[ScottieB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you come across Sylvania round getter black plate W or WA versions ( 6AK5W or 6AK5WA ), snap them up...they are extremely good tubes. Peete.

I got some of those square getter Sylvanias, too - pretty cheap. They sound pretty darn good to me. Not quite as good as my M8161s, but muuuuch cheaper! Just as good if not better than the stock tubes, IMO.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Scottie, the round getter black plates are in a league of their own, right up there with top 3 tubes I've ever heard in the MK III. The square getter version is not the same with regards to SQ but they do give a taste of the black plate SQ signature. Sylvania made great tubes under stringent QC guidelines...what would pass in another's line would be crushed by the Sylvania crew....

My list is as follows and they all tie for first

Amperex PQ E95F or EF95 bugle boys,
Sylvania 6AK5W/WA round getter black plate,
Mullard EF 92 large shield,

They are all outstanding in the MK III !!!

Peete.

 

[ScottieB]

Yeah Peete I hear ya and do not doubt it one bit. However, the ones you mentioned are pretty tough to come bvy - and when I do, they are WAY more than I care to pay. I've already spent $30+ on a few sets of tubes, so now I'm bargain hunting. I was very satisfied with the square getter Sylvanias I got - about 8 of them for around $20 shipped. I'd love to get some Tung Sol or Bugle Boys, but every time I see them it is Yen seeling them - the last listing I saw for the Tung Sols was $48 PLUS shipping!!! Too much for me at this point, so I've been looking at the lower end.

 

[sinisterm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete /img/forum/go_quote.gif Mullard EF 92 large shield,

Do you mean these? Mullard CV131 / 6CQ6 Little Dot Amp MkII MkIV EF92 - (eBay.ca item 280259229234 end time 29-Aug-08 20:49:22 EDT)

I'm getting bored with these russian's so it's time to try something new. EF92 family this time I guess.

 

[ScottieB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinisterm /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you mean these? Mullard CV131 / 6CQ6 Little Dot Amp MkII MkIV EF92 - (eBay.ca item 280259229234 end time 29-Aug-08 20:49:22 EDT) I'm getting bored with these russian's so it's time to try something new. EF92 family this time I guess.

I'm not sure if that's what he meant, but to me, of all the tubes I;ve heard these:
Mullard M8161 / CV4015 Mil. Spec. Little Dot Amp EF92 - (eBay.ca item 280259229223 end time 29-Aug-08 20:49:18 EDT)
are my favorites. FWIW...

 

[Jare]

Darn, these russian 6zh1p-ev tubes are good compared to the default ge's! So detailed and neutral sound with that little "umph" in the bass. Highs are also more refined and sound stage seems to be a bit larger. I actually found new sounds with these. Let's see how they evolve in the burn-in process.

Btw. that ukrainian xryn seems to be a great ebayer. Posting was fast enough and tubes were packaged really well. Of course the tubes are in great shape too.

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jare /img/forum/go_quote.gif Darn, these russian 6zh1p-ev tubes are good compared to the default ge's! So detailed and neutral sound with that little "umph" in the bass. Highs are also more refined and sound stage seems to be a bit larger. I actually found new sounds with these. Let's see how they evolve in the burn-in process. Btw. that ukrainian xryn seems to be a great ebayer. Posting was fast enough and tubes were packaged really well. Of course the tubes are in great shape too.

I agree with your assessment of the 6ZH1P-EV Russian drivers. Any roughness you might hear in the mid-high areas will clean up nicely during burn-in. Mine took right at 50 hours to complete. I think you'll like the results!

 

[CodeToad]

I second the Mullard M8100's. They are nice as the GE 5 Star's but not as tinny and bright on top. Kind of the best of the Tung Sol and GE 5 Star's together.

RCA's are good too. I picked up some RCA 6AK5W's from 1960's and they have a much better sound stage than the stock GE's.

I really wouldn't get too hung up on particular tubes, however, as the stock tubes are just fine.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danika k /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wow I just tried the matched pair Mullard M8100 / CV4010 on my Mk3 for the first time and its just amazing! It totally opened up the bass sounds compared to the tubes the amp came with and they just give me a big smile on my face.

The M8100 really is quite transformative to the sound, it's one of the best sounding EF95 in my experience.

 

[HeatFan12]

I revert back to this thread every now and then for different tube selections. Sorry if this has been posted before but has anyone tried these CV850 Quad Mullard EF95 6AK5 5654 CV4010 CV850 NOS NIB MINT - eBay (item 140259440402 end time Aug-28-08 13:57:36 PDT) I have an MKIVSE and all the driver tube info for it has been done through this thread for me...
When I sent him a message he said they were matched, so I just want to make sure...

Thanks
Jes

 

[CodeToad]

Someone posted this on the little dot site.

Antique Electronic Supply

Search for "6ak5w" and you'll find Mullard M8100 for $3.56 a piece.

 

[PascalT]

Just got a pair of Sylvania JAN 6AK5/5654/EF95/6J1 Vacuum Tubes from seller w.e.s.-1 on ebay. What a difference it makes over the stock tubes, and right away.

The sound is so much more detailed, I'm hearing things i never did before, like the slight brushing of cymbals in the background. The sound is richer and the bass kicks more without being too overbearing. There is also clearer separation between the instruments.. ie. it's a bit less "muddy" as before. Those are the 3 things i noticed right away with these tubes.

These are the black plates/square getters tubes.

For 18.00/4 you can't go wrong.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Sylvania made great tubes.....

Peete.

 

[Trapper32]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy /img/forum/go_quote.gif The M8100 really is quite transformative to the sound, it's one of the best sounding EF95 in my experience.

x2 I've got the Russians, Tung-sols, GE 5 stars, Sylvanias, RCA, Amperex, Telefunken, and these M8100s are right up there with the best.....Took advantage of the sale at Antique Electronic Supply and got a bunch...

 

[sinisterm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trapper32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif x2 I've got the Russians, Tung-sols, GE 5 stars, Sylvanias, RCA, Amperex, Telefunken, and these M8100s are right up there with the best.....Took advantage of the sale at Antique Electronic Supply and got a bunch...

Strange how everyone seems to like them. I have two pairs and don't like their sound at all. Guess they don't like Grados too much. Though the guy I bought my Grados from adviced me to try those. Both burned for ~100 hours. I prefer these Russians over them any day.

Just ordered quad of Sylvania JAN 6AK5 and a matched pair of Tung-Sol 6AK5W 5654 from Yen. Gonna post my thoughts about them as soon as I have some hours on them.