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First some background...
I have only a fundamental understanding of vacuum tubes and after a handful of years playing around with various 6550 and KT88 amps, I have come to the conclusion that I truly love the EL34 sound. My first EL34 experience was with the AES/Cary SixPac monoblocks, each with 6 EL34 tubes and ~50wpc output. I am presently running much larger EL34 monoblocks and yes, they sound bigger! But they still impart that EL34 magic that I never heard in the KT88/6550 amps. It's just a personal preference but I like the full-bodied EL34 sound.
But I'm now curious about the 6L6 tube. I may have an opportunity to try a small 6L6 integrated amp in the next few weeks and I'm wondering if the 6L6 is more like an EL34 or more like the 6550/KT88... electrically, and in sonic character ??
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
My digs on this subject, is Marshall wanted to build amps using British iron and tubes, because of the export tax on US made items. He and other British amplifier companies pushed Phillips/Mullard to come up with a power tube with similar output to the 6L6.
Design, construction, and materials used differed enough between the US designed 6L6 and the Euro EL34 to lend to unique tonal differences (viva la difference!!!)
I'm looking forward to trying a 6L6 based amp soon.
Abe,
I just received a pair of the new re-issue Gold Lion KT77 tubes. The KT77 is a direct replacement for the EL34. I find the KT77 to be more visceral sounding then my Winged C or JJ EL34 tubes I have on hand. In fact, the KT77 reminds me of the 7027A tubes I have. The best way to describe the sound of the KT77 is a tube that really rocks. Strings have more body to them. The bass is more thunderous and deeper.
I am using the KT77 in my Audion Sterling ETSE amp hooked to a pair of NHT SuperOne speakers. I am astonished how much clean bass I can get out of the speakers using the KT77 tubes. Of course the other qualities such as highs and midrange are there in spades as well.
Before you go off checking out 6L6 based amps I would suggest you try out the KT77 tubes. By the way, the 7027A tube is another great sounding tube.
I compare 6l6GC's to 6550's sans deep powerfull bass. Linear - not colored.
I compare the EL34 to KT 88, colored (pleasantly so) but not so linear, extended, and short on deep bass.
I use 6550's and KT88's in two different amps and get totally different response in each amp if I reverse the tubes. Little similarity. Ditto the 6l6's and EL34's.
FWIW.
Abe,
The 6L6 is prototypical for all beam power tetrodes. RCA developed the type back in the 1930s and 1 variant or another has been in (sic) continuous production since then.
The EL34 is a power pentode. There are definite diferences in the tone of EL34s and electrically equivalent 6CA7 "beamies". I suspect that the 6L6 will sound more like a 6CA7 than an EL34. Have you ever tried EH "fat bottle" 6CA7s in your amp?
Eli D.
I once had a VTL mono set that used 6l6GC. Had GE tubes in it. It was the sweetest sounding amp very harmonically rich but had not so good. Repalced it with a 6550 amp and wished I had not sold them. That was several years ago and I always wanted 6L6's again. Just bought some six pac's and can't wait to get some 6's to replace the 34's.
not so good bass !!!
There are so many different 6L6 varients out there, it is hard to generalize. In some amps, the smoke glass 6L6, EL37, KT66 and even the mighty WE350B can be used, whereas in some amps you can only use 6L6GC, 5881 or 6L6WGB(more rugged). EL37, KT66 6L6, and 350B tubes are some of the most beautiful sounding tubes ever made and retain all of the magic of EL34 tubes that you crave and more. I am not less enthusiatic about the later 6L6GC types and I find them hollow sounding. But that's just my opinion. YMMV!
I have never heard a 6CA7, EL34, KT77 that can match the GE6550A for smoothness and body.
"Live free or die"
I would have to go along with you there..I do like the TS 6550 black plates also but I also have noticed the rich body from the 6550 as opposed to the el34 and its in droves in my amps.
If the power supply waveform isn't pretty,neither is the sound in most cases.
,
I'm sure there are some NOS 6550 that sound incredible but in comparing cheap Russian or Chinese 6550/KT88 vs same cheap range of EL34 tubes, lets just say that I LIKE EL34's much better. And I've had many 6550/KT88 amps over the years.
I think under $30 for 4 tubes, still? These compare very favorably against any new production 6L6GC/6550. I find them easier to listen to than the New Tungsol 6LsGC STR, for example And it doesn't cost much to try.
I understand what you are saying about your preferences.
"Live free or die"
Hi Everyone, I have a question about the 6P3S-E's. I noticed, by looking @ photo's of them, that they bare a STRONG resemblence to the Sovtek 6L6WGC, also from Russia. Are they the same tube? Thanx.
Abe
In the case you mentioned you are probably right because many of the new production 6550/kt88s didnt get really supreme until the last few years starting with the Shuguang KT88SD solid plates and now the genelex.
Now the tube IMHO that gives characteristics of both of the EL34 and KT88 is the gen 1 and gen 2 EI KT90s.
If the power supply waveform isn't pretty,neither is the sound in most cases.
NT
"Live free or die"
"I'm wondering if the 6L6 is more like an EL34 or more like the 6550/KT88"
Mechanically, the 6L6 more closely resembles the 6550/KT88. It is a beam power tube. It does not have a suppressor grid.
Wikipedia has an interesting article describing some of the differences between pentodes and beam tetrodes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_tetrode
What about the 807?
The 807 and 6BG6 are 6L6 re-packaged with a plate cap. This gives better plate-cathode voltage rating, without the close spacing of cathode and plate pins on the base. 807 was designed for transmitter use and 6BG6 for sweep-tube use.
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