Book Review: Examining Fundamental Amplifier Techniques with Electron Tubes, 2nd Edition

Richard Honeycutt reviews the second and more extensive edition of this electronics classic, Fundamental Amplifier Techniques with Electron Tubes. He gives high marks to this massive tome that provides useful information about electron tube technology, including their power supplies, for the design and DIY construction of these electron tube audio amplifiers.

Here’s an amp project especially for first-time builders featuring the 6BQ5 tube. As Rick Spencer writes in its introduction, "In order for this beloved hobby of ours to thrive and survive well into the future, we must always strive to make it interesting to newcomers." With this in mind, Rick Spencer created this single-ended design using the 6BQ5/EL84 tube in triode mode. This article was originally published in audioXpress, October 2008.

This article focuses on the Poddwatt Series II stereo integrated valve amplifier, a project with roots that go back several years. The design continues to be relevant and to evolve. I call the basic design an “Oddwatt” because of its “odd” configuration, using two stages. This article was originally published in audioXpress, May 2013.

IK Multimedia announced AmpliTube MESA/Boogie, a new collaboration with the R&D Team at Mesa Engineering that brings some of the most legendary tones from the original boutique manufacturer’s amplifiers and cabinets to its AmpliTube 3 Custom Shop for Mac and PC.