Tube of the Month : The ECC88 / 6DJ8

 Hi!

This month I am presenting a 9 pin miniature (Noval) medium mu twin triode. Meet the ECC88:

The ECC88 is one of the more popular tubes among tube amplifier manufacturers and has seen some widespread use. For example some Audio Research preamplifiers use this tube.

With an amplification factor of 33 it is classified as a medium mu triode. The Noval base shares the same pinout with other popular ECC family tubes as the ECC83, ECC82, ECC81 or ECC85. The pinout is shown on the left. What makes the ECC88 stand out among the others is the rather high transconductance of 12.5 mS. As the prefix 'E' indicates it has a 6.3V heater which consumes only 300mA. For all technical parameters see the Telefunken data sheet. I never really used the ECC88 much in any of my own projects. For my applications the amplification factor was a bit too low or the plate resistance somewhat too high. Or the available output voltage would not provide the headroom I wanted. But that doesn't make it a bad tube. In contrary, if the parameters fit the application I would not hesitate to use it. The ECC88 was made by all the major European manufacturers and also came in industrial or rugged flavours with enhanced life time, tighter parameters and other improvements. These were called E88CC or CCa. The American equivalent was the 6DJ8 which had an industrial variant as well, called 6922.

As always we start with a look at the plate curves. Datasheet curves above and measurement of an actual tube below.

A very linear tube, which explains the popularity.

Since I never really used the ECC88 I did not accumulate a large stock of them. Above is all I have.

Starting with what is probably the most sought after version, the Telefunken E88CC with embossed diamond logo in the base.

Made at the famous Telefunken factory in Ulm.

Siemens E88CC:

Siemens-Halske tube in US military packaging:

E88CC made by Valvo:

And lastly a JAN 6922 made by Philips ECG:

And closing the post with a tube in operation:

Best regards

Thomas

D3a LCR phono stage, landscape style

Hi!

Here a few pics of a D3a phono in landscape chassis.

Technically the same as the phono in portrait chassis, just a different style.

Two of the capacitors on the power supply pick up the grey color of the LCR modules on the signal chassis as a special touch:

Pick the chassis style you like most for your own D3s phono or if you have a different idea, email me for a custom solution.

Any ideas which are technically feasible and allow to house all the parts needed will be considered.

Best regards

Thomas

Single Ended 211 Mono Amplifiers

Hi!

Last Month I showed the assembly steps of the latest 211 mono blocks. Here some photos of the finished amps.

The set is finished with gold anodised metal plates in smoked eucalyptus wooden frames.

Due to weight and size the power supplies got their own chassis. The 211 output tube is driven by another direct heated triode, the 801A

This gives the sound quality of directly heated thoriated tungsten filament triodes throughout. Of course the amps come with ELROG tubes.

The entire set consists of 4 chassis with a combined weight of 140kg.

The 211 delivers about 20W of glorious single ended sound.

Due to the high voltage the 211 at which the 211 operates the umbilicals to connect the power supplies with the amps are split into separate leads for filament and plate voltages. Military grade connectors ensure proper insulation and good contact:

The perfect amp for speakers which need some power.

I have enjoyed these amps during their test run in my system. Now they are being shipped to their new owner.

Best regards

Thomas