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

[Monsterzero]

https://tubeworldexpress.com/collec...5gt-sylvania-lightning-logo-nos-1945-1946-p11

Excellent! Much appreciated!

 

[chrisdrop]

Anyone know of a reason to prefer the black or brown base version of these (via Langrex). For example, are black bases typically older than the brown bases? Something else?

I do tend to love Fivre valves and ... I don't have enough yet??

 

[Marutks]

This doc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BukZ-NuUqh4o_Z2ZOi6KrGavsw5EZNOLSvGa-l5cHLU
says the black base Fivre tubes are better. But they compare bottle shaped tubes. Maybe the same applies to straight glass tubes.
I bought brown base Fivres from Langrex.

 

[CAJames]

Get both, then you can tell us.

 

[Smallpie]

Anyone know of a reason to prefer the black or brown base version of these (via Langrex). For example, are black bases typically older than the brown bases? Something else?

I do tend to love Fivre valves and ... I don't have enough yet??

I’ve been eyeing those too and plan on grabbing a few although I’ll probably pick which one based simply on esthetics. If there is a difference please let us know after trying or reading credible info

 

[Smallpie]

This doc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BukZ-NuUqh4o_Z2ZOi6KrGavsw5EZNOLSvGa-l5cHLU
says the black base Fivre tubes are better. But they compare bottle shaped tubes. Maybe the same applies to straight glass tubes.
I bought brown base Fivres from Langrex.

Thanks for the link. A treasure trove of great info. Are there any other threads/docs like this besides this one and the GOTL tube compatibility sheet?

a power tube compatibility/description sheet would be cool. I used this thread in the beginning for 5u4g tube compatibility:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dub...mparison-rectifer-tube-rolling-thread.694525/

 

[leftside]

Anyone know of a reason to prefer the black or brown base version of these (via Langrex). For example, are black bases typically older than the brown bases? Something else?

I do tend to love Fivre valves and ... I don't have enough yet??

83 in stock of the black and 148 of the brown. Wow - that's quite a lot. These tubes are normally hard to find.

Langrex also has the Cossor and also the GEC military L63 from 1949. Doesn't get much better than that... Mind boggling he has so many of these 72 year old NOS tubes in stock.

And those Raytheon military 6J5G are top quality tubes! I haven't purchased any tubes since January, but I almost came off the wagon there. Thanks Chris.... hehe

 

[leftside]

Very well put together! I'll have to dig through my collection one weekend and take some pics of variations not listed.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BukZ-NuUqh4o_Z2ZOi6KrGavsw5EZNOLSvGa-l5cHLU/edit#

 

[Xcalibur255]

The Raytheons listed at Langrex are actually Brimars and not USA made but British made. Unless the photo isn't representative of what they are selling. The photo is definitely an STC/Brimar. I'm surprised they wouldn't catch something like this since I'm sure they've seen plenty of British made Brimar 6J5 tubes. Actually Brimars 6J5s being labeled as and then subsequently misidentified as other tube brands seems to be a running theme with that particular tube.

This actually makes them a pretty good deal on this particular tube price-wise.

 

[whirlwind]

Do any of the Ken Rad versions of 6J5/12J5 produce bass like the 6SN7 ?

 

[tintinsnowydog]

Very well put together! I'll have to dig through my collection one weekend and take some pics of variations not listed.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BukZ-NuUqh4o_Z2ZOi6KrGavsw5EZNOLSvGa-l5cHLU/edit#

Feel free to post the images here along with any impressions, and I’ll add them. You can request permission to edit the doc as well if you wish

 

[chrisdrop]

Do any of the Ken Rad versions of 6J5/12J5 produce bass like the 6SN7 ?

I have a pair of (tin can/all metal) 6J5 VT94 Ken-Rads that do have that nice bass punch.

 

[whirlwind]

I have a pair of (tin can/all metal) 6J5 VT94 Ken-Rads that do have that nice bass punch.

Thanks.

 

[Monsterzero]

Do any of the Ken Rad versions of 6J5/12J5 produce bass like the 6SN7 ?

Absolutely

 

[Xcalibur255]

It finally dawned on me that I don't have to wait for my new amp to test all these 6J5 tubes I bought so I finally picked up a 6J5 > 6SN7 adapter for my GOTL. I'm looking forward to working through the collection to form first impressions and in particular my comparison between the 1937 Raytheon ladder plate and 1937 Raytheon round plate.

I started things off yesterday with a Sylvania 6J5GT glass metal base with round grey plates and right off the bat had my expectations upset. To my ears this tube does not have the traditional Sylvania house sound. It's strikingly neutral (at least in the setup I'm testing it in, I realize the DT880 is itself not an especially neutral headphone) and doesn't have the sense of cheerful upper mid and lower treble energy that I expect from a Sylvania. Not to say it sounds bad, quite the opposite actually. It's articulate, balanced and has an impressive sense of finesse. The only fault I can find is the low end feels too polite but it doesn't seem to upset the midrange balance so it's easy enough to live with. This easily tops most of the 6SN7 tubes I have heard over the years. I just find it interesting that it doesn't seem to share characteristics with most of the Sylvania 6SN7 tubes, it's very much its own thing the way I'm hearing it.

It felt like a good start and I can't wait to try out the rest of them.