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Post by nitehawk55 on Apr 30, 2007 18:30:35 GMT -7
I'm getting.... Route 66 #11 and want to get spares for it . I've read though all the threads and there seems a bit of confusion as to what is the best current production . Should I go with the Saratov or the Shuguangs ? I noticed there seems to be 2 types of Shugang's available , I think one is a valve art and costs a fair bit more but is it better or the same ? Or should a person go the distance and get some GEC's or Genalex ??
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Post by LeftyLang on Apr 30, 2007 20:53:22 GMT -7
I currently have new GT KT66HP in my 66 & I really like them. The Saratov are pretty much the same tube and you can get them in Ontario. I am too cheap to spend the dough on the GEC or Genelex, but hey it is your $$.
I heard the doc is having great luck with the HP KT66 C
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Post by iggs on May 1, 2007 7:35:47 GMT -7
All Chinese brown base KT66 are from the Shuguang factory. Some are just re-branded under a different name. The Groove Tubes KT66-C are also from the same factory. As are Valve Art, TAD ... etc. So there aren't 2 types of Shuguangs, just different labels.
Saratov are the black base KT66 with a similar bottle to the Chinese tubes. They were the Groove Tubes KT66HP but are not being sold by GT any more.
Both tubes are good value for the money ... when compared to around $400 for a pair of NOS GEC. They are not nearly as nice sounding or well built but not nearly as expensive either. I like the Shuguang a bit more then the Saratov. Slightly more open and brighter sounding. The Saratov were too dark and "woody" for my taste. They sounded fine with a Strat but were too dark with humbuckers. Shuguang seem to work great with both types of pickups.
Hopefully we'll have some more info on the new JJ KT66 and how they work & sound in Route 66. It'd be very nice to have another choice.
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Post by nitehawk55 on May 1, 2007 14:46:55 GMT -7
Thanks guys ,I'll probably end up trying each of the Chinese and Russian made in time . It would be nice to see Tung-sol resolve that issue with thier tubes and JJ getting thier KT66's on the market . As for NOS i'll just keep my eyes open , sometimes you get lucky finds in unexpected places .
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Post by 5sonic on May 1, 2007 21:46:41 GMT -7
I just installed a pair of Valve Arts and they sound much better to my ears than the old GT's did. In fairness to the GT's though, I think they may have been the original tubes that shipped with this amp in 2001. These Valve Arts KT66 look really cool too I must say.
I biased them around 36-37 mA. According to the compu bias each tube is putting out approximately 15.8 watts. The amp sounds much less dark and muffled, and much more harmonically rich.
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Post by iggs on May 2, 2007 6:43:41 GMT -7
Also, one of the best investments in tone you can do for the Route 66 is getting a NOS rectifier ... HUGE improvement in tone and performance. IMHO of course ... Mike at KCA NOS can always suggest a good one.
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Post by nitehawk55 on May 2, 2007 17:24:25 GMT -7
Good info 5sonic , much appreciated . Where do you get these bias probes ? I guess it's probably time I look into getting one so I can check or reset my own bias .
Iggs , I have over 20 NOS Mullards ( 15 in route ) , mostly Phillips branded in original boxes and some big bottle Sylvania's too so if anyone needs any I'll be parting with some . I have a post in the for sale section . I'm also getting a few different NOS EF86's to try as well .
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Post by 5sonic on May 2, 2007 22:27:31 GMT -7
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Post by kcraig on May 12, 2007 10:31:00 GMT -7
My new Route 66 came in yesterday.I had been using a 66 loaned to me by my dealer until my Blond 66 came in.I wanted it to match my Z-Best.I went down,picked up my head still in the box and ran straight home.When i opened it up I was checking the tubes and was a bit concerned when I saw different KT66 tubes inside.The loaner had Groove Tubes.I was afraid it wasn't gonna sound as good...Was I ever wrong!! The new 66 came with the new JJ-KT66 tubes and this rig sounds better than the loaner did.I was floored!! I played for 2 hours and didn't want to stop then!!! They really break up and sounds so smooth!! Thanks DR.Z. If you're wondering about which tubes to use i'd give the new JJ's a try. JMHO Rock on...
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Post by nitehawk55 on May 12, 2007 11:31:44 GMT -7
Sonic , got the compu-bias on order , pricey compared to others but I like it's features . Thanks for that review on the JJ's Craig . I don't know if many are available on the market yet . I saw a guy from Germany had some listed but I have not seen many others . I would think Bob at Euro tubes probably has them , I'll have to check .
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Post by John on May 12, 2007 11:55:32 GMT -7
Dang, sounds like I'm going to have to get a pair of those. The only backups I have are an old set of GT's..and I don't know how old they are.
Kcraig...can you describe how they were different? Punch, clarity? High end? Smooth breakup? Sooner/later breakup?
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Post by kcraig on May 12, 2007 12:33:11 GMT -7
Well, It was all those things in a stronger, kicked up sound.The Gt's were great and I liked them enough to buy the 66 and loved it. When I plugged in to the new head it was like More punch,clear as a bell,Screams,Silkly smooth, great sustain, You don't have to push hard for breakup. It all just seems to be clearer and stronger? Hope this rambling makes some sense! I gotta go play!
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Post by 5sonic on May 12, 2007 17:47:16 GMT -7
nitehawk55 - You'll love the Compu-Bias. IMHO, it's a plus to see all those paramaters in real time as you're adjusting the bias. This makes it really easy to get those power tubes dialed in just the way you want.
kcraig - Those JJ KT66 do sound interesting. Myles did say that they tested stronger than any other KT66, so a "kicked-up" sound is not surprising. I just ordered a NOS Sylvania 5U4GB rectifier for my Route so it will sound awesome at a slightly lower volume. Now that I've got fresh and properly biased power tubes, it's definitely louder! Based on what the Doc says, I figure the 5U4GB should do the trick, in addition to making the amp sound "spongier".
I just ordered two pairs of Saratov KT66 from Dougs Tubes. He says they're getting towards the end of their supply. I figured it would be a good idea to stash a few pairs away, even though I do like the Valve Arts as well.
Is Eurotubes the only place to get the JJ KT66? I noticed that Eurotubes has them listed on their site, but JJ does not have them listed on their own site.
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Post by kcraig on May 12, 2007 18:58:05 GMT -7
04/08/07 We have the first production run of the long awaited JJ KT66 in stock!! Yes, everyone who was on the waiting ling has been satisfied and we have stock left! They are now available in the online store.
5sonic- This is on the Eurotube site. Looks like he may be the best source to buy them from right now. I'm tempted to buy a matched pair now just to have replacements.
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Post by 5sonic on May 12, 2007 19:27:34 GMT -7
A friend of mine was warned not to buy from eurotubes. He was told that they sell all kinds of relabeled and used junk, etc... I imagine these would be safe though, since they're easily identifiable.
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Post by nitehawk55 on May 12, 2007 19:29:03 GMT -7
Once I get to know the Route 66 I'm going to try some different rectifiers too . A 5V4 may work well too , it's a try it and see thing . I sent an email to the Tube Store asking if and when they will be stocking the new JJ's . I may get a couple sets of Saratov's from them too while still available . You can never have enough tubes
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