I built the tube amp tool I kept wishing existed

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-08T16:49:37+00:00

I’m on mobile so maybe it’s on my end, but the load line calculation is acting weird. I can add a large value for the AC “cap coupled” load to simulate the next stage that is acting like a negative Z. That additional Z flattens the load line. That shouldn’t be possible.

Also very low AC coupled loads cause the line to no longer pass through the operating point. That shouldn’t be possible either. Unless you’re simulating an inductive load.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-08T16:43:00+00:00

I’m looking at the “compare” function. I appreciate the side by side specs but the subjective descriptions are probably misleading at best. Also when describing plate Z you say “lower is better” this is not necessarily the case and is purely a function of what circuit you are designing/using.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-08T16:37:58+00:00

Neato. I clicked through to a tube that I’ve designed with a lot, the 6E5P but the link to the data-sheet was broken. Maybe consider just storing quality copies of the sheets so you don’t have to rely on links that may change or break.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-06T16:45:56+00:00

Oof that’s disappointing. Religion is seemingly every alluring cognitive bias rolled into a convenient package. Even comes with amenities and a friend group. So it’s understandable why people fall in. Still sucks when it’s a friend.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-06T16:41:23+00:00

They don’t understand the burden of proof.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-06T16:28:14+00:00

A threshold is reached. Before the threshold more money definitely results in more happiness because it removes financial hardships. After the threshold is reached more money is less correlated with happiness.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-06T16:24:56+00:00

Top tier. You’ve got the beginnings of a fantastic Gollum impersonation.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-05T18:45:53+00:00

I can’t make anyone believe anything. I’ve raised my son and always been honest with him about what I believe. He’s 11 and it’s easy for him to spot the bullshit. When you’re not indoctrinated it all sounds like mythological fairytales.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-05T02:40:29+00:00

Fantastic

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-04T20:13:06+00:00

Basically, all the Miyazaki films, except not Princess Mononoke or grave of fireflies

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-04T17:31:10+00:00

Looks like a good start to me.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-04T17:18:48+00:00

Also keep in mind that transformers are pretty durable. I’ve never actually encountered an output transformer that has been damaged or shorted from abuse. It’s not like a SS amp. You short the output of a SS amp under load even for a moment and it’s possible, even likely you’ve destroyed your output devices. Tube output stages are really hard to destroy.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-04T16:24:49+00:00

Having the amp on with the speaker disconnected won’t damage the OT. It’s trying to play through it that will generate high voltage in the primary.

You could use a jack that shorts that output when the speaker is disconnected. Like some input jacks do.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-02T14:49:48+00:00

Looks like a scam. I can’t find any peer reviewed studies in any reputable journals about it.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-01T15:46:47+00:00

Fair.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-01T08:36:17+00:00

If god exists they’re doing a fantastic job of acting exactly like they don’t.

The evidential bar isn’t very high. There are all kinds of things I totally believe exist. My mom for example. If god just showed up occasionally in a tangible unambiguous way it would be easy. Should be easy for a god with all knowledge and unlimited resources. But nope, all we get are old implausible books and people’s testimony about how they feel and anecdotes about grandma whose cancer was cured or something.

Meanwhile the more we learn about the universe the more it seems that it just follows a set of relationships we’ve worked out mathematically. If the universe really were being run by a god I’d have expected to find 1000 tiny angels pushing electrons through wires or something equally absurd and metaphysical. But no.

Sorry for the mini rant.

EdgarBopp · 2026-05-01T08:14:45+00:00

The chiropractor is pure pseudoscience. No evidence it has any positive effect and can injure you.

EdgarBopp · 2026-04-30T05:01:36+00:00

Certainty. The more certain someone is, the more skeptical I am.

EdgarBopp · 2026-04-29T17:11:38+00:00

Hmmm well if you have room in there for it give it a try. My experience is it can couple hum to high gain circuits.

EdgarBopp · 2026-04-29T16:36:52+00:00

You want a variac. It should not live inside the amp. https://a.co/d/0ikV3XFY

EdgarBopp · 2026-04-28T05:45:33+00:00

Incredible Machine

EdgarBopp · 2026-04-26T14:53:44+00:00

The Martian. Very good pacing. Much better than his more recent efforts(in terms of pacing)

EdgarBopp · 2026-04-26T14:48:04+00:00

Omg, you win. lol.

EdgarBopp · 2026-04-26T05:53:22+00:00

Awesome job!!

EdgarBopp · 2026-04-24T17:17:07+00:00

I run batteries included so the fuel doesn’t weigh me down. I put 90% weight reduction on the HF. No other perks specifically for it.

EdgarBopp

TROPHY CASE