A new type of tube guitar amplifier

gonzo · December 16th, 2009, 11:40 AM

i just found out about this thing....

i'd be curious to know if anybody else knows anything about it.....

A NEW TYPE OF TUBE GUITAR AMPLIFIER

(my apologies if this has been covered before)

GAGA-50-- Advantages: All-tube, 5 pounds, 50 watts

lighter and smaller than typical tube amps & lighter than comparably powered transistorized amps

no audio output transformer or its limitations and distortions

freedom to use any number or combination of octal output tubes

widely adjustable output tube distortion vs output volume level

immediate recovery from overdrive; touch-responsive output tube distortion

drives any load and sustains dead shorts or total disconnects at full power

automatic bias and automatic idle / standby of any number or combination of output tubes

lower operating temperature, greatly extended tube lifetimes (expected)

increased reliability and stability, improved amplitude and phase accuracy

more perfect coupling of output tubes to speaker (i.e., no parasitics or saturation)

more tube-like operation of output tubes (i.e., lower current, higher impedance)

triode-like characteristics presented to speakers, even from pentodes

advanced, fully regulated, switching power supplies

no heavy power transformers, magnetics or choke filters

world power ready: plug and play anywhere

powerful, agile, innovative: brings true tone closer

full power over unmatched, wide frequency response

top-quality parts, USA made, high-end audio pedigree, experienced designers

Most Musical Tube Amplifiers by Milbert Amplifiers

The Gear Page - View Single Post - Why can't tube amps be smarter? My wishlist - add your wants

stratagem · December 16th, 2009, 12:06 PM

So... does it sound good?

gonzo · December 16th, 2009, 12:16 PM

i listened to the clips, and was completely underwhelmed.
yep, i have no way to know from the clips, whether i'd really like it or not.

now, if the technology gives me the ultra deep lows i like, without the mud or midrange, and the high end can easily be sweetened....

if the distortion levels are much more variable than the clips show...

if it takes pedals well.....

i can see how this COULD blow away all other tube designs.
everything i HATE HATE HATE about tube amps, this amp does away with. (i'm a tube amp snob i guess, i've played tube amps of every make and model since 1975)

but, the proof is in the pudding, as they say.
i gotta not only hear one, but feel the way it translates what i do, thru the speaker.

that is golden.

highway-one · December 16th, 2009, 12:54 PM

It looks like the killer mushrooms inside have a better chance of jumping out and grabbing you.

gonzo · December 16th, 2009, 01:36 PM

Technology

White Papers

ZOTL Technology vs Audio Output Transformers

This paper demonstrates the electrical performance of an amplifier using the ZOTL technology versus the identical amplifier using a high-quality audio output transformer and presents these differences using oscillographs.

Electronic Devices and the Amplification Process

This paper shows how a curve tracer can be used to explore the attributes of the ZOTL technology and contrast it to the shortcomings of the audio output transformer. Also shown is how this tool can be used to optimally design an amplifier.

Patents

5,612,646 Output Transformerless Amplifier Impedance Matching Apparatus

This patent teaches the principles behind the Berning ZOTL technology that can properly match the impedance of vacuum tubes to the impedance of speakers without using audio output transformers. The impedance conversion is done with dc-dc switching converters operating at fixed frequencies well above audio frequencies. The actual voltage and current impedance transformations are done via special high-frequency transformers. This is an RF carrier system that eliminates the frequency-dependent distortions present in audio transformers, and can enable the amplifier to have a wider frequency response and be dc coupled.

4,163,198 Audio Amplifier

This patent details a hybrid tube-FET amplification stage that forms the basis of the Berning TF-10 preamplifier. An important advantage of this amplification stage is the elimination of the parasitic feedback capacitance and thus providing a stage with improved transient response.

3,995,226 Audio Amplifier

This patent describes the screen drive philosophy that has become an important part of many of the Berning power amplifier designs to the present day. The screen drive allows tubes to be operated at much higher efficiencies, much higher power output, and at greatly enhanced reliability. Whereas the patent shows transistors driving tubes, the same principles apply to presently implemented versions of tubes driving tubes. This is also known as the "enhancement" amplifier.

phildobbin · December 16th, 2009, 02:33 PM

two grand? They gotta be kidding. Get a proper amp for that ;-)...

gonzo · December 16th, 2009, 03:17 PM

what's not to like about a new PROPER amp?!

