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Verellen Octal

#83
I think it's cool tech, but what actual tube aficionado would ever turn their precious full tube amp into a hybrid.

...or does this tell us we need more transformer coupled hybrids to suit the tube amp peeps.
 
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#85
Interesting indeed, and creative way they made the case look like a tube. Shove a mosfet in a tube looking heatsink and run leds on the heater supply.
Not sure how it would work for class A amps. Since the bias is preset. Not a super big deal for high power amps in A/B but it doesn't seem feasible to be completely compatible with all tube amps. If somebody marketed a transformer coupled solid state, might be called crazy. But a " tube alternative" with no info on the device or what is happening. The mystery device becomes marketable.
 
#87
You get a transformer coupled solid state. With all the complaints about weight these days. If somebody marketed a transformer coupled solid state. limited to 100 to 200 watts Most would say you have gone mad. But you would have to market that a different way to convince people it was cool.
Just because the Mosfet datasheet says 150c, Wouldn't be trying to market a claim to 150c. They don't seem to understand how derate works. Hope for the best, somebody will fry one or yank one open at some point. No such thing as indefinite life span, the internal bias resistors / zeners will cook at some point. Korgs Nutube tech for small signal was actually innovative as far as a tube alternative actually operating in a Vacuum with triode like behavior.
 
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#88
6thplanet said:
I think it's cool tech, but what actual tube aficionado would ever turn their precious full tube amp into a hybrid.

...or does this tell us we need more transformer coupled hybrids to suit the tube amp peeps.
Click to expand...
This is primarily an attempt to head off the possibility of tube shortages considering that the two largest manufacturers are not on the favourable list of exporters. Not to mention the immense cost of tooling up a new factory compared to the return.
I have enormous respect for Verellen and would expect them to knock it out of the park with these.
 
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#89
6thplanet said:
does this tell us we need more transformer coupled hybrids to suit the tube amp peeps.
Click to expand...
To me, transformer-coupled outputs are an interesting (and relatively unexplored) topic.

There are few solid state amps with output transformers (OT) - some McIntosh amps and the Warwick Jonas Hellborg system come to mind.
Both of those examples were known for two things: being expensive and sounding great.
So I have to wonder if it was the build quality or the OT making them sound good?

However, regardless of tone - an OT would add considerable weight.

IIRC, the 300 watt Peavey VB3 tube amp had a lightweight (SMPS) power supply and a toroidal OT, and clocked in right around 40 lbs.
My guess is that a 300 watt solid state amp with an OT would also clock in at over 30 lbs.

In the current market, I think the weight of an OT would keep such an amp relegated to niche status.
 
#90
groovaholic said:
To me, transformer-coupled outputs are an interesting (and relatively unexplored) topic.

There are few solid state amps with output transformers (OT) - some McIntosh amps and the Warwick Jonas Hellborg system come to mind.
Both of those examples were known for two things: being expensive and sounding great.
So I have to wonder if it was the build quality or the OT making them sound good?

However, regardless of tone - an OT would add considerable weight.

IIRC, the 300 watt Peavey VB3 tube amp had a lightweight (SMPS) power supply and a toroidal OT, and clocked in right around 40 lbs.
My guess is that a 300 watt solid state amp with an OT would also clock in at over 30 lbs.

In the current market, I think the weight of an OT would keep such an amp relegated to niche status.
Click to expand...
Weight, size and cost for dubious benefit (imo).
 
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#91
Reminds me of the AMT 12AX7 substitute, and one of the many diode-based rectifier valve substitutes. To my understanding, the AMT is designed to sound like valves while the rectifiers are designed to sound like solid state rectifiers.
I wonder if this Verellen is designed to sound like valves or solid state? From a pragmatic pov I'd prefer a regular SS head for the "SS tone".
 
#94
cfortner said:
I see it as a possibility to save old amps life, not more.
Click to expand...
I was talking about output transformers in solid state amps, not tube replacement/substitute devices.

cfortner said:
There are a lot of good sounding Class D amps out there.
Click to expand...
Indeed, solid state topologies and a better, more thorough understanding of what players want out of their amps (which has also evolved since the late 1960's) has resulted in newer more creative circuitry and features.
 
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#95
baxter_x said:
Are you talking about Ben Verellen?
Click to expand...
For what it's worth, the venture is not just Ben, the about page mentions were a joint design/venture with Brian Otis and Nate Pletcher. Their backgrounds are listed on the page. My background is in the squishy sciences, not the technical sciences, so I will withhold any suppositions about anyone else's design experience and capabilities.

About — VERELLEN DEVICES

www.verellendevices.com www.verellendevices.com

Ran the pair I have in my V2 last night, testing the amp first with the octals then going back to the 7027A tubes. I was running into my captor, rather than a cab, so that takes away some of the "feel" element of the amp, but it was what I had available to test at home right now. The sound was substantially similar between the two in limited testing. I was getting some low end distortion when really digging in on the low E with the octals, but it was the same or more pronounced when I switched back to the tubes, so likely just a factor of the setting on the V2 (volume around 10 o'clock which is usually around where a V series starts to drive).

The other part of my order arrived today, so I will likely test in a larger amp later in the week.
 
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#97
baxter_x said:
Keep us in touch! Will you try on a real cab?
Click to expand...

I ran them with my Mother both into a cab and into a captor/headphones. As with the V2, substantially similar sounds. Volume levels were set appropriate for being home and not wanting to disturb my neighbors, so not cranked, but also not silent. They sound good. I didn’t find a lack of tube “feel” when comparing, but again volume was reasonable not overwhelming.

IMG_5175.jpeg
 
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#99
coreyfyfe said:
I ran them with my Mother both into a cab and into a captor/headphones. As with the V2, substantially similar sounds. Volume levels were set appropriate for being home and not wanting to disturb my neighbors, so not cranked, but also not silent. They sound good. I didn’t find a lack of tube “feel” when comparing, but again volume was reasonable not overwhelming.

View attachment 7421077
Click to expand...
Thanks for your feedback.
If I understand correctly, you didn't notice any changes with the Octals?
In a valid test you wouldn't have notice any difference?

I agree a real test would be at higher volume, onstage.
I have hard times believing it can replace the feeling of a tube amp, but again, if it really does, I'm all in.
 

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