Can anyone explain what a power tube does inside an amplifier, eg kt88.


I know a tube is cool looking, and looks like a small lightbulb with many pins on one side and when it's turned on filaments glow inside a vacuum enclosed see-through curvy glass enclosure.  I guess current flows in, goes on a journey, and then flows out.  
 

 

emergingsoul

Showing 2 responses by perkri

@mlsstl 

 

Agree, it is making a bigger copy of the small signal. The small signal is just making it possible for a separate bigger signal to flow. Two signals. The small one is controlling the big one, it’s not that the small one is being magnified directly. 

Simple answer, tubes are valves. Small signal opens the valve and lets the power from your power supply go to your speakers. They are called valves for a reason.

Do a youtube search. Watch some videos if you actually care to know. Lots of info out there.