What kind of tubes you using and why? What makes them GREAT!

[Dinmonster]

TUBeS TUBeS TUBeS TUBeS, TUBeS for days!

 

[Markedman]

I haven't found a better set of tubes than MESA/Boogie tubes for my MESA/Boogie amps. I'm not sure how they'd sound in other amps but I've tried other tubes and they sounded either dull or fuzzy. MESA has a stash of good tubes, you just have to ask and have the cash.

 

[Racerxrated]

I haven't found a better set of tubes than MESA/Boogie tubes for my MESA/Boogie amps. I'm not sure how they'd sound in other amps but I've tried other tubes and they sounded either dull or fuzzy. MESA has a stash of good tubes, you just have to ask and have the cash.

Mesa tubes are just rebranded tubes that they have tested and they are pop in replacements for Mesa amps. Not rocket science; you pay for the fact that they are tested and fit within safe bias range in any Mesa amp. I have 6 Mesa STR 415s in my C+ Coli. They sound amazing. I also have Sylvania STR 387s, and Peavey branded 6L6s which are the same as the Mesa 415s. They all come in in the low 30ma range and are no different than the 415s. The vintage Mesa 416s that they have are just Siemens EL34s...I have a dozen of them and they are killer in my Marshall. As good as any vintage Mullard. But anyone can buy NOS or even used Sylvania 6L6GC or Siemens EL34s and as long as the circuit has the ability to adjust bias they will sound just as good as a Mesa labeled tube.

 

[skullfxr]

Mullard VOS in a few pres, RCA and GE 6L6's in my old fenders. I have some =C= EL34's here and there. I have a VOS Telefunken tucked away some where. a handful of JAN's throughout.

Other than that the common stuff is either Sovtek LPS in PI's, JJ's in most. Tung-Sol new prodion in some V1 slots. Sylvetana EL34's on occasion. JJ E34L's, JJ KT88's, JJ 6L6's in some. JJ for rectifier tubes. a handful of NOS 12AT7's around (cheaper than the 12AX7's)

 

[Dinmonster]

Did someone say MESA BOOGIE?
Hmmm? What is all that BLUE and RED shit glowing in my CUSTOM BAD ASS ROAD KING? Not all tubes are glass folks!!!!


SICK TONE CLOSED BACK....NOW!!!

 

[Dinmonster]

LOVE THIS SHIT!
WAIT! Whats that BLUE SHIT GLOWING IN THERE????

 

[psychodave]

Too many good tubes to pick just one. I like Winged C’s for my EL34 amps, Sylvania for my 6L6’s amps.

 

[JMP2203]

preamp 12ax7 i love tunsgram for PI, mullard cv4004 for cathode follower/loops and shuguang C8 for gain stages

power tubes i love sovtek 6550we and 6l6wxt+, they sound great for metal

and i have some JAN 7581A that i like too but i need to find a couple of 100w heads to use them

 

[311boogieman]

dinmonster - why do I get the feeling like you are trying to sell us something? Can you just come out with it already

Mullard VOS in a few pres, RCA and GE 6L6's in my old fenders. I have some =C= EL34's here and there. I have a VOS Telefunken tucked away some where. a handful of JAN's throughout.


Other than that the common stuff is either Sovtek LPS in PI's, JJ's in most. Tung-Sol new prodion in some V1 slots. Sylvetana EL34's on occasion. JJ E34L's, JJ KT88's, JJ 6L6's in some. JJ for rectifier tubes. a handful of NOS 12AT7's around (cheaper than the 12AX7's)

This is pretty much where I'm at.

Really dig my SED =C= but probably won't drop major cash on them in the future.
Love my JJs
Love my JAN Phillips 5751
Mullard EL34s

PS: I put all kinds of stuff in my Mesa

 

[skullfxr]

dinmonster - why do I get the feeling like you are trying to sell us something? Can you just come out with it already

Mullard VOS in a few pres, RCA and GE 6L6's in my old fenders. I have some =C= EL34's here and there. I have a VOS Telefunken tucked away some where. a handful of JAN's throughout.


Other than that the common stuff is either Sovtek LPS in PI's, JJ's in most. Tung-Sol new prodion in some V1 slots. Sylvetana EL34's on occasion. JJ E34L's, JJ KT88's, JJ 6L6's in some. JJ for rectifier tubes. a handful of NOS 12AT7's around (cheaper than the 12AX7's)

This is pretty much where I'm at.

Really dig my SED =C= but probably won't drop major cash on them in the future.
Love my JJs
Love my JAN Phillips 5751
Mullard EL34s

PS: I put all kinds of stuff in my Mesa

I can't justify =C= prices for power tubes for what they fetch. But I like the ones I have. Same with GE and RCA 6L6's. I do have four brand new matching RCA 6L6's. $40 for the quad lmao. I snagged an INSANE deal. I will probably never use them. Lol

 

[Dinmonster]

Thanks for the comments...Much better replies from you cats then from the TOASTER DRIVERS on my other post...touchy feelings...awww

 

[rottingcorpse]

6C33C because they are clean and bulletproof.

 

[Kordoba]

LOVE THIS SHIT!
WAIT! Whats that BLUE SHIT GLOWING IN THERE????

