12AU7 driver tubes and a 5U4G rectifier putting out a conservative 35 watts per channel.

If you are interested in my process of amplifier building, here are a few more pictures showing one in different stages of completion.

I have been getting a lot of requests for one of these ~ here’s the new 80 watt per channel Push-Pull-Parallel 6L6. Huge sound stage and great depth. Way more power than anyone really needs!

For those of you who have been following my work and this particular amplifier, here it is all finished! Painted a stunning electric purple. The tuning is all complete and it sounds fantastic! Your neighbours will be calling the boys in blue if you crank up the volume on this one! I bet I can get it to read 9.5 on the Richtar scale,…. I think I’ll try….

Here’s a picture of the circuit. I love to way over build things and here is an example of that- each 6L6 sits on it’s own bias circuit. Very stable that! Lot’s of time to do it, but it’s the best way to go. Two sets of heater circuits here also~one very high current capability 6.3v circuit for the 8 power tubes, and another 6.3v heater circuit for the signal tubes. Also for added stability and reserve power is 3,840 mfd. of capacitance, and rectification is taken care of by a pair of silicon diodes capable of handling 6 amps each!

This next amp is a single ended 5881. The chassis measures 10″x 6″x 2″, perfect for a condo where room is at a premium, or in the study. Depending on what rectifier tube you choose, you can run 6v6, 6L6, 5881, or EL-34 power tubes. A very fun and versatile little amp!

Since the last push-pull-parallel was so successful, I’ve been commissioned to build another one. Needless to say this one was sold even before I even began building it. Since this amp was being designed for a real techie, I wanted him to be able to have fun trying different output tubes. With this amp, he can run 6V6, 5881, 6L6, Kt-66, Kt-77, and EL-34 simply by changing rectifier tubes and with the addition of a switch, he can turn off one of the two rectifier tubes to give him the option to change the operating voltages from 290vdc all the way up to 380vdc.

Designed to have a 1950’s flair, here is my next Push-pull-parallel amplifier.

Here’s the newest available amp. Designed for the heavy machinery crowd, the CATERPILLAR amp. With a heavy-duty On/Off switch and classic amber jewel pilot light, and 4-8-16 ohm selector switch on the back panel, this amp painted the classic Caterpillar yellow with brilliant white pearl metal flake imbedded in the eight coats of clear gives the guy who has everything, even more….

Here is another single ended 6L6 I just finished. Built as a gift for a very generous retired Bell Canada tech. Finished in a deep sea green. Thanks again Stan!

The next amp up for grabs is this new Kt-88 / 6550 seventy watt per channel monster! This is my first amp using these power tubes. The power transformer is fairly hard to come by and that’s why you won’t see too many 6550 / Kt-88 amps from me. I don’t think this one will be available for too long as most audiophiles will wait in the weeds for a Kt-88 6550 since they are simply the most powerful of them all and very rare. Priced at $3,300.00. (Again, as I have said earlier, you can see availability and prices simply by placing your curser over any picture and the info window will appear as a long yellow box.)

This amp named after it’s striking red colour and ice pearl clear coat, called the ‘Fire-Cracker amp’.

Amplifier number 29 is named ‘FLASH-QUATTRO’ or four flashes. The name came to me while building this new 807. I was thinking of how art-deco the 807 tube really is and then the old 1930’s series called Flash-Gordon came to mind. The name seemed to fit, and since there are four 807 tubes the Italian word ‘quattro’ meaning 4 just seemed to have the sound and feel I was looking for, hence the name.

This new 807 is rated at 40 watts per channel and is painted with the exact same colour and affect as the Fire-Cracker amp. This colour is called ‘fire-cracker-red’ and the affect is ‘ice-pearl’ metal flake. The colour and look seemed to really suite this amp as well.

Flash-Quattro has very unique output transformers, in that they have output taps for 1,4,8,16 ohm speakers. I’ve added a selector switch on the back so that the user can choose which impedance he prefers on-the-fly. No one does this, but to me, it just makes sense to do things this way.

Price for this amp $3,300.00

I recently had the opportunity to re-build a pair of stereo organ amps that would be used for Hi-Fi. The customer initially brought them over to my house in their original form with the original 6BQ5 circuit to see if they sounded as good as my amps. Within 5 seconds it was clear that these units deserved to be reconstructed keeping only the chassis and transformers, the rest of the circuit would be stripped out, as they did not sound good at all. I suggest to the customer that I could be-build these units into really great sounding 6L6 monsters instead of 6BQ5 units. After answering a few questions, he agreed to the re- construction.

Here is the result….

One of my transformer suppliers sent me 2 of these mono Baldwin Organ chassis. I liked the tube layout, so I turned them into 2 stereo 6BQ5 push pull 12 watt per channel amps and painted them both black. The only visible difference between the two is one has a pilot light where the other has a tube. They each have different output transformers but the power transformer is the same on both. One went to that transformer supplier as his personal amp, and the other went to Tim at Bluestreak Records who has been a huge promoter of my work.

While I’m at it, I like to thank both Tim and Steve for their tireless work in the audio community and helping me to keep vacuum tube technology alive!

Here is a very unique project that I’ve wanted to do since I was 5 years old,… really! I’ve always wanted to build my own 1960’s style console stereo, so here is my version of a 1966 Empire console stereo.

First I took a pair of identical cabinets made by Magnavox and added height to one to accommodate the height of the turntable, and shrunk the other one to create a satellite speaker that can be placed anywhere in the room and spaced far enough away from the main system to create the true stereo affect. Next I had the two cabinets painted Jet black with ice-pearl metal flake in the clear coat to give it that 1960’s look. Next I took a 1960’s Garrard Type A turntable and re-built it to it’s original splender and instead of hiding the tube amplifier inside the cabinet, I placed an 807 power tube amplifier right next to the turntable for all to see, because to me the tubes are art!

Here is the result…

I would first like to thank those who made it possible for me to realize my vision:

My painter: Joel Luttrell

My carpenter: Tony Buell

My supplier of the Garrard Type A: Mike Demier

My supplier of the transformer set: Steve Baker