Power output switch?

[danielarimcaulay]

Hi,

I've recently completed building a 5E3 and love it. I do find it too loud for practice, but i do see all the volume being useable at some point!

I wondering whether I could a switch to select two different cathode resistors? At present I have a 330 Ohm and it gives me around 14 watts. I am thinking of putting a 600 ohm on a switch to lower the power output when all the volume is not required!
Would this work?

Thanks in advance for any input!

[balcorn80]

Hi,

I've recently completed building a 5E3 and love it. I do find it too loud for practice, but i do see all the volume being useable at some point!

I wondering whether I could a switch to select two different cathode resistors? At present I have a 330 Ohm and it gives me around 14 watts. I am thinking of putting a 600 ohm on a switch to lower the power output when all the volume is not required!
Would this work?

Thanks in advance for any input!

I believe you'll lose some of the tone, as the output tubes won't be running as hot. You will lose volume, but I "believe" you'll lose more overdrive/distortion than volume. This is based on my experience running a 470 ohm resistor inplace of the 250 originally called for.... I'm no expert...

[MWJB]

It won't have the effect that you are looking for, the tone may become thin & sterile, operating voltages in the amp will rise & the amp may sound harder, less warm.

Your cathode resistor does not set the wattage of the amp's output (measured in AC Watts RMS), it sets the dc W plate dissipation (how much current the tubes take before going pop). Oftentimes, backing off the plate current will mean that you have to turn the amp up more to get a driven tone, the amp can actually come accross as louder, but not necessarily pleasantly so.

In extreme cases, a larger cathode resistor may push the B+ voltage beyond tube & cap ratings.