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

[tameral]

I've searched the threads here and elsewhere and was curious if I could obtain some fresh feedback about obtaining another quad of 6j5 for my amp. I have the Brimar 6j5s from Langrex and they sound exceptional (dynamic and detailed) - though they are not dead quiet and this seems to be a feature in general for how they interact with my amp (no biggie overall as it is faint). Does Langrex sell any 6j5s that are as good or better? I've been looking at:

Tungsram 6j5 brown base (only a couple impressions in this thread - maybe sidegrade from Brimars, less warm?):
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/6j5g-l63-cv1932-brown-base-kb-t-tungsram-nos-valve-tube/

GEC L63 and cv1067 (found a few impressions in this thread - seems to be a step down?)
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-square-getter-nos-valve-tube/
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-kbz-nos-valvetube/

Was seeing about any additional feedback before I make a call and go with one vs the other. Curious too about whether there is any advantage of going for the slightly more expensive square getter GEC L63 cv1067. Thanks in advance anyone has any experience with these tubes or recommendations.

 

[Designsfx]

Very curious regression this post as well

 

[raindownthunda]

Tungsram 6j5 brown base (only a couple impressions in this thread - maybe sidegrade from Brimars, less warm?):
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/6j5g-l63-cv1932-brown-base-kb-t-tungsram-nos-valve-tube/

These are excellent. Great clarity, top notch soundstage. Bass extends deep and highs are clear and precise. They sound very musical with a slight sweetness. I have both black and brown base and they are all dead silent. One of the best money can buy IMO but you pay for it.

In 1952 Mullard acquired the Tungrsram. These tubes kept getting produced with Mullard branding. So if you follow the belief that older = better, Tungsram 6JG5 (CV1932) are the OG.

They might be sidegrades depending on your amp/tastes. I think the Brimars are slightly less resolving than both Tungsram/GEC, but generally have a bit more rounded edges/warmth/decay. This may or may not be desirable depending on what you're going for.

GEC L63 and cv1067 (found a few impressions in this thread - seems to be a step down?)
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-square-getter-nos-valve-tube/
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-kbz-nos-valvetube/

Also excellent. Similar qualities to the Tungsram IMO in terms of great clarity. Very neutral, highly resolving. I consider these my "reference" driver tubes.

Was seeing about any additional feedback before I make a call and go with one vs the other. Curious too about whether there is any advantage of going for the slightly more expensive square getter GEC L63 cv1067. Thanks in advance anyone has any experience with these tubes or recommendations.

With the square getter version you get the cool and trendy GEC sticker In all seriousness, I have both and can't pick up any difference. If I were you I'd start with the less expensive version, which is one of the best "values" in true NOS L63 (unless having the sticker is worth an extra 20 GBP to you).

If you like that sound then you could look at other variations, including the M-OV L63 ST shape (Osram, Marconi, GEC labeled). Very similar sound, older construction. I think they are ever so slightly warmer/sweeter/more spacious sounding than the "GT" shape GEC L63 versions that Langrex sells, while retaining a lot the same qualities (very resolving, great soundstage, etc). Unfortunately nearly unobtanium to find unused NOS examples, especially quads. If/when they do come up for sale they go for much higher prices. edit: I do think the ST sound slightly better, but whether or not they are worth the extra cost/difficulty to obtain compared to the GT shape is debatable...

 

[CAJames]

GEC L63 and cv1067 (found a few impressions in this thread - seems to be a step down?)...

Also excellent. Similar qualities to the Tungsram IMO in terms of great clarity. Very neutral, highly resolving. I consider these my "reference" driver tubes.

I'm also a big fan of GEC L63. For me they are about maximum resolution, sparkling highs and honest bass. I guess I'd call them my reference as well.

 

[JTbbb]

I'm also a big fan of GEC L63. For me they are about maximum resolution, sparkling highs and honest bass. I guess I'd call them my reference as well.

Interesting. I have a quad of these which I have had for several months now and have not listened to them. Time to put them in I think!

 

[nwavesailor]

To be honest, I may be a sucker for the ST shape GEC and the decals!

I never warmed up (no pun intended) to the GT GEC version L63 but they are a bargain at their modest cost from Langrex.

The L63 are a favorite 6J5 of many here and I respect their opinions.

I never ‘got’ this tube sold my quad. There was nothing that I found lacking about them, just not one of my favorites when I have Tung Sol, Visseaux, Brimar and GEC ST versions to roll.

 

[LoryWiv]

To be honest, I may be a sucker for the ST shape GEC and the decals!

I never warmed up (no pun intended) to the GT GEC version L63 but they are a bargain at their modest cost from Langrex.

The L63 are a favorite 6J5 of many here and I respect their opinions.

I never ‘got’ this tube sold my quad. There was nothing that I found lacking about them, just not one of my favorites when I have Tung Sol, Visxsraux, Brimar and GEC ST versions to roll.

I too found my GEC L63 pair a bit too" reference" sounding, less lush and euphonic than many of the British made tubes, BUT after putting some more hours on them and paired with warmer power tubes, came to enjoy the resolving character the GEC L63 brought.