LOL

automatic bias

lighter and smaller

no audio output transformer

ny number or combination of octal output tubes

Allows full output tube distortion at any volume level

immediate recovery from overdrive; touch-responsive output tube distortion

drives any load

greatly extended tube lifetimes

world power ready

i wished my boogie could do ANY of that!!

LOL

stratagem · December 16th, 2009, 04:36 PM

But... does it sound good?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist. I love specs as much as the next guy but Line 6 says that there tube amp modelling is graphically analyzed and yada yada... Many things are not what their specs suggest they should be. And if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

budglo · December 16th, 2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratagem

But... does it sound good?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist. I love specs as much as the next guy but Line 6 says that there tube amp modelling is graphically analyzed and yada yada... Many things are not what their specs suggest they should be. And if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

I have to agree, too much of the so called"modern technology" is very unimpressive.Tried the Line 6 stuff and "yawn" very over rated.Still playing 30 year old tube amps and a guitar that was designed in 1954.

gonzo · December 16th, 2009, 05:54 PM

stratagem
i hear you man.
LOL
totally...
i say, ok, put it out on the showroom floor, and lets fire her up!!
heheh

but, i have to say, i find this thing totally fascinating.
i've not seen ANYTHING like this before.....

and you have to really dig into the patents, and the details of it, to answer alot of the obvious questions.

there's nothing in the LINE 6 stuff, that is even remotely connected to this.

gonzo · December 16th, 2009, 05:55 PM

More information on the technology:

Tube amplifiers for high-end audio by The David Berning Company

References to the Patents provided.

Carlsoti · December 16th, 2009, 06:01 PM

audio output transformer limitations and distortions are part of what give tube amps their "character". If I wanted to do away with all of that, I'd run a DI box into a PA.

With that said, I'm all for exploration of new technologies; just don't throw the baby out with the bath-water.

In addition, I do really like the spanky clean sounds, but I'm no Jazz Technician or Chicken-Picker, so I couldn't really put that to use.

waya · December 16th, 2009, 07:46 PM

For two grand you could almost buy two Metropolis amp kits or four MOD101 60 watt amp kits. Yeah the five pounds would be something light to carry around but I could live with something heavier for a lot less money. BUT...this amp does offer a lot of features no one else has. I may have to cough up the dough to buy one of these amps. Maybe. Definitely would have to try one out first-hand.

The Cruz · December 17th, 2009, 07:17 PM

I listened to the clips and I am still waiting to be impressed. Still five pounds is kind of cool. If they can get the price down and more folks adopt this design I would have to listen again.

The racers like to say "The last of the old always beats the first of the new." ZOTL technology might be the first of the new or it might be a passing fad.

zag1 · December 18th, 2009, 11:31 AM

Quite impressive! Great for "well to do" collectors, pros, and "serious" GAS addicts. Would be nice to have some new, great, & innovative development for regular folks now and then. Wait a minute, we do have "The Luchbox" by ZT Amplifers! My bad!

gonzo · December 18th, 2009, 11:38 AM

think how cool it'd be, if BIASING had nothing to do with the sound of an amp......

(i mean, that's one of the main reasons i first bought my boogie, not having to deal with the bias issues)

there's a certain MOJO, in the specific wiring schematics of established amp mfg's...
you know, the SOUND is pretty much hardwired into a circuit, to marry with a specific tube set, etc....

so, i guess it's one of those things where, you get a 'pure' amplification of exactly what your guitar sounds like, with varying degrees of distortion, and the tone stack simply brightens, or deepens the tone.

what if you WANT scooped tones?

my guess is, you'd have to have a FX loop, that you could apply a outboard EQ.

or, would this be marketed strictly to folks that want the purist approach?

so many variables...
gives me a headache.

LOL