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Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
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Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
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In Reply to: I've had 5881s for over five years! posted by jedinvest on March 16, 2007 at 17:43:00:
I almost wish that these forums would bump the latest responses "to the top" of the page, like so many other forums. This is becoming a great thread.
I have seen KT88s without any chrome flashing left, that still test and sound OK. It takes a very long time to get a KT88 that way. Likewise, some EL84s and 7189s, even some 6L6Gs...
Vintage tubes were built to last...
Concerning jedinvest's lack of love for a tube amp, perhaps it was the tube type's fault. Matching of tubes to an amp is just like matching components; finding synergy cannot often be predicted. Sometimes, two known bright components, used together, don't sound bright. Well, with tube types, it's the same, unpredictable, cause and effect. We have to try 'em and see/hear.
When you recap an amp, the caps need break-in time before we can critique them. Same thing with tubes. If you let them play music for a while, and still know that you have heard better, why stay with those tubes ? In the 6L6G family, it is known that the rugged, original British KT66s are the sweetest sounding. If an amp that uses 6L6 types can sound sweet, then, certainly, real KT66s will make that happen. Older 5881s were rarely described as sweet sounding. Detailed sounding they are. I have heard some critics applaud the newer 5881s. Certain 6L6Gs, 5932s, RCA black plate 6L6GCs are often described as sweet. Your experience with them might not be the same. Voltages and currents are important, as well as circuitry and output trannies.
For the EL34 family, the older British and Euro EL34s are the sweetest. The original, British, metal collar based EL34s are both rugged and sweeeeet. When new, these metal collared EL34s have dark flashing ! These are very long lasting tubes, but certainly at a price, and an unobtainium matched quartet. The KT77s are known as sweet.
KT88s are certainly kown as punchier and sweeter than the Tung-Sol 6550, but that does not mean which you will prefer.
I think there is a problem, a big problem, when users preconceive that a new version of an old number can sound like the old number, and last as long as the old number used to last. Reality has proven, over and over, that the more expensive older tubes, simply last longer. Most of the times, the vintage tubes sound better, as well.
Granted, there are exceptions, and some very good newer versions are available. But, please, don't even try to convince a vintage collector, that new is better...Happy Listening, with whatever tubes you choose to listen with...
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Follow Ups
- 5881s last long but are not usually sweet sounding - Interstage Tranny 18:22:39 03/16/07 (0)
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