Favorite tube amp/tube make/model combo

Kt77 said:
No, my real name is O_o scar.

But, I've been on various forums since 1998, under mostly usernames associated with EL34/6CA7 power tubes. Sorry to disappoint you.
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Ha. No disappointment. Thought I recognized the tube expertise. Thanks for the detailed posts!


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kev313 said:
Ha. No disappointment. Thought I recognized the tube expertise. Thanks for the detailed posts!


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Thanks Kev,

You're more then welcome, as it is, I've tried enough tubes over the course of the last 11 years, venturing off to quite a few brands very few have even tried, not along heard, so I pride myself on knowing else, knowing about tubes - jazz labels/pressings and isolation devices more then most, less so then those doing at the extremes.

It has been a wonderful journey to say the least, but my desination is just a few steps away from completion, but it's always nice to be open-minded enough to learn a few things, as I've done here. This has proven to be one of the most insightful group of music lovers I've encountered to date, and I'm loving it.

I've gone back and read a few of your post, and can dig your mindset/taste/ears as well.
 
Convergent JL3 MK2 statement mono amps , they are dreams . Just waiting on the budget to get the matching preamp to enjoy them fully . And as of now it all factory stock tubes , rolling tines in them beasts is going to be pricey lol
 
CPP said:
Never really tried swapping tubes in my Quicksilver mid-mono's, the Genalex Gold Lion tubes seem to work pretty good....
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I have a pair of mid-monos - very good amps - especially for the price. I did install Gold Lion KT-77s, which I greatly preferred.
 
kev313 said:
I don't know if it was my favorite, but I miss a nice low cost 2a3 amp - wright or welborne were some of my faves - with nice old RCA 2a3 black plates or sylvania dual plates.


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My old Welbornes
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AVjim said:
Convergent JL3 MK2 statement mono amps , they are dreams . Just waiting on the budget to get the matching preamp to enjoy them fully . And as of now it all factory stock tubes , rolling tines in them beasts is going to be pricey lol
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What tubes would you roll?
 
I'm rather new at tubes, but I bought a Yaqin 13S (EL34), changed the input caps to Mundorf silver/oil. Bought a Yaqin 22b phono preamp, completely rebuilt it according to plans put on the net by Les Carpenter, a gentleman for the U.K. and added a third tube. (Not really a Yaqin anymore, I don't think) I run Svetlana winged =c= El34's for power and Full Music tubes in the phono preamp and the in the 13S preamp inverter circuit, I am using a different tube in the preamp 12ax7 position to tailor the highs a bit. This floats my boat! Resolution, soundstaging, clarity, it's all there.
 
My two favourite tube amps are the ones I have right now - Ray Lumley M-100 mono blocks with KT-88 and a Beard P-100 also with KT-88's. Both are 100w/ch but they handle my Acoustat 2+2 with ease. They both have smooth but detailed midrange, strong bass and allow the speakers to image very well with a sense of depth that solid state didn't seem to have.
 

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McIntosh MC2301 I have 3 of them rolled with Telefunken ECC801S and Genalex Gold Lion KT88s.

I would love to get into some original GE but alas I haven't found that barn yet. Seller inquires welcome if you have at least 16 to sell that will pass my Amplitrex AT1000 scores.
 
Steve said:
McIntosh MC2301 I have 3 of them rolled with Telefunken ECC801S and Genalex Gold Lion KT88s.

I would love to get into some original GE but alas I haven't found that barn yet. Seller inquires welcome if you have at least 16 to sell that will pass my Amplitrex AT1000 scores.
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Pretty much any GEs left today, even if new, are junk. They've been so cherry picked and what wasn't acceptable returned to and put back on the shelves by Richardson that the tubes left are rejects.
 
Myles B. Astor said:
Pretty much any GEs left today, even if new, are junk. They've been so cherry picked and what wasn't acceptable returned to and put back on the shelves by Richardson that the tubes left are rejects.
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I think he means Genelex and not GE since GE never made a KT-88.
 
Back to the topic of this thread-I would have to say my favorite tube amp is the I own now which is the ARC Ref 75. I'm pretty sure that my favorite tube combo will be the KT-150s since I think I got a good handle on what they bring to the table after hearing them during my review of the Raven Audio Silhouette amps. I just need for my KT-150s to arrive if Fed Ex will ever get off their ass and deliver them and quit lying about trying to deliver them.
 
Sorry yes, the original Genelex KT88s. The Russian Gold Lions do play nice.
 
Steve said:
Sorry yes, the original Genelex KT88s. The Russian Gold Lions do play nice.
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In that case, good luck. I suggest first trying the end of a rainbow. :notreally: Once upon a time, had a quartet of them in my old cj MV75A1. Nothing like those old tubes. :(
 
Makes me wonder sometimes how long the tube craft will remain sustainable...
 
Steve said:
Makes me wonder sometimes how long the tube craft will remain sustainable...
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As long as there are enough customers to make it sustainable. You know somebody somewhere is sitting on a stash of truly NOS Genelex Gold Lion KT-88s still in their sealed bag with the printed test results like they originally came.
 
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