Tube info thread "lets hear it"

faster100

Maybe we can make this a sticky,

I was thinking today how alot of us are getting into tubes and always asking questions, wondering what tubes are good/better/great/ bad and brands, models... and so on.. I think it would be great specially for the tube heads who know alot about tubes, and for the tube newbies who want to learn more about them..

maybe list current made tubes we like, vintage tubes we like.. followed by brand, model, details.. I know some of us like to keep this info top secret but lets all get together and start a thread with lots of info... I for one do plenty of research on the net, however you can't learn everything from the net alone but from people who are old enough to know about tubes or have been into tubes for some time...

tubes i have/tried are all 12ax7's
Raytheon vintage 5751's
groove tubes (mullard remake)12ax7
Sovtek 12ax7

GE 6x4 black plate,
GE 6202 black plate
Rca 6x4
Jan phillips 6x4
and unknown maker 6x4wa black plate... all sound similar to me so far, BUt my oldest 50's GE black plate sounds the best.


So lets see if anyone wants to participate in the thread...

faster100

anybody?

nadams

You waited 2 hours and 17 minutes to bump something?

Give the folks some time

faster100

and? your point? It was no longer showing in new threads.... and so i bumped it to the top.... we all seem interested in tubes and most everyone on this board is on 24/7 I'm sure they have seen the post.....

Thanks for the suggestion though

organ

Sounds good to me. Here's a list of my favorites...

EL34:
1. Electro Harmonix EL34EH
2. JJ E34L
3. SED EL34

It took so long for me to figure out which I like better but I guess the EH wins for its 'livelier' presentation. But the JJ's are very tube and warm sounding with good bass. AAAAAH screw it! Still a tie.

Next EL34 I'm going to try: Mullard EL34 (re-issue by New Sensor)

7199:
1. RCA black plates
2. JAN

RCA is way better but the Sovtek can't even come close to the JAN.

5AR4:
1. Mullard
2. Sovtek

Mullard is much more powerful sounding with better bass and warmth.

12AX7:
1. Sovtek 12AX7LPS
2. Ei 12AX7
3. SED 12AX7

12AU7:
1. Mullard
2. RFT
3. Electro Harmonix

6DJ8/6922:
1. Mullard 6DJ8
2. GE 6DJ8 (the one with black stuff sprayed in the interior of the glass to block RF)

That's it for now.

Maurice

RuSsMaN

Maurice, I've got some 6922/6DJ8 for you, if intersted, shoot me a msg. Amperex, RCA Mullard, Virgin Commies (OLD NOS Russians), etc etc.

Cheers,
Russ

organ

Sent you a PM:)

BlueMDPicker

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Maurice, I've got some 6922/6DJ8 for you, if intersted, shoot me a msg. Amperex, RCA Mullard, Virgin Commies (OLD NOS Russians), etc etc.

Maurice,

The RCA Mullard 6DJ8's are SPECTACULAR in my CDP - Thanks again, Russ.

Mike

faster100

so are these EI's i see on e-bay stateing being made on old telefunken machines good or a bunch of hooey? want 21 bucks a pair i think... calling them silver bullets...

was gonna grab a set, before i tried vintage 12ax7's

BlueMDPicker

Unless you need a ton of tubes, IMO save up, keep your eyes open, and get some NOS JAN/Sylvania or Mullards for all round satisfaction.

There's a reason they cost more, and it isn't snob factor. I've run many 6CA7/EL34 power tubes with my DCM. Nothing comes close to Mullards for SQ. Same story with small signal tubes. I now have Mullards top to bottom in my push-pull rig. I'm done.

Having said that, Ei does make some good tubes - especially if the amp/preamp was designed with them in mind. The Manley Stingray was purposely designed around their EL34 tube because it was current production. On the Ei small signal tube side, it's my understanding that there is really only one build with all manner of pin plating and buzzy branding going on. If you want to try them, get the cheapest ones you can find. Odds are it's the same tube inside, and that's where the rubber meets the road.

Early B.

This may seem strange to many of you, but I've tried several 12AX7 tubes in my Jolida amp including Groove Tubes, Telefunken and Sovtek, and I keep going back to the EH. It doesn't necessarily do anything great, but it does everything well. The GT 12AX7M sounded slightly better, but every now and then I got static, so they had to go. The other tubes I'm using will stay right where they are -- Mullard 12AT7's and EH KT88's.

faster100

I have the groove tubes 12ax7M's rolling in the pre now and like em alot.... My fav so far has been the sovtek 12ax7lps

Paul has a new set of EH 12ax7's and likes em and wants me to pick up a set to try.... now that you mentioned likeing them also i may try em,

anyone have any vintage 12ax7 tubes in the tele's or mullards? to sell...

faster100

any one wanna add to the thread? Come on Russman i know you have tube lore in that head amongst other stuff to share in this thread