Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

As noted above the EL34 is perfectly safe. It is the favorite tube for many tube amp lovers. Perhaps the most popular tube in the world. Mostly due to its midrange. But mostly used in push pull designs.

The GL KT77 is very 3D in my triode strapped Inspire. One poster was running a pair of them and a pair of Pope 6V6's in his PSE and was quite enamored.

[FloridaBoy]

Originally Posted by Comzee

I agree with all of this. 6550 is great, but doesn't have kt88 extension.
I find the 6P3S-E has ridiculous detail retrieval, (like 6L6), but even less extension than the 6550.

Thanks, and interesting, I don't have either EL34 or KT77, those are the last common type of power output tubes I could get, I pretty much own everything else. Although, I haven't delved into adapters for power tubes yet...

I did but found new production to be 'better' and not problematic. YMMV.

Regarding power tubes in general, keep in mind that we are running them single ended and most of the info/reviews on the net are by users with UL or PP amps.

[Comzee]

Originally Posted by FloridaBoy

I did but found new production to be 'better' and not problematic. YMMV.

I agree, I sold the NOS I bought and got the new production tung-sol 6550.
I like the new production more.

Originally Posted by FloridaBoy

Regarding power tubes in general, keep in mind that we are running them single ended and most of the info/reviews on the net are by users with UL or PP amps.

Interesting, good info.

[FloridaBoy]

There is an auction site seller that has matched pairs of Ken Rad 6CG8's with balanced triode sections for $45 delivered. This tube is between a 6SN7 and 6SL7 electrically. It sounded bloated until it settled in but became quite good after some hours. They use the 6F8G adapter runs $15-$20.

[BearCityUSA]

Originally Posted by Musica Amantem

Relative to its cousin KT-88, the 6550 displays a slight roll-off in both frequency extremes. This offers a tradeoff: It is robust enough to handle the most demanding input tubes (usually tapping the latter's transparency) without the burden of low frequency boldness or potential stridency in its high freq extension. The cited characteristic makes the 6550 an all-around tube which sounds good in most cases, but ultimately cannot compete with a more extended output tube alternative when the latter is driven by the ideal input tube. Such is the case of the KT-88 (harder to match optimally, but surely paying off in sound quality of detail and neatness when duly controlled, which I have yet to achieve), the KT-66, and the best IME, the KT-77 (another hard to optimize tube alternative, which I finally managed to control harvesting an awsome payoff). Having apparently settled down, my VA 6550's can now take on the demanding Psvane CV-181 T-II, which pushes hard for over-extension in both ends, but its radical behavior is neutralized by the aforementioned 6550 roll-off. This output tube offers great detail but is not as neat sounding as others, especially when compared to the KT-77 given its slightly limited tail extension. However, the 6550's overall presentation is very good, offering nice soundstage, detail, controlled bass and presence. I have been listening to my KT-88's for over a year now, and I still cannot dial it-in optimally, whereas the 6550 is already my "pet", which confirms the former's hard to manage overextension demands a "surgical" input tube approach, an even tougher proposition than the KT-77, which is saying a lot. Next is keep hammering on the KT-88 with other input tube alternatives and then reivindicate my former favorite, 6P3S-E's.

Anyone try the 7027/7027a type pentode instead of 6550s?

[Musica Amantem]

Originally Posted by BearCityUSA

Anyone try the 7027/7027a type pentode instead of 6550s?

Not me. I was not even aware of these. Sorry.

On another note, today the Psvane CV-181 T-II started to really settle down, no more edginess, and I paired it with the 6P3S-E: Wonderful combo once this special input tube behaves. I'm placing the 6P3S-E back in 2nd place in a tie with the KT-66z. Two different presentations, each with its own strengths. The 6P3S-E is a find, and if you like transparency and detail without issues, just add a SUB for the lower frequencies and this tube really delivers.

[Bombadil]

Nope, I haven't tried 7027s either. Nor even 6550s. Only tubes I have in that family are KT88 and KT120.

[Analog Addict]

Careful with 7027s. They are not the same pin out, and could possibly require a rewire....

7027



6550

[BearCityUSA]

My RCA manual informed me as such. It also began the thought based on that the 7027 was listed as similar to the 6550. I guess similar is not meant to imply pin out and output.

On another note I was browsing the Sophia site recently and saw the blue glass 274b. Interesting comment regarding size of cap following it in relation to the other Sophia 274Bs. I have seen my mesh plate throw a star (spark) when I have turned it on in a pitch black room. Pretty but I am sure not the best for it. I wonder it is has something to do charging said cap which I figure is likely a higher value. I recall the limit of the mesh plate's follower cap being somewhat small. Of course this is all I have done,... wonder. I figure after a couple years in the rect socket I have gotten my money's worth, not that I do not want it to last forever. Love that tube. BTW this is in my lp-2 modified to lp-3a pre.

[Bombadil]

I started a thread in the Audio Karma New Gear Values forum, to promote Dennis' amps as a great value. http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.p...e-amps.759528/

Some threads there develop a long life. This thread, at 337 pages, can be a bit intimidating to someone wishing to learn more about his products.