[bxcarracer]

Following this guide I was able to purchase a matching set of Tung-Sol 6AJ5from WWII and they sound fantastic. They're deep and warm. Quick question though I bought a matching pair of Voshkod 6ZH1P-EV from Yen-Audio on Ebay and on my little dot I+ with the gain at 40% I get a electric buzz/hum coming from my Grado 325is, any idea why that is? I get no humming from the Tung-Sol.

 

[rcw9]

Hi, are these compatible with the MK III ?   Speaking of the PSVANE tubes that Nkoulban had mentioned earlier.

 

[Seadubb]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and about to buy my first upgraded power tubes for my MKiii and HD650s. Which of the following would you recommend?
 
Sovtek 6H30Pi-EB
Electro-Harmonix 6H30Pi
6N30P-DR Supertube (made in at Reflector Factory in 1999)
 
Thanks for your help!

 

[dxanex]

Great guide! I've been using the Amperex 5654 tubes in my LD MKIII for a little over a year and I really enjoy its warmth and the smooth, forward sounding mids. Sounds exceptional with classical and electronic music in particular. I would say for me, the bass extension is nice. I recently ordered a Dark Voice 3322, so I'm getting back into tube rolling and I'm already spending too much on some of these NOS tubes to try out with my new amp!

 

[nailbunny7]

Is there any real difference between these to warrant the price difference?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/150922345696?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4469wt_1180
 
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/150912716095?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2947wt_1202
 
One more question. Which is the best supertube to get for the Little Dot IV SE?

 

[Seadubb]

I have a similar question. I have read that the post-1992 Supertubes are not up to the standard of the older ones. How do the post-1992 Supertubes compare to the 6H30Pi-EB and the EH-6H30Pi?

 

[mordy]

Dear Nailbunny7 and Seadubb,
 
 
I have not tried any of the super(expensive)tubes myself, but from what I have read there is a big difference between the tubes made before 1990 and after. Most people seem to say that the DR power tubes are the best, but that the price difference is not justified compared to the less expensive Electro Harmonix 6H30Pi tubes. In other words, there is a difference, but not that great.
 
The truth is that upgrading the driver tubes will make a much bigger difference in sound than upgrading the power tubes. If you want to try that instead, I have a superb recommendation: Tung Sol 6AJ5 tubes. These sound better than anything else I tried in my system (YMMV).
The only drawback with this tube is that it requires you to turn up the volume control a little more than the other tubes. This tube precedes the 6AK5 and uses a lower plate voltage and thus has a little less gain than the 6AK5.
 
At the present time you can buy these tubes for around $6 each on EBay. They are somewhat rare, and I am afraid that once people discover them the price will shoot up.
 
Good luck tube rolling!
 

 

[Seadubb]

Thanks, I think I will just purchase the Electro Harmonix. I have rolled a few different driver tubes, but not the 6aJ5. Looks like they are inexpensive as singles, but the only matched pair is $40. I'll have to keep my eyes open for deals on the bay. Thanks!

 

[mordy]

Here is a guy that will sell you two tubes for $19.50 or a sleeve of five for $35.45.
 
 
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TUNG-SOL-JAN-6AJ5-TUBES-/400329930842?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Tubes&hash=item5d3585f85a
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SLEEVE-OF-FIVE-TUNG-SOL-JAN-6AJ5-TUBES-/160904368766?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Tubes&hash=item2576a5d27e
 

 

[Seadubb]

Sorry to beat a dead horse...
 
I can buy a pair of 6N30P-DR tubes from 1986 for $80. The problem is, they will not match the pair. I wouldn't hesitate to order them at that price, but I'm concerned that the lack of matching will affect the sound. Anyone have experience with power tubes that haven't been matched by the seller? Should I go for it, or play it safe and grab a pair of Electro Harmonix at the same price?

 

[nailbunny7]

I also have on last question. Any guesses on which I should get:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/150922345696?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4469wt_1180
 
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/220845375202?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1233wt_1180
 
 
Just for the record, I already upgraded my driver tubes to the [size=medium]VOSHOD 6ZH1P-EV[/size]

 

[MIKELAP]

Quote:

Sorry to beat a dead horse...
 
I can buy a pair of 6N30P-DR tubes from 1986 for $80. The problem is, they will not match the pair. I wouldn't hesitate to order them at that price, but I'm concerned that the lack of matching will affect the sound. Anyone have experience with power tubes that haven't been matched by the seller? Should I go for it, or play it safe and grab a pair of Electro Harmonix at the same price?

Ive always heard that power tubes should be matched not so important for the driver tubes an other thing we have to keep telling ourselves is that its only a couple hundred dollar amp . That being said i would go for the ELECTRO HARMONIX 6H30Pi gold pins if your amp is a circuit revision 2.0 or higher .Enjoy

       And by the way to verify if your model is 2.0 you look under on the volume side in a peep hole next to the right front rubber foot with a flash light sideways you will see littledot mk3 v.2.0

 

[fenderf4i]

I just received my first tube amp, a Little Dot I+ with EF92/6CQ6 tubes. Is it normal for these tubes to have distortion/warbling at a certain range of lower frequencies, or could there be something wrong with them? Or, is that just part of the "tube" sound?

 

[MIKELAP]

Quote:

I just received my first tube amp, a Little Dot I+ with EF92/6CQ6 tubes. Is it normal for these tubes to have distortion/warbling at a certain range of lower frequencies, or could there be something wrong with them? Or, is that just part of the "tube" sound?

Maybe you have to let it burn in a bit  and see later if the sound improves and is the amp set up right for your phones dont know how it is with the LD 1+ but with MK3 they are different switches under the unit for different impedance and sensitivity phones. and not shure but i think you have to remove the shell of your unit to gain access to those switches if indeed they is ajusments to be made check your book.

 

[fenderf4i]

Quote:

Maybe you have to let it burn in a bit  and see later if the sound improves and is the amp set up right for your phones dont know how it is with the LD 1+ but with MK3 they are different switches under the unit for different impedance and sensitivity phones. and not shure but i think you have to remove the shell of your unit to gain access to those switches if indeed they is ajusments to be made check your book.

 
Yes it is set to the correct settings for the EF92 tubes, and 3.5X gain. I am having to turn the volume up to 70-90% to get to a volume I like, maybe I will try the higher gain to see if that helps.