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Post by curtisjames on Jan 31, 2017 18:38:28 GMT -7
Ok.....just a quick post. A preamp was going Micro on me, and since this is my first tube swap I thought I'd experiment and try a company I wasn't familiar with from an online retailer. They have the pre packaged Dr Zlux Tube Set. Theirs was packaged and "every tube" pre tested, and matched for blah blah blah
when I got them in.....gnarly electronic buzz. Ok, here we go
Had to take each one out, 1 by 1. Turn the amp off.....swap V1.....Turn it on again etc....
it turned out V3 and V5 just werent right
Company was a little perplexed when I called...they replaced those two tubes......sent me new ones. When I put the new ones in.....same thing
Long Story Short: ordered a whole 2nd set from Dr Z's company he recommends "TheTubeStore.Com" ordered every tube exactly off the tube list on the Docs site for the amp
After receiving and implementing these recommended tubes.... the amp confirms my belief that God still listens to music in heaven. And I'd swear he's blessed this amp
My brothers in Z Land......go with the Docs tubes. Save yourself the grief and $. He knows what he's doing, and knows exactly what to feed his children
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Post by simpleton on Jan 31, 2017 19:30:35 GMT -7
I just spent $40 bucks on a Amperex 12ax7...one of those NOS jobbies. The $10 JJ is still my favorite. Doc makes these things to run on affordable tubes.....for the working men and womenfolk of the world.
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Post by Faze on Feb 1, 2017 11:19:50 GMT -7
Yes I also had a issue with my Z-Lux and once I put those Doc recommended tubes in it the amp bloomed like never before and no doubt about it God blessed this amp it's pure tone. The mullard made a huge difference.
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Post by MacStevenXIII on Feb 2, 2017 4:49:22 GMT -7
I bought a Z-Lux a few weeks ago, my first Z amp. Bought it brand new from a local store. I wanted to confirm the tubes were the ones Z sends em out with. Well, they were, but they were all mixed up. Almost every one was in the incorrect spot. I arranged them into the correct positions and, as you would think, the amp sounds even better than before. I was blown away at how amazing the amp sounded when I first got it, and now I'm really floored. This amp is the most amazing thing I've ever played out of.
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Post by Faze on Feb 2, 2017 11:38:00 GMT -7
I bought a Z-Lux a few weeks ago, my first Z amp. Bought it brand new from a local store. I wanted to confirm the tubes were the ones Z sends em out with. Well, they were, but they were all mixed up. Almost every one was in the incorrect spot. I arranged them into the correct positions and, as you would think, the amp sounds even better than before. I was blown away at how amazing the amp sounded when I first got it, and now I'm really floored. This amp is the most amazing thing I've ever played out of. Wow that's weird they were in the wrong spots. Where did you buy the amp from? Anyway I agree it's an awesome amp.
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Post by MacStevenXIII on Feb 3, 2017 8:46:47 GMT -7
I picked it up from Matt's Music in Weymouth MA. Very strange indeed. I highly doubt they fiddled with the tubes at all.
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Post by jimmysmith on Feb 3, 2017 9:46:05 GMT -7
I just spent $40 bucks on a Amperex 12ax7...one of those NOS jobbies. The $10 JJ is still my favorite. Doc makes these things to run on affordable tubes.....for the working men and womenfolk of the world. i remember when i bought my first ghia in green tolex with green jewel light for 599 shipped,,,heh heh,, then i was on a quest for some other z amps and i would email Doc Z and talk about "can i try different tubes in" blah blah blah,, i am sure he has gotten a gazzillion questions from people about changing this and that and he patiently listens and gives an answer. the truth is dr z amps are designed around the new production tubes and i wasted some monies on some expensive pre amp tubes etc,, for instance the ef86s' in his amps ,most use the dario miniwatt etc and all those 75 dollar tubes,, the jj version works fantastic and i cannot tell any audio difference. cant wait to hear what the tone sounds like dimed on the new Cure i preordered..with j j 6v6s,,,
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Feb 3, 2017 12:54:45 GMT -7
the amp confirms my belief that God still listens to music in heaven. And I'd swear he's blessed this amp Best amp review EVER! This is hilarious. (But probably true. I've heard/played a Z-Lux... amazing amp!) Also, for the record, I used to be super-obsessive about having to have NOS glass all over the place in my amps. (Well, maybe not in the "consumable" power & phase-inverter sections, but you know what I mean.) But I've even had those go bad, even from reputable dealers, mind you (who did indeed replace them without issue). So nowadays, if Doc ships out my amp with a "poor man's" off-the-shelf JJ or E-H tube, or even ( gasp!) a Chinese-made tube, I just go with it. And do my amps still sound fantastic? Heck yes.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 13:02:02 GMT -7
What does Doc like in a 6V6 for the Lux? Mullards?
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Feb 4, 2017 17:34:11 GMT -7
JJ's.
