[Amps] Why 2 3CX800s instead of one 8877?

[Carl]

Reseat the tubes several times and be sure the anode contact hasnt come 
apart.....a common failure.

Carl



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roger (K8RI)" <k8ri at rogerhalstead.com>
To: <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, April 19, 2019 7:55 PM
Subject: [Amps] Why 2 3CX800s instead of one 8877?


>I have been using a 76A for many years along with several other amps.
>
> I decided I had more amps than I needed even running SO2R with backups so 
> the 76A went up for sale. I had an immediate buyer, but as the 76 had set 
> for a few months. I told him I wanted to run it through its paces before 
> he made the long drive to pick it up.
>
> You guessed it. Half power! I had used that amp for well over a decade 
> with nary a hiccup. I go to sell it and one one of those tubes fails. One 
> of those tubes, new costs more than the amp is worth. Now I happen to have 
> a stash of tubes that I could modify it to use.
>
> I would prefer to do the mod neatly, complete with a proper transformer 
> rather than a filament transformer mounted on the back. Yes, I realize the 
> cost.
> A single 3CX800 would give me what I had (it's a two hole), but going with 
> the cost of the transformer, I might as well go with a pair of 3CX800s, or 
> a single 8877. If I do the conversion to legal limit, I will have as much, 
> or more into the amp than what I can get out of it, so I'll probably keep 
> it and sell my Quadra.
> Of course the third option is to just sell the 76 as is.
>
> Other than the replacement cost and availability, Is there a reason for 
> not using a single 8877 Vs a pair of 3CX800s? Using new tubes the 8877 
> would have been the economical choice, but I understand that the prices 
> have gone up. Tube prices for legal limit amps are beginning to make the 
> new SS legal limit amps look better all the time.
>
> I also have a completely restored HT33B (Sans 2 panel screws) with a 
> ceramic 8295A and 3 spare ceramic 8295As . Last time I used it it had full 
> power, but that was prior to 1997
>
> 73, Roger (K8RI)
>
> -- 
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>
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