Mullard Tube Circuits for Audio Amplifiers

If you are looking for the last word in tube amplifier design, this probably isn't it. It strictly covers Mullard's most popular hifi tubes and their amplifier designs of the 50's. If you are interested in Mullard tubes, most notable being the EF86, EL84, and EL34 then this is the book for you.It covers classic Mullard circuits like the 5-20 and 5-10 power amplifiers, which defined high fidelity in the 50's and whose designs are still as good as gold today. This book has a special meaning to me because the first amplifier I ever built, as a young teen in the 60's, was a Mullard 5-20. That amp was my first experience with a real hi-fi amp. The book also offers pointers on construction and advice on how to not only build an amp but how to build it so that it isn't a hiss and hum nightmare. The Mullard circuits are conservative and clean. (the 5-20 can produce power levels up to 36 watts but Mullard rated it at 20 watts with very low distortion.)Although the material dates to the 50's, this information is as good today as it was back then, when tubes were the only act in town and the best audio engineers were still working with vacuum tubes. This book covers in detail several of mullard's power amps and preamps with several pictures of actual amps and preamps as well as full schematics and parts lists. The Mullard 5-20 was Mullard's answer to the Williamson (and to me a better answer). Anyone interested in vacuum tube audio should get this book and read it. I can attest to the fact that the circuits do work and work very well.

If you’re interested in good sound reproduction and DIY projects, know a little about electricity without being an expert on electronics, this is for you.It contains simple, clear descriptions of the theory of valve amplification and the design of circuits, together with practical step-by-step instructions for building a number of excellent amplifiers. These range from a 3W single-ended amp to a 20W push-pull power amp, including the outstanding Mullard 5-10 design. Many of today's high-end audio amplifiers are based on these circuits. For those who love vinyl there is a section on how discs are recorded and played back, with clear explanations of the sources of distortion.In the 1960s I was one of a small group of medical students who loved music but could not afford good hi-fi equipment. One of us stumbled upon the original edition of this book. There was a shop in Cape Town where you could buy all the parts; you could make up a kit in a cardboard box very cheaply. I built a 7-Watt stereo amp just by following the instructions in the book. I'm now planning to build myself a stereo system for my study based on the Mullard 3-3 amp.

This is 1993 reprint of book that was first printed in 1959. Page ii contains these 2 paragraphs:This booklet is reprinted with kind permission of Philips Component Ltd. It was first published by Mullard Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Philips Electronics NV, in 1959. Subsequently, Mullard changed its name to Philips Components Ltd. in 1988.Philips Components Ltd. no longer manufactures the valves referred to in this publication and regrets is cannot engage itself in answering any inquires from those who build the circuits.So unless NOS (New Old Stock) valves (vacuum tubes) are available, the circuits described in pages 29 to 136 cannot be built. Having said that, some Mullard vacuum tubes ARE available right here on Amazon.com.The circuits are accompanied by notes on the design of the circuits and advice is given on component layout and construction.The information contained on pages 1 though 28 (just text, no circuits) is where the value of the book lies.Chapter 1: p 1-3 Amplifying SystemsChapter 2: p 4-15 Sources of Distortion in Recorded SoundChapter 3: p 16-25 High-Quality AmplificationChapter 4: p 26-28 General Notes on Construction and AssemblyChapter 4 contains a section on stereophonic balance controls which I was glad to see.

Superb book.

This book is a classic compendium of 1950's audio amp designs. Several different circuit types are presented in great detail, including pre-amps, power amps, tone circuit, mixers circuit, stereo and mono amps. Each design includes schematics, BOMs, design theory discussion, assembly tips--even engineering drawings showing how to fabricate the chassis. If you want to understand how tube amps of this era were designed--eg: Marshall's first designs--then this book is a great addition to your library.

These are the real deal. I guess it was what I had hoped for. Real circuits from Mullard. Great for your library on tube amp design.

This is a reprint so understand it is not always clear and easy to read. It is still a valuable document with high quality circuits and designs. You';; have to find some alternative parts but the specs are clear so there are many options.

I purchased this book as a nostalgia trip really, I owned the original back about 1960 odd, it was lost or stolen so when I discovered this on Amazon I just had to have it.It's a bit outdated these days, no one would use those large capacitors and resistors on a strip board but it's a classic. I'm sure if the circuits were modernized they would be just as good today as in 1960's and 50's.