Tube matching with mixed manufacturers?

[omigawsh_lollercoaster]

You require a matched pair or quad, the tubes are the same part number or equivalent and have matched readings but are different makes?

Anyone done this?

Good results or bad idea?

 

[PFKMan23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by omigawsh_lollercoaster /img/forum/go_quote.gif You require a matched pair or quad, the tubes are the same part number or equivalent and have matched readings but are different makes? Anyone done this? Good results or bad idea?

What do you mean same part number of equivalent? Some NOS tubes have been rebranded, eg you may find a NOS Sylvania labeled as Philco or a Tung Sol labeled as an RCA. If that's the case then yes that's fine as they are (or should be) the same tube as the construction is the same, If they are not, then I would not do it as they would be 2 completely different tubes.

 

[Seamaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by omigawsh_lollercoaster /img/forum/go_quote.gif You require a matched pair or quad, the tubes are the same part number or equivalent and have matched readings but are different makes? Anyone done this? Good results or bad idea?

I have seen people done this. If they tested match, why not. For quad you may want put do 1+2/1+2 to banlance the sound signature. For pair 1/2 is not a good idea sound wise. Let your ears make the call.

 

[omigawsh_lollercoaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKMan23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif What do you mean same part number of equivalent?

Did you think I said "of" or is that a typo, what I mean is for example not just two different make of 12AU7s but possibly mix and match of different tube numbers that are considered substitutes like 5963, 7316, 5814 etc. Quote:

Some NOS tubes have been rebranded, eg you may find a NOS Sylvania labeled as Philco or a Tung Sol labeled as an RCA.

Hence the question about mixing manufacturers not a question about mixing brands.

Quote:

If that's the case then yes that's fine as they are (or should be) the same tube as the construction is the same, If they are not, then I would not do it as they would be 2 completely different tubes.

That's the question: if I had need of two 5687s and maybe I had a regular tung sol 5687 and a different make and number that was interchangeable for example, each type could be used as a pair in that application but what about one of each if they were otherwise matched electrically. Wonder if anyone tried some magical combination.

 

[omigawsh_lollercoaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seamaster /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have seen people done this. If they tested match, why not. For quad you may want put do 1+2/1+2 to banlance the sound signature. For pair 1/2 is not a good idea sound wise. Let your ears make the call.

Thanks Seamaster, I don't want to take any chances experimenting but if I heard of some great combo I would probably want to try it.

 

[Skylab]

If you have 4 tubes, all different brands, but that are all the EXACT same tube type (i.e. 12AX7A, 6SN7GT, etc.), then it will function fine. Hard to say how it will sound, but could be good fine. Generally best to use at least pairs, though - I would not want the right and left channels to sound different from each other - that would be odd.

One other important note- I said "EXACT" above for a reason - a 6SN7GT is not exactly the same as a 6SN7GTA or GTB; a 12AT7 is not exactly the same as a 12AT7WC; so mixing such varieties is probably not advisable either.

 

[omigawsh_lollercoaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you have 4 tubes, all different brands, but that are all the EXACT same tube type (i.e. 12AX7A, 6SN7GT, etc.), then it will function fine. Hard to say how it will sound, but could be good fine. Generally best to use at least pairs, though - I would not want the right and left channels to sound different from each other - that would be odd. One other important note- I said "EXACT" above for a reason - a 6SN7GT is not exactly the same as a 6SN7GTA or GTB; a 12AT7 is not exactly the same as a 12AT7WC; so mixing such varieties is probably not advisable either.

Good to know!