EML AD1/350 Mesh with classic 8-pin socket
EML AD1/350 Mesh with UX4 socket

Description

2A3 Mesh tubeAD1/350 was the Telefunken designation for their higher quality version of AD1, capable to replace any AD1, at classic 250V working point, but also it may be operated up to 350V, in order to bring the tube in a range with better efficiency and additional output power resulting from it, yet without increasing dissipation. This higher working point, with historic versions, it will initially work, but the tubes may develop grid current unexpectedly.

EML AD1/350 however is fully free of grid current at any operation point, also at high use hours as well.

Though it is electrically not identical, any existing 2A3 circuit diagram can be used, provided there is the 4 Volt heater voltage available.

We have a version with the vintage 8pin Side socket, and with the 4Pin UX4 base.

 

8Pin High Resolution

 

4Pin High Resolution

Guarantee program for first owner.

At EML we have the normal guarantee. In addition to that, the first owner can register the tube within 4 weeks after receival, at the Emission Labs® website, to participate in the 5 years guarantee program.

Our Guarantee conditions


Register here for the 5years guarantee


Features

Tube Sockets for AD1

The original P8 'side contact' socket was a Philips development. This socket had an interesting property, it pulls the tube inside the socket by itself. To make this work well, tube base dimensions, socket dimensions and shape of the socket springs has to be exact. We have to mention that new production Chinese sockets are not so ideal, and shape of those can be bad. At EML, to build the AD1, we use Vintage tube bases from the 1930's, of which we have some old stock. For the amplifier chassis, we recommend NOS tubes sockets, as we sell for a low price.

Sound Character of the AD1

The higher heater voltage of 4 Volts, is also the source of another sound. This effect is only so with directly heated tubes. The AD1 sounds less dominant, more silky than 2A3. It can be said that all 4Volts DHT from the 1930's 1940's have very high collector's value, much higher than 2.5 Volts tubes have ever achieved.

Let me quote Rainer zur Linde, who wrote several books in German language about historical tubes. Translated here in English: 'AD1 is the highlight of European DHT triodes, and also marks the end of the period of DHT tubes manufacturing'. Perhaps there is no better way to describe this tube.

Filament Ratings (See note 5)
Filament Voltage
4.0 Volt (AC or DC)
Tolerance on filament voltage
+5% / -2.5% (see notes)
Filament Current
1,5 Ampere
.
Maximum Conditions
(Max voltage and max current not possible simultaneously)
Anode Voltage
350Volt
Anode Current
60mA
Anode Dissipation Fixed Bias (Continiously)
15 Watt
Anode Dissipation Auto bias (Continiously)
18 Watt
Highest possible Grid to ground resistor, Single Ended, Auto Bias.
500kOhm
Highest possible Grid to ground resistor, Single Ended, Fixed Bias.
50kOhm
.
Typical Tube Parameters
measured @ Ua= 250V, Ia= 60mA
Anode Impedance (Rp)
670 Ohms
Amplification Factor
4
Transconductance (Gm)
6 mA/V
.
Recommended operating points
Class A (Single Ended) Auto Bias, with Cathode resistor
Anode Voltage
(to Cathode)
250V
300V
350V
Supply voltage
(to Ground)
295V
360V
423V
Anode Current
60mA
50mA
43mA
Anode Dissipation
15Watt
15Watt
15Watt
Cathode Resistor (Rk)
750 Ohms
1200 Ohms
1679 Ohms
Control Grid Voltage
-45Volt
-60Volt
-73Volt
Load Impedance (Ra)
2500 Ohms
4220 Ohms
6300 Ohms
Recommended Lundahl Transformers
LL1623-060mA
LL1679-70mA
LL1620-060mA
Power Output
4,5 Watt
5,3 Watt
5,8 Watt
These operating points are recommended in: 'Elektronenroehren, 2. Band, by H.BARKHAUSEN, 1928. This is one of the finest tube electronics books that I know, and several chapters are dedicated to the wonderful AD1 tube.

 


EML AD1-Mesh Anode Curves

Download these curves as PTE file - What is that?

Some recommended Lundahl transformers for classical working points. Possible with 2A3 and AD1.

Click here for complete list of recommendations.

Primary
Secondary

Singe Ended.
LL1623-60mA. 11Hz @1.5dB

Ra=
3000
Alt.B = 4Ω
Alt.C = 8Ω
Alt.D = 16Ω

Singe Ended

LL1664-60mA 13Hz @1.5dB

Ra=
3000
8Ω Only

Parallel Singe Ended

LL1623-120mA
Ra=
1600
Alt.C = 4Ω
Alt.D = 8Ω
Alt.E = 16Ω

Push Pull

LL1620-PP

Raa=
6000
Alt.B = 4Ω
Alt.C = 8Ω
Alt.D = 16Ω

Push Pull

LL1679

Raa=
4500

Alt.B = 4Ω
Alt.C = 8Ω
Alt.D = 16Ω

Push Pull

LL1620-PP-CFB

(with optional 25% Cathode feedback winding)

Raa=
6000
Alt.B = 4Ω
Alt.C = 8Ω
Alt.D = 16Ω

.

Mechanical Data 

EML Logo is
on this side

bottom view

Size including Socket:

65 x 150mm  


EML Logo is
on this side
bottom view

Size including Socket:
(but excluding pins)

147 x 60 mm

Weight of one tube:
140 Gram

Pin 1: Heater1
Pin 4: Heater2
Pin2: Anode
Pin3: Grid

   
Single Tube weight 
110 Gram 
Shipment weight for 
pair in gift box
600 Gram

 

Notes

Note1) Gold Plated grids is a difficult to use technology, which reduces grid current to a minimum. Philips and Tungsram historical AD1 tubes suffer often from grid current and/or gas problems which may occur after the first 500hours of use. To the contrary, EML tubes have superb stability of the tube bias, and grid current much below 1uA.

Note2) Individual Test data, such as: Matching Data, Grid Current, Vacuum, Filament Current, etc., are on the Certificate that comes with each individual Tube. Each tube is numbered, inside the bulb with a metal Tag

Note3) Serial filaments is a technology, found in all later types Emission Labs® tubes. We use a Cathode Tapped filament wire for this. The Cathode Tap is physically located on the mica Anode the bottom of the tube. By this we connect two filament wires are in series, and the connection point is the Cathode Tap. Since this Cathode Tap can not be connected to the outside of the tube, we call it a virtual Cathode Tap, but actually it really exists inside the tube, and ensures a perfect balancing of the emission of each individual filament wire. By this method we reduce tube hum to the lowest possible level.

Note4) Best Heater voltage is precisely 4V on the tube pins. Tube pins is not the same as socket pins, because 1.5A is a high current, and there are two contacts in the path. We recommend appr 0.1 V additional for this on the socket, to compensate for voltage drop across the contacts. So 4.1V on the socket, equals 4V on the tube itself. It is possible to exceed the heater voltage with +5%, with no change to lifetime or functioning. However working below specified heater voltage can impair tube function. If so, initially the tube seems to have no problem with it. However after some 100...500 hours, bias current may begin to reduce. If this took place, the following wil help. With normal anode voltage on the circuit, normal operation, just correct the heater voltage to 4.3V on the socket, and the tube begins to recover after a few minutes. After some hours burn in like this, the tube is good again, and voltage can be reduced to normal, and the tube will be in good condition just like before.