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Post by fretts on Mar 1, 2012 0:28:41 GMT -7
Time to retube the 66. At Brent Ferguson's advice, I got Genalex Gold Lion KT66s instead of the Groove Tube units that have been in there since day one. Also tested brand new Winged C EF86, a JJ Gold Pin 12AX7 and a new Russian Tung-Sol 12AX7. It's nighttime and I can't do a full-bore test, so this is about listening at a low, clear level. Maybe I can repeat it sometime soon "at volume". To really tell what I was hearing, I recorded a few chords, some single lines and some Tone-Bender fuzztone into a looper. Then I played it back through the stock tubes and recorded into an Edirol R09 handheld recorder. Then I made these changes, playing the same loop for the recorder each time: 1. Change out the KT66s 2. Swap in the Tung-Sol 12AX7 3. Swap in the JJ Gold Pin 12AX7 4. Swap the EF86 for the new one 5. Put the original Sovtek 12AX7LPS back in.
I loaded all the sound files into Audacity and lined them all up time-wise. I soloed the 6 tracks all over the place during the playback about 50 times. I have to tell you, the improvement and difference was all the KT66s. I could only hear the tiniest bare sliver of a difference between any of the other tubes. I mean it was next to nothing. So I put the original Sovtek 12AX7 back in! Maybe I have a freak miracle Sovtek because I usually don't like them very much.
Later on, we'll see how things change when we're cranked a bit, but this was a surprising outcome. I expected some major differences even at this level.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2012 0:56:27 GMT -7
Can't wait to hear the clips.
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Post by kcraig on Mar 1, 2012 5:15:12 GMT -7
The Gold Lion KT66 are rock solid. I had a JJ go bad in my 66.Replaced with the GL's and have been very happy with them. Looking forward to the clips.
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Post by fretts on Mar 1, 2012 11:05:50 GMT -7
Can't wait to hear the clips. I don't need to post these clips, they are completely boring - they sound identical. The only diff was going from the worn out KT66s to the new KT66s and that was just what you expect - went from "ok" to clearer and deeper. Besides, my playing was so idiotic and lame, I don't want anybody to hear it! If the LOUD test turns out to be something worth posting, ...well, I will do that!
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Post by troutstrat on Mar 1, 2012 11:41:11 GMT -7
Others have said that changing the EF86 make the amp brighter, but I can't find the thread of what brand of EF86 right now. Wonder if it's the case?
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Post by fretts on Mar 1, 2012 19:28:19 GMT -7
Did the "loud" test. Bottom line: damn that's a good amp, JEEZ! Once I was pushing some volume, the horrible noise came back - the reason I decided to retube in the first place. AND one of the new tubes - Tung-Sol 12AX7 was bad the same way, so I didn't know what was wrong, seemed like a chassis or circuit problem at first. After trying a 12AX7 I had stashed that I know is good, the amp suddenly got monstrous... crystal, ringing, chimey highs with thick fat low end and good solid buttery midrange. Everything that floored me when I first bought it. Once again, the differences between three known-good 12AX7s were very slight. I have left the JJ gold pin in there now. I also tried a Philips 7025 from the 80s and a GE that is probably from the 70s. When I circled back to the JJ and there was no difference that bothered me, I left it in since it's brand new. Once again, no clips guys... I got busy again and won't be able to take the time to do loop tests. Very happy with this little beast once again.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2012 22:02:49 GMT -7
I always stuck with the 12AX7LPS. If tested for proper spec. it seemed to be the one that worked the best for me. I found the NOS EF86's could help shape the highs or lows. Re-issue Gold Lions - what can I say. They rock.
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Post by fretts on Mar 2, 2012 14:02:09 GMT -7
I did go back to the Sovtek on the first round, before its mechanical defect showed up. If I'd had a spare, I probably would have returned to the LPS. I should get a few and have them in reserve. The lineup I have in there now sounds awesome.
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