Tube amp question


I am a novice tube amp owner. I have had my Black Ice Audio Fusion F22 for not quite a year. I want to understand plate voltage and how it impacts tubes or vice versa. I want to roll the tubes to the KT150's which Black Ice has said can be used without issue. The plate voltage of the amp is 500v. In other posts, someone said that KT150's require a minimum of 600v at the plate. Since Black Ice says their amp can use them, does this rating depend on the circuit? I have some basic understanding of electronic circuits and I googled plate voltage but I'm still not clear on what it is exactly. Can someone knowledgeable with tube amps help me understand this? Thanks!

falconquest

Showing 1 response by audition__audio

What concerns me is that some of you are telling this person to bias to a certain level on his amp. It should be noted that bias levels are not universal from amp to amp. No Hickok ever made will properly test most power tubes which would include 6BQ5s. Now this doesnt mean that a tube wont continue to be linear as the plate voltage is increased from tester to tester, but most suitcase testers will not give you an accurate reading because they dont test at real world operating levels. 

 

For the record I do not like amplifiers that can accommodate a wide range of power tubes. Some have pointed to the possible problems and shortcomings of such designs. However, when in doubt it is a good idea to listen to what Ralph at Atma-sphere has to say on the subject.