hi,
Tube rolling, if you do it you are about to take a ride down a long and winding road from which there is no turning back because its so much fun doing it.
I've rolled tubes in every position in my cary SLI80 from the rectifiers to the output tubes using current production and new old stock tubes (NOS).
Rectifiers: Some folks say different rectifiers make a big difference in the sound of the amp. I don't doubt them but in my experience I can't tell the difference various brands of nos rectifier tubes. Currently I'm using National Union 5u4gs. I've also tried Sylvania and RCA 5U4s and RCA 5U4GBs. I'd say pick the most reasonably priced nos tube and go with it.
Input tube ...6dj8, 6992, 7308, e88cc : This tube make a significant sonic impact in the amp. Some of the ones I really like are Mullard e88cc/6992, Amperex ecc88/6dj8, Siemens e82cc/6189 and Amperex 6992 PQ white or orange. The problem is these tube are becoming very expensive,hundreds of dollars per pair. A lot of folks like the current production Electro-Harmonix 6992 EH priced at 12.00 a tube.
Phase Inverter 6sn7: It does not have much of an impact on the sound of the amp. I have several different NOS brands because I use them in an AES preamp .. in the SLI-80 I've installed Sylvania chrom domes and they will stay there until they are tired.
Power Output tubes: IMHO they have the biggest impact on the sound of the amp. Presently I'm using Black Sable SED KT88s which are cryogenicaly treated SED KT88s. They are moderately priced for output tubes at $320 a quad are the best current production I've heard. Another current production KT88 I like is the Genalex Gold Lion KT88
Tube rolling, if you do it you are about to take a ride down a long and winding road from which there is no turning back because its so much fun doing it.
I've rolled tubes in every position in my cary SLI80 from the rectifiers to the output tubes using current production and new old stock tubes (NOS).
Rectifiers: Some folks say different rectifiers make a big difference in the sound of the amp. I don't doubt them but in my experience I can't tell the difference various brands of nos rectifier tubes. Currently I'm using National Union 5u4gs. I've also tried Sylvania and RCA 5U4s and RCA 5U4GBs. I'd say pick the most reasonably priced nos tube and go with it.
Input tube ...6dj8, 6992, 7308, e88cc : This tube make a significant sonic impact in the amp. Some of the ones I really like are Mullard e88cc/6992, Amperex ecc88/6dj8, Siemens e82cc/6189 and Amperex 6992 PQ white or orange. The problem is these tube are becoming very expensive,hundreds of dollars per pair. A lot of folks like the current production Electro-Harmonix 6992 EH priced at 12.00 a tube.
Phase Inverter 6sn7: It does not have much of an impact on the sound of the amp. I have several different NOS brands because I use them in an AES preamp .. in the SLI-80 I've installed Sylvania chrom domes and they will stay there until they are tired.
Power Output tubes: IMHO they have the biggest impact on the sound of the amp. Presently I'm using Black Sable SED KT88s which are cryogenicaly treated SED KT88s. They are moderately priced for output tubes at $320 a quad are the best current production I've heard. Another current production KT88 I like is the Genalex Gold Lion KT88