http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2015/01/29/korg-noritake-introduce-futuristic-nutube-vacuum-tubes/
Many of us will have used Noritake VFDs, and as any fule kno, VFDs can be used as triodes, so maybe Noritake decided to cash in on this or just try to see where it'll end up. They've called it the "Nutube 6P1" (*) The VFD heritage is obvious for all to see - basically, they seem to have been able to use exactly the same manufacturing technology, specifically in the use of new long-life cathode coatings, and also the same form factor & encapsulation as a traditional VFD. Great idea. They're claiming 30,000 hours of continuous use, only 2% of the power consumption of a traditional triode (e.g. 12AX7) and very small size - 30% of the size of a "conventional vacuum tube", however big that might be. Also claiming "rich in harmonics"... Homepage: [url]http://www.korg.com/us/news/2015/012212/[/url] Can't find a datasheet ATM. Sounds fun... and its not even April 1st :) The anode fluorescence is due to this really being a VFD, made on a VFD production line, by a company that makes most of the world's VFDs :) The anode coating of VFDs is what makes VFDs so useful, but its not essential (just cool). The cathode coating, OTOH, is vital - VFD manufacturers have developed coatings that make the cathodes perform flawlessly for many years - at least 3.5 years (30,000 hours) of continuous running - old purpose-built triodes like the 12AX7, used to need replacing fairly often, with lifespans of less than 10,000 hours. So, to save money, Noritake have used a standard VFD production line to do this - VFD form-factor, VFD internal construction, VFD anodes, grids & cathodes, VFD pin-outs etc. etc. As Mark correctly points out, pretty much any VFD can be used as a triode, some even up to RF frequencies... Sensible move, really... (*) for some reason originally I read that as "Nut Lube" :shock: -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/39d629dd-7578-4371-bb42-8ac3d3f226b6%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
