Can a SS Pultec become a Tube Pultec?

soupking · 22nd September 2009

That is to say, are they completely different designs topographically or are just the pinout sections different for transforming sound?

Mr_David · 22nd September 2009

It would need a lot of work.

Completely different power supply.
New transformers
Tubes obviously
A lot of rewiring

But in theory it can be done. After all, people have built diy pultecs.

ultrasonic · 22nd September 2009

The solid state pultecs sound great. You'll negatively impact the value if you start messing around with it.

If you really must have a tube pultec you could sell your solid state unit and use the money to buy a tube one.

You'll come out better in the end, I think.

Mr_David · 22nd September 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultrasonic

The solid state pultecs sound great. You'll negatively impact the value if you start messing around with it.

If you really must have a tube pultec you could sell your solid state unit and use the money to buy a tube one.

You'll come out better in the end, I think.

Agreed

Led · 22nd September 2009

Yes a SS can become tube in the same way a man CAN become a woman...it does the job, but is never quite as satisfying and the bodywork ends up in a mess..

ultrasonic · 23rd September 2009

By the way, the Pultec is a passive eq circuit based on inductors. It has a gain stage to make up for the inherent insertion loss of the passive circuit. The gain stage in some Pultec units is vacuum tube, in others it is solid state. Some of the solid state units use the API 2520.

If they are working correctly ALL of them sound good. The gain stage design is less of a factor than the inductor circuit.

If you have one, just plug it in and make some music.

Don't go changin'

eskatonic · 23rd September 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Led

Yes a SS can become tube in the same way a man CAN become a woman...it does the job, but is never quite as satisfying and the bodywork ends up in a mess..

Jonk · 23rd September 2009

Yeah, if you have a real deal Pultec, with original transformers, use it man! The solid state ones are awesome. Awesome enough that the prodigy pro cloner folks often choose to clone/partial clone the solid state version with an API style opamp.

Both amps are just clean boost. From what I understand, a bigger difference in sound when building these concerns the transformers and filter capacitors. I built the Gyraf version and tried out different caps and can verify that the kind of filter caps make a big difference, but who cares because you have an original with the original filter caps, which don't need changing. Use it!

22nd September 2009	#1
soupking Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,337 Thread Starter	Can a SS Pultec become a Tube Pultec? That is to say, are they completely different designs topographically or are just the pinout sections different for transforming sound? __________________ "Exceptional people talk about ideas. Normal people talk about things. Those with limited abilities talk about other people." - Quoted by Jim Coleman

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22nd September 2009	#2
Mr_David Gear nut Joined: Feb 2007 Location: London Posts: 123	It would need a lot of work. Completely different power supply. New transformers Tubes obviously A lot of rewiring But in theory it can be done. After all, people have built diy pultecs.

22nd September 2009	#3
ultrasonic Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 198	The solid state pultecs sound great. You'll negatively impact the value if you start messing around with it. If you really must have a tube pultec you could sell your solid state unit and use the money to buy a tube one. You'll come out better in the end, I think.

22nd September 2009	#5
Led Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,728	Yes a SS can become tube in the same way a man CAN become a woman...it does the job, but is never quite as satisfying and the bodywork ends up in a mess..

23rd September 2009	#6
ultrasonic Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 198	By the way, the Pultec is a passive eq circuit based on inductors. It has a gain stage to make up for the inherent insertion loss of the passive circuit. The gain stage in some Pultec units is vacuum tube, in others it is solid state. Some of the solid state units use the API 2520. If they are working correctly ALL of them sound good. The gain stage design is less of a factor than the inductor circuit. If you have one, just plug it in and make some music. Don't go changin'

23rd September 2009	#8
Jonk Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 563	Yeah, if you have a real deal Pultec, with original transformers, use it man! The solid state ones are awesome. Awesome enough that the prodigy pro cloner folks often choose to clone/partial clone the solid state version with an API style opamp. Both amps are just clean boost. From what I understand, a bigger difference in sound when building these concerns the transformers and filter capacitors. I built the Gyraf version and tried out different caps and can verify that the kind of filter caps make a big difference, but who cares because you have an original with the original filter caps, which don't need changing. Use it!