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I have a CJ CAV-50 EL34 based integrated amp. I am trying to increase the transparency/air of my setup with tube rolling for now. Right now, I have EH EL34 as the power tubes which I believe are not warm does not hurt transparency (correct me if I am wrong). For the 6SN7, I have Ken-Rad VT231s which have phenomenal bass so I am not willing to part with them. Instead of the 12AX7 I have a pair of RCA (3-mica? or blackplate? can't recall) 5751 which I am told is a good tube but I can go leaner with more transparency. What choices do I have without breaking an arm and a leg. I am open to both NOS and current production tubes.Let me know what tubes I can change to get a bit more tranparency and soundstange without having to change my components all together.
Speakers - Spendor s3/5 with Adire Rava Sub
Cdp - Audio Note cd3.1x
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I.D.
Edits: 03/15/12 03/15/12Follow Ups:
For a more transparent 5751 you might try Siemens. They have the clarity and transparency that all Siemens tubes are known for and, I believe vacuumtubes.net still has some for $50 each.
If you want a cleaner, more dynamic sounding 5751, you might want to consider the GE 3-mica black plate from the 50's. The RCA's are nice but sound a bit too soft and polite for my tastes. The GE's aren't cheap, but tend to go for less ridiculous prices when compared to the Raytheon and Sylvania 5751's of the same vintage.
The new-production Tung Sol EL-34B is very good, IMO. The Shuguang/Valve Art EL-34B is also great, especially for the $.
"Life is the only thing worth living for." -Flipper
I understand the KenRad bass quality , but if you want more highend transparency fom your 6SN7I think that Sylvania Ws are hard to beat. Overall I would say you have good tubes in there. As far as the 5751 goes RCA is fine but you can try a couple of others, not sure you'll get much more transparency out of them but you know the usual suspects...Raytheon windmills, Sylvania TMBPs etc. The big question I can tell you is the output tube. The best EL-34 top end I have heard were from NOS Mullard fx2 no surprise there either but they are not affordable. I am sure the others can tell you more. Are the EH 6CA7 fat bottles I use those and they are pretty good up top.
So you are saying the one which will give me the best bang for the buck is replacing the EL34s with EH 6CA7 fat bottles? Will the amp take those? It is designed for EL34s, no?I did some search and it seems folks have had good luck with JJ KT77 better than the 6CA7. Anyone have any experience with KT77 instead of EL34.
Also what is good place to buy current production tubes?
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I.D.
Edits: 03/15/12
The 6CA7 is a direct replacement for EL-34. I use the Treasure 6CA7 in my VTL but they are expensive but great sounding tube
Alan
6ca7 RCA/Sylvania NOS tubes from the 60 and 70's. I have 3 quads that test new. What 12at7 do you use? Thanks for any info...........
I am using some nos Mullard CV4024 KQDD/K
They are very transparent and add a little warmth to the overall sound
Alan
I use those in my VTL 5.5 pre-amp, i should try them in the Amp. Using Sylvania 12at7WA and Phillips WC12at7. Moe heavy duty tubes.
I replaced the EH6CA7 with the GL KT77, a worthwhile step up IMO.
Never tried the JJ KT77.
The KT77 and 6CA7 are beam power tetrodes, which are electrically equivalent to the EL34, a true pentode (3 grids).
JJ's Octal production of all types has been very inconsistent, of late. If you want to try "beamies" in your CJ integrated amp, stick to New Sensor's offerings out of Saratov, Russia. The EH 6CA7 is an excellent value. The "reissue" GEC KT77 is more refined and you pay for that refinement.
BTW, if you can come up with some reliable NOS EI "fat bottle" 6CA7s, grab em. They are very nice tubes, indeed.
Eli D.
I did some searching on the internet and also talked to a tube store here in Denver. All pointing to Gold Lion KT77 reissue by New Sensor. Do you think it will give a more transparent tone and more live sound (bigger soundstage) compared to the EH EL34 in the CJ amp?
Also any comments on the TungSol 6SN7 current production?
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I.D.
Can't say about the CJ. The "reissue" GEC KT77 is the best EL34 class tube currently being made. Go back a few years and SED (=C=) EL34s and JJ E34Ls were definitely "on the table". JJ's current Octal production is, at best, VERY inconsistent. :> (( SED may not be making any tubes, whatsoever. ;> (
The "reissue" TungSol 6SN7 is a good tube. If you want to mess around with affordable NOS, build or buy adapters for Loctal base 7N7s. Disregard the branding on Loctal tubes, as all of 'em were made in Sylvania's Emporium, PA, plant. ;> )
Eli D.
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I.D.
Beam power tetrode
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