[therremans]

@jpearson there are other notable power tubes to look out for. They will be costly and more rare. Many regard the GEC 6AS7G to be (one of) the best. I’ve never heard one myself..

GEC 6AS7G

Bendix JAN-CEA-6080WB

Western Electric 421A

 

[Mr Trev]

Please tell me that "↑" symbol means something other than "this end up"

 

[bcowen]

Damnit! Show off. I'm not jealous or anything. Nope. Not a bit. Mostly.

How do they sound?

 

[bcowen]

Please tell me that "↑" symbol means something other than "this end up"

Actually, that *is* what it stands for. Those tubes were only supposed to be sold in the Texas market.

 

[therremans]

Damnit! Show off. I'm not jealous or anything. Nope. Not a bit. Mostly.

How do they sound?

Ha, don’t want to be a show off, just a happy tube hoarder. They sound great so far, a lovely warm sound and low end to these.. + that old English mid sound.

They also have a detailed high end. So far I prefer them with the GEC 6080 over the 5998. I haven’t compared but from memory, I prefer these over the Mullard 6J5G. Mullard might be more detailed and wide (from memory) But these definitely groove with their sound, it’s thick but pleasant, one of those tubes where I forget to change the track. Pretty unique for sure and I understand why people love them. All genres I’ve played sound nice.

 

[Mr Trev]

Ha, don’t want to be a show off, just a happy tube hoarder. They sound great so far, a lovely warm sound and low end to these.. + that old English mid sound.

They also have a detailed high end. So far I prefer them with the GEC 6080 over the 5998. I haven’t compared but from memory, I prefer these over the Mullard 6J5G. Mullard might be more detailed and wide (from memory) But these definitely groove with their sound, it’s thick but pleasant, one of those tubes where I forget to change the track. Pretty unique for sure and I understand why people love them. All genres I’ve played sound nice.

So indulge my lack of tube knowledge…
What are they (besides the obvious 6j5) and why is there Silly Putty attaching the glass to the base?

 

[Slade01]

So indulge my lack of tube knowledge…
What are they (besides the obvious 6j5) and why is there Silly Putty attaching the glass to the base?

I can chime in on this. I asked about this too (about the silly putty looking ring), first time i saw it. It's mainly used as support for the tube (reduce vibration in military applications and/or assist in securing the glass tube to the base again, as a reinforcement for rugged use). It's usually rubber or plastic sleeve I believe.

Response on the 6J5 Thread: Post 1132

And what are they - 6J5 MOV tubes made in the Hammersmith Plant (marked by the "Z") and used for British Military application (Air Ministry as denoted by the 10E/ Prefix.)

 

[SHIMACM]

In fact these GECs are tubes for simply getting lost in the music.

 

[Slade01]

@therremans BTW Thank you for making me spend more money on things I probably do not need. LOL. I took a liking to those RCA silver plated cables you got. I also got a semi-matching "audiophile" power cord to go with it. The cord is pretty substantial. If nothing else, they look really nice.

 

[therremans]

@therremans BTW Thank you for making me spend more money on things I probably do not need. LOL. I took a liking to those RCA silver plated cables you got. I also got a semi-matching "audiophile" power cord to go with it. The cord is pretty substantial. If nothing else, they look really nice.

No problem . They look great.

 

[HTSkywalker]

Impressions ??

 

[HTSkywalker]

Ha, don’t want to be a show off, just a happy tube hoarder. They sound great so far, a lovely warm sound and low end to these.. + that old English mid sound.

They also have a detailed high end. So far I prefer them with the GEC 6080 over the 5998. I haven’t compared but from memory, I prefer these over the Mullard 6J5G. Mullard might be more detailed and wide (from memory) But these definitely groove with their sound, it’s thick but pleasant, one of those tubes where I forget to change the track. Pretty unique for sure and I understand why people love them. All genres I’ve played sound nice.

Make sure not to turn the amp sideways or upside down

 

[jpearson]

@jpearson there are other notable power tubes to look out for. They will be costly and more rare. Many regard the GEC 6AS7G to be (one of) the best. I’ve never heard one myself..

@therremans the issue I'm having with most of the driver tubes in your list is most don't seem readily available and it looks like the prices for those that are in the specified editions have skyrocketed since your purchases...

I can find one pair of Sylvania 6J5GT (which sound great in your description) but they're "black plates", which I'm assuming are a no-go...? And $72! - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185255080220?hash=item2b2210311c:g:YhIAAOSwWKVh4D3r

RCA 6SN7GTB - only one I can find for cheap is different spec - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384689337512

The only tube I can find that seems relatively available and to spec in your list is the 6SN7GT RCA (grey glass), but ones that test well seem to be going for around $85! - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175116038875?hash=item28c5bab2db:g:M10AAOSwFfph5oyR There's ones that test less well for cheaper, e.g. - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175177203193. Is that good enough? (Looks like I'm really going to struggle to get one at $40....)

I'm happy enough to shell out for the GEC 6080 as a power tube, but the driver tubes are seeming like a minefield... Matched pairs of English L63 seem to suffer from the same price/availability issues...

I guess this is the way of tubes in the world these days...(!?) Or do I just have to wait for bargains?

You said there are too many viable options to list them all. Can you think of any you haven't mentioned (with the sort of characteristics I'm after) that might be more available?

 

[jpearson]

@therremans Matched pairs of English L63 seem to suffer from the same price/availability issues...

These are the cheapest pair of British L63 I've come across, at $160 - https://mullard.org/products/copy-of-l63-osram-matched-pair-large-blue-decal-2

 

[jpearson]

Good question. I would like to listen to them all. I have only owned the gray plate version.

Is this the one? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224885672675?hash=item345c3b0ae3:g:CA8AAOSweXRh9rPr

You mentioned good mids - how are the bass, vocals, treble? (Pairing would be with the GEC 6080 you recommended if you're up for some testing )