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

[Isaacc7]

Does anyone know of a European tube dealer that sells Mazda 11c5 tubes? I would love to try them but I’m not paying $50 each for an 11v tube! The only ones I can find are on eBay from everyone’s favorite Italian dealer. There has to be more floating around somewhere right?

 

[Designsfx]

The only ones I can find are on eBay from everyone’s favorite Italian dealer.

That guys prices amaze me- The “Neiman Marcus” of audio tubes! Or as others would call it “Needless Markup”.

 

[WithOpenedEyes]

Newish here in this forum..with interest in this group of tubes, although not used in a headphone amp. So if you guys are ok with that, I'll hang out here a bit. I recently assembled a SE KT88 amp and used my Valhalla II for the preamp. Thought it sounded good until I decided to build a pre with a pair of 6J5's. First total build from scratch and it works like a charm...dead quiet..beautiful sound quality. I used a pair of round plate Sylvania G style. I've almost always been able to trust Sylvania tubes over the years. But watching some of the other brands mentioned here, I start to wonder about what else is available that might outdo these without exceeding say $100 a pair. There's more usage and discussion of these tubes here than any other place on the web that I can find, so your info here is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[mordy]

Newish here in this forum..with interest in this group of tubes, although not used in a headphone amp. So if you guys are ok with that, I'll hang out here a bit. I recently assembled a SE KT88 amp and used my Valhalla II for the preamp. Thought it sounded good until I decided to build a pre with a pair of 6J5's. First total build from scratch and it works like a charm...dead quiet..beautiful sound quality. I used a pair of round plate Sylvania G style. I've almost always been able to trust Sylvania tubes over the years. But watching some of the other brands mentioned here, I start to wonder about what else is available that might outdo these without exceeding say $100 a pair. There's more usage and discussion of these tubes here than any other place on the web that I can find, so your info here is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Very often how a tube sounds is amp dependent. Some tubes sound good in many amps and synergy with the other tubes is always important.

The early 50s metal base tall Sylvania 6J5GT tubes are good sounding tubes.
Another great sounding 6J5GT tube are National Union with a silver getter cap (not clear top).
An inexpensive and great sounding tube is the Russian equivalent 6S2S or 6C2C (same tube).
More expensive but well rated are the Mullard L63 (6J5G/GT tubes. Some people claim that the less expensive GT version sounds similar to the more expensive G versions.
Some people like the Tung Sol 6J5G but these tubes fetch higher prices.

 

[WithOpenedEyes]

Thanks for the tips. I'll be watching for some deals on the NU's and TS's. Already have a pair of the GT's and a 12 volt pair. Wouldn't be too hard to pop a small 12.6 volt transformer in the pre if needed. I'm still in shock about how much of an improvement it was over the Valhalla.

 

[Isaacc7]

Thanks for the tips. I'll be watching for some deals on the NU's and TS's. Already have a pair of the GT's and a 12 volt pair. Wouldn't be too hard to pop a small 12.6 volt transformer in the pre if needed. I'm still in shock about how much of an improvement it was over the Valhalla.

The metal 6j5 (and 6c5) tubes can be good deals as well. This is a long thread but you’ll see reports of great results with these cheap tubes.

 

[WithOpenedEyes]

232 pages...you guys are busy. But it's why I keep coming back here. There's not a whole bunch of people using these...or talking about them anyhow. I guess it would be a good idea to grab a pair of metals....but the G's are so pretty. I'll be looking at 6J7's too, as the next amp...SE EL34...will use them triode connected in the front end.

 

[CAJames]

232 pages...you guys are busy...

Indeed. At one point there was a Google doc that summarized opinions on many tubes, but I've long since lost track of it. Maybe someone else has the link?

 

[mordy]

Thanks for the tips. I'll be watching for some deals on the NU's and TS's. Already have a pair of the GT's and a 12 volt pair. Wouldn't be too hard to pop a small 12.6 volt transformer in the pre if needed. I'm still in shock about how much of an improvement it was over the

If you wish, you could easily arrange an external power source for 12V (or any other voltage).
All you need is any old power supply from a PC or laptop, an inexpensive voltage regulator and a socket wired for external power.
Not as neat as a built in PS but workable so you can try it out.

 

[robo24]

Indeed. At one point there was a Google doc that summarized opinions on many tubes, but I've long since lost track of it. Maybe someone else has the link?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BukZ-NuUqh4o_Z2ZOi6KrGavsw5EZNOLSvGa-l5cHLU/edit

 

[LoryWiv]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BukZ-NuUqh4o_Z2ZOi6KrGavsw5EZNOLSvGa-l5cHLU/edit

This is FANTASTIC, thanks so much @robo24 !

 

[mordy]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BukZ-NuUqh4o_Z2ZOi6KrGavsw5EZNOLSvGa-l5cHLU/edit

Speaking about the 6J5 family I am sure that I could add another 10-15 tubes - don’t know any other tubes with such a diversity in the internal construction, even from the same manufacturer.
In addition, although the coke bottle G versions seem more desirable, it doesn’t mean that they always sound better than their less expensive GT brethren.

 

[bcowen]

Thanks for the tips. I'll be watching for some deals on the NU's and TS's. Already have a pair of the GT's and a 12 volt pair. Wouldn't be too hard to pop a small 12.6 volt transformer in the pre if needed. I'm still in shock about how much of an improvement it was over the Valhalla.

If you don't mind some adapters, 7A4's are worth a look too. Same as a 6J5, just with a loctal base and in many cases cheaper due to not being at the forefront of audiophile hoarding collecting lists. These Hytrons are my favorite in that type.

 

[bcowen]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BukZ-NuUqh4o_Z2ZOi6KrGavsw5EZNOLSvGa-l5cHLU/edit

This is great! Thank you!

 

[WithOpenedEyes]

Holy cannoli....I knew I came to the right place for info. Big thanks to everyone that contributed to that encyclopedia. And thanks for the loctal tip. I remember that those were mentioned in the Vacuum Tube Valley review of the 6SN7 family. Great stuff here.