Tubes 6GM8 / ECC86

ben62670
ben62670 Posts: 15,969
edited June 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
What brands are good in these tubes, and are there any brands I should avoid? These things are getting scarce.
Thanks
Ben
Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben
Post edited by ben62670 on
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2008
    Taken from: https://www.tubeworld.com/6e5.htm

    6GM8=ECC86 Dual Triode
    (the best sounding are Telefunken, Siemens and Amperex Holland)
    Wavelength Cosecant USB DAC

    3 pairs $80/pair) 6GM8=ECC86 Amperex Holland branded as Siemens NOS "O" getter halo in Siemens boxes around 1966 (recommended)
    8 pairs $60/pair) 6GM8 Amperex Holland NOS 1970's A-Frame (sweet sound, quiet pairs)
    2 pairs $60/pair) 6GM8=ECC86 Amperex Holland branded as Siemens NOS in Siemens boxes around 1970 A-Frame (recommended)
    1) 6GM8 Amperex Holland branded as Motorola Germany NOS 1960's $35
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited June 2008
    Hi Ben,

    All the 6GM8 that I have purchased (3 different brands, Westinghouse, GE, and Ampex) have the same A-frame structure that only Ampex used in their 6DJ8/6922 tubes. The Made In Holland label also a strong indication that they were indeed made by Ampex. If I am not mistaken, Ampex was the only manufacturer of this tube. So, don't worry about the brand too much.

    -fredv-
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited June 2008
    Thanks guys. I am deep into research now. I feel a Valve-state amp coming on:eek:
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited June 2008
    Wow, prices aren't bad at all. That type doesn't seem to be mainstream in equipments yet. If you're planning to use the equipment for a long time, get your NOS supply while it's still easiy available and cheap.

    Fred,
    I think he was looking for ECC86 and you accidentally punched in 6DJ8/ECC88.
    If you have any labeled "Made in Gt. Britain", it's the same tube but made by Mullard on Ampex tooling in later production. I have quite a few of them. The A frame is one of my fav.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited June 2008
    They can still be had for $10 each;)
    I love the low voltage these puppies are very content to live with:)
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited June 2008
    Same brands for other types are waaaay more than $10 a piece. You're very lucky. Are you using them in your pre-amp?
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited June 2008
    Yes sir. I am shooting for a tube pre/headphone amp. I might even do an active XO with tubes;)

    Second project is going to be a tube line stage to a gain-clone LM3886.

    Third project I want to do will be a tube input stage, and tube voltage amp, and solid state output stage like a GFA-565.

    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited June 2008
    You're gonna be busy for a while. Wow! What speakers are you running? Have you heard low powered SETs? A lot of DIY'ers like to play around with SETs because of the simple circuitry.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited June 2008
    organ wrote: »
    Wow! What speakers are you running?

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53273:o
    No SET's
    I like my transistors like me.
    BiPolar:D
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited June 2008
    Hi Maurice

    Long time no see. Yes, I did mean 6DJ8/6922. The 6GM8/ECC86 is essentially a low voltage 6DJ8/6922. No kidding, it sounds very much like the Ampex A-frame to my ears. Look at how much a NOS A-frame costs you, the 6GM8 is really a bargain especially it is a genuine cousin of the A-frame from Ampex!!

    -fredv-
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