[JKDJedi]

So here is an interesting pic from an ebay auction for two western electric 421a. I find it interesting because the tubes are clearly different in the getter (and other areas) due to manufacturing date. Unless something funky is going on, this is a pretty clear indication of differing types.

I have the 76' version of that tube with the halo getters. Would love to have the older 60's double D getter of these guys. And nothing funky about the slight variation, all tubes go through slight variations, look at the Bendix 6080, there's a half dozen variations of that tube itself.. even a metal plated Bendix is out there. RCA 6as7g.. some are bottom getters, some top, some have dual getters some just the one..

 

[bcowen]

I have the 76' version of that tube with the halo getters. Would love to have the older 60's double D getter of these guys. And nothing funky about the slight variation, all tubes go through slight variations, look at the Bendix 6080, there's a half dozen variations of that tube itself.. even a metal plated Bendix is out there. RCA 6as7g.. some are bottom getters, some top, some have dual getters some just the one..

Double-D's are always preferable.

Oh, wait...we're talking about tubes. Nevermind.

 

[bcowen]

Tung-Sol VT-163 JAN-CTL-6C8G (round black plates) NOS 100%+
Okay, so the 6C8G works very well on the Darkvoice and is definitely a new favorite.
I have been waiting for a Tung-Sol VT-99 6F8G to show up at a reasonable price, but no luck as of yet. This 6C8G will sound the same, yet on paper it has more gain than the 6F8G, but still sounds so wonderful. It does not play well with my Tung-Sol 5998.. which for someone on a budget is a good thing. I expected the volume knob to be very sensitive with the 5998, but it wasn't that at all.. the sound was actually on the thin and gritty side.. it lacked depth and wasn't moving. Next up, my NOS 1950 RCA JAN-6AS7G black plates.. better but still pretty lifeless, come to think of it, that RCA hasn't impressed me once. It is mint but time to sell it.

Now with my minty Edicron branded Svetlana "Winged C" 6H13C (NOS 1986), it shines! You can immediately hear that it's a very balanced combination. It was the first power tube I chose to demo this 6C8G on and looped back to it at the end. This has really shown what a difference the right combination can make.. The Svetlana has the low end power + accuracy and the Tung-Sol is extremely detailed. Every slight nuance of the instrument is revealed, sounds I did not notice before. This is probably the biggest surprise.. just how it brought out so much detail in songs I know so well. Nice lows, even on HD6XX, midrange is moving and powerful, high end is crisp but never fatiguing. The soundstage isn't so wide, not narrow but more in a realistic sense. The stereo separation is great. It's wonderfully musical.

Tracks like Joy Division - Decades (high treble range) do not destroy my hearing. Booka Shade - Body Language, this combo can fully produce the low, mid and high end with no problem. It's just quite balanced and energetic. I keep wanting to play track after track. I wish I could let you all hear it.. a Chatham 6080WA will arrive tomorrow and I am looking forward to hearing how that pairs. The pair of GEC L63s arriving soon have some real competition.

Thanks for sharing! I have RCA and National Union 6C8G's, but no Tung Sol...and no 6F8G's. Time to set up a couple new Ebay searches. LOL!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Should I want this kind of Tube?? Found on Ebay...lol

 

[JKDJedi]

Tung-Sol VT-163 JAN-CTL-6C8G (round black plates) NOS 100%+
Okay, so the 6C8G works very well on the Darkvoice and is definitely a new favorite.
I have been waiting for a Tung-Sol VT-99 6F8G to show up at a reasonable price, but no luck as of yet. This 6C8G will sound the same, yet on paper it has more gain than the 6F8G, but still sounds so wonderful. It does not play well with my Tung-Sol 5998.. which for someone on a budget is a good thing. I expected the volume knob to be very sensitive with the 5998, but it wasn't that at all.. the sound was actually on the thin and gritty side.. it lacked depth and wasn't moving. Next up, my NOS 1950 RCA JAN-6AS7G black plates.. better but still pretty lifeless, come to think of it, that RCA hasn't impressed me once. It is mint but time to sell it.

Now with my minty Edicron branded Svetlana "Winged C" 6H13C (NOS 1986), it shines! You can immediately hear that it's a very balanced combination. It was the first power tube I chose to demo this 6C8G on and looped back to it at the end. This has really shown what a difference the right combination can make.. The Svetlana has the low end power + accuracy and the Tung-Sol is extremely detailed. Every slight nuance of the instrument is revealed, sounds I did not notice before. This is probably the biggest surprise.. just how it brought out so much detail in songs I know so well. Nice lows, even on HD6XX, midrange is moving and powerful, high end is crisp but never fatiguing. The soundstage isn't so wide, not narrow but more in a realistic sense. The stereo separation is great. It's wonderfully musical.

Tracks like Joy Division - Decades (high treble range) do not destroy my hearing. Booka Shade - Body Language, this combo can fully produce the low, mid and high end with no problem. It's just quite balanced and energetic. I keep wanting to play track after track. I wish I could let you all hear it.. a Chatham 6080WA will arrive tomorrow and I am looking forward to hearing how that pairs. The pair of GEC L63s arriving soon have some real competition.

Should I want this kind of Tube?? Found on Ebay...lol

You got 5 minutes to steal this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/383753688502

 

[bcowen]

Should I want this kind of Tube?? Found on Ebay...lol

It's a sought after tube, no doubt. Tonally balanced to the warm side, but partnered with the right output tube -- perhaps a Svet Winged C or a TS/Cetron/Sylvania 7236 -- it could be quite nice. I like the CBS/Hytron version of the 5692 a bit better myself, but that's totally a personal preference thing.

 

[bcowen]

You got 5 minutes to steal this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/383753688502

LOL! Great minds and all.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

You got 5 minutes to steal this one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/383753688502

I'm dying here today!!!

 

[JKDJedi]

I'm dying here today!!!

Buy it!!!

 

[bcowen]

I'm dying here today!!!

ROFL! Just go ahead with the deposit on the rabbit hole condo.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Balls......I'm kinda of a buy it now guy...LMAO

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

ROFL! Just go ahead with the deposit on the rabbit hole condo.

Now I'm gonna start drinking!!!

I had the winning bid amount on Both of those tubes, and forgot both times to hit the confirm in time!

 

[JKDJedi]

Balls......I'm kinda of a buy it now guy...LMAO

That tube usually sells for $100-$120....just sold for $54..

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

That tube usually sells for $100-$120....just sold for $54..

Thanks @JKDJedi !!!

Make it a double!

 

[therremans]

RCA 6as7g.. some are bottom getters, some top, some have dual getters some just the one..

Is there a generally regarded preference? Getter type + plate color.