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Post by arrestedxdev on May 16, 2022 15:44:05 GMT -7
Hi. I'm new here, looking really hard at the Cure or Z-Plus. I noticed a couple NEW unit Cures around that still have the 6v6 - I guess the most recent/previous version/layout. Any reason one would prefer the previous 6v6 layout vs the new 5881 layout? Appreciate your thoughts.
I'm going through this forum and seeing some related content, but thought I'd get this question out directly. Thanks.
Keith
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Post by helmi on May 16, 2022 16:04:16 GMT -7
Welcome to the forum.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on May 16, 2022 16:04:48 GMT -7
My understanding/takeaways from Doc's post on the matter: I would say that if you want a quieter home-amp, go with the 6V6 setup. But he mentioned that the 5881's would make it a small-club-worthy amp; so that makes me think louder. But keep in mind that the Cure has that really nice Level control, so... I wonder how much it matters in the end?
In my experience with 6V6 vs 5881 tubes (I have a non-Z amp that will accept either, and I just played around swapping them this past weekend) I hear the 6V6's to be very balanced, warm/fat, with a nice smooth breakup, but not as powerful as 5881's. And I perceived the 5881's to be a bit louder, more sizzle/distortion (more edgy in a good way, but not as smooth and fat) and with a leaner low-end. Granted this was in a different amp; but this was what I found by swapping them quickly (pro tip: the Ove Glove!) and evaluating the resulting differences.
PS. Oh, and welcome to the forum!
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on May 16, 2022 17:14:31 GMT -7
I've had mine both ways, and it's a great amp either way. It's got the 5881 output tubes right now, but I'm thinking about maybe putting a switch in to be able to bias the amp for either tube. It's doable, but I'm not sure if I want to or not. It really depends on price and availability of output tubes when my 5881s need to be replaced.
Note that you can get more sizzle, bite and overdrive by changing V3 from a 12AT7 to a 12AX7A.
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Post by arrestedxdev on May 17, 2022 6:08:05 GMT -7
Thanks, and I saw similar thread in this section too. Is there a Serial# after which all Cures are 5881? I'm asking in advance of searching among dealers and their existing stock - I imagine some NOS, and some brand new. thx.
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Post by lowbudget on May 17, 2022 6:33:44 GMT -7
Thanks, and I saw similar thread in this section too. Is there a Serial# after which all Cures are 5881? I'm asking in advance of searching among dealers and their existing stock - I imagine some NOS, and some brand new. thx. I don’t know about the serial number delineation or if one has been officially noted. I will tell you that if it matters to you it’s always a good idea to ask for the date of manufacture from the back of the amp. On more than one occasion when I didn’t I wound up with a new amp that was built before more current updates had been made. Now in the case of the Cure this may be exactly what you’re looking for. I know I’m personally very happy with the 6V6s and see no reason to change. I bought all my Zs new and that makes it easy to just replace a tube with exactly what I took out. Not very adventurous but if it worked for the Doc when he built it I figure it’s still all good. P.S. Don’t go by the tube chart pasted inside the cab. Sometimes they outlast actual tube changes. Instead go by the actual tubes as shipped.
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