True or False question regarding GLOBE 45's.

[SixCats!]

Hi all,

I'm looking at a Wholesale TUBE price list from a local source.
Under the heading "USED GLOBE TYPE TUBES" is a list of the different Globe tubes and their prices. In smallish print beneath this list reads the following :

* The globe 45 tube is guaranteed to work in antique radios.
Not recommended for high quality audio.

OK, I'm a bit confused. I thought vintage Globe 45 tubes were suppose to be all the rage. What gives ? If this statement is true, does this include that cool BLUE Globe 45 tubes I've heard so much about ?

Regards,
SixCats!

 

[Old1625]

Those early 45s are flukey tubes, and are prone to weird murmurs of their own. I've had a few of them over the years, and have sorted out those that are reliable from those that are somewhat demented.

I have an old Stromberg-Carlson radio which uses a pair in push-pull, and the old radio sounds great, so I was lucky to line up a good pair there. I did a resto on that radio back in '81, and it served as background music source in a music store for 15 years without difficulties. The radio lives at my brother's house--a magnificent Victorian where the radio fits in well. And it still plays well.

But I wouldn't consider the 45 as a good audiophile tube--unless you get really lucky in scrounging up a good set of them.

Others may vehemently disagree with me, but I stand solid on this.

 

[Tom Bavis]

Weak '45s will work for a long time in a radio... but they won't deliver close to full power. New or strong used 45's are gonna cost ya... there aren't many left.

 

[Billfort]

A good strong set of globe 45's in the right system can sound absolutely fantastic - some of the best audio I've heard.

Right system however is a HUGE factor and as much as I love the RCA globe 245's I have, I don't use them because I don't have speakers that can do them justice.

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

I always felt the same way about 2A3's. I haven't anything that'd do them justice.

 

[Cut-Throat]

I have used weak 45s in my SET amps, and with my 105db speakers, they sound great. I have yet to wear out a weak Globe 45, 245 or 345!

 

[Billfort]

Yes that's where I think 'right speakers' would be, an honest (as in real full-range) efficiency of 105db or so.

My 100db efficient speakers don't cut it with 45s and although I love 2A3s with them, I think even 3.5w is borderline.

 

[SixCats!]

Hi guys,

Thank you for the replies and information on the 45's. This past Summer,
I heard a SET MONO 45 (approx 2.5 Watts) Integrated Amp and the sound was just out of this World! I will admit however that it was a VERY brief listen. I heard one of these SET 45 Amps on my Stephens E-3 Tru-sonic.
I recall the E-3 sounding nice but, I don't recall how LOUD the volume.
I'm not really sure if the E-3 is efficient enough for a SET Amp to reach decent volume or not. The second speaker I heard using this Amp was a single 15" ALTEC 603 in an OB. Awesome sound! Perhaps I'm putting the "cart in front of the Horse" but, I have a lead on a rare BLUE Globe 45. Oooh man, it would be too COOL to use a BLUE GLOBE 45 in one of these SET MONO Integrated Amps, that is, if I have the money to acquire the Amp this Summer.

Regards,
SixCats!

 

[Cut-Throat]

Hi guys,

Thank you for the replies and information on the 45's. This past Summer,
I heard a SET MONO 45 (approx 2.5 Watts) Integrated Amp and the sound was just out of this World! I will admit however that it was a VERY brief listen. I heard one of these SET 45 Amps on my Stephens E-3 Tru-sonic.
I recall the E-3 sounding nice but, I don't recall how LOUD the volume.
I'm not really sure if the E-3 is efficient enough for a SET Amp to reach decent volume or not. The second speaker I heard using this Amp was a single 15" ALTEC 603 in an OB. Awesome sound! Perhaps I'm putting the "cart in front of the Horse" but, I have a lead on a rare BLUE Globe 45. Oooh man, it would be too COOL to use a BLUE GLOBE 45 in one of these SET MONO Integrated Amps, that is, if I have the money to acquire the Amp this Summer.

Regards,
SixCats!

Good SET Iron, circuitry, Caps and other components are more important than the 45 tubes. But I do like the old RCA 45 Globes. Get a Good pair of 45 SET monoblocks, then hunt for some efficient horns, then hunt for the tubes!:thmbsp:

 

[SixCats!]

Hi Cut,

Yes indeed, the 45 Globe Tubes are only part of the equation. The builder of these SET Amps (I would hope) uses the best of the Iron, Caps, etc. since he is an Electrical Engineer and quite talented. I will pose all my concerns to this gentleman when he returns to Maine this Spring (Snow Bird). Oooh Cut,
I'm only interested in running a SINGEL mono Amp for simple "high end" system. I will either use my Stephens E-3 Tru-Sonic, a small Corner Horn or an OB Speaker for use with future Amp.