coolhandjjl wrote:Darling style uses a true triode tube, making it a bit pricier than the strapped triode or UL mode, or do the bigger output transformers required cancel out the cost savings that 6L6 tubes bring?
I haven't priced 1626s lately, but they always seemed cheap to me, and the Russian 6L6s are pretty cheap, too. I think either project will be about the same, though one could use even smaller outputs for the Darling (though I wouldn't recommend it).
coolhandjjl wrote:What should I be considering to help select between strapped triode or UL mode? If I don't need the added power, stick with strapped triode mode?
Right. The triode strapped version will also have more gain and thus easier to drive with your source.
Shannon