Tubes Asylum

I found this test comparison comparing the two major brand KT66s and guess which other tube?

97.95.45.221

Michael Samra

Enjoy!

Honest amplification is better than excessive 2nd order distortion anytime.

http://jeffsplace.me/wordpress/?p=374 (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

if you like sterile, solid-state sound... - dividebytube 12:32:08 04/21/14 (0)
then I can highly recommend the 6n3cE.

Among my collection of NOS and new output tubes, it is exceedingly bright - giving a sort of false detail that I hear with some lower-end solid-state amplifiers.
RE: I found this test comparison comparing the two major brand KT66s and guess which other tube? - banpuku 15:51:57 04/20/14 (0)
Mikey,

Do you have a matched quad set, NOS, for sale?

Pat
RE: I found this test comparison comparing the two major brand KT66s and guess which other tube? - banpuku 15:42:37 04/20/14 (1)
Mikey,

Do you know what the Heater Current spec is on the Russian NOS 6n3cE ? My Lafayette KT-550 takes only 0.9A. As we discussed in the past, most KT-66 tubes run at 1.3-1.5A. I am curious if the Russian NOS 6n3cE is 1.0A or less.

Pat
- RE: I found this test comparison comparing the two major brand KT66s and guess which other tube? - ecline6 16:24:41 04/20/14 (0)
  I am curious if the Russian NOS 6n3cE is 1.0A or less.
  
  Yes 0.9 amp heater draw like any ordinary 6L6. The 6P3S-E is a very tough tube and can handle high plate voltages like a 6L6GC. However, the tube is more like a 5881 being a 23 watt(some say slightly higher) plate dissipation tube vs a 30 watt plate dissipation for a 6L6GC.
RE: I found this test comparison comparing the two major brand KT66s and guess which other tube? - danlaudionut 05:13:23 04/20/14 (4)
Mikey

You know I disagree with most of it.
Maybe it's the difference between SE and PP.
Or maybe in triode mode vs UL with feedback.
In SE, the 6n3cE is just OK across the board.
The Tung Sol 6L6G reissue is warm and romantic.
The Gold Lion KT-66 is detailed and extended.
The 6n3cE has none of their strengths and also
IMO has no strengths or weaknesses just is OK.

DanL
- I feel the same way with EL34's.............. - vinylkid58 09:50:35 04/20/14 (3)
  Totally mind blowing in single ended amps. In PP amps, meh!
  
  jeff
  - RE: I feel the same way with EL34's.............. - danlaudionut 15:17:48 04/20/14 (0)
    Jeff
    
    I am in the minority here but ...
    
    The EL34 didn't do much for me in SE either.
    Warmer but duller than the 6N3C-E.
    
    The KT77 sounded pieced together like
    here's the highs, here's the lows and
    let's add some midrange in there too.
    Like a poorly fitting jigsaw puzzle.
    
    6LGC has intimate warmth like a jazz club.
    KT66 has full dynamics like a rock concert.
    6550 has an organic full bodied sound.
    KT88 is a powerhouse to rock this town.
    
    DanL
  - RE: I feel the same way with EL34's.............. - SETdude 11:09:26 04/20/14 (0)
    That's good to know!
  - RE: I feel the same way with EL34's.............. - ecline6 10:01:54 04/20/14 (0)
    I tried the Sovtek 5881 / 6L6WGC Power Vacuum Tube that looks identical to the 6P3S-E and that version sounds nothing like the 6P3S-E.I ordered two quads and returned one .... that is how I ended up trying the 6L6WXT.
I disagree with him that they're ugly......... - vinylkid58 17:59:51 04/19/14 (6)
Just maybe not as sexy looking as a KT66.;)
I've seen that page before, but I'm sure others will enjoy the comparison.
jeff

Edits: 04/19/14
- RE: I disagree with him that they're ugly......... - Michael Samra 22:58:29 04/19/14 (5)
  Jeff
  I agree with you..I like curvy women but straight bottle tubes look nice as well.
  
