|
Post by fratelli on Oct 12, 2007 13:15:03 GMT -7
For those who have had the pleasure of outfitting their Route 66 with NOS GEC/Genalex/Osram/Gold Lion KT66s, which current production tubes come the closest to these holy grails?
Im really tempted to get some NOS tubes, but damn they're expensive! But I hear they're tone is unrivaled and the reliability is better than newer production tubes. Would everyone agree with that statement?
|
|
|
Post by dixiechicken on Oct 13, 2007 1:59:33 GMT -7
I have a matched pair of G.E.C CV1075 - but haven't put them in yet in my Route.
Must first repair my Biasrite and I also wanted to play the Route a bit more before doing any tube swapping
Cheers: Dixiechicken
|
|
|
Post by zdogma on Oct 13, 2007 3:39:46 GMT -7
I've never used NOS in this amp, they're just too expensive and too hard to find. I've used the Chinese, the JJ's and the Saratovs (KT 66HP's), and all worked really well. I think the Saratovs are my favorites, but they're getting hard to find, since they have been out of production for quite some time. Nice tone and they last a long time (I think I remember the doc saying 5000 hours but don't quote me on that) thetubestore.com/saratovkt66.htmlI thought of getting a set at one time, but at 400 bucks a set you have to have a dealer you really trust...
|
|
|
Post by dixiechicken on Oct 13, 2007 7:04:08 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by Telemanic on Oct 18, 2007 14:55:10 GMT -7
For me with the Rt.66 being such an incredible amp there is no question that i'd spend for a set of grey glass kt's!! I have 2 sets and while they are different sounding both were amazing. One set was Louder, Tighter, and brighter than the stock tubes, (probably would have had a high # if they were rated like Groove tubes). They were much richer sounding than stock with this lacy, articulate but creamy top end. The other set had a more "typical" brittish sound with a more prominant mid range and a slightly recessed high end, a little less open sounding but i still can not declare either a winner, just different. I think thats why sometimes guy's try a well known hyped NOS tube and come away less impressed than than they thought they would be cause they were expecting something a little different. It's easy to think that all Black plate 6L6's should sound the same for instance, but it's just like anything else. They will still be GREAT tubes but may not be "THE" set. Unfortunately, just like with 12ax7's sometimes ya just gotta try a few to find the "magic" ones for your rig! Oh yeah, and guess what, a set of Nos greys will probably last about 15 years or more depending on use! Ive seen some at about 25 years of regular gigging that STILL rock!!
One caveat though, be careful out there buying them and dont fall for "matched set" that is not matched by ma! A lot of them out there are matched by Mutual transconductance only, and you might get lucky and you might not! Make sure if you do that the seller has a return policy in case ya cant bias them in. I bought a "matched" set of clear glass and they were off by about 18ma! On tubes this rare you can easily go up to about a 10ma split, but i like to stick around 3-5 if possible.
|
|
|
Post by fratelli on Oct 19, 2007 10:24:10 GMT -7
One set was Louder, Tighter, and brighter than the stock tubes, (probably would have had a high # if they were rated like Groove tubes). Hey Telemaniac, I appreciate your info... As a player with not much tech knowledge, I have to ask, can you predict what the tube will sound like based on its 'ma' rating? I'm looking at tubes from Tubeworld (thanks, DC!) and they do match them based on 'ma' ratings. Also, what does Groove Tubes base their # ratings on? Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by dixiechicken on Oct 19, 2007 12:13:47 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by LeftyLang on Oct 19, 2007 12:19:14 GMT -7
I have never had the desire to try the expensive genelex/GEC Kt-66. Just too much money and risk for what difference they may make. I like the GT KT-66HP in both my 66 amps. They are no longer in production, but you can still find them around.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2007 7:21:12 GMT -7
|
|