power supply tubes - worth replacing?

[hugz]

Hey all

I have a tube amp which uses tubes in the power supply. Currently it uses cheap chinese tubes in this section.

is it worth replacing these tubes, or is it a waste of money (considering that i'm on a budget). For comparison, I'd consider changing signal path capacitors but not PSU caps - does the same apply for tubes?

Thanks

 

[Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey all I have a tube amp which uses tubes in the power supply. Currently it uses cheap chinese tubes in this section. is it worth replacing these tubes, or is it a waste of money (considering that i'm on a budget). For comparison, I'd consider changing signal path capacitors but not PSU caps - does the same apply for tubes? Thanks

There can be advantages from replacing tube rectifiers and regulartors, but it depends on what the part is and what is in there currently.

 

[headphonejunkie]

I do not have too much experience in this area but from what I have read this can make a difference in the sound quality of your music. I would give it a try.Just don't buy anything too expensive at first.

 

[hugz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl /img/forum/go_quote.gif There can be advantages from replacing tube rectifiers and regulartors, but it depends on what the part is and what is in there currently.

At this moment I make my ignorance of my amplifier clear - Although I know that the tubes aren't rectifiers, I do not know what they are.

The tubes are generic chinese brand 6N6 (6H6) and there are 4 of them

Quote:

Originally Posted by headphonejunkie /img/forum/go_quote.gif I do not have too much experience in this area but from what I have read this can make a difference in the sound quality of your music. I would give it a try.Just don't buy anything too expensive at first.

Thanks for the advice.

I'll rephrase my question in a slightly different way as it may assist people to answer the question more clearly: My amp has 4 generic-chinese-brand 6N6/6H6 tubes in the power supply, and 5 Electro Harmonix 6922 in the preamp section. Which would you upgrade? The preamp tubes are obviously more important, but they are already a decent brand.

and, for that matter.. considering that I'm on a budget should I just try find some cheap russians to replace the cheap chinese, or am I wasting my money unless i go for a proper brand upgrade?

 

[Carl]

I was about to go off on a long spiel about nobody using the 6H6 rectifier and thus them being cheap as chips, until I releaised you were talking about the Russian tube with a deceptively similar name. Rolling Russian style tubes is fraught, but can still offer good sound advantages when done right. IIRC, the 5687 and 6N30 also have the same pinout and similar heater requirements, so might be worth a try too.

I'm not sure what 6N6s are doing in the power supply, though.