  Honest amplification is better than excessive 2nd order distortion anytime.
  - RE: I disagree with him that they're ugly......... - SETdude 03:53:33 04/20/14 (4)
    I wonder what the results would have been in a better system instead of Leben and Tannoy? ;-)
    I have a quad of the ugly tubes that I got from Jim Mc a few years ago. I need to get an amp to use them in.
    
    Edits: 04/20/14
    - RE: I disagree with him that they're ugly......... - ecline6 05:25:46 04/20/14 (3)
      I really like the 6P3S-E's and I have used them for many years now. In fact, I am down to six quads and one pair from the original 50 I purchased.
      On a whim, I tried some Sovtek 6L6WXT (received date codes 3/10) and I was shocked how good the 6L6WXT tube is. The 6L6WXT has the same great mid range but removes the congestion I sometimes here in the upper bass/ lower mid range of the 6P3S-E at times. Furthermore, the 6L6WXT has a more open and and extended treble in a good way. The 6L6WXT is just so smooth and perfectly balanced overall.
      I was using the 6P3S-E in a Niteshade NS-30 SS rectified, Niteshade NS-30 tube rectified (5AR4), Niteshade NS-10 single ended amp tube rectified(5U4G) and a custom KT88SE amp that can use 6L6/EL34 or KT88 .... of which I prefer the 6L6 despite less power. The 6L6WXT is now in both the KT88 amp and the Niteshade NS-30 SS rectified amps after several comparisons between the two. I think the 6L6WXT sounds great right out of the box.
      I mentioned this before in a post and got some grief/ disbelief. Probably like Mike did when he first touted the 6P3S-E???? I am only mentioning this because all the good 1970-80's 6P3S-E's are about gone. If you like the 6P3S-E you will probably like the Sovtek 6L6WXT.
      
      Edits: 04/20/14 04/20/14 04/20/14
      - RE: I disagree with him that they're ugly......... - Mendel 09:36:31 04/20/14 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I disagree with him that they're ugly......... posted by ecline6 on April 20, 2014 at 05:25:46
        
        Some believe that the Sovtec 6L6WXT and the 6P3S-E are the same tube, the Sovtecs are just the most recent production, the 6P3S-E being earlier vintage production.
        Don't know myself but I love the 6P3S-E quads I got from Jim Mcshane. Not surprised that the reviewer prefered them to the modern production KT66s. As I noted in post a few years ago, they are even competitive with vintage GEC KT66. I still prefer the GECs, but for less than $75 a quad (as oppossed to $75+ a tube for the GECs used) the 6P3S-E are the best value in vintage output tubes.
      - RE: I disagree with him that they're ugly......... - SETdude 05:31:18 04/20/14 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I disagree with him that they're ugly......... posted by ecline6 on April 20, 2014 at 05:25:46
        
        I was planning to use them in a Niteshade NS-15 sent Blair the deposit and subsequently he was diagnosed with brain cancer. I hear he is on the road to recovery.
        I agree. The new production pentodes are excellent.
        
        Edits: 04/20/14
        
        RE: I disagree with him that they're ugly......... - ecline6 05:49:24 04/20/14 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I disagree with him that they're ugly......... posted by SETdude on April 20, 2014 at 05:31:18
        
        I have been trying to find out how Blair was doing .... thanks for the update. The NS-15 is a good choice. I like the NS-10 I have slightly better than the NS-30's.
        
        I bought my NS-10 from Blair as a damaged and repaired amp and he sent the amp with Ei KT90 type 2's. I have tried the KT90, Penta Labs KT88, SED EL34 and 6L6, 6P3S-E and the 6L6WXT. As I stated I like the 6L6 tubes best.
        
        What made the biggest difference was ditching the Sylvania 6SN7GTB that came with the amp and using a tube socket adapter and a good Sylvania tall bottle 7N7.

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