Audio Engineering: Know It All

Chapter 11. Valve (Tube-Based) Amplifiers

Although the bulk of modern electronic circuitry is based on “solid-state” components, for very good engineering reasons—one could not, for example, build a compact disc player using valves and still have room in one’s house to sit down and listen to it—all the early audio amplifiers were based on valves, and it is useful to know how these worked and what the design problems and circuit options were in order to get a better understanding of the technology. Also, there is still interest on the part of some “hi-fi” enthusiasts in the construction and use of valve-operated audio amplifiers, and additional information on valve based circuitry may be welcomed by them.

11.1. Valves or Vacuum Tubes

The term ...