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Supratek Tubes and Tube Swappin' for Everybody

I will have a Supratek Chenin in my set up in a day or so. Since so many folks are rolling tubes around here I was hoping to garner a comprehensive list of everybodies favorite tube compliments. Be it NOS or NIB or WLATB (Whatever's layin around the basement)
Being that the "Deal of the Century" thread is a little more like a novel I figured this would be a good place to post questions and answers related to one subject of Supratek amps and pres.
On to the subject of me. I don't have immediate plans to swap tubes as I've figured that Mr. Maloney would supply us with something listenable for the break in period. But, since so many have reported such dramatic improvments I want to ask this question:
What is your favorite compliment for quietest gain and dynamics in the phono stage?
I will be using the Chenin exclusively for vinyl ( I don't have a CD player) and listen to loads of early rock and roll and Jazz bands, smaller jazz bands mostly, quartets and quintets. Some classical, the usual Beethoven and Mozart, but usually just a lot of loud garage rock.
Ok, now lets see what happens.
mc5baby
whoopadeedoo
50 posts
 
I'll cook them a bit more. All three Bendix I have are NOS/NIB, so I'll give them a fair shake by burning them a couple weeks longer. For 6106 users, how long does the tube life last? When called to do 5AR4 duty, the life should be significantly shortened.

For all intents and purposes, the 6106 is very much like the 5Y3 in electrical operation. Sure, it's indirectly heated and sound better then any 5Y3 I know, but it's still very similiar to a 5Y3 in regards to electrical function. Thus, I expect it to behave much like a 5Y3 in a 5AR4 application. It has nothing to do with the 6106 being the best 5Y3-type tube. It's still a 5Y3-type tube called to do 5AR4 duties. The analogy goes: throwing in a metal base GZ34 in to a 5U4G circuit doesn't mean it will perform well simply because the metal base GZ34 is the best of its kind.

In any case, I'll give it more time. FWIW: I, too, don't think the 350B will likely cause any damage in Suprateks (although it can happen).
bwhite
807 posts
 
Whoopadeedoo - if you're using a Chardonnay, just disconnect your power supply from the line stage and turn on the power supply. That's all it takes to burn in the Bendix. I had mine running 24/7 for more than a week before it started to sound good.

While I really love the Bendix and what it does, I can imagine cases where it will not suit every system and every listening preference. At one point, I recall being very drawn in to the Gold Lion KT66 / GZ34 fat base combo for delivering the most seductive and involving musical experience. When listening, I realized that everything (tonally) was somewhat incorrect but I found I listened longer to the system.
jes45
293 posts
 
What about the tube that just hangs under the cover, not mounted to anything, with just the wires holding it in place, located under the bottom cover of the Merlots?

If someone can instruct me how to transfer a photo from my C drive to this site, I'll be happy to share a few photos within a few days.

For now, let's just say that I was "less than impressed".
jazzdude
332 posts
 
Jes45 - If you have an axe to grind with Mick then tell him about it. There is nothing we can do to correct any problems you may have. From my past experience with Mick he has always taken care of things that needed fixin.
ecclectique
509 posts
 
What makes you believe the 6106 is called upon to do the duty of a 5ar4 in the supratek, one could use the very same analogy by saying
the 5ar4 has to do the same duty as the 5z4, gz33, gz34, gz37 as well as a host of others. All of these rectifiers are recommended by Mick Maloney himself. RE: tube life???All the redbank family of rectifiers were developed exclusively for the Top secret American Missile Program. Their build quality and durabilty are legendary, and second to none. My 6106 has been in active duty for more than a decade and still test above 100% on both sides. It replaced a Mullard gz34 in my stock Dynakit stereo 70 way back in the early 90's. Whether it will outlast a Mullard gz34 in a supratek? I rather doubt it though, as the original Mullard gz34 lasted more than 20 years in the Dyna. Who the hell knows? but who here really cares anyway?
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