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Triode TRX-M845's
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Thanks. The sound is HUGE, sweet and dynamic. I would say a little less heat. They are amazing on your Crescendo's!
Trying the Psvane WE845 replica's now.
The amps are enormous. Compare to my 300b Triode amps.
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I've been rolling tubes like crazy. The 12AX7 and 6SN7 have a tremendous impact. 845's have slightly less tube rush. 211's are warmer. 845's are more dynamic. Stock tubes are actually damn good and quiet. Psvane WE845's are wonderful. Very sweet.
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Jack
Active member
Mike
Which is the input tube the 6 or the 12?
Which is the input tube the 6 or the 12?
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Yeah, Robert plays with this monster in all the shows and it does sound magical and exceptional.
How would you compare with the 300b ?
Though its by far a fair comparison, I am asking this since you had the Nords as well - does the Nords stands a chance in any comparison whatsoever ?
If you are using the new EH or Tungsol 6SN7, try either the Sophia or the Shuguang black treasure cv181. They might bump the SQ couple of notches.
Jack
Active member
Mike
I don't know what your "stash" is like for those tubes and I know the "popular" choices for both are the most expensive ones, but not always necessary. For the 12's you will always hear Mullard, Telefunken, Brimer, etc. all good European tubes but way over priced thanks to dealers like Kevin. I own most of them and my favorites are Raytheon's which have also increased in price but can be bought under the Baldwin Organ label for less. If the 6's are just drivers use an RCA grey label, Sylvania yellow label or Tung Sol GTB. Can be purchased from Andy for a reasonable price and usually dead quiet. If the 6's were the input tube I would use 40's Sylvania, Raytheon, or RCA VT-231's or CBS/Hytron 5692's depending on what flavor you wanted. Just my humble opinion.
I don't know what your "stash" is like for those tubes and I know the "popular" choices for both are the most expensive ones, but not always necessary. For the 12's you will always hear Mullard, Telefunken, Brimer, etc. all good European tubes but way over priced thanks to dealers like Kevin. I own most of them and my favorites are Raytheon's which have also increased in price but can be bought under the Baldwin Organ label for less. If the 6's are just drivers use an RCA grey label, Sylvania yellow label or Tung Sol GTB. Can be purchased from Andy for a reasonable price and usually dead quiet. If the 6's were the input tube I would use 40's Sylvania, Raytheon, or RCA VT-231's or CBS/Hytron 5692's depending on what flavor you wanted. Just my humble opinion.
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- #10
Jack - thanks for the input. Who is Andy?
I'm looking at some Raytheon military grade 6SN7GBT's. For 12AX7's, I like RCA, and I tried some Sylvania's.
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Thanks! I even have some of those CV181's I think.
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The 300b is more delicate with pitch perfect vocals. The 845/211 is that big bold sound with great dynamic punch and drive while still delivering wonderful vocals.
Not sure it's fair to compare either to the NORD's. I enjoyed my time with the NORD's, but they are boxed up to return this week. Amazing what they can do for $1600. Frankly, I still found them quite sibilant and dry sounding. For the same solid state money, I really prefer the JOB. But let's be honest, for $1600, they are damn good and I can clearly see the appeal. Inexpensive power, small footprint, runs cool. Also, fun to geek around with them and change op amps too. At the end of the day, I'm just more of a tube guy I guess. There are things tube amps can do that are just magical and tubes nail tonality with 3D imaging. There are lots of great tube amps in the same price range as the JOB/NORD. I think I would be inclined to try a Inspire, Jolida, PrimaLuna or similar in the same price range. YMMV.
Jack
Active member
Mike
Andy is Andy Bowman of Vintage Tube Services. He tests to a higher standard and his prices are realistic. http://vintagetubeservices.com/
For the 12's the Raytheon's are in between the "romantic" RCA's and the Sylvania's which to me are pretty neutral. The triple mica black plate RCA is a "holy grail" tube if you want that euphonic mid-range. If not the Raytheon's put you in the middle. It all comes down to balance. I went through over twenty sets of 6SN7's in the Modwright preamp before I found the right set. If you are running tubes in both the preamp and amp it becomes trickier and nothing but trial and error. As to the Raytheon GTB's good tube, but for a driver you just want quiet. Call Andy and talk to him as that is how he prefers to do business.
Andy is Andy Bowman of Vintage Tube Services. He tests to a higher standard and his prices are realistic. http://vintagetubeservices.com/
For the 12's the Raytheon's are in between the "romantic" RCA's and the Sylvania's which to me are pretty neutral. The triple mica black plate RCA is a "holy grail" tube if you want that euphonic mid-range. If not the Raytheon's put you in the middle. It all comes down to balance. I went through over twenty sets of 6SN7's in the Modwright preamp before I found the right set. If you are running tubes in both the preamp and amp it becomes trickier and nothing but trial and error. As to the Raytheon GTB's good tube, but for a driver you just want quiet. Call Andy and talk to him as that is how he prefers to do business.
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- #14
Perfect! Thanks.
Thanks Mike for the honest feedback. Yes, its not fair to compare but just wanted to get a feeling about it. I would love to get some tube amps but honestly I cannot get the big 845 because of the heat they produce and the Crescendo's need at least 25-30 tube watts to sing (as per Robert). So I would be interested to see if you have any suggestion of any 845/211 amps that doesn't produce a lot of heat, if there is one
?
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- #16
Thanks Mike for the honest feedback. Yes, its not fair to compare but just wanted to get a feeling about it. I would love to get some tube amps but honestly I cannot get the big 845 because of the heat they produce and the Crescendo's need at least 25-30 tube watts to sing (as per Robert). So I would be interested to see if you have any suggestion of any 845/211 amps that doesn't produce a lot of heat, if there is one
The Air Tight 211 is a single 211 tube and produces much less heat.
jadedavid
New member
Throughout all the tube gear that I have owned, the 12ax7 is my least favorite small signal tube. In all cases I have preferred the 5751 over the 12ax7. It is a direct replacement with a slightly lower gain. In every situation they were quieter, with better clarity and focus. Raytheon's with the windmill getters along with RCA triple mica black plates are two of my favorites. As with all things audio YMMV, however, they are well worth trying.
Nice amps.
Nice amps.
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- #18
The Triode distributor recommended the 5751 Raytheon to me last night when we were chatting. Will definitely give it a try.
Jack
Active member
The windmill getter Raytheon is a really good tube though a bit pricey. I use them in the phono preamp. I haven't found any of these new Chinese or Russian small signal tubes to compare to the NOS ones.