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Post by lowbudget on Feb 4, 2017 18:00:24 GMT -7
Is there any concern that the only tubes Doc likes for the Z-Lux might become unavailable? Will no other 6V6s work well except what he specifies?
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Feb 5, 2017 6:28:16 GMT -7
Is there any concern that the only tubes Doc likes for the Z-Lux might become unavailable? Will no other 6V6s work well except what he specifies? Well who knows what the tube manufacturers are going to do? They could discontinue a product overnight...i don't think these tube choices are absolutes, it's a list of tubes that the amps currently ship with. Doc has a knack for finding the right combination for the right amp... Sure tubes besides JJ6V6 work, try other types. That's part of tube amp life, right?
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Post by hardys on Feb 15, 2017 11:59:43 GMT -7
Yes I also had a issue with my Z-Lux and once I put those Doc recommended tubes in it the amp bloomed like never before and no doubt about it God blessed this amp it's pure tone. The mullard made a huge difference. Are you referring to a NOS Mullard or a Re-issue?
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Post by Faze on Feb 15, 2017 13:58:15 GMT -7
Yes I also had a issue with my Z-Lux and once I put those Doc recommended tubes in it the amp bloomed like never before and no doubt about it God blessed this amp it's pure tone. The mullard made a huge difference. Are you referring to a NOS Mullard or a Re-issue? Got it from the tube store per docs recommendation It's a reissue that's the only one they sell.
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Post by DRZ on Feb 15, 2017 14:11:08 GMT -7
Long Story Short: ordered a whole 2nd set from Dr Z's company he recommends "TheTubeStore.Com" ordered every tube exactly off the tube list on the Docs site for the amp After receiving and implementing these recommended tubes.... the amp confirms my belief that God still listens to music in heaven. And I'd swear he's blessed this amp My brothers in Z Land......go with the Docs tubes. Save yourself the grief and $. He knows what he's doing, and knows exactly what to feed his children Thanks for the kind words Curt. Glad you dig the Z Lux, I designed it just for you >.
Z
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Post by scottunzicker on Feb 15, 2017 14:43:27 GMT -7
Long Story Short: ordered a whole 2nd set from Dr Z's company he recommends "TheTubeStore.Com" ordered every tube exactly off the tube list on the Docs site for the amp After receiving and implementing these recommended tubes.... the amp confirms my belief that God still listens to music in heaven. And I'd swear he's blessed this amp My brothers in Z Land......go with the Docs tubes. Save yourself the grief and $. He knows what he's doing, and knows exactly what to feed his children Thanks for the kind words Curt. Glad you dig the Z Lux, I designed it just for you >.
Z
Your Z Lux is getting some very good attention and compliments here in Austin, Dr. Z! I hope it turns into some sales for you. It's pretty much the perfect club amp for venues around here. I've gigged everything from medium/medium-large rooms where I get to crank it, down to what I call "musical wallpaper" shows, where you can't be any louder than a mouse fart. Wonderful creation! Thank you! -Scott
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Mar 17, 2017 7:50:52 GMT -7
I see tube sets for most of doc's amps at the tubestore, but not for the z-lux. So what does doc recommend for the nos 12at7 in v3 and is v1 a reissue or nos? Thanks--Jester
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 17, 2017 8:28:52 GMT -7
Is there any concern that the only tubes Doc likes for the Z-Lux might become unavailable? Will no other 6V6s work well except what he specifies? Doc has no problems finding tubes that work - if something becomes unavailable I'm sure Doc will be two steps ahead with a recommendation for us.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 18, 2017 6:38:22 GMT -7
Is there any concern that the only tubes Doc likes for the Z-Lux might become unavailable? Will no other 6V6s work well except what he specifies? Doc has no problems finding tubes that work - if something becomes unavailable I'm sure Doc will be two steps ahead with a recommendation for us. Already mentioned in another thread that we can sub in medium 5881's if we like. I see a few messages from folks who've tried them and like them just fine. So there are alternatives.
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Post by lowbudget on Mar 18, 2017 7:09:44 GMT -7
Doc has no problems finding tubes that work - if something becomes unavailable I'm sure Doc will be two steps ahead with a recommendation for us. Already mentioned in another thread that we can sub in medium 5881's if we like. I see a few messages from folks who've tried them and like them just fine. So there are alternatives. All true I'm sure. I have a tendency to pre-worry about things and it seemed like a reasonable question at the time. I've never really encountered another amp that does so many things so well, and I'm putting a large percentage of my eggs in this Z-Lux basket!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 19, 2017 7:21:16 GMT -7
I've never really encountered another amp that does so many things so well, and I'm putting a large percentage of my eggs in this Z-Lux basket! I had similar thoughts when I bought the Remedy - great power section but only JJ power tubes. So when I saw Dr. Z mention the 5881's it was good to know there are alternatives should JJ ever fall out of favor for one reason or another. Hard to predict the future of tube manufacturing.
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