#3151
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I will add that I previously favored vintage tubes, including the vintage Mullard EL34 Xf2, prior to Dennis' IIPS and cap upgrade. Now it seems the reverse is true. New production seems favorable. I will hypothesize that the upgrade smoothed things out. I used to favor vintage tubes as they were smoother and less harsh overall. Now my favorite new production tubes are livelier and not at all harsh while the vintage equivalents seem less 3D and slightly veiled or soft. True? Don't know for sure, but I like it! Found the same before and after differences comparing new production TS6550 and vintage gray plate TS6550. Last edited by pstrisik; 01-21-2017 at 07:05 PM. |
#3152
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The magic midrange and overall presentation of the KT-77, plus its natural kinkless-derived body of sound (I wish these had better bass, though) makes me consider the source of that design, the EL34. Nevertheless, I'm hesitant because these may become too lean for my system ... A great tube like the 6P3S-E has been surpassed with colors by its relative kinkless KT-66 due to its fuller presentation, keeping the same wonderfull neutrality and data-mining approach of its predecessor. If the new production EL34 offers bass and body of sound at the kinkless level (i.e. KT-77, KT-66, KT-88, 6550) while maintaining that midrange magic (which in the Triode configuration is maximized, I suppose), then I definitely need to give those a try too. Thanks for the pointer. BTW, I checked the plate current specs on the 807 and it is right on the presumably ideal range (80+ mA) which should also make it fine in my setup. Last edited by Musica Amantem; 01-21-2017 at 10:42 PM. |
#3153
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I have not found an EL34 that betters a KT77 but I have not tried the new production Mullard's. As you are finding there are trade offs in power tubes, less bass but to die for midrange etc. A good while ago I picked up a pair of NOS Chinese ST 6550's that simply looked well constructed for $35. After some hours they became quite good. Balanced from top to bottom. I found out that they were spece'd by Mesa amps.
Last edited by FloridaBoy; 01-22-2017 at 01:12 PM. |
#3154
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Right. I believe the combination of the kinkless effect on the EL-34 signature make the KT-77 what it is, best of both worlds. But without having listened to an EL34 I cannot rule them out. Interesting to learn Chinese also have NOS offers. This is the closest I found on Google:
http://www.vivatubes.com/nos-mesa-ch...s-vacuum-tube/ |
#3155
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That's the tube. I was listening to them last week and happened to search the auction site. I bought two more pairs for $37.99 each and they arrived yesterday. The seller had 3 pairs and they went pretty quickly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182425252299...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT After 18 months with the Inspire gear I've found a few power tubes I really like. However, like you none that I have tried are awful. All of our systems and sonic preferences are different. I don't think there is a silver bullet power tube. Chinese NOS that is almost hard to believe. Like Peter, I find that the new production power tube are really excellent and you can experiment w/o breaking the bank. Last edited by FloridaBoy; 01-22-2017 at 04:22 PM. |
#3156
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Last edited by Musica Amantem; 01-22-2017 at 06:16 PM. |
#3157
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But we are not so we are here. I have more tubes than I need but I still bought the Mesa tubes. However, I refuse to pay the present prices for the alleged holy grail tubes. I simply don't see the value. Did the 350B not work for you? They need some hours to open up. Better 6550? I don't know. I have a pair of the new Tungsol 6550's and will compare them to the Mesa's. On to 6SN7's. I still prefer the CV-181's in my rig over the old stock that I have. What about you? I got a pair of the KT150's but one died. I'm not sure that they were meant for SE triode wired amps. I have some 807's but no adapters. I almost bought some today but decided not to. |
#3158
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Curious how soon the KT150 died on you? I've already put about 75 hours on these and they're sounding very nice. |
#3159
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BTW, the EL-34 has the ideal plate current in class A (about 75 mA at 250 V), so if it has decent body of sound and acceptable bass, chances are it will perform well in our amps. Last edited by Musica Amantem; 01-22-2017 at 10:48 PM. |
#3160
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I also have a dual mono pentode for the 6V6 family, but it is no competition. I've found a calculated trial-and-error tube-rolling has worked wonderfully in my Inspire amp, raising the stock sound (already very good) to a significantly better presentation. Of course, one needs to invest in this process for it to work.
Last edited by Musica Amantem; 01-22-2017 at 11:33 PM. |
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