[LoryWiv]

Listening to the Sylvania 6k6gt with a 14af7 input tube. A well balanced combo. I think the Tungsol 6k6gt are warmer and tubier and the Sylvania a little more hifi. I had received several different versions of the Sylvania 6k6gt, these re the only pair I have. Of the three types I got I believe these are the newest version with the smallest silvering on the top. Once again, super cheap and worth checking out if your amp can use them.

I have that tube in Euforia AE as drivers now with Brimar 6L6G powers, a wonderful combination, very clean sounding with great imaging, yet not "clinical", very musically engaging:

 

[L0rdGwyn]

I've been window shopping for pentodes and beam tetrodes for my upcoming amplifier, will have it done early September, been a while since I'm checked out the market...wow prices have gotten really really crazy in just a few years!

Anyone tried the Tung-Sol 5881? Thinking of giving those a try. The Visseaux 6V6GT sound really good in my circuit paired with a RCA 5R4GY, maybe I should consider going further down the 6V6 rabbit hole.

 

[RobertSM]

I've been window shopping for pentodes and beam tetrodes for my upcoming amplifier, will have it done early September, been a while since I'm checked out the market...wow prices have gotten really really crazy in just a few years!

Anyone tried the Tung-Sol 5881? Thinking of giving those a try. The Visseaux 6V6GT sound really good in my circuit paired with a RCA 5R4GY, maybe I should consider going further down the 6V6 rabbit hole.

We have similar taste. I'm a big big fan of the Visseaux 6V6GT. I'd be interested in hearing more about your project. I think the 6V6 tube has some real upside. As you know it's a blue chip tube for the guitarist and bassist of the world. In our Hi-Fi world not as much. Please keep up advised as you continue through your work.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

We have similar taste. I'm a big big fan of the Visseaux 6V6GT. I'd be interested in hearing more about your project. I think the 6V6 tube has some real upside. As you know it's a blue chip tube for the guitarist and bassist of the world. In our Hi-Fi world not as much. Please keep up advised as you continue through your work.

If memory serves, I think you recommended them to me! So thanks for that well you know the tube is only as good as the circuit it is used in, no one would argue the 6V6 isn't hifi in this amp, it sounds great! I will post some pictures of my amp when it's done, I am investigating an industry collaboration to get this amp made as a commercial TOTL offering. That is very much up in the air so I can't speak more to it, the first step is to build one, which I will have done in a month or so. It uses 5V / 2A rectifiers (GZ34, GZ32, 5R4, 5Y3, etc), a pair of 6SL7 inputs (mandatory), and pentode / beam pentode outputs. Compatible output tubes I have tallied so far include EL34, KT66, KT77, 6V6, 6L6, 6F6, 6K6, 6550A, KT88...I am looking to try some other power tubes in my prototype, I only have EL34, 6L6, and 6V6 on hand.

 

[Isaacc7]

I've been window shopping for pentodes and beam tetrodes for my upcoming amplifier, will have it done early September, been a while since I'm checked out the market...wow prices have gotten really really crazy in just a few years!

Anyone tried the Tung-Sol 5881? Thinking of giving those a try. The Visseaux 6V6GT sound really good in my circuit paired with a RCA 5R4GY, maybe I should consider going further down the 6V6 rabbit hole.

The Tungsol 5881 is a classic although I wonder how much of its reputation comes from guitarists. I feel a bit guilty of depriving musicians tools of expression (and I’m cheap) so I’ve been concentrating on variations. Instead of 6l6 tubes I have dived into the 807, 6ar6, and 6bg6 world. I do have some 6v6 tubes but have been listening to 7c5 and will soon be able to use 12v6 instead. i have also been impressed with both 6k6gt and 6f6 tubes. Both of those are fairly cheap. My favorite output tubes so far have been the Cossor/GEC 807, Mullard el38, Ken Rad 6f6, and Philips 6bg6ga which is actually a Sylvania 7027a. And while we all love obscure and increasingly rare European tubes I have to say the reissue Gold Lion KT66 and Tungsol 7581a are really good as uncool as that is lol.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

The Tungsol 5881 is a classic although I wonder how much of its reputation comes from guitarists. I feel a bit guilty of depriving musicians tools of expression (and I’m cheap) so I’ve been concentrating on variations. Instead of 6l6 tubes I have dived into the 807, 6ar6, and 6bg6 world. I do have some 6v6 tubes but have been listening to 7c5 and will soon be able to use 12v6 instead. i have also been impressed with both 6k6gt and 6f6 tubes. Both of those are fairly cheap. My favorite output tubes so far have been the Cossor/GEC 807, Mullard el38, Ken Rad 6f6, and Philips 6bg6ga which is actually a Sylvania 7027a. And while we all love obscure and increasingly rare European tubes I have to say the reissue Gold Lion KT66 and Tungsol 7581a are really good as uncool as that is lol.