I'm not familiar with those amps, but it looks like those Jet City preamp tube replacements or something similar. Like those 100% analog plastic tubes in your original post.

 

[Dinmonster]

YESSSSSSSSSSS!

 

[Racerxrated]

I have and use:
Winged C EL34s
Vintage Mullard EL34s
Siemens EL34s
GT EL34LS-similar to the JJ EL34L but with larger heat wings, these kill in a Wizard and sound as good as the Siemens in the MC I had.

Mesa STR 415 (6L6GC)
Sylvania STR 387 (6L6GC)

GE 6550s

Sylvania 6CA7s

MANY different Pre tubes: Chinese 6n4, Bs, Tungsrams, Ei, GE, RCA, Mullard, Amperex, Telefunken, and some I'm forgetting. These are all vintage, the Chinese are NOS. All sound killer and have a detail to the tone that I don't hear with modern production tubes.

 

[phil b]

Thanks for the comments...Much better replies from you cats then from the TOASTER DRIVERS on my other post...touchy feelings...awww

Dude, its not that, its just that you come across as some kid showing off his dads gear. I dont care how much gear you have if ya cant play... Any idiot can buy gear. You seem to enforce that comment.

 

[Price]

I have and use:
Winged C EL34s
Vintage Mullard EL34s
Siemens EL34s
GT EL34LS-similar to the JJ EL34L but with larger heat wings, these kill in a Wizard and sound as good as the Siemens in the MC I had.

Mesa STR 415 (6L6GC)
Sylvania STR 387 (6L6GC)

GE 6550s

Sylvania 6CA7s

MANY different Pre tubes: Chinese 6n4, Bs, Tungsrams, Ei, GE, RCA, Mullard, Amperex, Telefunken, and some I'm forgetting. These are all vintage, the Chinese are NOS. All sound killer and have a detail to the tone that I don't hear with modern production tubes.

How do you like those GE 6550s? Are they worth the premium? I’m looking to change out my Svetlanas with maybe some Tung Sols, hopefully they fit!

 

[Racerxrated]

I feel they are the best, most detailed/3D tone 6550 out there..although the winged C are very good, as are the Tung Sol for new production. Now, I haven't bought any GE 6550s...when I'd get Marshalls with them I'd pull them and replace with another brand 6550 for resale if I flipped it. So I have a few quads, all used but strong. I usually don't buy NOS tubes and have found enough used pre and power tubes that I've ended up with some 'almost matched' duets/quads...not too far off from one another ma wise. I'd rank the 6550s as:
1. GE 6550
2. Winged C 6550
3. Tung Sol 6550

I've almost bought used GEs for around 50 per tube, not sure what they are running these days. My new tube fun are Sylvania 6CA7s, I've found a few used pairs that are very close to being matched and I'm really enjoying them in my 2204. Like some say, they remind me of my Sylvania 6L6s and what they do with my C+ Coli, really adds something that wasn't there before even with the Winged C EL34s that came with it.

 

[Price]

I'd rank the 6550s as:
1. GE 6550
2. Winged C 6550
3. Tung Sol 6550

I've almost bought used GEs for around 50 per tube, not sure what they are running these days. My new tube fun are Sylvania 6CA7s, I've found a few used pairs that are very close to being matched and I'm really enjoying them in my 2204. Like some say, they remind me of my Sylvania 6L6s and what they do with my C+ Coli, really adds something that wasn't there before even with the Winged C EL34s that came with it.

Maybe I should just go with the GEs! There's a tested new matched pair for 150 on fleabay, prices range from 75 to 100 per. If they last as long as some people say they do, that alone might make them a worthwhile investment.

There's definitely something about the tone of American tubes that's hard to put into words, particularly the "upper mid swirl." I wouldn't know how else to describe that time-dependent harmonic shift other than as a swirl. Somewhere, there's a really interesting hifi thread of a bunch of audiophiles discussing exactly what the "swirl" is and what causes it. Of course, I can't find it now

 

[Racerxrated]

I'd rank the 6550s as:
1. GE 6550
2. Winged C 6550
3. Tung Sol 6550

I've almost bought used GEs for around 50 per tube, not sure what they are running these days. My new tube fun are Sylvania 6CA7s, I've found a few used pairs that are very close to being matched and I'm really enjoying them in my 2204. Like some say, they remind me of my Sylvania 6L6s and what they do with my C+ Coli, really adds something that wasn't there before even with the Winged C EL34s that came with it.

Maybe I should just go with the GEs! There's a tested new matched pair for 150 on fleabay, prices range from 75 to 100 per. If they last as long as some people say they do, that alone might make them a worthwhile investment.

There's definitely something about the tone of American tubes that's hard to put into words, particularly the "upper mid swirl." I wouldn't know how else to describe that time-dependent harmonic shift other than as a swirl. Somewhere, there's a really interesting hifi thread of a bunch of audiophiles discussing exactly what the "swirl" is and what causes it. Of course, I can't find it now

That's a good price, I'd go get em. When I bought my first C+, it sounded really great with the Mesa 440s...then I read about the magical Sylvania 6L6GC...I bought a few RCA branded Sylvania 6L6GC and got really lucky with the both of them biasing up right in Mesa range at 32 or so....my first chord with these tubes was unreal, just an absolute eargasm..that's when I knew the USA tube legend was real.