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Let's talk about 6SL7 tubes!

#141
I haven't found that NOS 6SL7GT tubes are prone to micro phonics. Maybe I've just been lucky.

There is a difference between NOS tube rectifiers and current productions models. In general, they are not the same tubes, the manufacturers just label them that way. For instance the NOS 5AR4 or 5Y3 tubes can drop more voltage than some of the new production models. In these cases, a new rectifier tube will lead to higher B+ and less sag. As a result, NOS vs new can change the character of the amp a bit.
 
#142
From Russia with love:

7591127736_f7e2a18d7e.jpg


Two supposed 1950's NOS USSR 6H9C (6SL7) tubes. I say that because, well buying blind from Russia means who knows whacha get! In this case, one tall tube, one short. The short has flat grey plates and a bottom getter, the taller one has less 'flat' grey/metallic plates and a bottom getter. The pins show no wear, but the taller tube does have a hairline crack in the plastic base that doesn't seem to have compromised the vacuum.

7591127586_937122ce06.jpg
 
#143
The tall one sure look hefty.
BurningSkies said:
From Russia with love:

7591127736_f7e2a18d7e.jpg


Two supposed 1950's NOS USSR 6H9C (6SL7) tubes. I say that because, well buying blind from Russia means who knows whacha get! In this case, one tall tube, one short. The short has flat grey plates and a bottom getter, the taller one has less 'flat' grey/metallic plates and a bottom getter. The pins show no wear, but the taller tube does have a hairline crack in the plastic base that doesn't seem to have compromised the vacuum.

7591127586_937122ce06.jpg
Click to expand...
 
#144
juledude said:
The tall one sure look hefty.
Click to expand...


Yeah, its pretty solid looking. At this point I'm going to let the RCA and Sylvanias stay in place and see how they wear in a bit. They've had roughly 7 hours of play time so far and sound good to me. The RCA measured a little bit stronger than the Sylvania, but both were healthy.

These two USSR tubes are definitely of different manufacture from each other, so who knows what they sound like.
 
#145
For me, changing tubes is an entertainment I must keep to a minimum in the quest for stability. I am however very glad that you and others are willing to devote time to trying different combinations.

I have a lot of customers who do not ever want to look inside their gear. That's cool too.

One thing that does cut noise in these plastic based tubes is to apply copper metal tape to the plastic bottom and then get that copper connected to chassis ground. The metal tube holders serve that purpose in Monique, but early Monique folk (non metal based 6SL7) will notice the tape.
BurningSkies said:
Yeah, its pretty solid looking. At this point I'm going to let the RCA and Sylvanias stay in place and see how they wear in a bit. They've had roughly 7 hours of play time so far and sound good to me. The RCA measured a little bit stronger than the Sylvania, but both were healthy.

These two USSR tubes are definitely of different manufacture from each other, so who knows what they sound like.
Click to expand...
 
#149
JimmyM said:
Thank you chadds...this tube rolling thread has been devoid of actual tube rolling. Thanks to you, we now know how two sound ;)
Click to expand...


Jimmy, I was talking to Jule about this today...I need a baseline for comparison. I need to know what the Monique does naturally and how it sounds more completely to provide any kind of meaningful input. I only had about 3 hours on the original Shuguang tubes before switching. Once I get a feel for what the amp does and how it does it, switching tubes will make more sense. I don't want to send anyone off chasing tubes and spending money without feeling like I'm actually on top of things. I've also changed out the rectifier tube and that could certainly have an effect on the end tone.

Once I have a real baseline, I have a variety to try, a couple Russians, a number of Sylvanias, RCA, Tung Sol, etc.
 
#151
JimmyM said:
Thank you chadds...this tube rolling thread has been devoid of actual tube rolling. Thanks to you, we now know how two sound ;)
Click to expand...

I opened up my DIY preamp yesterday with every intention of trying a few different ones in there, as I've now had time to get used to the nuances of the preamp itself. Naturally, I started rolling the 6SN7s instead though, found some improvements...and Brent Jesse just got a little richer today.:cool:
 
#152
After playing the Monique at my last jam session. I'm almost scared to tube roll! :help: It sounds like Jule hopped into my mind, recorded the bass going on up there, and made a pre-amp to get that tone for me lol. The curiosity though...it's killing me...SO, when this refi is done on my house, I will be grabbing a pair of Sovteks (thanks chadds) and a pair of those fancy pants JAN RCAs. I'll put up a detailed blog on my website if you guys want to check it out in detail, but i'll give the quick and dirty version on here.
 
#153
Fretless5verfan said:
After playing the Monique at my last jam session. I'm almost scared to tube roll! :help: It sounds like Jule hopped into my mind, recorded the bass going on up there, and made a pre-amp to get that tone for me lol. The curiosity though...it's killing me...SO, when this refi is done on my house, I will be grabbing a pair of Sovteks (thanks chadds) and a pair of those fancy pants JAN RCAs. I'll put up a detailed blog on my website if you guys want to check it out in detail, but i'll give the quick and dirty version on here.
Click to expand...

The Sovteks are a year old and aren't vintage.
 

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