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The Dynaco Tube Audio Forum

Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of all original Dynaco tube audio equipment - Customer support for Tubes4hifi VTA tube amp and preamp kits and all Dynakitparts.com products


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    History and development of the ultralinear amplifier

    Bob Latino
    Bob Latino
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    Join date : 2008-11-26
    Location : Massachusetts

    History and development of the ultralinear amplifier Empty History and development of the ultralinear amplifier

    Post by Bob Latino Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:10 pm

    Most people think that David Hafler and Herb Keroes who started Acrosound transformers "invented" the ultralinear amplifier in the early 1950's. What actually happened was that a British inventor by the name of Alan Blumlein was granted a patent (in England) for the an ultralinear type transformer in 1937. Blumlein never used the word "ultralinear". Blumlein also never developed the design in England because he was killed in 1942 in a World War 2 related plane crash.

    When David Hafler and Ed Laurent started Dynaco Corporation in 1955 they used the ultralinear circuit design that Hafler and Keroes had refined and patented in 1952. All the Dynaco tube amps used the same basic (ultralinear) output stage. All the VTA amps also use the same ultralinear output stage design. A lot of information on the advantages of the ultralinear output stage design and the work of Blumlein, Hafler and Keroes may be found at the two links below. It makes for good reading for those that are interested in ultralinear tube amp design.

    Ultralinear amp design link 1

    Ultralinear amp design link 2

    Bob


    Last edited by Bob Latino on Fri Jul 04, 2014 5:43 pm; edited 1 time in total
    deepee99
    deepee99


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    Location : Wallace, Idaho

    History and development of the ultralinear amplifier Empty Re: History and development of the ultralinear amplifier

    Post by deepee99 Fri Jul 04, 2014 1:41 pm

    Bob Latino wrote:Most people think that David Hafler and Herb Keroes who started Acrosound transformers "invented" the ultralinear amplifier in the early 1950's. What actually happened was that a British inventor by the name of Alan Blumlein was granted a patent (in England) for the an ultralinear type transformer in 1937. Blumlein never used the word "ultralinear". Blumlein also never developed the design in England because he was killed in 1942 in a World War 2 related plane crash.

    When David Hafler and Ed Laurent started Dynaco Corporation in 1955 they used the ultralinear circuit design that Hafler and Keroes had refined and patented in 1952. All the Dynaco tube amps used the same basic (ultralinear) output stage. All the VTA amps also use the same ultralinear output stage design. A lot of information on the advantages of the ultralinear output stage design and the work of Blumlein, Hafler and Keroes may be found at the two links below. It makes for good reading for those that are interested in ultralinear tube amp design.

    Ultralinear amp design link 1

    Ultralinear amp design link 2

    Bob

    Bob, this is great stuff. I have always said Hafler and Ultralinear in the same sentence. This will enhance my erudition in tavern conversations with other tube nuts.
    Other than that, WTF are you doing, working on the 4th of July? It's time to send the dog and cat to the basement and red-plate some tubes!
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    History and development of the ultralinear amplifier Empty Re: History and development of the ultralinear amplifier

    Post by Guest Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:30 pm

    great info & history, thanks Bob!
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    bongoman


    Posts : 12
    Join date : 2011-02-02

    History and development of the ultralinear amplifier Empty tube types

    Post by bongoman Wed Jul 09, 2014 5:53 pm

    The author seems to think that el34's are not the best sounding options for ul amps. He gives a little list of his preffered tube types.

    Sponsored content


    History and development of the ultralinear amplifier Empty Re: History and development of the ultralinear amplifier

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