Are black plates a gimmick?
Black plates are making a comeback. Many think that modern tubes with black plates are just trying to look like the old RCA power tubes from the 50s, and have no real purpose. The motive of the manufacturers is unknown by me, but there is a benefit to having black plates—believe it or not. “The plates of power valves and rectifiers are frequently blackened to increase their heat radiation and thereby reduce their temperature.” – F. Langford-Smith, ed. “Introduction to the Radio Valve; Section 2: The Component Parts of Radio Valves; (iii) Plates” Radiotron Designer’s Handbook. Fourth Edition. pg 5, paragraph 5. Wireless Press, 1953. Now you know! Feel free to impress (or bore) your neighbor with your new found expertise on black plated vacuum tubes!
