At the 2015 NAMM Show, Korg and Noritake introduced the Nutube, a new miniaturized and high performance vacuum tube.
In cooperation with Noritake Itron Corporation, Korg has developed the Nutube to offer improved reliability and efficiency, while still generating the same rich harmonics which vacuum tubes are known for.
As with previous vacuum tubes, the Nutube is structured with an anode, grid, and filament, and operates as a complete triode tube, generating the same rich harmonics that are distinctive of conventional vacuum tubes.
By applying technology from Noritake Co., Limited’s vacuum fluorescent displays, though, the structure of the vacuum tube has been modified, dramatically reducing its size and allowing it to consume less power.
Korg outlines these benefits to the new ‘tube on a chip’ technology:The Nutube 6P1 is designed specifically to generate rich harmonics when used with a musical instrument. Products using the Nutube are currently under development, with announcements expected during 2015.
- Power Consumption. Miniaturization dramatically reduces power consumption, allowing the Nutube to operate using less than 2% of power required by conventional vacuum tubes and making it easy to power the unit on batteries.
Compact. The Nutube occupies less than 30% of the volume of a conventional vacuum tube. Its small size and low thermal output allows it to be easily mounted directly on a high-density circuit board without using a socket
High reliability and long life. The unique design and state of the art Japanese production facility ensures the Nutubes are built to the highest standard and offer up to 30,000 hours of continuous operating life. The high reliability means that it can be attached directly to the circuit board with confidence knowing that it will not need to be replaced regularly like a 12AX7.
“As an electronic component, a vacuum tube has the disadvantages of being larger than a transistor, having a shorter lifespan, and a higher power consumption, and although many people like the sound of a vacuum tube, historically they have been more difficult to deal with,” states Korg’s Fumio Mieda, who has helped develop Korg synth going back all the way to the MS-20. “The Nutube sets us free from these many limitations, making it possible for us to think about using it in new products,” added Mieda.
New miniaturized and high performance vacuum tubes
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- Sabre
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New miniaturized and high performance vacuum tubes
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Sabre (Julian)
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Good choice putting $4,000 rims on your 1990 Honda Civic. That's like Betty White going out and getting her tits done.
92.5% Stock 04 STI
Good choice putting $4,000 rims on your 1990 Honda Civic. That's like Betty White going out and getting her tits done.
- zaxrex
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Re: New miniaturized and high performance vacuum tubes
I wonder how they hold up to shock and vibration. If this miniaturizing process has also increased the robustness, then surface mounted components seem cool. If not, then I still think modular or socket application might be warranted.
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- Sabre
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Re: New miniaturized and high performance vacuum tubes
I can't help one thing: I LOVE to look of traditional vacuum tubes!
Sabre (Julian)
92.5% Stock 04 STI
Good choice putting $4,000 rims on your 1990 Honda Civic. That's like Betty White going out and getting her tits done.
92.5% Stock 04 STI
Good choice putting $4,000 rims on your 1990 Honda Civic. That's like Betty White going out and getting her tits done.
- complacent
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Re: New miniaturized and high performance vacuum tubes
agreed. absolutely timeless.Sabre wrote:I can't help one thing: I LOVE to look of traditional vacuum tubes!
colin
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i <3 teh 00ntz
a tank, a yammie, a spaceship
i <3 teh 00ntz
- Mr Kleen
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Re: New miniaturized and high performance vacuum tubes
Preach it, brother.Sabre wrote:I can't help one thing: I LOVE to look of traditional vacuum tubes!
That's the real reason that high-end audio systems use them.