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

Common guys, give him a break. You do not have to know how a technology works to realize it does.

I just wanted to be useful with my list of free books...If he is serious... I dont know that but i am trustful of people ...

No one here will explain him in few line the function of this power tubes...

I advise him to ask for atmasphere help politely; he is one of the best tube amp and class D  designer and he is here very often in audiogon ...

 

Common guys, give him a break. You do not have to know how a technology works to realize it does.

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.

 

 

Ever see or use a pantograph? This is a mechanical device that allows you to draw an enlarged copy on a piece of paper when you trace a small image. A vacuum tube (and also a transistor) are just electronic versions of this. A small signal to a control grid in between cathode (source of electrons) and anode (the output), makes a bigger copy (i.e., more voltage) of the original signal.

That's why they are called "amplifiers" -- they are amplifying a small signal, or again, making a bigger copy of a smaller signal.

@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.