taming harsh distortion

[JoshBernstein]

That's what everyone says about tube rectifiers, but i've yet to see the magic in them. My next amp will be an express, so further experimentation will have to wait. Im actually interested in the pcb version rj offers, mostly because its a time saver (ill be going to college in a couple of months and i won't be able to do any testing or playing there)
I do actually have another question though. I know that the ~30 watt rating for this amp is on the verge of clipping, and this power rating is exceeded when the power section overdrives. Would it be a safe to run it through a 50 watt 212 cab? It sounds really nice, but im not looking to blow speakers.

[JoshBernstein]

It should also be noted that my final choics for the pi tube is an NOS Ei Yugoslavia 12au7, which im sure reduces max output, but i dont know by how much

[Colossal]

That's what everyone says about tube rectifiers, but i've yet to see the magic in them.

I think it depends on the power transformer and the power supply design...and and the player. A plexi is solid state rectified and can be wonderfully chewy and saggy with reduced filtering. However, I have played some amps that were hard and unforgiving and far too immediate for my taste. I like an amp to react to my fingers with some give, not come on fast and then die a millisecond later.

[andresound]

Interesting point Colossal. Not to hijack this thread, but your comments (as always), are very interesting. Especially with regard to a "forgiving" feel to the amp. Are you suggesting that, if ss rectification is used and you have reduced filtering, the amp would be more "spongy" and forgiving?

Like Kendrick, I am new to this wallet sapping hobby!! , I am about to attempt a Rocket build. This will be my 3rd build. I amp looking forward to a GZ34 (NOS MULLARD) amp. This will be my first build with tube rectification.

Basically, what I am trying to say is, does a "low filtered" ss power supply, behave in a similar fashion to a tube rectified supply?

[andresound]

Also, I stand to be corrected, but Mr Dumble does not design with Tube rectification! Why? Is it because all his clients are such good players??