[gonintendo]

Thanks - that is super helpful!

Higher than the headphones impedance is probably too much though in any case

 

[nwavesailor]

My Bigger Ben will be listed in the classifieds in next few minutes.

 

[LegionofDoom]

2.5 questions….

1). Is the Bigger Ben 2 slightly quieter than the Ovation from a noise perspective at the 300 ohm tap? The A&S website says so (480 vs 540uV). Just want to confirm that.

2). Can anyone provide sound impression differences to expect on the ZMF VC between these two amps? If your music genre is mainly rock and blues, would one have a notably different experience over the other on the VCs?

 

[WillieB]

I've had these TS 7581A since before my BB ever arrived and haven't spent a whole lot of time with them. I am definitely starting to understand the increased interest in this tube from builders. They have very even tone with a modern sound, but they can be softened a bit with a 5U4G. They seem to have become a new favorite just as they became harder to get. The pre-amp tube is interestingly a fake/counterfeit Tesla ECC803S. It's internals pretty closely match those of a current JJ, but I like it better than most any JJ that I've heard. It's actually one of my favorite tubes for this amp. Not bad for $18 . The seller thinks they were likely made in Slovakia (or the area that now is Slovakia) some time ago, but who knows. Have a great Friday all!

 

[cats4cans]

I've had these TS 7581A since before my BB ever arrived and haven't spent a whole lot of time with them. I am definitely starting to understand the increased interest in this tube from builders. They have very even tone with a modern sound, but they can be softened a bit with a 5U4G. They seem to have become a new favorite just as they became harder to get.

I liked the 7581A a lot in my speaker amp, but I had a hard time keeping a full octet operational. That amp might be a bit persnickety though. I’m saving the tubes for rolling when I finally pick up an amp that only needs a pair. That blue glow is a nice bonus too.

 

[Dawgfish]

I've had these TS 7581A since before my BB ever arrived and haven't spent a whole lot of time with them. I am definitely starting to understand the increased interest in this tube from builders. They have very even tone with a modern sound, but they can be softened a bit with a 5U4G. They seem to have become a new favorite just as they became harder to get. The pre-amp tube is interestingly a fake/counterfeit Tesla ECC803S. It's internals pretty closely match those of a current JJ, but I like it better than most any JJ that I've heard. It's actually one of my favorite tubes for this amp. Not bad for $18 . The seller thinks they were likely made in Slovakia (or the area that now is Slovakia) some time ago, but who knows. Have a great Friday all!

I've been trying the TS 7581A in my Mogwai OG and I'm really liking the sound. They surprisingly sound as good as the NOS Mullard EL34 XF2s and NOS GE 6CA7 fat bottles I've tried in it to date (just got it this week).

 

[darktooth8]

I've been trying the TS 7581A in my Mogwai OG and I'm really liking the sound. They surprisingly sound as good as the NOS Mullard EL34 XF2s and NOS GE 6CA7 fat bottles I've tried in it to date (just got it this week).

The 7581A drops in for KT88s? These look cool

 

[Dawgfish]

The 7581A drops in for KT88s? These look cool

It's a 6l6gc type. So far since I've been mainly using my ZMFs with the Mogwai and they don't need a ton of power to drive, I've been mainly using 6l6 or EL34 types for lower noise floor. I'll try a 6550/KT88/KT90 type when I use planars.

 

[WillieB]

The 7581A drops in for KT88s? These look cool

I think they are a drop-in on any amp that uses 6L6GC in either configuration, UL or Triode, but not sure about amps that are configured to use KT88 in UL mode. Amps that are exclusively using Tetrodes and Pentodes in Triode configuration can very likely work with them. I know they can be used in Mogwai and BB.

 

[darktooth8]

Very cool! I think it should be ok in the nautilus then if it works in the BB. I started this all off thinking I'd just use stock tubes and now I want to try all of em. Thanks

 

[MLPhoenix]

Very cool! I think it should be ok in the nautilus then if it works in the BB. I started this all off thinking I'd just use stock tubes and now I want to try all of em. Thanks

I can confirm they work very well in the Nautilus. Definitely one of my favorites.

 

[WillieB]

Very cool! I think it should be ok in the nautilus then if it works in the BB. I started this all off thinking I'd just use stock tubes and now I want to try all of em. Thanks

I know what you mean. I never thought I would end up with so many tubes, but it's borderline obsession at this point. It's fun finding a great combo of tube/headphone/music. It's my favorite part of the hobby besides the actual enjoyment of music.

 

[duranxv]

I've had these TS 7581A since before my BB ever arrived and haven't spent a whole lot of time with them. I am definitely starting to understand the increased interest in this tube from builders. They have very even tone with a modern sound, but they can be softened a bit with a 5U4G. They seem to have become a new favorite just as they became harder to get. The pre-amp tube is interestingly a fake/counterfeit Tesla ECC803S. It's internals pretty closely match those of a current JJ, but I like it better than most any JJ that I've heard. It's actually one of my favorite tubes for this amp. Not bad for $18 . The seller thinks they were likely made in Slovakia (or the area that now is Slovakia) some time ago, but who knows. Have a great Friday all!

You got me interested as well!

 

[Smallpie]

Does a bigger Ben and abyss 1266 match up well? Has anyone tried that combo and liked it?

 

[ampsandsound]

Does a bigger Ben and abyss 1266 match up well? Has anyone tried that combo and liked it?

Sure does!