[Wes S]

I enjoyed the Sylvania 5814a so much yesterday, I decided today I am going to try my other favorite 5814 variant. The famous CBS/Hytron 5814a Black Plate Bent Square Getter is up for today's tube roll. Pictured below is an earlier version with white label on left and latter red print version on right and they are ready to be rolled. More to come on how they sound in the Pendant soon. . .

 

[28Monkey]

General question for tube pairs, like in the 6BQ5’s in the Pendant…or perhaps the 12AU7’s on the RH-5. What happens if they are not sold as “matched” pairs?

 

[ampsandsound]

Those black plates are stunning. If you can find Silvana 6bq5 black plates it would be worth the time... ebay

 

[Wes S]

Those black plates are stunning. If you can find Silvana 6bq5 black plates it would be worth the time... ebay

Yes sir! These puppies (Sylvania 6bq5 black plates) will liven up the sound no doubt. I prefer Tungsram EL84's myself, but I can see why one would prefer the Sylvania's for their speed, impact and detail (too much of a good thing for me ).

 

[Wes S]

General question for tube pairs, like in the 6BQ5’s in the Pendant…or perhaps the 12AU7’s on the RH-5. What happens if they are not sold as “matched” pairs?

I imagine you would get channel imbalance if they are not close enough and I make sure my power tubes are at least within 10% of each other with the Pendant. As for the RH-5 it's a different design being a hybrid and it does not matter quite as much but I still would want them close for peace of mind. Just my 2 cents

 

[Wes S]

Anyone looking for some great sounding power tubes that have been tested and are quiet in the Pendant? I just listed a couple of pairs in the classifieds.

 

[hikaru12]

Where is everyone getting their Funkwerk ECC83 tubes nowadays? Sounds like what I need.

@Wes - missed out on a lot of your recent tube sales. Really wanted those Raytheons haha.

 

[Wes S]

Where is everyone getting their Funkwerk ECC83 tubes nowadays? Sounds like what I need.

@Wes - missed out on a lot of your recent tube sales. Really wanted those Raytheons haha.

I have not bought any from this seller, but this is the only person currently selling them that I can find -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ECC83-FUNK...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[hikaru12]

Thanks for the link Wes. I'm also currently on the hunt for some Valvo Long Plate 45 degree O getters. Outrageous prices on ebay ($300-$400 for a single tube).

 

[Wes S]

Thanks for the link Wes. I'm also currently on the hunt for some Valvo Long Plate 45 degree O getters. Outrageous prices on ebay ($300-$400 for a single tube).

Sure thing!

Speaking of Valvo LP 45 degree O Getters and those crazy high prices. . Looks like I made a good investment as I "only" paid $200 for my pair a few years ago. It's quite sad that the more sought after tubes are rising in price, and I can only imagine how much they will be going for in a few more years.

 

[hikaru12]

Sure thing!

Speaking of Valvo LP 45 degree O Getters and those crazy high prices. . Looks like I made a good investment as I "only" paid $200 for my pair a few years ago. It's quite sad that the more sought after tubes are rising in price, and I can only imagine how much they will be going for in a few more years.

Let me know if those come up for sale

 

[Wes S]

Hey Folks - Just popping back in to share a bit on my latest tube rolls. I have found 2 tubes that just sound so right it's ridiculous.

1. Sylvania 5814a (JHS) Triple Mica Short Grey Plate Square Getter - This tube is very well balanced top to bottom, with big impactful bass, outstanding texture and detail in the mids, and smooth highs. This tube does wonders for vocals and you will hear all the emotion coming from the singer. The staging is very unique and at times sounds intimate and other times it sounds like I am in a huge concert hall. I would say overall it's more on the intimate side, with outstanding layering and imaging. The detail is as good as I have heard and little nuances are heard quite well, and everything just flows and sounds so natural. While listening with this tube, I simply get lost in the music and always move to the groove. Another interesting and very cool thing about this tube is how it seems to make many tracks sound as if they are being performed live and this really adds to the sense of realism and being "there".

2. CBS-HYTRON 5814 (White label) Black Plate Bent/Angled Square Getter - This tube spices things up a bit compared to the Sylvania's neutrality, with bigger and harder hitting bass, more forward/better clarity in the mids and smoother highs. The bass on this tube is incredible, with really good texture and detail and it slams. The mids and especially vocals have a bit more bite and clarity to them, and the highs are smoother. Also, the staging is huge and the 3d-ness is in full affect. Immersive, detailed and dynamic are the first words that come to mind when I hear this tube. However, this tube is not bright and actually due to the huge bass it sounds a bit dark overall yet still highly detailed. This tube really reminds me of the famous bass monster tube the Ken-Rad 6SN7GT VT231 Black Glass, with it's contrasting darkish yet highly detailed and dynamic sound and holographic staging to die for.

Both tubes get a big recommendation from me.

Happy hunting, rolling and listening!

 

[hikaru12]

Have you heard the halo getter version of the Sylvanias? Are they comparatively worse? They’re pretty cheap.

 

[Wes S]

Have you heard the halo getter version of the Sylvanias? Are they comparatively worse? They’re pretty cheap.

I actually just got a couple of them, but have not tried them yet. I will keep you posted

 

[Wes S]

I actually just got a couple of them, but have not tried them yet. I will keep you posted

@hikaru12 Well, it's been confirmed the latter version Sylvania 5814a triple mica short grey plates with the halo getter and green writing, sound pretty much just as amazing as the earlier JHS (gold print) square getter version.