The Dynaco Tube Audio Forum

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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


4 posters

    Variac and Kill O Watt

    bluemeanies
    bluemeanies
    bluemeanies


    Posts : 274
    Join date : 2015-02-09
    Age : 74
    Location : Folsom Pa.
    • Post n°1

    Variac and Kill O Watt Empty Variac and Kill O Watt

    Post by bluemeanies Fri Nov 06, 2015 4:16 pm

    Recently I had purchased on E-Bay a Staco Variac. Industrial strength.
    120volt-20amp...great price and in perfect condition. I also was able to procur a Kill A Watt surge protector for another fantastic price thanks to audiobill.
    I have not had a chance to use this combination at this point with the m125's but was wondering if anyone here has this or a similar combination and can relate how it has or hasn't helped in biasing their tube amplifier/s

    Thanks
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    audiobill
    avatar
    audiobill


    Posts : 425
    Join date : 2014-03-13
    Location : Albany, NY
    • Post n°2

    Variac and Kill O Watt Empty Re: Variac and Kill O Watt

    Post by audiobill Fri Nov 06, 2015 4:46 pm

    Thanks, - guys check out the kill-a-watt P4320 on Amazon at a very nice price.

    Eleven left.

    http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4320-Kill-A-Watt-Power/dp/B000UKSESK
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    Bob Latino
    Bob Latino
    Bob Latino
    Admin


    Posts : 3276
    Join date : 2008-11-26
    Location : Massachusetts
    • Post n°3

    Variac and Kill O Watt Empty Re: Variac and Kill O Watt

    Post by Bob Latino Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:53 pm

    One of the best variacs for the money is this one sold by Circuit Specialists in Tempe, AZ. Yes - it is Chinese made but it is a 20 amp unit ($109 USD) and includes FREE shipping. Two outlets for your pair of M-125's. You could probably run your whole stereo system off this variac. Set it for a 118 VAC output as measured by your multimeter on one of the outlets. I would not trust the analog meter on the unit. If you have vintage gear which was made to run on 115 - 117 VAC and now it has too look at much above 122 VAC, your tube mileage will go down. Everyone should check their line voltage. If you are 122 VAC or lower, you are OK. Above 122 VAC you should maybe think about getting a variac. I had someone in Texas at the end of a 7 mile long road tell me he was measuring about 126.7 VAC for most of the day. Way too high for modern tube gear .. Check the photo below and the link ...

    20 amp variac at Circuit Specialists

    Bob



    Variac and Kill O Watt Tdgc2-2-0
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    pedrocols
    pedrocols
    pedrocols


    Posts : 162
    Join date : 2014-11-24
    Location : Western MA
    • Post n°4

    Variac and Kill O Watt Empty Re: Variac and Kill O Watt

    Post by pedrocols Fri Nov 06, 2015 10:07 pm

    Thanks Bob.  That is the Variac I currently use with my amps.  Like you mentioned, it is strongly suggested to check with your multimeter as the analog meter on the unit as well as the control knob are far from accurate.  I have the control knob set at 105 volts and that reads 118 volts on the multimeter!
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    • Post n°5

    Variac and Kill O Watt Empty Re: Variac and Kill O Watt

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