Tube experiences in the SA200

Lemon · #1 01-31-2013, 12:02 PM

Hello everyone,
I thought it would be helpful for all the ones owning a Sadowsky SA200,
to shortly describe their experiences with different preamp and power tubes.
There isnt to much info on that amp.
Im really wondering if =C=EL34 fit that amp.
There are a lot more choices.
According to Koch all KT66, 77, 88, 120, works.
The KT120 draws more heater current though so im not sure if that is optimal for the transformer.

6CA7, 6L6GC, 6550 and the 5881WGC/6n3C-E also works.

I got it with EH6550, it sounded very dark and rumbled a lot
low down.
the I put in Shugang EL34B, that made a very clear sound, close to a Demeter HPB1 but much fatter and rounder.
The "3D spray around the room type sound" does not seem to last that long on the Shugangs.
I was wondering if its worth to put in =C=EL34.

Preamp tubes I tried same in V1 and V2 and also mixes of it, I tried where,
Sovtek 7025, that one swallows a lot of spark.
Current Tungsols 12AX7, sounds flat and boomy.
Current Tungsols ECC803s, sounds nice but to soft.
Old Phillips Miniwatt, sound killer direct almost to much,
cant get it anymore tough, and if, then only very expensive.
=C= 12ax7 sound very good, just perfect, cant get it anymore either.
Shugang V1 short anode, sounds bold, cold, hard, scratchy.

Thanks =)

Lemon

Lemon · #2 02-01-2013, 04:58 AM

"no one ?" bump

Mr. Foxen · #3 02-01-2013, 05:12 AM

If you have to bias it to valves, might be the bias has shifted as the valves wear in, which will change the sound a bit, so might be worth rebiasing.

Lemon · #4 02-01-2013, 04:16 PM

Bias is fine --> 25 to 30ma =)
Im just courious what tubes other people used on this amp.

bikeplate · #5 02-01-2013, 04:23 PM

When I had mine I never did any changes. Favorite amp I ever owned and the one piece of gear I wish I never had sold

i_got_a_mohawk · #6 02-01-2013, 04:31 PM

Certainly one on the list of amps I wish I could have!

hasbeen · #7 02-02-2013, 06:27 AM

the comes with EL34B-STR's OEM.

Rumbling: FWIW, I always run this amp with the "bottom" control all the way off.

"3D splash": I have to admit that I have no idea what this is.

6L6's are nice and tight.

Winged C: great tubes

You're not going to get much response on this thread...as only 100 of these amps are out there. I have three of them and you have one. So, 96 are out there.

OldogNewTrick · #8 02-02-2013, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

You're not going to get much response on this thread...as only 100 of these amps are out there. I have three of them and you have one. So, 96 are out there.

well, gillento has another one, so tom bowlus must have the other 95 ...

hasbeen · #9 02-02-2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldogNewTrick

well, gillento has another one, so tom bowlus must have the other 95 ...

touche!

tombowlus · #10 02-03-2013, 11:50 AM

LOL! Nope, just the one, though I am kicking myself for not picking up a second one.

I have only ever run the stock EL-34's, because I am so darned happy with them, I saw no reason to change.

Many tube heads later, the SA200 remains my top dawg, for sure.

JimmyM · #11 02-03-2013, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

the comes with EL34B-STR's OEM.

Rumbling: FWIW, I always run this amp with the "bottom" control all the way off.

"3D splash": I have to admit that I have no idea what this is.

6L6's are nice and tight.

Winged C: great tubes

You're not going to get much response on this thread...as only 100 of these amps are out there. I have three of them and you have one. So, 96 are out there.

Three of them??? Holy cow! That's a lot of Sadowsky!

Passinwind · #12 02-03-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I have only ever run the stock EL-34's, because I am so darned happy with them, I saw no reason to change.

Many tube heads later, the SA200 remains my top dawg, for sure.

I can sure see why. The one I tried at a GTG sounded stellar with EL-34s and I would have a very hard time getting motivated to try anything else in there.

hasbeen · #13 02-03-2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Three of them??? Holy cow! That's a lot of Sadowsky!

it is. I agree with Tom's post above though- I do really think it set the standard for tube heads. ....for my personal taste.

My first daughter starts college next year. I can see a time when one may hit the auction block.

BTW...I hope you are doing well Jimmy.

JimmyM · #14 02-03-2013, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

it is. I agree with Tom's post above though- I do really think it set the standard for tube heads. ....for my personal taste.

My first daughter starts college next year. I can see a time when one may hit the auction block.

BTW...I hope you are doing well Jimmy.

Thanks Roger...doing quite well...just did our yearly cruise and I have a couple days off. Hope the same for you, bro!

hasbeen · #15 02-03-2013, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Thanks Roger...doing quite well...just did our yearly cruise and I have a couple days off. Hope the same for you, bro!

great stuff on the cruise! I'm doing quite well...thanks.

Peace my friend,
Rog

Lemon · #16 02-04-2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

Rumbling: FWIW, I always run this amp with the "bottom" control all the way off.

Hard to describe, if not native english even more.
yes I roll that of some also.
It became some better with t other Preamp tubes.
Its just not as controlled as it was with fresh tubes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

"3D splash": I have to admit that I have no idea what this is.

Well the sound of a fresh tube compared to a used up tube.
If its used up, it loses high end and "distorts" more, not the fuzz kind distortion, its more like higher sound pressure in certain frequency bands.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

6L6's are nice and tight.

ok

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

Winged C: great tubes

I know did you try it in the SA200 ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

the comes with EL34B-STR's OEM.

I know, I need new tubes and wondering if I should go Stock or something else. Stock are TAD which is Shugang.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

You're not going to get much response on this thread...as only 100 of these amps are out there. I have three of them and you have one. So, 96 are out there.

I know that also

its still 96 though.

Essentially it would be nice if every one list and describe what they tried, not only for me

thanks

Spencer! · #17 02-07-2013, 02:53 AM

I replaced the tubes in mine a few months ago with JJ EL34's. I wish I had stayed with the russian-made stuff....these JJ's have given me all sorts of problems. I haven't tried any other type of tube in there - I've been happy enough with the sound as it is.

Lemon · #18 02-13-2013, 06:29 AM

Where are the remaining about 90 ?

Lemon · #19 02-13-2013, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer!

I replaced the tubes in mine a few months ago with JJ EL34's. I wish I had stayed with the russian-made stuff....these JJ's have given me all sorts of problems. I haven't tried any other type of tube in there - I've been happy enough with the sound as it is.

Hey Spencer which Russian ones did u exactly use ?

Spencer! · #20 02-13-2013, 10:52 AM

Just the TAD tubes that came with it.