Quote:
Originally Posted by CoogarXR
I suggest trying it with an inverter first, then see if you want a permanent mod. You might want to come up with some kind of shock-absorbing mount too. I am not sure if tubes would like all that road vibration.
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The idea of tube-type amplifiers in car radios is not new. Years ago, car radios used miniature tubes and they worked quite well; no microphonics unless the output tube had loose elements, and the radios themselves were built to withstand road shakes, bumps, and other things that would shake a standard radio's tubes apart. However, the old automobile radio reverberation systems with actual metal spring delay lines were prone to noise problems if the car in which they were installed went over a bump in the road. The springs would bounce against each other or against the unit's housing, resulting in a loud "BONG!" sound from the radio's speakers (the main one in the dashboard and the second one in the back of the car, near the rear seat). My dad had one of these reverb units in his 1963 Chevy BelAir; the reverb worked very well, no problems with the springs causing the noises I mentioned -- at least none I can remember.
BTW, Cadillac car radios probably had reverb as standard equipment, as these were luxury cars with all the bells and whistles (and a price to match). My mother had a '57 Caddy with an AM radio that had a signal-seeking tuner and preset buttons for favorite stations. I wouldn't have been surprised if that car had a reverb system as well.