 

[triod750]

I've searched the threads here and elsewhere and was curious if I could obtain some fresh feedback about obtaining another quad of 6j5 for my amp. I have the Brimar 6j5s from Langrex and they sound exceptional (dynamic and detailed) - though they are not dead quiet and this seems to be a feature in general for how they interact with my amp (no biggie overall as it is faint). Does Langrex sell any 6j5s that are as good or better? I've been looking at:

Tungsram 6j5 brown base (only a couple impressions in this thread - maybe sidegrade from Brimars, less warm?):
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/6j5g-l63-cv1932-brown-base-kb-t-tungsram-nos-valve-tube/

GEC L63 and cv1067 (found a few impressions in this thread - seems to be a step down?)
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-square-getter-nos-valve-tube/
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-kbz-nos-valvetube/

Was seeing about any additional feedback before I make a call and go with one vs the other. Curious too about whether there is any advantage of going for the slightly more expensive square getter GEC L63 cv1067. Thanks in advance anyone has any experience with these tubes or recommendations.

With what power tubes are you going to use them? No tubes are 'one size fits all'.

 

[Isaacc7]

I've searched the threads here and elsewhere and was curious if I could obtain some fresh feedback about obtaining another quad of 6j5 for my amp. I have the Brimar 6j5s from Langrex and they sound exceptional (dynamic and detailed) - though they are not dead quiet and this seems to be a feature in general for how they interact with my amp (no biggie overall as it is faint). Does Langrex sell any 6j5s that are as good or better? I've been looking at:

Tungsram 6j5 brown base (only a couple impressions in this thread - maybe sidegrade from Brimars, less warm?):
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/6j5g-l63-cv1932-brown-base-kb-t-tungsram-nos-valve-tube/

GEC L63 and cv1067 (found a few impressions in this thread - seems to be a step down?)
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-square-getter-nos-valve-tube/
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-kbz-nos-valvetube/

Was seeing about any additional feedback before I make a call and go with one vs the other. Curious too about whether there is any advantage of going for the slightly more expensive square getter GEC L63 cv1067. Thanks in advance anyone has any experience with these tubes or recommendations.

I am a big fan of the Cossor 6c5g that Langrex sells. I tend to prefer them to the GEC l63 most of the time. If I have an output tube that leans towards brightness or being too clear I really love my ktz41 run as a triode. The 6v version of those are the ktz63, at least I’m 90% sure they are. If you triode wire them they should be the equivalent of a GEC 6c5g. Those are starting to climb in price and you’d need new adapters. The good news is that you could then use any 6j7 or ef37 you’d like.

Oh, and I love the Fivre 12j7 triode wired as well. Those should be the same as the Fivre 6c5gt that Langrex sells as well.

 

[tameral]

With what power tubes are you going to use them? No tubes are 'one size fits all'.

Likely WE300B but maybe ER300B edit: (already own both) - listen to everything from the 60s up except classical, Jazz, and country - simply looking for engaging - combinations - shout out to @raindownthunda for his excellent post - I went with the cheap quad of GEC L63

 

[triod750]

Likely WE300B but maybe ER300B

Important information. What kind of sound is your preference and what kind of music?

 

[nwavesailor]

@Isaacc7 are the Cossor 6C5G fairly detailed and a little more sizzle on the top than most 6J5?

I have STC 5A /152M and C3G paired with Elrog TM 300B that I find extract a ton of detail.
I love detail over warmth !!!!

 

[Isaacc7]

@Isaacc7 are the Cossor 6C5G fairly detailed and a little more sizzle on the top than most 6J5?

I have STC 5A /152M and C3G paired with Elrog TM 300B that I find extract a ton of detail.
I love detail over warmth !!!!

There’s a big difference in gain between the 6j5/6c5 and the loctals you mentioned. Higher gain almost always seems to emphasize detail in my experience. In any case, whether it’s because of the gain or something else I think the 5a/152m is going to have the edge when it comes to detail.

 

[leftside]

@Isaacc7 are the Cossor 6C5G fairly detailed and a little more sizzle on the top than most 6J5?

I have STC 5A /152M and C3G paired with Elrog TM 300B that I find extract a ton of detail.
I love detail over warmth !!!!

Max detail for sure!

 

[leftside]

I've searched the threads here and elsewhere and was curious if I could obtain some fresh feedback about obtaining another quad of 6j5 for my amp. I have the Brimar 6j5s from Langrex and they sound exceptional (dynamic and detailed) - though they are not dead quiet and this seems to be a feature in general for how they interact with my amp (no biggie overall as it is faint). Does Langrex sell any 6j5s that are as good or better? I've been looking at:

Tungsram 6j5 brown base (only a couple impressions in this thread - maybe sidegrade from Brimars, less warm?):
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/6j5g-l63-cv1932-brown-base-kb-t-tungsram-nos-valve-tube/

GEC L63 and cv1067 (found a few impressions in this thread - seems to be a step down?)
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-square-getter-nos-valve-tube/
https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/l63-cv1067-gec-kbz-nos-valvetube/

Was seeing about any additional feedback before I make a call and go with one vs the other. Curious too about whether there is any advantage of going for the slightly more expensive square getter GEC L63 cv1067. Thanks in advance anyone has any experience with these tubes or recommendations.

Tungsram or Brimar with the Elrogs and GEC L63 with the WE would be my pairings. Finding NOS quads is tough, so you're looking in the right place. All are great tubes and Langrex is a good seller.