This maybe a really stupid question but what the hell. In the interest of open minded experimentation, is it possible to use an IC like the LM4562 as the input/driver of a 2 stage SET amp? Anything from a relatively easy load like a 6bq5 to a 300B or 845, whatever?
Wayne Parham Messages: 18793 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
If you think about it, this is pretty much what tubed DACs do. Some take the op-amps out and drive the tube directly from the DAC, but you still have solid state driving tubes. Even if just a ladder voltage divider, it's still sand driving tubes. I'd say give it a go and see how it sounds!
I'm thinking that the max rail voltages of +/- 17v might limit you to easy tubes like EL84,EL34. Otherwise you might need an additional gain stage. The swing needed for a 300b is pretty healthy, and an 845 much more so. Still, no reason it couldn't be used as a 1st stage in a 3 stage design. I'm not any kind of expert on this, so maybe someone else will chime in.