Progress report.........

Had been running KT150 power tubes in my Inspire amp for 10wpc. Also at 10wpc I've tried Winged C EL34, Ei KT90/KT99 and Tung-Sol 6550. Nothing special experienced with the KT90 and 6550. The EL34 had exceptional bass. Went back to KT150's and felt this was still the most natural over all. But.......

Then I tried the Pope 6V6's for 5wpc with NOS RCA 5Y3 rectifier and, http://smiley.nowdararpour.ir/happy/42.gif , everything has changed. I hope I don't eat my words later, but this sound was amazing. I'm still getting confident about the lower power. I feel vulnerability about the possibility of distortion or breakup, but I think it is psychological since I've never run with less than 10wpc before these. They compete very well with the EL34's in bass, but out do them everywhere else. The proverbial hearing things I haven't heard before in familiar recordings while managing to come off smoother and less fatiguing than anything I've had yet. The Omegas shine all the more when fed a signal like this! I think this is now the tube to beat (for me).

Regarding the 274B that I have..... it is made by Shugang for TubeDepot. I'd love to try the Sophia, but it looks like over $100 for the one tube, so it will probably wait, particularly with my newfound enthusiasm for the 6V6 which calls for a different rectifier.

This is very consistent with my experience. I was skeptical that 5 wpc would give me that visceral impact that they ended up doing for my ears. My 6V6GT's seem louder than the KT-150's with a vintage Mullard 5AR4. Never saw that coming.

keep in mind that Dennis also endorses the higher voltage 5U4 rectifiers too with the Popes.

I didn't realize that about the 5U4 with Popes. I don't have one though. Have you tried it?

Dennis sent a Shuguang 5U4 with my amp. I've been using it with the Popes. Great combo.

I have to try it then!

I googled around and read some posts and some cautions about using the 274B in place of a 5U4. Since I already have a 274B, I just shot Dennis an email asking if that would be ok to try for a listen.

Ok I ordered some Pope 6v6. I hope I get the positive reaction you guys are :)

I received a reply from Dennis that the 274B is good to go with the Popes. So I will give that a try tonight!

Dennis also indicated that I could try the 5AR4 with the Popes. Power range with the popes, depending on rectifier, stays within 5-7 wpc. He also said I could try the 274B in place of the 5Y3 in the LP-2.

So I tried various combos. I ended up back with 5Y3 in both LP-2 and KT150 amp. The 5Y3's that I have are vintage RCA's, which might have something to do with it. The 274B is made by Shugang for TheTubeStore.com, other 274B or 5U4 brands may do better. The 5AR4 (NOS RCA) was a bit too aggressive with the Popes. Differences with other combos were more subtle.

Dennis did a pair of monoblocs! Listed on eBay.

I just hope I have as much fun in retirement as Dennis does!