6C33C-B & Novacron revisited

Posted by Legendre (A) on April 5, 2006 at 16:50:26

It's been a decade since Atma-Sphere produced any 6C33C-B based amps, and even then the runs were small. Approximately 24 sets of Novacron (MA-1.5) were produced, with about a third of those being sold as kits. The MA-240 is even less common, with (to my recollection) around three sets being made. These days, it's a rare event when we are called to service or support either of these models.

So, I was taken a bit off-guard when a local buyer informed me that he had purchased a set of early Novacrons (non relfected pair, both 'right' style chassis) off of eBay. I spoke with Otto at New Sensor about a new set of tubes, and was very pleased to learn that New Sensor corp. has been offering matched pairs and quads of the 6C33C-B for some time. What a relief - just matching up *pairs* of this tube from random lots was always a nightmare.

Long story short, with some basic repairs to one chassis, and two matched quads of tubes from New Sensor, these amps came right around! And what a pleasure to listen to.. it's been so long since I heard a 6C33C-B OTL that I'd forgotten what an excellent, musical tube this is. And who knows.. with a really well-matched quad, the tube life might be better than we have seen in past times. I did notice that the members of each quad appeared to be pulled from different lots - not surprising, based on our experience trying to match them. Nice work, Otto.

In any event, just wanted to share this information.. and possibly hear what kind of experiences others might have had with this tube, over the last decade. Any comments?

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Topic - 6C33C-B & Novacron revisited - Legendre 16:50:26 04/05/06 (23)

MA240SE - Lew 08:39:04 04/10/06 (0)

Re: 6C33C-B & Novacron revisited - 6C33DG 19:01:26 04/09/06 (0)

any other Novacron photos available besides the usual Atma-Sphere pic? - Bersani 22:31:02 04/06/06 (14)

Not the greatest pic, but.... - Sue Kraft 13:46:10 04/07/06 (13)

Cool, thank you (and lucky you, as well)! (nt) - Bersani 17:49:59 04/07/06 (0)

Now who built those? - Legendre 16:01:02 04/07/06 (11)

Would you believe I did? - Sue Kraft 20:17:04 04/07/06 (10)

that explains why the output tubes are installed backwards. - lone gunmen 05:34:37 04/08/06 (9)

No wonder... - Sue Kraft 07:13:05 04/08/06 (8)

madam,you're a dumb-sh*t. - lone gunmen 13:17:26 04/08/06 (7)

Jeez.... - Mike Currie 12:55:37 04/11/06 (0)

Way uncalled for - BlackPlasticSound 22:52:11 04/08/06 (1)

I agree it was uncalled for - MIchael Samra 09:40:27 04/10/06 (0)

Now I understand why the OTL board is so dead most of the time - Sue Kraft 16:04:25 04/08/06 (3)

Not Defending the Gunslingers, but... - LineArrayNut 01:14:51 04/10/06 (1)

Re: Not Defending the Gunslingers, but... - Legendre 07:27:11 04/10/06 (0)

Thanks anyway Sue. Unfortuntely some people lack basic social skills. (nt) - Bersani 23:38:58 04/08/06 (0)

Re: 6C33C-B & Novacron revisited - chris keating 08:56:32 04/06/06 (0)

Re: 6C33C-B & Novacron revisited - morricab 04:21:45 04/06/06 (4)

Question and comment on tube matching - Lew 10:04:48 04/11/06 (3)

Re: Question and comment on tube matching - morricab 02:08:21 04/12/06 (0)

Re: Question and comment on tube matching - Legendre 16:02:26 04/11/06 (1)

Re: Question and comment on tube matching - Lew 09:01:58 04/12/06 (0)

6C33C-B & Novacron revisited

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