Favorite tube amp/tube make/model combo

Mike

Mike

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We all know that a bad tube can make even the best built tube amps sound terrible. Conversely, great tubes can take an average tube amp to new heights. But getting that combination just right takes research, patience and a little work.

What are some of your favorite amp/tube make/model combos?

Here's some of mine:

Cary 805AE's with 1940 GE 211 + WE300b
VAC phi200's with GoldLion KT88's and 1940's RCA 6SN7's
McIntosh 275's with 6550's and Tesla 12AX7's


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Quicksilver MS-190 with triode input boards using NOS tubes and REAL Mullard EL-34s.
 
Good question Mike,

I'd have to name tube brands/factories as opposed to tube amp brands ( though I'd love to own the Kondo Overture in the next life ), so for me, I'm taken with French tubes by the likes of Thomson - CSF - Minatron as far as 12AX7Ss go, as well as ones produced by Tungsram Hungary between 1956/59 and their their variants made between 1963/67 and last nice sounding ones between 1969/72.

As far as 12AU7s go, I'm in love with Mazda Grey Short Half Plate NOS 1958/59 and Siemens Silver/Chrome Plated 2 or 3 Mica versions produced between 1960/63 in Germany.

Old school 6CA7/EL34 types, I'd have to say I've been very impressed with the overall sonic signatures of ones made by RFT/Siemens as well as the original Tesla E34L. In EL84, my hands down favorites are Tungsram and Telam/Polam from Poland NOS 1958/64 versions only, I guess with the latter, I'd be nice to own them with say a Shindo Labs Apetite, let me stop here, as I can get rather long-winded with said topics, and have to see what others are willing to add.

But once again, I've to say that I'm enjoying myself once again as far as forums go, and once again the vibe here is strong.
 
nbrowser said:
I wouldn't mind getting my hands on 4 of those tubes for my Yaqin, it'd be a nice upgrade.
Click to expand...

nbrower,

The bigger upgrades with your Yaqin are to be had in changing out its preamp tubes for NOS versions from say 1955/62 at best, as well as having someone change out your coupling caps for something along the lines of Spargue or Russian PIOs, these with both bring about a more refined sound, whereas tying to find perfectly matched and unused pairs or quad of older Mullard EL34s, will require a great deal of luck and cost, the only true NOS tubes are in fact the ones still sealed - true fact, if unwrapped?, then ask yourself why?.
 
Kt77 said:
nbrower,

The bigger upgrades with your Yaqin are to be had in changing out its preamp tubes for NOS versions from say 1955/62 at best, as well as having someone change out your coupling caps for something along the lines of Spargue or Russian PIOs, these with both bring about a more refined sound, whereas tying to find perfectly matched and unused pairs or quad of older Mullard EL34s, will require a great deal of luck and cost, the only true NOS tubes are in fact the ones still sealed - true fact, if unwrapped?, then ask yourself why?.
Click to expand...

How about the old "I only took them out of the box to take pictures?"
 
Quad II Forties- properly retubed.

I also loved my BAT VK75SE back in the day with the right speaker.
 
mep said:
How about the old "I only took them out of the box to take pictures?"
Click to expand...


That's a good one, seeming that one would get more money for them, if they hadn't been opened, yeah right!. To me opened box means used. But I feel you mep, trust me I do.
 
With my experience :

Stingray and Simply Italy for the money.
Shindo CV391 and Dyquem.
McIntosh MC275.
HH Scott.
 
Tough one to answer because there are other factors IMO. But Octave V70se or V110 with and RCA 5751 Mullard 12at7's and Original Tung Sol 6550 black plates. But that was when I had Dynaudio C1's. Now that I have the Raidho D1's those tubes make the D1's sound syrupy and the tubes I hated with the C1's which were too linear and in your face sounding sound best. Sovtek 12ax7lps Tele ecc801s's and Tung Sol KT120's. The other output tube that I really like with either speaker is the Ei KT90.

That said the Octave V70 and V110 are the only tube integrateds I ever owned
 
Kt77 said:
Good question Mike,

I'd have to name tube brands/factories as opposed to tube amp brands ( though I'd love to own the Kondo Overture in the next life ), so for me, I'm taken with French tubes by the likes of Thomson - CSF - Minatron as far as 12AX7Ss go, as well as ones produced by Tungsram Hungary between 1956/59 and their their variants made between 1963/67 and last nice sounding ones between 1969/72.

As far as 12AU7s go, I'm in love with Mazda Grey Short Half Plate NOS 1958/59 and Siemens Silver/Chrome Plated 2 or 3 Mica versions produced between 1960/63 in Germany.

Old school 6CA7/EL34 types, I'd have to say I've been very impressed with the overall sonic signatures of ones made by RFT/Siemens as well as the original Tesla E34L. In EL84, my hands down favorites are Tungsram and Telam/Polam from Poland NOS 1958/64 versions only, I guess with the latter, I'd be nice to own them with say a Shindo Labs Apetite, let me stop here, as I can get rather long-winded with said topics, and have to see what others are willing to add.

But once again, I've to say that I'm enjoying myself once again as far as forums go, and once again the vibe here is strong.
Click to expand...

Jprest? Is that you?


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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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