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Replacement Tubes SVT VR

Zanderwestcoast

Zanderwestcoast

Supporting Member
Oct 3, 2010
418
268
Victoria, BC
#1
I bought a 2006/2007 SVT VR built by Loud in the US. Its been great, no issues. Now I am looking at replacing the tubes as they are still the original ones and the amp is not as loud as it used to be. Any SVT users with recommendations on tube replacements? I have always been happy with the sound from new but am open to suggestions if this amp has even more sonic potential. Price is not a factor. Cheers
 
#2
Zanderwestcoast said:
I bought a 2006/2007 SVT VR built by Loud in the US. Its been great, no issues. Now I am looking at replacing the tubes as they are still the original ones and the amp is not as loud as it used to be. Any SVT users with recommendations on tube replacements? I have always been happy with the sound from new but am open to suggestions if this amp has even more sonic potential. Price is not a factor. Cheers
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winged C
 
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#4
cfsporn said:
I remember reading Psycho Bass Guy said Winged C 6550s couldn't handle the plate voltages in an SVT. Can anyone confirm or deny?
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Valid point but, I don't feel need to blame the ampeg engineers/company for their current stock application with JJ 6550 which is speced to max 600V only.
Looks like it works even with JJ "auf Kante genäht".
 
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#5
cfsporn said:
I remember reading Psycho Bass Guy said Winged C 6550s couldn't handle the plate voltages in an SVT. Can anyone confirm or deny?
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I'll deny. Currently running a sextet in my 74 svt and use to run them in my svt-CL. Maybe there was a bad batch but most people regard winged C as the next best thing to NOS. The data sheet shows a max plate voltage of 685V Invalid Link Removed

That said, winged C have been out of production for a few years now and prices have climbed to equivalent with NOS. Unless you have a pile of winged Cs laying around to build sets (like I did) you're looking at shelling out $600 or more. Not worth it. I have set of the new sensor tung-sol RIs waiting to go in my svt when the Cs give up the ghost. Had a set of JJs in there for a time, those didn't hold up long. Been hearing good things about the current Shuguang production too, I think JohnK said the Valve art tubes have been the best in his svt?
 
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#6
My Heritage has been fine with JJ's for 2 1/2 years. Granted, I don't use it every gig, but it sees semi-regular usage and sounds just like my 69 SVT with all NOS tubes. Was not big on JJ's until I got it, though. I've had longetivity problems with them in the past. But so far so good in it and my V4B, which I use much more often.

Would suggest that your problem may not be the power tubes, though. Does it still bias? If so, they're probably alright, and it could be a problem with one of the pre or driver tubes.
 
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#7
Since you are in BC, here is one source in Canada: Invalid Link Removed.

Check the bias using the LED's. As Jimmy said, it is possible that all you need to replace is the small signal tubes. There are three in the lower chassis, to gain access to the preamp tubes, you'll need to remove the four screws on the top and slide the pre out at bit. There are cables connecting to it so it won't come out very far. If you want to remove the pre to check it out, you will have to remove the back cage and unplug the cables.
 
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#8
JimmyM said:
My Heritage has been fine with JJ's for 2 1/2 years. Granted, I don't use it every gig, but it sees semi-regular usage and sounds just like my 69 SVT with all NOS tubes. Was not big on JJ's until I got it, though. I've had longetivity problems with them in the past. But so far so good in it and my V4B, which I use much more often.

Would suggest that your problem may not be the power tubes, though. Does it still bias? If so, they're probably alright, and it could be a problem with one of the pre or driver tubes.
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Yeah, you could be right. I am going to put it on my buddy's test bench and find out. I just assumed as I've had the amp since new in 2006 and never changed the tubes, that it may be in need of some new ones, especially considering the lower volume output. It still sounds great though!

