6534+ bias findings

[DEWD]

I put some different EL34's in my new 6534+ the other day and I thought I'd share my findings. I use one of those Weber Bias Rites and the 4 adapters are pretty tall and every other amp I've had needed to be removed from the headshell to bias. Not with the 6534. Just take the top grille off and you're good to go, works like a charm with the external bias knob.

Now the 6505/5150 series are known for their cold bias but this is a different beast. I got the EL34's in the low 40's with room to spare on the knob which is over 70%. It's cool that you can actually bias a 6505 series amp properly for a change w/o modding it. Just thought I'd share my findings for those who were wondering.

 

[Rob R]

clips

 

[motogrinder]

What tubes did you put in?

 

[DEWD]

clips

I'm trying but all I have are digital cameras, video cameras and cell phones.

I'm experimenting to see which does the amp justice. $99 Kodak didn't do it.

 

[DEWD]

What tubes did you put in?

It came with Ruby's and I put Winged C's in.

 

[MYLILSS]

What tubes did you put in?

yeah i would be curious to know as well

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

can you post pics of the back of the amp showing the bias set up?


seems like this one hell of an amp!

 

[Dimebag11]

I'm shocked it can be biased that hot......the 6505+'s can't get anywhere near 40mA.....

 

[DEWD]

can you post pics of the back of the amp showing the bias set up?


seems like this one hell of an amp!

I think it's the same as the 6505+ with the test points on back (I don't use them) and the bias knob on the top of the chassis.

 

[RedB4Black]

cool. good idea. I was just gonna go swap tubes in mine.

Gonna try some Winged Cs and some Siemens.

 

[Dimebag11]

Hey man, did you A/B the boosted crunch channels of those two heads yet?

 

[RedB4Black]

Hey man, did you A/B the boosted crunch channels of those two heads yet?

Not yet....

I've been tube testing. I'll get to it.

Mine came stock with JJs. The Wing Cs sound great in this amp and were an improvement over stock, but my Siemens el34s take this thing to a whole new level. Holy shit they sound good in this amp. Too bad these tubes are so damn expensive or I'd be hording them. Gonna mess with some pre-amp tube changes too.

I'll tell you what though. There's no real comparison. The 6534 is way better than the 6505 IMO. I think the 6505 might sound better is I do the bias mod on it, but right now, I'm probably just gonna send it back.

 

[Tawlks]

clips

I'm trying but all I have are digital cameras, video cameras and cell phones.

I'm experimenting to see which does the amp justice. $99 Kodak didn't do it.

I'd like some detailed pics of a 6534+ actually. If you're taking some post 'em up, You're the first on RT to get one as far as I know so others would be interested I think.

 

[gbsmusic]

I put some different EL34's in my new 6534+ the other day and I thought I'd share my findings. I use one of those Weber Bias Rites and the 4 adapters are pretty tall and every other amp I've had needed to be removed from the headshell to bias. Not with the 6534. Just take the top grille off and you're good to go, works like a charm with the external bias knob.

Now the 6505/5150 series are known for their cold bias but this is a different beast. I got the EL34's in the low 40's with room to spare on the knob which is over 70%. It's cool that you can actually bias a 6505 series amp properly for a change w/o modding it. Just thought I'd share my findings for those who were wondering.

I saw the external bias knob. So how does it sound? I won't be doing anything for a while b8ut its great info!!

 

[DEWD]

Tawlks - I'll try and get some pics up in this thread in the next day or two. Honestly though, it looks just like the 6505+ other than the logo.

gbsmusic - So how are you liking yours? I'm still amazed by this amp. I've spent a small fortune on amps in the past and this one continues to kick my teeth in.

I think it sounds better w/ the Winged C's. It's a little richer tone and more articulate. The Rubys are real nice too though. I'm happy with either set in it. I haven't even opened the preamp tube panel yet. I'm sure once I get to that, I'll be able to improve the tone even more. I'm kind of going by the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" motto for now until I get bored.

