TentLabs Directly Heated Tubes Supply
Despite their massive linearity, Directly Heated Tubes (DHTs) have one major disadvantage. Their filament is part of the signal flow, i.e. is included in the audio path, hence the heater supply is affecting the sound. TentLabs now introduces a novel module, based on traditional techniques, but with some major advantages over existing solutions. Read further!
Reviews
Read what Dick van Merwe (Dutch triode expert) writes about these filament supplies. English translation can be found here:" What I hear, compared with my earlier applied DC heating, is increased articulation, an improved focus and clearance between instruments and soloists. The soundstage increased in depth. The original supply has a softer tone, you could call it dull – do I want that back? No way, not at all. And I was surprised by the result, especially compared with the small amount of work to be done... "
Clive Meakins tests the DIYhifisupply ladyday kit, including Tentlabs filament supply, and concludes:
" Part of this smoothness is attributable to the Tent Labs heater supply, comparing the standard supply to the Tent Labs one shows a higher degree of smoothness "
" Hum levels are vanishingly low, with my 100db loudspeakers I can just hear a trace hum up to around 8cm from the main driver "
Read what Rob Hubertse experienced with these modules
" I installed the Tentlabs filament supply on my DIY lady day 300B monos and I must tell you it is a very worth while and cost effective modification. The tonal quality of my amps has improved as well as lowering the noise floor to almost undetectable amounts "
Other customers feedback
" Just wanted to drop a note to say I installed my supplies this weekend. I originally switched to DC supplies last year because of hum. However, I have not been happy with the sound since. That is until installing the Tent supplies. Installation was a breeze and the sound, from the moment I switched the units on was much better. Gone was the for the lack of a better word, "dullness". Back came the detail and crispness that I had before going DC "
" A few weeks ago I asked about using the Tentlabs filament power supply for my field coil speakers. Well, I tried them and I have to say that they are best power supply I've used with these speakers "
Purpose
TentLabs filament supply is designed to heat DHT's the cleanest way possible, without affecting the music currents generated inside the tubes' heater, see this presentation that explains the advantages of current source filament supplies. The supplies generate a very low noise output, while maintaining its' high output impedance. Result areas are:• Bigger soundstage
• Better focus
• Cleaner tone
• Better resolution
Existing current supplies lack true high output impedance and need adjustment during use. This new module is truly different in many areas - read on !
Technology
TentLabs has investigated the effect of the filament supply in Directly Heated Tubes. For detailed information and a rationale for the use of current heating, see the presentation on filament supplies for DHTs. An overview of the TentLabs supply is shown below:
The current source maintains the high output impedance (typically > 10kOhm), whereas the voltage control takes away the need to trim the output voltage after installation, or during use. The accurate reference guarantees long term stability, and contributes to a clean output current. The module exactly supplies that amount of heater current, until the required DC voltage is achieved, e.g. 5V for a 300b.
The rectifying bridge consists of low noise Schottky Barier diodes and Electrolytic capacitors (a total of about 20.000uF for the 2.5A version and 34.000uF for the 5A) with a well chosen amount of ESR, to dampen and reduce the current peaks - all contributes to low noise output !
In addition, the chosen diode bridge, smoothing capacitors and power control contribute to an efficient module: Only 5.8Vac is needed to supply a filament module feeding a 300b.
Application
A typical example is shown below:
Each tube needs its own filament supply, in turn fed by a separate winding from the power transformer. The whole supply then is floating, and only has one connection to ground, as shown above. This example above shows the DHT in fixed bias mode. When using cathode bias, the grounded leg has to be connected to the top of the cathode resistor instead.
These are the only connections to the filament, so no caps, no hum-bucking pot, no nada!
The total output current is limited, depending on the version, but they all start-up slowly. Especially when the tube is cold, this is a nice feature. Cold tubes, when heated with traditional supplies, draw currents up to ten times their nominal current. Using TentLabs heater supply will gently switch on your tubes.
The units are factory adjusted at your order. After installation, the supply needs minor DC adjustment, to compensate for possible voltage losses in the wiring (some 100 mV are easily lost at high currents). During use, no adjustments are needed anymore, not even after changing the tubes !
The new generation filament supplies has an over temperature indicator and shutdown, in case the heatsink-temperatue exceeds 90C. The LED and wiring is supplied separately with the modules.
Application & mounting
Look at this App Note for detailed mounting instructions. Find the voltage chart hereApplication examples
Read about the Paraglow upgradeNick Gorham made an excellent amp using the modules
Specifications
ElectricalAll versions voltag adjustable between 1.5V and 12.6V, specify when ordering.
• Output current: automatically adapts to required level to reach voltage specified above.
• Input voltage should not exceed 1 V above specification (see application info).
• Output noise < 20 uVrms (1 Hz - 20 kHz).
• Output hum < 200 uVpeak at 100Hz / 120Hz.
• Output impedance 10 mOhm at 0Hz.
• Output impedance 10kOhm > 5Hz.
• The heatsink is electrically isolated from the circuit and can be attached to a chassis
• Over-temperature shutdown with LED indication
Notes
1. The unit will not work without output load, a minimum of 200mA is required2. The output is not short circuit proof
Available versions
Currently 3 hardware versions are available:• Low noise version, output currents up to 1A. These typically serve small size triodes to be used as line stages. Output noise is 26dB lower compared to the standard version. Often used in conjunction with type 26 tube, integrated heatsink.
• Standard version, output currents up to 2.5A. These typically serve small and medium size triodes up to output tubes like 300b and 2A3, and have an integrated heatsink.
• Output currents up to 5A. These will suit the beefy types like 211, 813, 845 and SV572 and have a bigger heatsink.
Mechanical specifications
1A and 2.5A unit:• Total size 50*90*40mm (W*L*H, heatsink included, standoffs excluded).
• Weight each 90 gram (each, excluding packaging)
• Hole pitch 41* 81mm.
• Needs 10mm stand-offs to mount on chassis, supplied with modules.
5A unit:
• Total size 50*100*90mm (W*L*H, heatsink included).
• Weight 375 gram (each, excluding packaging).
• Needs M4 bolts to mount on chassis, not supplied with modules.
Specials
If you don't find a suitable supply in terms of currents / voltages, please apply. For example for the GM70 we can supply a derived version from the 5A supply, generating 20V.Pricing & warrantee
1A low noise and 2.5A unit, € 116.81 / pair (ex VAT, ex shipping) (€139 including VAT)5A unit, € 158.82 / pair (ex VAT, ex shipping) (€189 including VAT)
Single units cannot be ordered. 5 years of warrantee is valid for the filament supplies, assumed they are build in according application information.