Valves

[tony]

Got the ok from Jadis to use EL34's in my amp. Kinda knew it was no problem but just to be sure. Completely different presentation to KT88's.
At it's worse mushy and mellow but very listenable. All the strident highs sometimes present with the KT88's disappear. Voices and treble sound great but bass is definitely on the soft side. I can see how the two camps square off those who love the mellow sounds and richness of El34's and the other batch that love the clarity and power of KT88's.

The one thing I have noticed on this forum is I think an unwillingness to experiment or drop money on valves. I think it is essential to truly get to hear what valve amps can deliver. Spending large amounts of money on an amp but then being reluctant to shell out on valves to me is a bit like buying a new car and not being too bothered about replacing the tyres when they wear out.

Experimenting with tubes to my mind is highly recommended and really a necessity to hear what your amp can deliver.

Of course if you don't have autobiasing it can be a bit messy changing out valves.

[Diapason]

That's great Tony, and it sounds like an interesting experiment. Certainly your findings would seem to tally with the conventional wisdom.

I too wish there was more experimentation, if only so I could learn from other people's results! I'm in a situation at the moment where I don't especially love the sound of the pre, changing out valves has made a massive difference but still not quite what I want, but I don't really have the opportunity to sample any of the recommended valves without lashing out huge money (€600-€900) for what might ultimately be fruitless. However, I've certainly learned recently that valve choice makes a far bigger difference than I was expecting, and that's before even considering changing the valve type (e.g. KT88 vs EL34). It's a bit of a minefield.

[tony]

God help you if your amps are using valves that cost that much. I can fully understand how tube rolling at that price level is painful

[Sligolad]

Hi Tony,

Does David Byrne sound any better with the EL34s :-)

[Ivor]

You're absolutely right Tony, tubes define the sound of whatever equipment it's used in. However... if it ain't broke.....

Unless you really believe your amp is lacking something I'd leave well enough alone. Going from EL34s to KT88s is one thing... now... which KT88s? Different makes and vintages will also sound different so the journey continues. Maybe different el34s would have solved the issue in the first place?

[Diapason]

God help you if your amps are using valves that cost that much. I can fully understand how tube rolling at that price level is painful

Well that's the thing, the valves that are recommended are all NOS Siemens, Telekunken etc, costing 100 - 150 each, and I need 6 of the feckers. Then there's no guarantee they'll be quiet/strong, etc. Of course, it's easily possible to get 6922s at much less than that, and I've done so. The only problem is, they don't sound that good. What's *very* hard to figure out is whether the step up in price corresponds to an appropriate step up in performance. Up until recently I would have said probably not, but that was based on no knowledge. Changing the input valves on my power amps changed the sound SO MUCH that I now have to revise my opinion to at least some extent. I'm still not willing to lash out this much money to find out what the high-end sounds like, though.

I'm still thinking that the most likely scenario is that I sell the pre and go back to direct connection, simply because I'm already getting seriously fed up with trying to get the best out of it. As Ivor says, if it ain't broke leave it alone, but if it is...?

[Fran]

Tony,

You should try some kt66 in there. They represent the best of both kt88 while avoiding the worst of both.

6L6 are another one on my list to try.. .


Fran

[Derek]

6L6 are another one on my list to try.. .


Fran

6L6GC are in my Airtight ATM4 so they work well in that amp

they're a beam-valve boasting of long history of military application

[Ivor]

6L6GC are in my Airtight ATM4 so they work well in that amp

So you know they'll work well with quads Tony.

[Adrian]

Agreed, the 6L6GC is a great valve... in fact I think it has the honor of being the longest continuous production record of any electronic component.

I have a hunch... that when a designer creates an amplifier... they have already chosen a particular valve for that amplifier, my Leben 600 takes up to 10 different power valves... but it ships with 6L6GC. This tends me to believe that it is the 6L6GC which is the best "all rounder" of the various valves available.

Otherwise... if a KT88 sounded best... the manufacturer would have shipped it with KT88's and not 6L6's. Just a theory I have.

Of course some amplifiers will only work with one particular valve... so swapping out valves is not really an option.