Pantode and Tetrode What is the difference?

If you have mixed up your tubes, you will need a tube analyzer to pair them again. If you can bias tubes individually on your amp you need not have matched tubes.

The KT88 is a kinkless tetrode, i.e. the cathode and one of the grids are shorted. In spite of being called a tetrode, it has three grids like a pentode. Ditto for the 6550 tubes, which are known as a beam tetrode. EL34s are 'pure' pentodes. I have a couple of amps where I can use KT88s, 6550s or EL34s (and I guess a couple other tubes as well)

Depending on how the amplifier is wired, you can run the KT88 in triode, tetrode or ultra linear. You can run any the majority of tetrodes and pentodes in these three configurations. (There may be ones you cannot, I don’t know)

Running a pentode/tetrode in triode mode normally gives a forward sounding midrange, but you pay a price as you restrict the output of the vacuum tube. Most folks seem to prefer this configuration. Ultra linear and tetrode mode allows the tube a higher output, but is not generally a preferred configuration.

To my ear a tetrode wired pentode/tetrode mode sounds the most dynamic and 'peppy'; consequently I prefer this layout. My all time favorite tube amp is a single ended tetrode wired 6550.

Run in single ended triode mode, I generally prefer the sound from EL34s.

In a push-pull configuration with so many tubes, you may as well stick to the KT88 as they have lots of oomph and given the configuration, will give more or less the same detail as any other tube.

Regards
Paul

"What is the difference between Pantode and Tetrode tube?"

What is the difference between the analog forum and the amp forum? Maybe you should concentrate on THAT one first.......

Oz

ya just gotta love the forum police

Thanks Ozzy for pointing my mistake so eloquently. I am truly sorry if I have offended you.
I will attempt to post on the correct forums in the future.

Thanks to everyone else that offered there expertise and advise.

The Hurricane does have a switch on the top T and P it does not have anything in the Chinese manual about that switch I assume from the posts the that is Pantode or Tetrode, does that mean that the amp will run a tube in ether mode regardless of the type of tube or is it asking for the type of tube I am using.

If any Mod can move this to Amps Ozzy would be grateful.

Thanks

The Hurricane does have a switch on the top T and P it does not have anything in the Chinese manual about that switch I assume from the posts the that is Pantode or Tetrode

What you are likely referring to--someone correct me if I'm mistaken--is the option to switch between Pentode or Triode mode. When running in pentode, your monoblocks will put out more wattage (200W), giving the music more punch and drive. To my ear, pentode is a bit more closed off in the midrange than triode (T on your amp) mode, which will lower the wattage (90w), but the sound is generally warmer and sweeter. If you are switching between the two, my understanding is that your amps require powering OFF before doing so.

I hope that answers your question. If you want a more technical explanation, I'd suggest searching the Web.