Matt - Now you have me wanting to buy some Siemens EL34's. Can you describe what they do for the amp vs. the Winged C's?

 

[155]

enough with the talkin lets hear this thing!

 

[gbsmusic]

Tawlks - I'll try and get some pics up in this thread in the next day or two. Honestly though, it looks just like the 6505+ other than the logo.

gbsmusic - So how are you liking yours? I'm still amazed by this amp. I've spent a small fortune on amps in the past and this one continues to kick my teeth in.

I think it sounds better w/ the Winged C's. It's a little richer tone and more articulate. The Rubys are real nice too though. I'm happy with either set in it. I haven't even opened the preamp tube panel yet. I'm sure once I get to that, I'll be able to improve the tone even more. I'm kind of going by the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" motto for now until I get bored.

Matt - Now you have me wanting to buy some Siemens EL34's. Can you describe what they do for the amp vs. the Winged C's?

I didn't want to ask a stupid question but I was wondering where the hell the Pre's were? So they are inside the panel and enclosed in hugh?

 

[RedB4Black]

Tawlks - I'll try and get some pics up in this thread in the next day or two. Honestly though, it looks just like the 6505+ other than the logo.

gbsmusic - So how are you liking yours? I'm still amazed by this amp. I've spent a small fortune on amps in the past and this one continues to kick my teeth in.

I think it sounds better w/ the Winged C's. It's a little richer tone and more articulate. The Rubys are real nice too though. I'm happy with either set in it. I haven't even opened the preamp tube panel yet. I'm sure once I get to that, I'll be able to improve the tone even more. I'm kind of going by the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" motto for now until I get bored.

Matt - Now you have me wanting to buy some Siemens EL34's. Can you describe what they do for the amp vs. the Winged C's?

the Siemens are to the Winged C's what you said above regarding how the Winged Cs are better than the Rubys. That's the best I can describe it. I love these tubes, they've made every amp I've tried them in sound alot better.

 

[RedB4Black]

Tawlks - I'll try and get some pics up in this thread in the next day or two. Honestly though, it looks just like the 6505+ other than the logo.

gbsmusic - So how are you liking yours? I'm still amazed by this amp. I've spent a small fortune on amps in the past and this one continues to kick my teeth in.

I think it sounds better w/ the Winged C's. It's a little richer tone and more articulate. The Rubys are real nice too though. I'm happy with either set in it. I haven't even opened the preamp tube panel yet. I'm sure once I get to that, I'll be able to improve the tone even more. I'm kind of going by the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" motto for now until I get bored.

Matt - Now you have me wanting to buy some Siemens EL34's. Can you describe what they do for the amp vs. the Winged C's?

I didn't want to ask a stupid question but I was wondering where the hell the Pre's were? So they are inside the panel and enclosed in hugh?

They are horizontal behind the panel screwed on the back faceplate. Mine had all JJs pre and power as stock tubes.

 

[gbsmusic]

Tawlks - I'll try and get some pics up in this thread in the next day or two. Honestly though, it looks just like the 6505+ other than the logo.

gbsmusic - So how are you liking yours? I'm still amazed by this amp. I've spent a small fortune on amps in the past and this one continues to kick my teeth in.

I think it sounds better w/ the Winged C's. It's a little richer tone and more articulate. The Rubys are real nice too though. I'm happy with either set in it. I haven't even opened the preamp tube panel yet. I'm sure once I get to that, I'll be able to improve the tone even more. I'm kind of going by the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" motto for now until I get bored.

Matt - Now you have me wanting to buy some Siemens EL34's. Can you describe what they do for the amp vs. the Winged C's?

I didn't want to ask a stupid question but I was wondering where the hell the Pre's were? So they are inside the panel and enclosed in hugh?

They are horizontal behind the panel screwed on the back faceplate. Mine had all JJs pre and power as stock tubes.

Right on. Thanks!