Need help with power tubes

dhart86
dhart86 Posts: 1,594
edited November 2012 in Electronics
I have used tubed pre-amps in previous rigs and loved the sound of tubes so much...... that I purchased my first integrated tub amp. My problem is, I don't understand the first thing about power tubes. The amp I bought is a yaqin mc 13s and uses 6CA7/EL34 power tubes and 12at7 in the (output?). So here is what I hope you guys can help me with.

1. How and when do you bias power tubes?
2. How much do quality power tubes affect the sonics?
3. Therefore, is it worth it to buy top of line power tubes?
4. Can you recommend any good tubes in this designation?

Please help, want to set this up right and check out my first integrated tube set-up
Main Rig:
Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


Second Rig:
Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


Post edited by dhart86 on
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Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,569
    edited November 2012
    1. It should have come with instructions on how to bias the tubes. You will need a VOM.
    1A. They should be biased right away after you first turn it on, then check it at 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and if everything is ok, then once a month. Any time you change tubes, repeat.
    2. Greatly.
    3. Yes.
    4. That will vary with the amp. For 6CA7's I like Shuguang Treasures. For 12AT7's I like Mullard CV4024/M8162.
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited November 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    1. It should have come with instructions on how to bias the tubes. You will need a VOM.
    1A. They should be biased right away after you first turn it on, then check it at 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and if everything is ok, then once a month. Any time you change tubes, repeat.
    2. Greatly.
    3. Yes.
    4. That will vary with the amp. For 6CA7's I like Shuguang Treasures. For 12AT7's I like Mullard CV4024/M8162.

    Thanks F1nut
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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