Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[Wgarcia]

My amp is a December '16 build…so I think it has 17.2 watt transformers…or maybe 14…16.5? Not sure how I'd be able to tell.

[FloridaBoy]

The temperature of the transformers depends on the output tube and rectifier used. KT88's etc. and a 5AR4 run hot. My triode strapped Inspire runs hot with that combo and it has 20 watt transformers.

[Wgarcia]

Mine has Gold Lion KT88s and a 5Y3S rectifier as supplied with the amp, and again, I have no idea what wattage my transformers might be…but now that my curiosity has been peaked about this, is there an easy way to tell which transformers were put in this amp? After all, it's a HO.

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by Wgarcia

Mine has Gold Lion KT88s and a 5Y3S rectifier as supplied with the amp, and again, I have no idea what wattage my transformers might be…but now that my curiosity has been peaked about this, is there an easy way to tell which transformers were put in this amp? After all, it's a HO.

Post a pic. I imagine it has 20 watters. 5Y3? Try the KT88's with a recitifier with less voltage drop like a 5AR4 or 5V4G.

[Comzee]

What do you guys think about the 2a3 fire-bottle Dennis has up on eBay right now? Really intriguing to me.

[BearCityUSA]

Originally Posted by Comzee

What do you guys think about the 2a3 fire-bottle Dennis has up on eBay right now? Really intriguing to me.

Thats a beauty. Analog posted a pict earlier here but the 12 on eBay really do it justice. I really like the asymmetry of the layout of these. Also interesting that he has it up for sale as a high bid sale. Cool stuff for sure.

[Bombadil]

Pretty amp. Not enough power for my needs.

[Wgarcia]

The 15 or 20 watt question could be answered but I can't seem to post a pic, but a clear pic of the innards of MY amp is among the photos of the most recent Fire Bottle HO posted by Had on Ebay from a couple of weeks ago…so it's there if anyone wishes to look at it…thanks in advance!

[Wgarcia]

Also, is there any risk to these amps in changing to other rectifier types?…such as the suggested swap from a 5Y3S to a 5AR4? I assume not, as various recommendations seem to indicate no cap changes are needed or bias issues exist, but I'm careful with that which I do not understand.

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by Wgarcia

Also, is there any risk to these amps in changing to other rectifier types?…such as the suggested swap from a 5Y3S to a 5AR4? I assume not, as various recommendations seem to indicate no cap changes are needed or bias issues exist, but I'm careful with that which I do not understand.

No risk at all. You can use any rectifier with any power tube in your amp except 6V6G's & 6L6G/GA's. These are lower power tubes. With them stick with a 5Y3 to be safe. The 6L6GB and GC are higher rated tubes and any rectifier is fine. Do you have any other rectifiers in your tube stash?