Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[BearCityUSA]

While we are still on this subject and I am getting over my issues, the recommendations and individual go-to 6s_7 you all are putting forth, are those Amp or LP-27a suggestions or both?

[Bombadil]

Both amps & preamps. I've been rolling 6DJ8-types, 6SN7, 6CG7, 12AU7, 12AT7, and 12AX7 driver, phono, and line stage tubes for years. There can be significant differences between tubes of the same type. At other times they are so close that I can't reliably tell any difference at all.

When comparing the sound out of my Inspire amp between my "worst" and "best" 6SN7 tubes, there is a noticeable difference. With the best, the sound is more open, more natural, more space between the instruments, and is just simply more enjoyable.

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by BearCityUSA

While we are still on this subject and I am getting over my issues, the recommendations and individual go-to 6s_7 you all are putting forth, are those Amp or LP-27a suggestions or both?

Since you have the LP27a...both. Just trust your ears.

[Musica Amantem]

Originally Posted by BearCityUSA

While we are still on this subject and I am getting over my issues, the recommendations and individual go-to 6s_7 you all are putting forth, are those Amp or LP-27a suggestions or both?

My LP-27a came stock with a GE 6BX7 GT which I have left alone, since the preamp is so transparent with it. I even bought a spare one for back-up. Therefore, my particular recommendations were aimed at the Triode-strapped Inspire amp only.

In my amp, the 6SN7 is more subtle and allows the output tube to develop its own sound, with less coloration or interference, yielding more of what I refer to as texture and a flatter frequency distribution. Of course, these conclusions stem from my subjective assessment. In addition, I have not tube-rolled 6SL7's as much as I have 6SN7's, so there's the possibility I may find a 6SL7 which may change my mind.

[x3workshop]

Originally Posted by Musica Amantem

My LP-27a came stock with a GE 6BX7 GT which I have left alone, since the preamp is so transparent with it. I even bought a spare one for back-up.

....

Mine came with the same and I haven't felt the need to change it at all.

[Analog Addict]

Originally Posted by x3workshop

Mine came with the same and I haven't felt the need to change it at all.

You may eventually want to try a 6SN7 or a 6SL7 in its place. IIRC, one of the reasons Dennis built with that tube is that he came across a good sized stash of NOS 6BX7s. However, before anyone goes and blows up a piece of gear, lemme double check to see if that is an acceptable substitution....

[Analog Addict]

"Allan:

Yes, one can use a 6SL7, 6SN7, 6BL7 or the 6BX7. I’ll tell ya what .. that CV-181 from China is a real treat as well in the low impedance buffer output stage of the LP-27a or the new LP-3a


Dennis"

There you have it....

[Musica Amantem]

Originally Posted by Analog Addict

"Allan:

Yes, one can use a 6SL7, 6SN7, 6BL7 or the 6BX7. I’ll tell ya what .. that CV-181 from China is a real treat as well in the low impedance buffer output stage of the LP-27a or the new LP-3a


Dennis"

There you have it....

Which means, 6BX7 GT can be replaced by any of those input tubes (these are all octal). But, the 80 rectifier in my LP-27a is 4-Pin, so would I need to use an adapter to replace it with the CV-181? Which of the four Chinese CV-181's Dennis is referring to?

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by Musica Amantem

Which means, 6BX7 GT can be replaced by any of those input tubes (these are all octal). But, the 80 rectifier in my LP-27a is 4-Pin, so would I need to use an adapter to replace it with the CV-181? Which of the four Chinese CV-181's Dennis is referring to?

No, not as the rectifier. A substitute for the 6BX7 in the LP27a.

[Bombadil]

Originally Posted by Musica Amantem

Which means, 6BX7 GT can be replaced by any of those input tubes (these are all octal). But, the 80 rectifier in my LP-27a is 4-Pin, so would I need to use an adapter to replace it with the CV-181? Which of the four Chinese CV-181's Dennis is referring to?

Chinese CV-181 tubes are mislabeled 6SN7 tubes. They are not really CV-181s. And they are definitely not rectifiers. Don't ever stick them into that socket.