Post by osostrings on Jan 27, 2007 22:53:44 GMT -7
I've been doing lots of tube experiments with my Route 66 and I'm really starting to get some clear winners. Here's the rundown...
EF86: Mullard vs. Dario Miniwatt
The Mullard is what came in the amp when I got it - I became very acclimated to it, so the change to the Dario was a big shock. The Mullard has a really crunchy/chewy midrange, but by comparison it has a pretty raspy top-end response and it's a bit flubby on the bottom. The Dario sounds fuller in bandwidth - clearer highs and tighter lows, without sacrificing the goods in the midrange.
Clear winner? Dario Miniwatt
12AX7: Ei goldpin vs. Tungsram
This was shocking! Pretty much a classic case of weak vs. strong...I put the Tungsram in...A/B'ed it a few times...and yep...the Tungsram just sounds stronger. More push (sounds hotter and bigger), fuller crunch, and more articulation.
Clear winner? Tungsram by a landslide
KT66: not a comparison, but new HP tubes and lower bias (from 35ma to 33ma)
The new bias settings resulted in a cleaner, clearer, tighter amp and for the complex stuff I've been using the amp for lately, the more articulate response is very welcome.
GZ34: Mullard vs. Sovtek (GT) vs. Phillips Mislabelled 5V4GA
The Mullard considerably lowers the headroom - to a fault - it makes the response of the amp kind of wooly and inarticulate. This was a huge surprise - maybe something is wrong with the tube.
The Phillips was the complete opposite - it made the amp louder, tighter, cleaner, bolder, and more articulate. And not just a small difference...really really noticeable.
The Sovtek kind of hovered in between and would actually probably be great for a lot of people, but the Phillips is just perfect for my style and what I'm using the amp for.
Winner? Phillips
All in all, the amp is pretty different now that I have changed all the tubes. It is more touch sensitive and all around bigger sounding - so tight, full, and responsive, without sacrificing warmth and richness. These tubes simply tweaked my ideal amp to its ideal point and I'm in tone bliss for sure!
EF86: Mullard vs. Dario Miniwatt
The Mullard is what came in the amp when I got it - I became very acclimated to it, so the change to the Dario was a big shock. The Mullard has a really crunchy/chewy midrange, but by comparison it has a pretty raspy top-end response and it's a bit flubby on the bottom. The Dario sounds fuller in bandwidth - clearer highs and tighter lows, without sacrificing the goods in the midrange.
Clear winner? Dario Miniwatt
12AX7: Ei goldpin vs. Tungsram
This was shocking! Pretty much a classic case of weak vs. strong...I put the Tungsram in...A/B'ed it a few times...and yep...the Tungsram just sounds stronger. More push (sounds hotter and bigger), fuller crunch, and more articulation.
Clear winner? Tungsram by a landslide
KT66: not a comparison, but new HP tubes and lower bias (from 35ma to 33ma)
The new bias settings resulted in a cleaner, clearer, tighter amp and for the complex stuff I've been using the amp for lately, the more articulate response is very welcome.
GZ34: Mullard vs. Sovtek (GT) vs. Phillips Mislabelled 5V4GA
The Mullard considerably lowers the headroom - to a fault - it makes the response of the amp kind of wooly and inarticulate. This was a huge surprise - maybe something is wrong with the tube.
The Phillips was the complete opposite - it made the amp louder, tighter, cleaner, bolder, and more articulate. And not just a small difference...really really noticeable.
The Sovtek kind of hovered in between and would actually probably be great for a lot of people, but the Phillips is just perfect for my style and what I'm using the amp for.
Winner? Phillips
All in all, the amp is pretty different now that I have changed all the tubes. It is more touch sensitive and all around bigger sounding - so tight, full, and responsive, without sacrificing warmth and richness. These tubes simply tweaked my ideal amp to its ideal point and I'm in tone bliss for sure!