Tubes and Tube Rolling

frreo1
frreo1 Posts: 73
edited August 2007 in Electronics
How many of you bottleheads out there are into tube rolling? What has been your experience with it? Have you been able to improve your system as a result?
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited August 2007
    frreo1 wrote: »
    How many of you bottleheads out there are into tube rolling? What has been your experience with it? Have you been able to improve your system as a result?

    I haven't, but Sid (Vr3MxStyler2k3) on this forum should chime in...he knows a bit about tubes and tube rolling.
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  • frreo1
    frreo1 Posts: 73
    edited August 2007
    Here's what I've noticed with tubes:

    The small signal tubes in current production do not seem to be as good as NOS. I have heard good things about the Sovtek 12AX7 LPS. The Russian 6922s are actually pretty fair, but they do not compare to NOS Amperex 6DJ8 or 6922. The Russian 6922 sound a bit recessed compared to NOS, but is not microphonic.

    However, the power tubes made today seem every bit as good as NOS. In fact, an argument could be made that the current KT-88 (Genelex Re-Issue) is as good or better than the original.
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited August 2007
    frreo1 wrote: »
    Here's what I've noticed with tubes:

    However, the power tubes made today seem every bit as good as NOS. In fact, an argument could be made that the current KT-88 (Genelex Re-Issue) is as good or better than the original.

    Interesting. Have you tried them? I'm asking because the nos kt-88's are so darn expensive that I just left the stock tubes in for now. Have you heard any nos kt-88's? I haven't.
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  • frreo1
    frreo1 Posts: 73
    edited August 2007
    I have heard NOS KT88s. A local dealer had taken a vintage HK Citation II on consignment, and was able to listen to it for a period of time. While the sound was very nice, and got me back into tube audio, their cost certainly does not justify the price.

    I was and have a few sets of NOS GE6550A, which until the Gold Lion Re-issue, was my preferred output valve, for the price point. I can honestly tell you that the Gold Lion re-issue is as good as it gets.

    Many of the respected tube oracles out there (Jim McShane, Roger Modjeski) also will testify that the Gold Lion re-issue is as good as advertised. The EL-34 Mullard re-issue is also quite nice.

    Hope this helps.
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited August 2007
    Where do you recommend buying the kt-88 reissue? I'm going to need a matched quad.
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  • frreo1
    frreo1 Posts: 73
    edited August 2007
    There are a number of good dealers out there. I got my two sets from Jim McShane. The second set had a problem, and he sent me out a replacement set without any hassle. Here is a link to his site:

    http://pages.prodigy.net/jimmcshane/

    I am sure you will be happy with them. What type of amp?
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