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EL84 and 12AX7 Options

The GE, Sylvania, Gold Lion, and some other brands, are the same 6CA7 fat bottles, made in the same factory. You probably know this. Just look for the big bottle and the dual getters set at 45 degree (approx) angles. I've seen NIB pairs going for $300 on the bay.

I had my amp running for 6 hours today, those big bottles sure sound nice.
 
Shadowdog said:
Thanks! No rush! I figured the guts were the same! Anyway they sure are nice and compact and easy to listen to.
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I'd go with the NOS Sylvie's personally. The 90s Reflectors are nearly indestructible but I'll take USA any old day. The LPS are about the best sounding current production all around..IMHO.

kward said:
The Reflektors are good sounding tubes and built like a tank. Also for about 90% of the sound quality Sovtek EL84M's are good too. TADs are better for guitar I think.

In new production 12AX7, the reissue Mullard beats the LPS in midrange vocals, I think. The Sovtek LPS has great bass extension though.
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sKiZo said:
Good beans ... I was kinda leaning towards the TAD EL84's, but as mentioned, they seem to cater more to the pickers ...

I also found a nice pair of NOS Sylvania's that look like a good deal at $60. I've got a few Sylvania tubes (12AU7 and 2C51) that I really really like the tone of. These would be circa '60's ...

Also noted on the Mullard 12AX7's ... Hadn't heard much on those, other than the whole lineup is getting decent enough reviews.

Keep em comin' !!

PS ... one thing I'm finding re: the Russian tubes is that there's apparently some confusion when it comes to translating the Cyrillic markings. Fer instance, looks like Reflektor 6N14N-EP could be interepreted any number of ways.
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Since there are only 2 of each tube I would bite the bullet and get some nice used old stock American or Euro tubes. Matched sets should be doable for less than 100 bucks for all 4.
 
Tom Bombadil said:
8 NOS Amperex EL84 from Tube Depot would cost me $1039. From Brent Jessee it would be only $760. Or drop down to 'Used tested good' for just $396 for 8.

That just seems like a lot to pay for new or used EL84s.
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Yikes!

One of the reasons I decided to "settle" on a KT88 based amp for the front channels ... which has the iron and reserve to drive KT120's gracefully.

big-bottles-002.jpg


A matched quad set me back about what one of the primo NOS EL84's you mentioned would. Heck, I paid almost as much for the rectifier, but I'm a sucker for big bottles. <G>

tubeampking said:
I'd go with the NOS Sylvie's personally.
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This is me, shaking my fist your way, for talking me into getting those as well!!

Always nice to have TWO sets of spares, right? And I've always had a soft spot for the Sylvania Sound. ;-}
 
Your welcome. Never can have too many tubes...after the collapse of the global economy they will be the new currency...

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Oh crap, I can hardly afford them now. I so want to be in the, glass of the month club with Bryce.
 
tubeampking said:
I'd go with the NOS Sylvie's personally.
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Thanx for twisting my arm on them Sylvies ...

Got the TAD EL84STR's in the mail first. Big improvement over what was in there. I'll have to test out the old tubes, but I figure one is on it's last legs.

Got the Sylvies (NOS - branded Hammond) in a couple days later, and those are yet another step up. Both sets sound nice, but the Sylvies are richer sounding, and just have much more ... muchness. Vocals especially sound very natural. :thmbsp:

Good to know the TADs will make a great sounding backup set as well.

PS ... I get better gain out of the Sylvies too. The amp is more than capable of giving me the sound levels I require, but I had to knock the level back a couple notches from where I'd been running the TADs. Granted, neither has had a fair chance to break in ... in most cases, that just means what's good now is only bound to get better.
 
The TADs Russian or Chinese? You know if you keep your eyes open you can find some good used BBs for reasonable. Great tubes. Amperex 12AX7s are excellent too.

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jaymanaa said:
Good question, if it's not UL I'd put a 3 dollar SS screen regulator in it. 6BQ5s with regulated screens can be a wonderful thing.
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Shadowdog said:
Hi Jay
What do you mean by a SS screen regulator? Transistor? which and do you have a schematic? Thanks!
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jaymanaa said:
Yes, transistor regulator, I'll post the schematic soon as I can find it, it's on my other computer. It works great, and can be built adjustable or fixed voltage out. And the voltage out is super clean, a great spot to take your phono voltage from too. I use a 1N4007 diode at the take off when I do that.
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Was this screen regulator schematic posted somewhere else?
 
sKiZo said:
Thanx for twisting my arm on them Sylvies ...

Got the TAD EL84STR's in the mail first. Big improvement over what was in there. I'll have to test out the old tubes, but I figure one is on it's last legs.

Got the Sylvies (NOS - branded Hammond) in a couple days later, and those are yet another step up. Both sets sound nice, but the Sylvies are richer sounding, and just have much more ... muchness. Vocals especially sound very natural. :thmbsp:

Good to know the TADs will make a great sounding backup set as well.

PS ... I get better gain out of the Sylvies too. The amp is more than capable of giving me the sound levels I require, but I had to knock the level back a couple notches from where I'd been running the TADs. Granted, neither has had a fair chance to break in ... in most cases, that just means what's good now is only bound to get better.
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Glad it's working out...Give both breaking time, my experience with the TAD's was similar, but better with time.


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sKiZo said:
Thanx for twisting my arm on them Sylvies ...

Got the TAD EL84STR's in the mail first. Big improvement over what was in there. I'll have to test out the old tubes, but I figure one is on it's last legs.

Got the Sylvies (NOS - branded Hammond) in a couple days later, and those are yet another step up. Both sets sound nice, but the Sylvies are richer sounding, and just have much more ... muchness. Vocals especially sound very natural. :thmbsp:
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sKiZo,
I was wondering where you sourced the NOS Sylvanias? Also, am I correct that you found the TADs from. Tubestore?

This is my first tube purchase and I'm looking for a reputable source.

Thanks,
 
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