Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

I know a guy who has been in the tube amp business for over 30 years. Has built dozens of tube amps of different types. Restores guitar and audio tube gear.

His favorite tube is the 6L6.

And, a surprise to me, his favorite go-to 6L6 is the Ruby 6L6GC-M-STR. A fairly inexpensive tube. He told me that maybe it is a little tiny bit shy of the best NOS 6L6s, but that it is very close and is a great value. It is made in China and is a copy of the Philips STR-415. The Mesa STR-440 is the same tube. He also likes the above Sovtek 6L6WXT+.

I don't tend to trust these inexpensive, guitar amp tubes. But perhaps I'm wrong. We are in a golden age of tubes and whose to say that Russia or China can't make a very good tube which is inexpensive? Back in the 50s and 60s, a lot of the tubes which are now pricey NOS, were common and inexpensive.

The 6L6 is my favorite tube too, at least in my amp. I have the new the Tungsol Big Bottle, GL KT66 and some NOS. The Shuguang KT66z is the variant I like best and keep coming back to. Not cheap but a lot less than the original GEC.

Ruby carefully selects and tests tubes. They are not run of the mill. Try 'em. I have Ruby 6550's and they are a nice tube.

I like 6V6's too. I have a good selection and prefer the Popes. They preceded the 6L6. Same family.

China and Russia used tubes extensively in military applications because tubes don't melt in a nuclear blast. An all tube MIG. They never stopped producing tubes. Shuguang is the largest producer in the world.

In present dollars tubes were not cheap in the first Golden Age. A lot of audio folks think todays power tubes are better than old production. I tend to agree.
There are always exceptions.

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by robert_kc

Based on recommendations by Musica Amantem, I have the following in transit to me: 1980s “NOS Matched Pair USSR Reflector 6P3S-E / 6L6GC / 6N3C Military Spec Vacuum Tubes”, from a USA seller who tested the tubes on a calibrated Hickok TV-7 D/U tube tester. More to follow …

Please ley us know!

[Bombadil]

I'm in the beginning stages of trying out the new Genalex KT-66 tubes. Have read mostly positive reviews. More power output than other 6L6 types, draws over 40% more heater current. Have had them in for only 2 hours, but must say they sound quite good. Looking forward to cooking them more and seeing how they settle down. Even right out of the box, there was no harshness to their sound, with a very solid, well defined bass.

Nice big pretty tube too. Looks good on the amp.

[Musica Amantem]

Originally Posted by robert_kc

Based on recommendations by Musica Amantem, I have the following in transit to me: 1980s “NOS Matched Pair USSR Reflector 6P3S-E / 6L6GC / 6N3C Military Spec Vacuum Tubes”, from a USA seller who tested the tubes on a calibrated Hickok TV-7 D/U tube tester. More to follow …

Way to go! I hope you are not disappointed. Rig components and room conditions have a say in the end. The description of the tube seems the right one! Yeah, let us know.

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

I'm in the beginning stages of trying out the new Genalex KT-66 tubes. Have read mostly positive reviews. More power output than other 6L6 types, draws over 40% more heater current. Have had them in for only 2 hours, but must say they sound quite good. Looking forward to cooking them more and seeing how they settle down. Even right out of the box, there was no harshness to their sound, with a very solid, well defined bass.

Nice big pretty tube too. Looks good on the amp.

They are nice tubes and if they settle in to suit you, well you may be done. The general consensus is that they are better than the originals. I dunno' cause
I'm not willing to pay the price to find out.

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by Analog Addict

Perhaps the 6SN7 is a GT version, like this one....



And yes, the 5Y3 and 80 rectifiers are supposedly electrically identical, but Dennis and I found that even though the distortion curves didn't necessarily change much, we were able to notice a significant sonic difference between rectifiers.

More dope on the 80: 80 @ The Valve Museum

[Comzee]

I'm really liking the Psvane kit, I could have gone full Psvane and ordered their 5u4g, but eh. The "Preferred Series" 5u4g is a great buy, especially since it runs at 2.5a.

This is how it looks with the kit:
http://i.imgur.com/e78V5lf.jpg

[Bombadil]

Originally Posted by Musica Amantem

Way to go! I hope you are not disappointed. Rig components and room conditions have a say in the end. The description of the tube seems the right one! Yeah, let us know.

I have 4 sets of speakers. Tubes which I like on one set may not be what I like on a different set. Likewise for different preamps.

[radio times]

I'm getting PTSD from this post. It's been top of the tree for month's, as if nothing else on earth existed. I mean I like a nice tube, but jeez.

[Simonatsea]

Originally Posted by Comzee

I'm thinking about the EML 5U4 or 274B for the rectifier. I can't find any mesh alternatives to the output/input tubes, I wonder if any exist?

The EML 5u4 in my 6V6 amp and LP-2 doesn't really cut the mustard. In my opinion at least. I prefer the sophia mesh 274b in my LP-2 for spooky sound staging and the USAF 596 tube in the power amp, that tube in my opinion is end game as far as rectifiers go.... Not willing to shell out for western electric, yet......
That said, the EML works but it just comes up short in comparison, it looks amazing though!