Review: Designing Power Supplies for Tube Amplifiers by Merlin Blencowe
Review: Designing Power Supplies for Tube Amplifiers by Merlin Blencowe
If you are interested in building or repairing tube amplifiers, you may have heard of Merlin Blencowe, a British engineer and author who has written two books on the subject: Designing Valve Preamps for Guitar and Bass and Designing Power Supplies for Tube Amplifiers. The latter book is the focus of this review.
designing-power-supplies-for-tube-amplifiers-merlin-blencowe-pdf
Power supplies are often overlooked or taken for granted by many tube amp enthusiasts, but they are essential for the proper operation and performance of any amplifier. A well-designed power supply can improve the sound quality, reliability, and efficiency of a tube amp, while a poorly-designed one can cause noise, hum, instability, and even damage to the tubes and components.
Blencowe's book covers the theory and practice of designing power supplies for tube amplifiers in a clear and comprehensive way. He explains the basic principles of electricity, transformers, rectifiers, filters, regulators, and protection circuits, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of different types of power supply topologies. He also provides many practical examples and schematics of power supply circuits for various tube amp applications, such as guitar amps, hi-fi amps, preamps, phono stages, and headphone amps.
The book is written in a friendly and engaging style, with plenty of illustrations, diagrams, tables, and formulas. Blencowe assumes some basic knowledge of electronics and tube amp circuits, but he also provides useful appendices on tube data, component values, safety tips, and troubleshooting. The book is suitable for beginners who want to learn the basics of power supply design, as well as for experienced builders who want to refine their skills and knowledge.
The book is currently out of print and hard to find online. However, you can still get a copy from some secondhand bookstores or online sellers[^1^] [^3^]. You can also contact Blencowe through his website[^2^] and ask him about the availability of his books. He may also have some corrections or updates on his books that he can share with you.
In conclusion, Designing Power Supplies for Tube Amplifiers is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the art and science of power supply design for tube amps. It is well-written, informative, and enjoyable to read. It will help you to design better power supplies for your tube amp projects and improve your understanding of how they work.
If you want to learn more about the topics covered in this book, you can also check out Blencowe's website, where he has posted some articles and tutorials on tube amp design and power supply design. You can also find some links to other useful resources and websites on tube amp technology and history.
Another way to learn more about power supply design is to experiment with different circuits and components. You can use simulation software, such as LTspice or PSUD2, to test and analyze your power supply designs before building them. You can also use a multimeter, an oscilloscope, and a dummy load to measure and monitor the voltage, current, ripple, and noise of your power supply circuits. You should always follow the safety precautions and guidelines when working with high voltages and currents.
Power supply design is a fascinating and rewarding aspect of tube amp building. It can make a big difference in the sound and performance of your tube amps. By reading Blencowe's book and applying his advice, you can design your own power supplies for tube amplifiers with confidence and creativity. e0e6b7cb5c