Thanks for your input! Well I think I will try the 5881, not terribly expensive, $75-100 a pair. I'm familiar with the others you've mentioned, unfortunately a few of them would require adapters which I would prefer to avoid for now. I have considered trying some new production KT66 and/or KT88 if only to see their real world operating points. I will try the 6F6 as well, but have to be careful with rectifier matching so as to avoid pushing them beyond their maximum plate dissipation.

 

[Isaacc7]

Thanks for your input! Well I think I will try the 5881, not terribly expensive, $75-100 a pair. I'm familiar with the others you've mentioned, unfortunately a few of them would require adapters which I would prefer to avoid for now. I have considered trying some new production KT66 and/or KT88 if only to see their real world operating points. I will try the 6F6 as well, but have to be careful with rectifier matching so as to avoid pushing them beyond their maximum plate dissipation.

Yeah, I have accumulated a lot of adapters. Still, some adapters have pretty high bang for the buck. In particular the 807 and 6bg6 offer quite a range of tubes using the same adapters. Whereas tubes like the 6ar6 or 7c5 only let you use one particular tube. As good as I think they are they aren’t nearly as much bang for the buck.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Yeah, I have accumulated a lot of adapters. Still, some adapters have pretty high bang for the buck. In particular the 807 and 6bg6 offer quite a range of tubes using the same adapters. Whereas tubes like the 6ar6 or 7c5 only let you use one particular tube. As good as I think they are they aren’t nearly as much bang for the buck.

I ended up buying a pair of Tung-Sol 5881 and a pair of Fivre 6V6G. I think that will round out the power tube selection well for a while. Time for some 6SL7 pairs and maybe a rectifier or two to finish the shopping spree.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

I got my 5881 tubes. Paid $75 + shipping for this pair. I like the gradient on the base. Such small power tubes!



They sound really good in my circuit, less chiseled and airy compared to Philips EL34, but a very pleasing, warmish tone, I see why they are used in guitar amplifiers, nice pairing for rock. I have them paired with some Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY I just received too, good combo.

I also bought these 6L6G, should be on the way soon. They are rebrands, but look to be National Union vs. Ken-Rad based on the black glass, have to snoop around to confirm.



The box for my amplifier is arriving tomorrow, can't wait to build this one.

 

[UntilThen]

I got my 5881 tubes. Paid $75 + shipping for this pair.

Just realized I didn't have these in my inventory. Perhaps I should get a pair.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Just realized I didn't have these in my inventory. Perhaps I should get a pair.

Perhaps you should. Perhaps you should also send me your KT88 and 6550 to try in my new amp

 

[UntilThen]

Perhaps you should. Perhaps you should also send me your KT88 and 6550 to try in my new amp

My 300b amp is on order. Do you have nice 300b tubes to lend me?

 

[L0rdGwyn]

My 300b amp is on order. Do you have nice 300b tubes to lend me?

I only have 45, 801A, 841, 6B4G, HK54, 3C24 directly heated triodes lying around here and some directly heated pentodes, not a single 300B. Maybe I can drop ship some Chinese ones in exchange for GEC KT88. Can your new amp use 45?

 

[RobertSM]

I only have 45, 801A, 841, 6B4G, HK54, 3C24 directly heated triodes lying around here and some directly heated pentodes, not a single 300B. Maybe I can drop ship some Chinese ones in exchange for GEC KT88. Can your new amp use 45?

I'm sort of thinking my next amp will have to be based on the 45.

No right no wrong. The whole 45 vs 300b is like Coke vs Pepsi. I just know the most amazing sound I've ever heard from a speaker system used monoblocks based off the 45 tube. Stunning!

 

[ThanatosVI]

My 300b amp is on order. Do you have nice 300b tubes to lend me?

Didn't you already have an 300B amp in addition to your KT88?