6L6 Advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter SFW
  • Start date Start date
SFW

SFW

Well-known member
Ok... I need to retube my TriAmp. I'm looking for a 6L6 tube that has smooth highs, good thick mids and punchy lows that don't get flabby. I'm not interested in JJs- as they tend to die quickly in this amp, and the Sovtek 6L6WXTs that I had in there recently were really harsh on the top end.

I was thinking about a set of Wing "C"s or some TADs? What do you guys think? They must be able to handle 500v at the plate.

Thanks guys!
 
I really liked the TAD6L6GC, but i'm not sure that they could handle the PV.
 
:rawk: The best IMO for all around mayhem - Ruby 6L6GCMSTR!

ruby6l6gcmstr.jpg
 
SFW":11qvwp7b said:
Ok... I need to retube my TriAmp. I'm looking for a 6L6 tube that has smooth highs, good thick mids and punchy lows that don't get flabby. I'm not interested in JJs- as they tend to die quickly in this amp, and the Sovtek 6L6WXTs that I had in there recently were really harsh on the top end.

I was thinking about a set of Wing "C"s or some TADs? What do you guys think? They must be able to handle 500v at the plate.

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

The SED stuff can handle over 500 on the plates. I used to run them in my Naylors, and they would see anywhere from 505 to 525 in those amps. On top of that, they sound great as well! They're just rather expensive these days.
 
TAD 6L6's need to be biased a little warmer to get them to compliment the highs if your plate voltage is sitting in the 400-450 range, but they have a rock bottom low end that "feels" great at high volumes. my buddy uses them now and prefer's them over SED's

i would recommend sovtek 6L6GC's, they add a sweet glassy character to your top end, and ive NEVER had a lack of low end using them. ive been using these for close to 4 years now. highly recommend them.
 
T.A.D are the best power amp valves I've ever used. IMO. I really like them, they did wonders in my 5150, unfortunately, I sold the fucker with the TAD's in.

I wonder how TAD pre's are.

EHX 6l6s are wank by the way, durable, rock-steady, but sound wank.
 
Tawlks":b0j3sghd said:
I wonder how TAD pre's are.
Click to expand...

they offer a clean type of gain, its hard to explain. think of the attitude of a class A power-amplifier, but have that clean undertone in the pre-gain class A biasing of your preamp tubes and the overall gain of your amplifier. in certain places TAD pre's would be awsome to compliment a really high mu/gain tube before it or to clean up the character of an amplifier.

i like TAD pre's, but only sparingly. i still prefer sovtek bottles for poweramp tubes over TAD's though.
 
I have Ruby 6L6 =C= for sale. PM me if you are interested.
 
lolzgreg":33o7ef8k said:
Sovtek 5881WXT+ (same as Mesa STR 420)
Click to expand...

hope you dont mind, im going to elaborate a bit comparing this tube.

the wxt just dictates the flat bottom arrangement of the tube, the 5881 is a mil-spec version of a 6L6GC - meaning it can handle a higher plate voltage. they have a better bottom end than a 6L6GC, but thats about it on the tonal benefits of a 5881 to my ears. they lack alot of the top end glassy sweet character that ive been able to get from 6L6GC's - more high-fidelity so to speak. having run both tubes for years, 5881's for 4 years, 6L6's off and on for ~4 years, JJ's, TAD's, i really like the sound of the 6L6GC (sovtek) for the glassy character.

but all out headroom and bottom end capability the 5881 rules that world hands down though IMHO.
 
lolzgreg":3hwv7qce said:
Sovtek 5881WXT+ (same as Mesa STR 420)
Click to expand...
Yeah go for 5881's. My Soldano runs high plate voltage and these are optimal for that. They don't have that signature 6L6 high end in their sound, but if you have good speakers and good eqing skills then you're set. Really thick and thumping lowend.
I also like the Mesa 6L6GC.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have always been told that 5881s could not handle extreme plate voltages. Is this wrong?

The Shield grid voltage on my amp is 490V. So I need tubes that will handle that.
 
SFW":g7gj3lwj said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have always been told that 5881s could not handle extreme plate voltages. Is this wrong?

The Shield grid voltage on my amp is 490V. So I need tubes that will handle that.
Click to expand...

Standard 5881's usually can only do 400V on the plates(not to say you can't go higher, it's done all the time, you just need to be careful on the bias).

The 5881 XWT is a bit different, as already mentioned, in that it was designed to handle higher plate volts like the 6L6GC.
 
Ok... so I've wiped my hard drive since the last time I ordered tubes... I don't want to use tubestore.com ... so who should I order from?

Thanks!
Joel
 
SFW":16w7h5vr said:
Ok... so I've wiped my hard drive since the last time I ordered tubes... I don't want to use tubestore.com ... so who should I order from?

Thanks!
Joel
Click to expand...

Laura at valvequeen would be my first stop to support local rig-talk members. she does burn ins and measures them as well, she's good people :thumbsup: :rock:

second would be tubesandmore.com for powers, but i think someone mentioned before they are canadian? i have no clue, but my last experience with them was excellent, super fast shipping, well packed, and great prices.

for pre's you could also go to dougstubes.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top