half-power question about the DR

[Dickeye]

So say if on a DR, you wanted to switch it to 50 watts and use the tube rectification, at that point would you only use one tube for the rectifier or both?

 

[Spewnz]

pretty sure its just the one

 

[JF Omalycat]

Not sure if you're asking this or not, but yeah, you're supposed to pull one of the rectifier tubes when running at 50 watt.

 

[Dickeye]

Yep that was my question, thanks!

 

[mikey383]

You can pull one, or you can leave them both in. It won't hurt anything either way.

The reason the manual says to pull one is to keep the same amount of sag compared to having all 4 tubes in.

If you leave both rectifier tubes in place, you'll get a stiffer tone, and won't get as much sag. Kinda like using GZ34s. You'll still get the tube rectification, but the power draw on the rec tubes will be less, and they'll work less hard to supply power to the power tubes.

 

[2CDR]

You can pull one, or you can leave them both in. It won't hurt anything either way.

If you leave both rectifier tubes in place, you'll get a stiffer tone, and won't get as much sag. Kinda like using GZ34s. You'll still get the tube rectification, but the power draw on the rec tubes will be less, and they'll work less hard to supply power to the power tubes.

can you still push the amp like this,is it still safe to play at gig volumes with two power tubes pulled ,but both rec tubes in?

 

[94Tremoverb]

Yes, definitely - it will just sound a bit tighter. You're simply using only about half the capability of each rectifier tube. What's *not* safe is to run with all four power tubes and only one rectifier at gig volume - then you'll most likely blow the rectifier.

If you're running at half power at gig volume, it's also best to re-match the speaker impedance properly - plug the speakers into the jack for *half* their impedance. (eg the 4-ohm jack, for an 8-ohm cab.) If you don't do this, you're stressing the two power tubes more than usual and you'll shorten their life, although you probably won't blow them outright.

 

[2CDR]

Yes, definitely - it will just sound a bit tighter. You're simply using only about half the capability of each rectifier tube. What's *not* safe is to run with all four power tubes and only one rectifier at gig volume - then you'll most likely blow the rectifier.

If you're running at half power at gig volume, it's also best to re-match the speaker impedance properly - plug the speakers into the jack for *half* their impedance. (eg the 4-ohm jack, for an 8-ohm cab.) If you don't do this, you're stressing the two power tubes more than usual and you'll shorten their life, although you probably won't blow them outright.

thank you kind sir