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Post by dowdytom7 on Dec 13, 2019 18:18:51 GMT -7
Hello from a newbie, I have owned my May 2014 maz 18 jr nr for a year now and I am so impressed with the luscious sounds coming out of it that I wanted to find out the works, under the bonnet . I discovered a pair of Made in Great Britain 6BQ5 Amperex valves (EL84's). I am wondering if this was a factory or aftermarket option.
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Post by zpilot on Dec 13, 2019 18:45:17 GMT -7
Those did not come with the amp when it left the factory. That amp probably came with JJ EL84's. I like JJ's (when they don't rattle). But I like the current Russian tube Dr Z uses a little bit better. Those Amperex tubes are hard to find and pricey when you do. Try the current ones. I think you will be pleased.
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Post by perryr on Dec 14, 2019 0:22:34 GMT -7
Those are likely Mullard EL84’s from the 60’s, Very nice High quality EL84. Assuming they are decently matched (no hum), they should sound great and last a long time.
Dr Z uses the Russian (Soviet Union Era) 6n14n. I’ve compared the Soviet 6n14n to Mullard el84’s, and it kinda depends on if the Mullards are earlier 60’s, or later 60’s. The later mullards are a bit more aggressive and have a sharper edge, the early ones are sweeter, prettier. The 6n14n is closer to the earlier ones though Noticeably fuller through the middle and more open up top. The earlier Mullards in particular have a real nice bloom when you start leaning into them, and the 6n14n is surprisingly similar in this respect. The Mullard EL84 is the benchmark, it’s a great sounding tube and built as good as it gets. The 6n14n gives it a good run for the money and in some cases may be the preferred choice.
But ya, I’m betting you have a pair of Mullards, though they could be Amperex, but Amperex were made in Holland, not GB. They just happen to be labeled Amperex, that was common, I have a set like that myself.
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Post by StonySparrow on Dec 14, 2019 9:20:25 GMT -7
I recently replaced JJs with the Sovtek(?) 6n14n's and they indeed mellowed out the tones.
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Post by dowdytom7 on Dec 15, 2019 16:35:52 GMT -7
Thamks for responses, Definitely Amperex Made in Great Britain printed on the valves. I would include a photo if I knew how. And yes, perryr, I do get some hum but I can wear it while it sounds so sweet.
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Post by StonySparrow on Dec 15, 2019 17:22:01 GMT -7
The JJ's that came in my amp were humming but that stopped when I installed the 6n14n's.
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Post by perryr on Dec 15, 2019 17:57:23 GMT -7
Thamks for responses, Definitely Amperex Made in Great Britain printed on the valves. I would include a photo if I knew how. And yes, perryr, I do get some hum but I can wear it while it sounds so sweet. Ya, so if you look near the base you will find a couple sets of characters etched in the glass like: KM1 B3E4 or rX1 42D3 (where 4 is a triangle shaped symbol) those codes can identify where the tubes were made (the second row includes factory code)
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Post by dowdytom7 on Dec 16, 2019 3:54:18 GMT -7
Ok perryr, one has unknownM1 with 8orB 2F3 the other unreadable top line with B114 I think, sorry the printing wearing away
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Post by perryr on Dec 16, 2019 19:25:14 GMT -7
Ok, so these would be the codes: KM1 B2F3
KM1 B1I4
First row is tube type and revision, KM1 was 1960’s EL84 2nd character is year, which could be 1962 or 1972, but as these are KM1 , they would be 1960’s. 3rd char is month F=Jun, I=Sep 4th char is week So, B1I4 = Blackburn, 4th week of September 1961
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Post by dcarver on Dec 17, 2019 0:51:38 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum dowdytom7. Man ! You scored some great NOS tubes with your Maz. I bet it sounds sweet. Did you happen to get the make of the V1 tube ? Cheers DC
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Post by dowdytom7 on Dec 18, 2019 16:51:59 GMT -7
Thanks perryr for that valuable information and yes, dcarver, I am feeling lucky considering I bought the amp from an old friend who is a serious collector. V1 is a made in russia Genalex with 14 03 code
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Post by dcarver on Dec 18, 2019 23:09:14 GMT -7
I see. I'm not familiar with Genalex codes. I wonder if that's an old one. Anyway, thanks for checking. Best of luck with your Maz.
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