Looking to upgrade tubes
- Thread starter Graybush
- Start date
century tek
Addicted Member
Upgrade to what?
Graybush
New Member
I guess that’s kinda the question. Maybe the SED 6L6 and 12ax7. That’s really what I’m asking though. Is there a preferable upgrade to these tubes? Is there a mistake I can avoid by asking someone in here?
The Onix website has several recommendations that look reasonable: http://onix.pbworks.com/w/page/7224976/SP3
century tek
Addicted Member
No no, no mistakes, just gotta feel you out so to speak. 
The 6L6 has many variants you can try but you can't use say a 7591 in the place of a 6L6 tube or tube with more power than the 6L6 family. Your device is designed for certain power output so you can't get more unless you're an engineer or know or have the skill set to perform said surgery to get more power.
Now if it's a question about tube rolling, then there are many tubes and brands you can try.
6L6
6L6G
6L6GB
6L6GC
5881
Same with the 12AX7.
EDIT: I assume that your device uses a 6L6GC. If so, the 6L6 (old metal type), the G and GB variants are less rated on the plate voltages than others after them and should not be used. They're the same tube except the GC and 5881 are newer versions which are made to handle higher plate voltages and higher plate dissipation.
The 6L6 has many variants you can try but you can't use say a 7591 in the place of a 6L6 tube or tube with more power than the 6L6 family. Your device is designed for certain power output so you can't get more unless you're an engineer or know or have the skill set to perform said surgery to get more power.
Now if it's a question about tube rolling, then there are many tubes and brands you can try.
6L6
6L6G
6L6GB
6L6GC
5881
Same with the 12AX7.
EDIT: I assume that your device uses a 6L6GC. If so, the 6L6 (old metal type), the G and GB variants are less rated on the plate voltages than others after them and should not be used. They're the same tube except the GC and 5881 are newer versions which are made to handle higher plate voltages and higher plate dissipation.
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Graybush
New Member
Tube rolling? Wow! That’s a new one on me lol. So, here’s my predicament I guess; I’m not rich but not poor, wanna get some really good, solid upgrade tubes without paying “show off” prices for “show off” tubes lol. My head is spinning from reading about tubes and trying to figure out why one is different from the other and then just got hit with a new phrase “tube rolling” which sounds cool as hell but leaves me a little more lost than when I first read this response lol.No no, no mistakes, just gotta feel you out so to speak.
The 6L6 has many variants you can try but you can't use say a 7591 in the place of a 6L6 tube or tube with more power than the 6L6 family. Your device is designed for certain power output so you can't get more unless you're an engineer or know or have the skill set to perform said surgery to get more power.
Now if it's a question about tube rolling, then there are many tubes and brands you can try.
6L6
6L6G
6L6GB
6L6GC
5881
Same with the 12AX7.
Graybush
New Member
I was reading that and got pulled down the rabbit hole lol. I’ve been looking through tube brands for an hour and I feel Lee list now than before I started
century tek
Addicted Member
People like me have been doing this for years and its second nature. I have RCA, GE, and Svetlana brand 6L6GC tubes and I like the GE branded tubes. With the GE branded 6L6GC tubes, the plate structure is gray. My Svetlana tubes also have gray plates. My RCA branded 6L6GC tubes have black plates.
They all have the same specs voltage wise, but they do sound different from one another. Not softer or louder or fuzzy or clearer or anything like that, just different. Some people swear on black plated tubes and some people swear on gray plated tubes. Yup, hee hee, down the rabbit hole!
They all have the same specs voltage wise, but they do sound different from one another. Not softer or louder or fuzzy or clearer or anything like that, just different. Some people swear on black plated tubes and some people swear on gray plated tubes. Yup, hee hee, down the rabbit hole!
Graybush
New Member
One of the big things that’s getting me is that there’s some 6l6 tubes for 499 and some for 21.99. Am I looking at something wrong? I know that’s probably a stupid ass question and there’s probably a simple reason there’s that discrepancy but I haven’t seen it yet. There’s the groove tube 12ax7 and the Raytheon. Couple hundred dollar difference. Am I just ignorant here? LolPeople like me have been doing this for years and its second nature. I have RCA, GE, and Svetlana brand 6L6GC tubes and I like the GE branded tubes. With the GE branded 6L6GC tubes, the plate structure is gray. My Svetlana tubes also have gray plates. My RCA branded 6L6GC tubes have black plates.
They all have the same specs voltage wise, but they do sound different from one another. Not softer or louder or fuzzy or clearer or anything like that, just different. Some people swear on black plated tubes and some people swear on gray plated tubes. Yup, hee hee, down the rabbit hole!
Not ignorant, just have to start somewhere. I picked up my first tube amp 5-6 months ago, now I'm up to six. Yeah, it grabs you and will pull you deep.
century tek
Addicted Member
I guess you just gotta know your stuff. It does take years unfortunately. I have been doing this since I was 10 and I can spot a 6L6 type of tube if you were to let's say have a bucket of tubes spilled onto the living room carpet. Same with the 12AX7 type of tubes. These are just your basic audio tubes.
Tv tubes are a whole 'nother story.
Okay, 499 to me just sounds stupid and/or a scam. 20 - 100 might seem more reasonable.
Tv tubes are a whole 'nother story.
Okay, 499 to me just sounds stupid and/or a scam. 20 - 100 might seem more reasonable.
You're going about this backwards. Kegger used to tell me that the preamp tubes affect sound more than the power tubes, but folks seem to start with the more costly power tubes regardless. Your provided link reiterates Keg's advice; look at the cheaper 12AX7s first
"
Tube Rolling
Recommended order for upgrading:
http://www.audiotubes.com/12ax7.htm
"
Tube Rolling
Recommended order for upgrading:
- Preamp: 12AX7
- Phase Inverter: 12AU7
- Driver: 6922
- Power: 5881
http://www.audiotubes.com/12ax7.htm
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century tek
Addicted Member
PS, I do mean all tubes, not just the 6L6, but you will also learn that too............eventually!
Just hang around! You'll learn more..........lots more!
Graybush
New Member
Well, I was down the 12ax7 rabbit hole and went back to the 6l6. I will most definitely replace the 12ax7 first, but if at all possible I’d like to do all of them. I don’t how the two driver tubes affect play, but if they’re necessary then I’ll do them too. There’s just so much. Brands and matched...... it’s a new world lol. My solid state was easy
BTW, it is a rabbit hole. I've been selling tubes for years and you learn to list every little variant as folks are looking for specifics and differences. Long plate, short plate; gray, black, silver, even spotted plates; halo, D, square, horseshoe, dimple, top, bottom, side, single, and dual getters, and of course on European tubes, what plant? Blackburn Mullards are an excellent example.
Be prepared to be swamped!
Be prepared to be swamped!
century tek
Addicted Member
Graybush
New Member
I’m there lol.
primosounds
Powered with pure tube sounds.
When rolling tubes it is better to change 1 stage at a time. If you change too many tubes at once you won't know which tube in what position had the greatest effect on the sound. Convention says the input tube since it handles the signal first.