Do you know what tubes it would have been shipped with in 2006? This may be a stupid question, but what exactly do you mean by NOS? I am assuming new old stock, but exactly what does that mean? Are there not still not lots of different brands of tubes to choose from? Cheers
 
#9
Zanderwestcoast said:
Do you know what tubes it would have been shipped with in 2006? This may be a stupid question, but what exactly do you mean by NOS? I am assuming new old stock, but exactly what does that mean? Are there not still not lots of different brands of tubes to choose from? Cheers
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Ampeg was/still is (I think) using Sovtek/Svetlanas as their standard power tubes.

NOS does mean new old stock. Old production tubes that are "new" but what that means depends on the seller - could be never used, could be tests as new.

We have the illusion of choice in tube purchasing. For current production tube manufacturers in the MI space you have New Sensor (Russia), JJ (Slovakia), and a few manufacturers in China that are possibly related I'm not really sure - usually just cited as Shuguang but I know I've seen tubes from Guiguang (Golden Gate branded on AES).

New Sensor/EHX own the name/rights to tung-sol, mullard, gold lion, svetlana, EHX, and sovtek tubes. All new production tubes under these brands come from that factory. Since SED has gone out of production any MI tube from Russia is likely from this factory. They do sell stuff to rebranders same as any one else.

JJ sells their own tubes but also sells them to rebranders same as New Sensor.

The Chinese stuff is a little harder to track down. Most of the "house brands" you'll find are Chinese made - TAD's stuff, the tube store has "northern electric" and "preferred series" which are selected Chinese made tubes. Golden Gate I've seen once or twice listed as Guiguang. Valve Art I believe is Shuguang? I've read about TJ Full Music tubes but I've never really seen them for sale outside of hifi sites and they use the same stamping as regular Chinese production stuff for a higher price.

Not that this didn't go on before, manufacturers would supplement their production with other manufacturers stuff, the big re-branders would reportedly get top choice and the remainders would go out for public sales. Don't know, wasn't alive. But you'd think in the internet age figuring out who made your tube and what the specs are wouldn't be such a difficult thing.
 
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#12
BassmanPaul said:
"auf Kante genäht"

If you're going to continue to swear at us you might get banned!! ;)
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Sorry, no intention to swear on anyone. It was meant to tell that even a very close speced max anode voltage like with the jj 655ß works fine with the svt. I just remember on forum discussion long before ampeg switched to JJ 6550. Indeed there where worries about the "narrow" max. rating but, the jj approved to work fine with the svt over time.

edit,
I fully understand the evidence and indeed have got some doubts (for a considerable time) if it's good idea to post in intensive manner further more.
 
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#13
Auf Kante genäht

does mean: sewed on the very edge of the fabric.

It is synonymous to "on the edge" or real, real
at the end of specs.

If you look at a race car driver who does a track in a way he just can't do faster without having a heavy accident, he is driving like "auf Kante genäht".

I have to admit that this is old german language. Maybe some younger kids will not dig it when grumpy old farts like me are talking this way.
 
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#14
My 1974 Magnavox era SVT recently got a complete makeover. New Caps, resistors, and new power tubes. I went with the JJ 6550's. Bought them from TubeDepot. Matched perfectly and burned in. They were inexpensive and they sound excellent!! I still have 5 of the original Magnavox branded 6550s that came with the amp.
image.jpg
 
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#15
I had Sovteks in my SVT-CL when I got it. They sounded great. I used reissue Tung Sol power tubes while I gigged it, and they sounded great too. I can't remember any tube brands reported as sounding badly in SVTs, as long as they could take the plate voltage. That says something for the design.
 
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#16
okcrum said:
I had Sovteks in my SVT-CL when I got it. They sounded great. I used reissue Tung Sol power tubes while I gigged it, and they sounded great too. I can't remember any tube brands reported as sounding badly in SVTs, as long as they could take the plate voltage. That says something for the design.
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True.


I think that it comes down to buying tubes that are properly burnt in, tested, and matched. That seems to be most of the battle. I'm more concerned about that when buying tubes.
 
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