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

[WildPhydeaux]

Just to be clear on the single tube I'm looking for:

It's a solid round plate Philco 37, globe glass I'm looking for.

Cheers,
Robert

 

[LobalWarming]

Just to be clear on the single tube I'm looking for:

It's a solid round plate Philco 37, globe glass I'm looking for.

Cheers,
Robert

What about these RP 37s: https://www.ebay.com/itm/196524581015 - too modern? Art Deco ST bottle style is probably too gauche.

Fine. What about this globular 37: https://www.ebay.com/itm/305779835766 - RCA not Philco... but who says the Philco wasn't RCA.

Ok, not Philly enough, then this pristine boxed Philco 37: https://www.ebay.com/itm/314949236093 - no idea what version is inside... apparently neither does the seller.

 

[WildPhydeaux]

What about these RP 37s: https://www.ebay.com/itm/196524581015 - too modern? Art Deco ST bottle style is probably too gauche.

I've got more ST glass type 37 than you could shake a stick at. Well, you could... but the neighbours would all talk and refer to you as "the stick shaker".

Fine. What about this globular 37: https://www.ebay.com/itm/305779835766 - RCA not Philco... but who says the Philco wasn't RCA.

I say the Philco are not RCA. They are Sylvania, silly goose.

Ok, not Philly enough, then this pristine boxed Philco 37: https://www.ebay.com/itm/314949236093 - no idea what version is inside... apparently neither does the seller.

You really do like shaking that stick, don't you? I'll do an amazing Kreskin impression: mmmmmm - ST glass.

Cheers,
Robert

 

[leftside]

Pretty quiet in the 6J5 forum these days, so maybe I can slip in a question and request...

First up is the question. I have a couple of 6J5G tubes to identify. One is labeled as Raytheon and the other Tung-Sol. I've examined the construction very closely and all internals are absolutely identical, with one exception - one tube has its two copper rods slightly longer than the other tube and has a black tag across them. For what it's worth, this one with the black tag is the one labeled Tung-Sol. Any educated guess on who actually made these two fraternal twins?






Secondly, a request to the community... I've been looking high and low for a mate to my single early globe glass Philco #37 solid plate. I've seen the odd mesh plate but I'm trying for a dance partner for my lonely single. Anyone have one they would be willing to part with? Need not be NOS, just not worn out.




Cheers,
Robert

Keep checking eBay. Took me a while to match up the grey plate, nickel plate and mesh plate varieties. Rare tubes that sound great, but when found tend to be cheap - which makes them super rare in the tube world. I have 76 to 6J5 adapters that also work for 37 tubes.

 

[WildPhydeaux]

Keep checking eBay. Took me a while to match up the grey plate, nickel plate and mesh plate varieties. Rare tubes that sound great, but when found tend to be cheap - which makes them super rare in the tube world. I have 76 to 6J5 adapters that also work for 37 tubes.

Grey, nickel and mesh plate varieties? I have a mesh plate pair but this single looking for a mate appears to be black plate.. Good heavens Miss Sakamoto, there are four variations of this short-lived globe 37 ?!?!

Cheers,
Robert

 

[mordy]

Grey, nickel and mesh plate varieties? I have a mesh plate pair but this single looking for a mate appears to be black plate.. Good heavens Miss Sakamoto, there are four variations of this short-lived globe 37 ?!?!

Cheers,
Robert

Wouldn’t be surprised if there are even more variations. It seems to me that the earlier tubes from the 30’s to the early 40’s had many more variations in internal construction than later tubes.

 

[leftside]

Grey, nickel and mesh plate varieties? I have a mesh plate pair but this single looking for a mate appears to be black plate.. Good heavens Miss Sakamoto, there are four variations of this short-lived globe 37 ?!?!

Cheers,
Robert

Maybe dark grey = black

 

[Lickumms]

What you guys recommend as a good set of 6J5 tubes to try out?

 

[Isaacc7]

What you guys recommend as a good set of 6J5 tubes to try out?

Oh man, someone should start a thread about different 6j5 tubes!

I (mostly) kid but I’d pick any page of this thread and you’ll get all sorts of recommendations. If you’re looking for the best deals they still have to be the metal 6j5 and 6c5. Have fun!

 

[LobalWarming]

What you guys recommend as a good set of 6J5 tubes to try out?

What do you want to spend? How many dozen pairs?

One of my current fav twins are older RCA metal base 6J5/VT-94 with the meatball logo from late 40s/early 50s. Very balanced, detailed, with a big open soundstage and great dynamics. Comparable to more expensive L63s from across the pond. Here's a decent pair: https://www.ebay.com/itm/196532861763

Raytheon 6J5s are great for a more analytical presentation. But most pairs are a tad dry sounding to my delicate ears.... Brimar/STC ST-bottle 6J5Gs for that classic sweet twin sonic bouquet. Sylvania 6J5Gs are great as well. Often found rebranded Silvertone/Zenith for lower cost.

Dozens of other options... but will stop now before we spend more and more of your budget... but spend we will... because... you must collect them ALL.

 

[mordy]

What you guys recommend as a good set of 6J5 tubes to try out?

For 6J5 metal most of them seem to have been made by RCA. They sound good. Look for the lowest price and don’t be afraid of a little rust - has no effect on performance.
6C5 metal have the same pin out- look for Ken-Rad - very good sounding.
6J5GT - look for National Union with triple micas and top getter flash. Sylvania metal base tall tubes from 1950-55 are also very good sounding.
The NU and Sylvania come under a number of different rebranded names and if you learn to identify them you can find real bargains.
The Russian 6S2S are great sounding 6J5GT equivalents. Unfortunately the price has gone up on these - what was a $4 tube is now 4x the price.

 

[Lickumms]

For 6J5 metal most of them seem to have been made by RCA. They sound good. Look for the lowest price and don’t be afraid of a little rust - has no effect on performance.
6C5 metal have the same pin out- look for Ken-Rad - very good sounding.
6J5GT - look for National Union with triple micas and top getter flash. Sylvania metal base tall tubes from 1950-55 are also very good sounding.
The NU and Sylvania come under a number of different rebranded names and if you learn to identify them you can find real bargains.
The Russian 6S2S are great sounding 6J5GT equivalents. Unfortunately the price has gone up on these - what was a $4 tube is now 4x the price.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Lickumms]

What do you want to spend? How many dozen pairs?

One of my current fav twins are older RCA metal base 6J5/VT-94 with the meatball logo from late 40s/early 50s. Very balanced, detailed, with a big open soundstage and great dynamics. Comparable to more expensive L63s from across the pond. Here's a decent pair: https://www.ebay.com/itm/196532861763

Raytheon 6J5s are great for a more analytical presentation. But most pairs are a tad dry sounding to my delicate ears.... Brimar/STC ST-bottle 6J5Gs for that classic sweet twin sonic bouquet. Sylvania 6J5Gs are great as well. Often found rebranded Silvertone/Zenith for lower cost.

Dozens of other options... but will stop now before we spend more and more of your budget... but spend we will... because... you must collect them ALL.

I guess I'm looking for quads.

 

[LobalWarming]

I guess I'm looking for quads.

Quad quads? Or more?

 

[Lickumms]

Quad quads? Or more?

I currently own 1 quad of L63 and a couple pairs of 6j5s I got in a trade.