I agree with you. If two tubes with different getters sound different, it isn't going to be because of the getter, it's because one is older than the other and may have been made on different equipment and have other construction differences that explain the sonic changes. Getters are just one part of the puzzle in figuring out when tubes were made.
One exception I would note is that in the case of tubes whose *quantity* of getters varies I would suspect that more = better. Such as a 5998 tube where you will see ones that have only a top getter and some that have both a top and a side getter, I would be willing to bet the tube with the triple getter setup may have a longer usable lifespan. Possibly the reason for this variation was that some of these tubes were meant to be "long life" variants, but that's just me theory crafting..... I haven't read anything to confirm that.
There is a Russian tube GU50 (basically a copy of the Telefunken LS50) that has four getters and uses both Barium and Zirconium getters. Zirconium is supposed to work better than Barium - another tube that uses Zirconium getters is the C3g tube. My guess is that it helps to get better vacuum. https://www.jacmusic.com/techcorner/ARTICLES/English/Portraits/GM50/index-GM50-Portraits.html
Telefunken LS50:
Been a little quiet on here, so time for more tube photos. Here is a pair of Brimar early foil getters 6J5 with matching date codes. I tend to find Brimar on the slightly warmer side. Enjoying these a lot.
OK, finally got my adapters in and am joining the party. Currently listening to a quad of Sylvania 12j5gt round plates in my Supratek Cabernet preamp. Wow! There is a big, clear window into the sound now. It's hard to know if it's the specific tubes I'm using or moving to separate triodes that has made the biggest difference. Suffice it to say I will be trying some other varieties now. This never ends does it? Lol. Well, at least these are a lot cheaper than the 6sn7!
I am right behind you, Isaacc7. The 2x6J5 -> 6SN7 adapter by @Deyan just arrived. The first conscripts for Schiit Lyr 3 duty are the Ken-Rad 6J5 pair. Definite improvement in soundstage clarity and dimension versus the single K-R VT-231:
I have a bunch of the sylvania round plate 12j5gt tubes. I don't think they ever made a 6sn7 version of that tube. Are there other flavors of 6/12j5 that are not in the twin triode world?
Hm, I agree partially as it’s really subjective and tube/gear dependent. I see them as differently constructed tubes that do something different. I still use many of my 6sn7s. As far as counterparts, RCA VT-231 for example does something different than metal RCA 6J5s. I enjoy both.
Hm, I agree partially as it’s really subjective and tube/gear dependent. I see them as differently constructed tubes that do something different. I still use many of my 6sn7s. As far as counterparts, RCA VT-231 for example does something different than metal RCA 6J5s. I enjoy both.
People usually say that a 12V version of a 6V version of a tube sounds the same (I am not speaking of small signal tubes that are designed to be used with both voltages depending on wireing, (f. ex. a 12AT7). My contention is that a 6J5GT tube from the same manufacturer may sound different than the same tube in a 12J5GT version.
My personal experience has been that two 6J5 tubes usually sounds better than one double triode 6SN7.
Been a little quiet on here, so time for more tube photos. Here is a pair of Brimar early foil getters 6J5 with matching date codes. I tend to find Brimar on the slightly warmer side. Enjoying these a lot.
Looks like I am back to being invested in this tube family! Listening to my other top tube aside from the MOV L63, early construction Fivre 6C5G. Paired with Cetron 6336B, sounding very good with the Atrium. Going to have to go through the collection and see what else I've got to try out.
Nice to kick back for an hour or two after a long work day.
Looks like I am back to being invested in this tube family! Listening to my other top tube aside from the MOV L63, early construction Fivre 6C5G. Paired with Cetron 6336B, sounding very good with the Atrium. Going to have to go through the collection and see what else I've got to try out.
Nice to kick back for an hour or two after a long work day.
Sorry I have not, in fact I do not own any straight-bottle Fivre 6C5GT, only the 6C5G. I am sure they are quite good though. Other than the bottle, the construction appears to be identical.
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