Whelkie D
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Try here.....................https://www.head-fi.org/threads/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide.563884/
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With all due respect, this guide was published a number of years ago, and as time progressed the forum members added much more information about tube rolling. IMHO the the LD MKIII reaches a very high level of performance with the Ei 6HM5 tubes and substituting the 6N6P tubes for 6SN7 tubes (plug and play with adapters). In addition, these are not expensive tubes. But, as always, YMMV...Try here.....................https://www.head-fi.org/threads/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide.563884/
I'll go along with that..Although I don't have anywhere near as much experience as mordy, I do have experience with these tubes and they are the ones I use 75% of the time and the other 25% of the time I use the Voshkod 6ZH1P-EV tubes. I'm still using the stock power tubes and I have no complaints so far. IMO you can't go wrong with either one of those two tubes they are both readily available, not expensive and they sound great.These are considered among the best drivers for the LD MKIII:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/EI-6HM5-EC...m5d4fdb1092:g:prcAAOSwDk5UEhHk&frcectupt=true
You can start with these - not expensive. Then for power tubes buy a pair of inexpensive 6SN7 tubes and a pair of adapters for the LD MKIII and you are set.
Good luck!
Thank you for your kind words. The EI tubes I have have a quick heat feature- when you turn on the amp they flash up for a second. The first time I used these 6H5M tubes I thought the amp was blowing up! But this is normal with many European tubes and no cause for worry....I'll go along with that..Although I don't have anywhere near as much experience as mordy, I do have experience with these tubes and they are the ones I use 75% of the time and the other 25% of the time I use the Voshkod 6ZH1P-EV tubes. I'm still using the stock power tubes and I have no complaints so far. IMO you can't go wrong with either one of those two tubes they are both readily available, not expensive and they sound great.
Yes, I agree the Yugo 6hm5s are really good all-rounders and a great place to start. I haven't tried the short version yet but many people have said they sound slightly harsh, but the tall ones are one of my favouritesThank you for your kind words. The EI tubes I have have a quick heat feature- when you turn on the amp they flash up for a second. The first time I used these 6H5M tubes I thought the amp was blowing up! But this is normal with many European tubes and no cause for worry....
These are considered among the best drivers for the LD MKIII:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/EI-6HM5-EC...m5d4fdb1092:g:prcAAOSwDk5UEhHk&frcectupt=true
You can start with these - not expensive. Then for power tubes buy a pair of inexpensive 6SN7 tubes and a pair of adapters for the LD MKIII and you are set.
Good luck!
Hi, could you be kind enough to share the links for the 6sn7 adapters and socket savers ? I would like to get them too.. thank you kindlyJust ordered 6SN7s (Tung-Sol), Adapters and socket savers....
These are the correct adapters and Mrs Ling Xu is a good seller. Re the 6SN7 I would just go for the least expensive since the sky is the limit on 6SN7 tubes. Most people seem to think that in the LD MKIII the main impact of the sound of the tubes come from the driver tubes and therefore, in this amp, the power tubes are not as crucial. I like to think of the power tubes as the rhythm section in a band - they provide the foundation for the sound.thank you very much. ordered the driver tubes. for the power tubes, can i go with any brand ?
Are these the adapters that i need to use the 6sn7 as power tubes
https://www.ebay.com/itm/191082280257?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
and
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-9-PIN...60622385954?oid=161584664637&autorefresh=true
thank you very much
Thank you very very much. If you are ever in the bay area, let me know. Beer's on me!!!These are the correct adapters and Mrs Ling Xu is a good seller. Re the 6SN7 I would just go for the least expensive since the sky is the limit on 6SN7 tubes. Most people seem to think that in the LD MKIII the main impact of the sound of the tubes come from the driver tubes and therefore, in this amp, the power tubes are not as crucial. I like to think of the power tubes as the rhythm section in a band - they provide the foundation for the sound.
Here is a suggestion for a pair of inexpensive 6SN7 tubes:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-RC...m3b2ee7db09:g:SoAAAOSwiMtcp44J&frcectupt=true
but there are many more.
You could go crazy with the 6SN7 but I don't think these will make much of a difference in the LD MKIII:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matched-Pa...m3406f74fc8:g:jHgAAOSwLeFcP7s-&frcectupt=true
Have fun!
what is your opinion on thisThanks
Also one more question. I have a dark voice amp which used the 6sn7 tubes. I have some that I got for it. Can I use 2 different unmatched 6sn7's in the little dot or do they have to match? Thank you kindlyThanks
Silvertone was the Sears department store label on tubes sold there - usually they were made by Sylvania. The EIA code (Electronics Industry Association) of 312 stands for Sylvania. The date code of 726 means the 26th week (June) of probably 1967(1957?). The price is reasonable.
You don't need matched tubes and you can even use different brands if they sound similar. Go ahead and save some money!Also one more question. I have a dark voice amp which used the 6sn7 tubes. I have some that I got for it. Can I use 2 different unmatched 6sn7's in the little dot or do they have to match? Thank you kindly
Silvertone was the Sears department store label on tubes sold there - usually they were made by Sylvania. The EIA code (Electronics Industry Association) of 312 stands for Sylvania. The date code of 726 means the 26th week (June) of probably 1967(1957?). The price is reasonable.
You don't need matched tubes and you can even use different brands if they sound similar. Go ahead and save some money!