so if the DC goes up a little (which is what happens with MW) it shouldn't matter.
I measured the B+ on my mono block tube power amps.
With Multiwave off, I measure 424 volts on each amp.
With Multiwave on, I measure 406 volts on each amp.
Is what I am seeing normal? And if so, please explain the electronics involved. - See more at: http://www.psaudio.com/vanilla/discussion/comment/16580#Comment_16580
An explanation from Bob Stadtherr:
You are correct that the peak voltage is about 5% lower in order to maintain the same RMS value. However the softer wave shape extends the amount of time that the rectifiers conduct and charge the filter capacitors. This means the peak current from the transformer is lower, and thus the IR drops in the tranformer are lower. This offsets the lower peak voltage, but only under load.
The wave shape was chosen so that in typical equipment (with a constant DC draw) the lower peak voltage and the improved transformer efficiency just cancel out and the dc is about the same.
In a power amplifier, usually we see a slightly lower DC voltage at idle, and about the same with typical loads. When the demand on the amp is high, we usually see much less sagging of the DC voltages than with a sine wave input.
Another benefit of the extended charging time is lower ripple current in the filter capacitors. This reduces the internal heating and extends the life of the parts. - See more at: http://www.psaudio.com/vanilla/discussion/comment/16580#Comment_16580