I agree with lowrider, 6SN7s are hellishly microphonic. Best I've tried are either KenRad 6SN7GT with or without the silvery glass coating or RCA 6SN7GT with the gray glass coating. But you've gotta damp them somehow. Wonderful tubes, nevertheless. Another one to think about are 12SX7s, which require 12V filament supply and have the characteristics of a GT type (as opposed to GTA or GTB types, which can take a higher plate voltage). 12SN7s may be a bargain, too.
If NOS pre or power tubes became unavailable altogether, what new tubes would you buy?
Hey tuberollers,
I'm curious to see what happens if there's a gun to your head, or more practically all NOS tubes disappear (dread). What would you do with your line/pre stage and/or power stage?
I have tried 5 different NOS 12AU7s and only 1 new 12AU7 in my preamp section (Cifte, RCA black plates (late 50s), Sylvanias, Baldwin organ tubes, Amperex 70s orange globes, and new Chinese stock Primaluna tubes). In my power section, I have not tried any NOS tubes and 3 types of tubes (stock Chinese Primaluna EL34s, reissue Mullard EL34s, and reissue Gold Lion KT88s).
Side note: I haven't ventured into NOS power tubes because of the cost and availability/scarcity. I need 8 of them!
Without having tried anything else, I would be lost on new or reissue 12AU7s. On the power tube side, I'd be just fine with either the reissue Mullard EL34s or the Gold Lion KT88s.
I'm curious to see what happens if there's a gun to your head, or more practically all NOS tubes disappear (dread). What would you do with your line/pre stage and/or power stage?
I have tried 5 different NOS 12AU7s and only 1 new 12AU7 in my preamp section (Cifte, RCA black plates (late 50s), Sylvanias, Baldwin organ tubes, Amperex 70s orange globes, and new Chinese stock Primaluna tubes). In my power section, I have not tried any NOS tubes and 3 types of tubes (stock Chinese Primaluna EL34s, reissue Mullard EL34s, and reissue Gold Lion KT88s).
Side note: I haven't ventured into NOS power tubes because of the cost and availability/scarcity. I need 8 of them!
Without having tried anything else, I would be lost on new or reissue 12AU7s. On the power tube side, I'd be just fine with either the reissue Mullard EL34s or the Gold Lion KT88s.
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- 98 posts total
- 98 posts total