Supratek Tubes and Tube Swappin' for Everybody

Here's mine (Chenin):

Rectifier - Mullard GZ34
Regulators - Sylvania 6F6G's
Phono = Mullard M8080 and Tele 6922 CCa
Linestage - RCA VT231 Gray Glass

I can also recommend the ff. with gusto for the linestage tubes

1. Tungsol VT231 Black Glass
2. Raytheon VT-231 Black Base
3. Sylvania 6SN7W short Bottle
4. Sylvania 6SN7GT VT-231

goodluck

But the Bendix does not work for the Chenin, only for the Syrah! There is a small change in the PSU according to Mick. It was mentioned to me a year ago when I ordered my unit. I think this was covered on the other thread as well. I still have the tube. I bought it new and tested NOS but it is the only rectifier that I tried (from the many recommended at the other thread) that produces a "chugging" sound no matter what source is selected or what tube combinatons are employed on the other circuits.

I hope someone can confirm my experienced as well.

Bwhite,

I will try to locate a CV181 in the near future. Thanks for the recommendation!

Fiddler,

Here it is http://www.tubeseller.com/index.html

Shoot Mr. Malecki (Bob) an e-mail and if he finds a pair, he will contact you right away. All tubes he sells are tested and has a 30 day warranty (see homepage). I bought tubes from him and if he states "NOS", it is really NOS unlike the Ebay stuff. An honest professional guy in my experience and I can truly recommend his services.

regards

I confirm the problem with the 6106 regulator when use for the Chenin. There is no problem on CD source. In fact you can crank up the volume to the max (no music playing) and you will not hear any hum at all or tube rush sound. Not for the phono section though! With the 6106 as a rectifier, using the same test method, there is a loud "chugging" sound when the volume pot reached about two O'clock.

So for the Chardonnay, the 6106 will work without problem since the one that is affected is the phono section.

I was using 6F6G on my Chenin. But I am now enjoying a GE 7518 as regulators. It adds a little "muscle" to the already superb phono section (not that I am complaining!). I like the RCA 6L6GC'a also.

It seems to me, after reading a lot of comments and experiences about regulators and rectifiers, that the Syrah, Chenin, Chardonnay and the other preamps have a different voltage requirements. I think as far as the tube rolling issue is concern, the only tube that is "universally acceptable" based on others experienced to everybody is the 6SN7's for the Suprateks. The others vary and should be specific to each model only.

I think....

Jazzdude,

My mistake! It is a 7581 (GE with pink base). I made a typo on my post.

".... linestage only versions and the full-blown preamp with phonostage. SupraTek owners with the phonostages will have higher current requirements that will restrict the use of some of the lesser rectifiers and pentodes...."

Exactly! This is the main reason why in the phono stage, the "chugging" sound was produced since the 6106 is basically a 5Y3GT isn't it?

regards

Sorlowski,

I am currently using the Sovtek KT-66(about $50.00 per match pair at tubestore.com in which I have no affiliation whatsoever)that Mick recommended to one owner here which he shared on this thread a while ago. It needs to play at least 50 hours before it shows its real character. With the RC VT-231, Mullard 5AR4, and TFK 6922 plus Mullard M8080 on the phono, my preamp never sounded so good. At least to me of course but I am very impress how the tonal balance becomes so natural in my system with this tubes as regulator. I have compared it to Sylvania 6F6G's which I thought the "it" tube for me, Tungsol 5881, RCA 6L6GC Black Plates, GE 7581, and GEC KT-66 Brown Amphenol base(the only two I have left) and I like the Sovtek better.
Do not make any conclusion about this tube's ability until about 50 hours as I mentioned, after that it gets even better.

Of course, you can take my post with a grain of salt. I am just sharing my findings that's all.

regards,

Abe

Hello,

First off, let's make sure we are only talking about the Syrah here.

You cannot use the 300B, PX4 or 45 tube replacing the 6SN7 tubes or any other tubes in the preamp without any modifications. The most obvious reason is that 300B and 45 have a different pin configuration, and number of pins, thus, different sockets required. The DHT (directly heated tubes) 300B, PX4 and 45 requires 4 pin sockets usually called UX4 sockets while the 6SN7 requires an octal socket (8 pins).

Let's leave the circuit characteristics of the Syrah for now.

regards,

Abe