The Reference 6J5 Thread (L63, 6C5, 12J5, 6P5, etc.)

[whirlwind]

If you look closely at the date codes and the getters on these Osram 6J5 you can see roughly when they switched from inverted saucer getter to D getter. I also have the tall MWT black base version with inverted saucer getter and D getter with similar date codes. In my amp, I can't tell a sonic difference between these tubes, but they are some of my favourite.

I bet these tubes sound killer...very nice

 

[leftside]

These have the earlier getter types, just a few months before they switched to the 'D' getter:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-L63-MARCONI-6J5G-MWT-BRAND-TUBE-NOS-NIB-RCB383/133460882520

 

[chrisdrop]

KenRad 6J5

These are pretty good/ thumpy tubes. They were cheap as chips. Date code C5, I think/ assume that is March 1945 (maybe 55?).

Of all the metal 6J5 tubes I have, I think these are the "bassiest". They don't have the staging of the GECs, but IMO they are worth having if you are using brighter outputs.

 

[bcowen]

LOL <blush>. I think most people like to see pics of tubes? I know I do when other people post. When I first started purchasing tubes, it was nice to see the pictures, different types and learning how to identify various tubes and approx years of manufacturing just by looking at their construction, getter types, etc.

I find tube porn more enjoyable these days than the other kind. Maybe I'm just getting too old, or maybe my addiction is more serious than previously diagnosed.

Keep the pics coming please. Love 'em!!

 

[CAJames]

I've been listening to my Ken-Rad JAN VT-65s (6C5) and even after 30 hours they sound like they aren't broken in. Or I need to try some different rectifiers and/or power tubes. Or maybe they just aren't that great, which would be disappointing even though they were also "cheap as chips."

Next up is my "Amp of Hope and Glory." GEC L63s (c/o Martin Billington), Brimar 5Z4 and, I wish I had some nice Mullard 6080s to complete the trifecta, but have to go with French tubes that I bought from a guy in the UK.

And these sound great right out of the box, and not with my favorite rectifier and power tubes. They have the detail of the Tung-Sol 6C5s and the liquidity of the 6P5Gs and the mind boggles at the possibility of them sounding better after some run in.

 

[leftside]

I've been listening to my Ken-Rad JAN VT-65s (6C5) and even after 30 hours they sound like they aren't broken in. Or I need to try some different rectifiers and/or power tubes. Or maybe they just aren't that great, which would be disappointing even though they were also "cheap as chips."

Next up is my "Amp of Hope and Glory." GEC L63s (c/o Martin Billington), Brimar 5Z4 and, I wish I had some nice Mullard 6080s to complete the trifecta, but have to go with French tubes that I bought from a guy in the UK.



And these sound great right out of the box, and not with my favorite rectifier and power tubes. They have the detail of the Tung-Sol 6C5s and the liquidity of the 6P5Gs and the mind boggles at the possibility of them sounding better after some run in.

You might find the 6C5 to be a little "lightweight" in the WA22. I know I was always trying to extract the last drop of bass from it. 6J5's were good. ECC32 also good (but yes very expensive I know - especially a matching construction pair). Another good option is ECC31 or 6N7G (with adapter). The biggest problem with the 6J5 and related is you need 4 of them with the WA22, but you already have some of the best right there.

I bought a bunch of Mullard 6080 from Martin last year. He might still have some more. I absolutely love these power tubes in the "V6 Thunder", but didn't like them as much as the TS 5998 in the WA22.

 

[CAJames]

You might find the 6C5 to be a little "lightweight" in the WA22. I know I was always trying to extract the last drop of bass from it. 6J5's were good. ECC32 also good (but yes very expensive I know - especially a matching construction pair). Another good option is ECC31 or 6N7G (with adapter). The biggest problem with the 6J5 and related is you need 4 of them with the WA22, but you already have some of the best right there.

I bought a bunch of Mullard 6080 from Martin last year. He might still have some more. I absolutely love these power tubes in the "V6 Thunder", but didn't like them as much as the TS 5998 in the WA22.

You're right, the bass is a little thin but that isn't my issue with the Ken-Rads. They sounded "scratchy." A little bright, a little harsh and just not pleasant. But the Tung Sol 6C5 sound great, if lacking that last drop of bass. Of course that can often be adjusted with different power tubes and/or rectifiers. I'm thinking they might match well with RCA 6AS7s and a 5Y3.

I actually had Mullard 6080s in my initial order, but decided something had to give and it was them. But I could easily see getting some along with a few more L63s down the road. The L63s really sound fantastic.

As much as I'd love some T-S 5998s, I don't know if that will ever happen, unless some I find some at a garage sale or something. There aren't any bargains out there.

 

[Monsterzero]

I would try a different batch of Ken Rads. In my GOTL both the 6/12sn7s as well as the 6J5s and the VT equivalent have zero grain or harshness. What they do have is a mellow warm sound with thunderous,deep bass. Like ridiculous bass.

 

[bcowen]

You're right, the bass is a little thin but that isn't my issue with the Ken-Rads. They sounded "scratchy." A little bright, a little harsh and just not pleasant. But the Tung Sol 6C5 sound great, if lacking that last drop of bass. Of course that can often be adjusted with different power tubes and/or rectifiers. I'm thinking they might match well with RCA 6AS7s and a 5Y3.

I actually had Mullard 6080s in my initial order, but decided something had to give and it was them. But I could easily see getting some along with a few more L63s down the road. The L63s really sound fantastic.

As much as I'd love some T-S 5998s, I don't know if that will ever happen, unless some I find some at a garage sale or something. There aren't any bargains out there.

I haven't tried any Tung Sol 6C5's, but the round plate Tung Sol 6J5 is becoming one of my favorites...

 

[CAJames]

I haven't tried any Tung Sol 6C5's, but the round plate Tung Sol 6J5 is becoming one of my favorites...

I'm curious how you know what kind of plates are in a metal tube?

 

[bcowen]

I'm curious how you know what kind of plates are in a metal tube?

I'm clairvoyant.

Seriously, the TS 6J5's I'm referring to are glass bottles. Perhaps I should clarify that properly with 6J5GT. Apologies for the avoidable confusion.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

I'm clairvoyant.

Seriously, the TS 6J5's I'm referring to are glass bottles. Perhaps I should clarify that properly with 6J5GT. Apologies for the avoidable confusion.

I believe what you have there are Tung-Sol branded Sylvania 6J5GT, the Tung-Sol 6J5 and 12J5 have ladder plates, like below. Not that it matters much, good sound is good sound, just FYI

 

[bcowen]

I believe what you have there are Tung-Sol branded Sylvania 6J5GT, the Tung-Sol 6J5 and 12J5 have ladder plates, like below. Not that it matters much, good sound is good sound, just FYI

Entirely possible. I have a pair of Sylvania branded 6J5GT's (also with round plates) that don't sound near as good. Could be a manufacturing year thing though rather than a manufacturer thing.

 

[CAJames]

I believe what you have there are Tung-Sol branded Sylvania 6J5GT, the Tung-Sol 6J5 and 12J5 have ladder plates, like below. Not that it matters much, good sound is good sound, just FYI

Yes. I was going to say the one on the right looks like Sylvania "Bad Boy" plates, but feel like I've already caused enough trouble.

 

[GDuss]

I like those ladder plate Tung Sol's so much I bought both 6 and 12V versions of them for the GOTL. They're the tubes I put in if I really want 3D sound on a level where I'm looking around the room to see where sounds are coming from. The 6V is metal base, but they sound almost identical.