6BX7GT as input tube perhaps? Should I give it a try and order some?

Worth a try to see if you like them. I have a couple for sale in the Selling forum

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=50597

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately my user account doesn’t give me access to the marketplace/selling forum.

Are they similar in sound signature when compared to regular 6BX7?

As far as I know the only two types are a 6BX7GT and a 6BX7 with a coin base ( see images). I tried a few and prefer 6SL7 or 6SN7 in my Inspire amp.

I really like the 6bx7 paired with the El38 tubes. I have an RCA 6bx7. Think the el38 is the highest gain output tube out there, or at least its in the running. Makes sense that the lowest gain input tube would match up well I guess.

I tried a RCA 6BX7GT for about 10-15 minutes, just one time. Didn't like it at all. Never tried it again.

The Blue Racer...
 

Went by the Toy Shop yesterday for a listening and brainstorming session, and found that Dennis hadn't been sitting around on his laurels. He showed off a new amp he's calling the Blue Racer, that runs everything from 6F6s to KT 170s. It's set up in single ended pentode and has a wonderful dynamic yet detailed sound to it. Most all of these toobs sounded good in it, but the KT 170's threw the biggest soundstage.

Some pix...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c8af5121_b.jpgUntitled by analog addict, on Flickr


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1a248608_b.jpgUntitled by analog addict, on Flickr


6L6 GAYs labeled Mullard, but undoubtedly really Sylvanias....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...48bda33e_b.jpgUntitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Some new KT 88s Dennis really likes...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ce3ee41f_b.jpgUntitled by analog addict, on Flickr

With this array of tubes in it, it looks like a Shanghai skyline....Sounds great though. Rectifier is a new WE 274 I believe....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8b1e9bc2_b.jpgUntitled by analog addict, on Flickr

Looks good. Wonder how it differs from the current KT88 Firebottle. Is it capable of more power with the big tubes?

Good question - I thought the KT88 SEP would run all those tubes??

My understanding of his designs, (I own 4), is that, though allowing for many tube combinations, electronically they are often optimized for a particular tube or range of tubes. KT88, 6V6er,… obvious. 6FLV for 6F6, 6L6, 6V6. A while back he had the Universal SET design as just what it’s name implies. Maybe this Blue Racer is an SEP version of that. The PT is quite small in comparison to the KT88 amp and OPTs look to be of similar size. I doubt the design is geared toward trying to maximize power output. Not really Dennis’s thing.