1, 2, 3... watt EL84 alternatives?

[Gdavis2265]

Hey Guys,

Wondering if there is a very low-power alternative to the EL84's - Mainly getting the cranked amp sound at very low volume for home recording and such. Isn't there some company Smitz or TAD, I know it was something like that. I think they produced one watt each. Or am I all wet on this? Love the sound and crunch of the 18watt, but still too damn loud for my wife. (I know that speaker distortion and/or compression plays a big factor, as well as the sound of the overdriven 84's) Just thought that if I could find some low power tubes, I'd give them a whirl.

Any help much appreciated.

[rjgtr]

In your situation an attenuator is probably the best solution. A lower power tube will compromise the tone a lot and not have that much volume. Do a search on the forums for "L-PAD" and "In Wall Attenuator". There's an in wall attenuator (not an L-Pad) that many people like.

I personally use a HotPlate or MASS and like them, but the in-wall attenuator is more cost effective.

[str82hvn]

In your situation an attenuator is probably the best solution. A lower power tube will compromise the tone a lot and not have that much volume. Do a search on the forums for "L-PAD" and "In Wall Attenuator". There's an in wall attenuator (not an L-Pad) that many people like.

I personally use a HotPlate or MASS and like them, but the in-wall attenuator is more cost effective.

str82hvn votes for the THD Hotplate.

www.thdelectronics.com

[Gdavis2265]

Yea, I have a WeberMass 100- I guess these amps sounds so good because of the EL84's runnin on the ragged edge.

[marshman]

Another option...certainly not a modification to your 18, but, hey...

http://www.sonicdeli.com/ThunderTweakWe ... watter.htm

What have you got to lose?

[doctornorbert]

You may want to check this out also:

http://www.guytronix.com/pages/1/index.htm

But yeah, an attenuator should probably do it.

[zaphod_phil]

DennisF built a version of the 18W Lite II, but using a 12AU7 for the power tube - kind of a 1.8W Lite II
http://members.cox.net/dennisfweb/
It's the second one down. I also vote for the attenuator idea.

str82hvn votes for the THD Hotplate.

I don't vote for THD's prices, though...

[Artpak]

I am interested in building Dennis F's version of the 18 watt lite, can someone please recommend an appropriate power transformer to use? thanks very much in advance,
Art

[brownnote]

Here's my answer...3 watts with balls!

<img src="http://www.brown-note.com/3watt/3watt.jpg">

It's a one tube push pull power section.

I have another version of this amp that uses a total of 2 tubes for 2 gain stages, a PI and a push-pull power section.

This one is a Magnatone derivative, but you can also build it as an 18watt LITE and sub in the one tube power section with stellar results.