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Another 45 convert

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fin1bxn@msn.com

(A)

I recieved and installed a pr of Tungsol 45's and now understand what you all talk about. First off no problem driving my Fostex Fe166BLH (Rated 94dbslp/watt). I have been listening to BB King and Eric clapton for the past few hours. The strings on their guitars came alive. Then at the same time I can hear the distinct Bass notes and drums..the volcals take the lead when they sing
I'm a convert...
I'm waiting for the new MQ OPT's to break in and then I will try the amp back on the Lascalas.

Follow Ups:

Yep! me too - Vincin 21:58:12 03/13/07 (0)
After spending a few days with a friend's 45 amp. I decided to build the bugle 45.
My group of diy friends brought a number of 45 and 2a3 amps for a fun test in my house just over the weekend. Everyone agree 45s are just way way better.
The 45 slice - njjohn 01:45:03 03/13/07 (1)
The 45 knows how to slice the cake.
I wonder who came up with it and what preceded it, what else was around at that time, and what was trying to be accomplished? It would not surprise me that what was trying to be accomplished was what we are hearing to some extent.
The 45 really begs for the world of high-effeciency speakers. But I have spend countless hours listening with great satisfaction on less effecient speakers (95 db) such as the nerfield Abbys in a small room.
The 45 sound really can be shaped in various ways to various levels of precision.
The 300b might be like liking to swim in water and going to the ocean for the first time. An ocean with big waves/swells. It's like swimming in deep water. It's kind of big, enchanting, and mysterious too. That is, if the 300b is shaped in that direction.
The 45 would be like being at a beautiful tropical ocean beach on a perfect day with tropically warm water and everything just right. Tropical trees, bright sunshine, good food and pleasant people. It's hospitable and everything is just real nice. Just look around and enjoy what there is right there. Who could have sliced it better?
- before the 45 - Janos 20:59:00 03/15/07 (0)
  Hi John,
  In the early days of radio the 71A was the king with its seven hundred milliwatts. The 45 was a huge breakthrough with its thousands of milliwatts. Eventually, it became right away very successful, and 50 or so variants / brands were in production. A couple years after its introduction, there was need for even more power, and the 2A3 was introduced, which is a high power version of the 45.
  The 300B was developed along entirely different lines.
  long live shining tubes!
  Janos
The many flavors of 45's - Rick R 23:45:02 03/12/07 (5)
So, you have started sampling the flavors of 45's. They are indeed tasty. The good news is there are lots of flavors. The bad news is - there are lots of flavors. I believe I have tried over a dozen different 45's. First I tried a bunch of different 45 ST's and liked the National Union and Tungsol's best. Then I tried a couple of different vintage globe 45's. Although many seem to find these magical, they were not to my taste. I tried some of the Chinese mesh 45's and found them interesting, but not satisfying for me. Then I got a pair of Emission Labs solid plate 45's and had that "Eureka" moment. So, I suppose I could suggest to you to go directly to the EML solid plate 45's and not bother with the rest. But that would be like suggesting that you go to 31 Flavors and never buy anything but the Rocky Road ice cream. It might be my favorite, but then you would miss the carmel cream, mint chocolate and peanut butter fudge. Best of luck on you voyage of culinary discovery.
- flavors of 45's ,down the long road... - Interstage Tranny 12:35:41 03/13/07 (0)
  You really said that great ! There are so many tube types and circuits to choose from. One man's music can be another man's noise.
  Since this hobby is based on subjective opinions, each of us must find out for ourselves.
  Unfortunately, the tube search can be expensive and sometimes futile. As we read the following thread replies, it is easy to realize that GL45s are scarce, at reasonable or pricey prices, and often weak, even when they test fine ! The new Asian types might not be your flavor or mine, in our circuits and systems; yet some folks are raving about them. Like that old commercial said:"Try 'em, you (might) like 'em..
- I'm jealous... - arnoldc 02:53:14 03/13/07 (0)
  As I've only tried the Globe variety from Airline, Majestic, and the Cunningham CX245...
- Second the EMLs - smart845 01:51:09 03/13/07 (2)
  EML solid plates are 'the' ones for me but they do sound vastly different to both RCA 245s, Cunninghams and STs. I've wasted good money on these older tubes, some died after only a few 100 hours or were noisy (all ebay purchases) and I've still to try the TJmesh. Think I'll stick to EML solid plates.
  smart
  - I've used the TJ (sophia) mesh, and they are pretty good, - chris keating 12:18:03 03/13/07 (0)
    except that they have a (slight) hardness that seems to plague most of the modern "super tubes" I've used over the years like KR, etc. They do all the HI-Fi stuff better than the NOS, but lack some of the humanity.
  - Re: Second the EMLs - Cut-Throat 07:08:18 03/13/07 (0)
    The EMLs turned my 45 amp into a 2A3 - Not my cup of tea for my DRD45s.
    
    Cut-Throat
Now that youre hear - 2chJunkie 19:14:14 03/12/07 (6)
I too was recently exposed to the joy of 45. My experience included trying a pair NU 45s and a pair of TJ mesh 45s. Let me say the TJ were night and day better. Now one thing Ive come to realize is circuit and speaker (the whole ball of wax) has much to do with experience and sound. So whats good to one may not....
I only bring it up as I am not alone in observing this.
FTR I got mine from chinabest on ebay. Didnt care for what he sent them in but they did arrive fine and in working (still working) order.
Worth noting
- Re: Now that youre hear - Jottow2@yahoo.com 13:03:27 03/13/07 (4)
  How different 45 tubes sound dependes a lot on the amp they are used in and the driver tube. I am using Don Allen's 45 amp that uses the 6bQ7 to drive TJ's. The sound is fantastic. I have tried many other 45's in this amp and while they all sounded good I like the TJ's best. In another amp it may be a different story. Though I have to admit I have tried a lot of other amps and tubes and have stayed with the combination I have.
  - Re: Now that youre hear - Jim Hodgson 00:49:12 03/17/07 (0)
    I want to chime in, here, and agree entirely with the "how different ... depends" comment. My "45" is Jeff Korneff's. I've tried at least a dozen different "brands" of N.O.S. 45s -- although I've always questioned (read: been skeptical of) their ultimate manufacturer -- and I'm *very* hard pressed to be able to identify any real differences in sound quality of *any* sort between brands. (For that amp, incidentally, a change in rectifier tube will make *far* more of a difference in sound quality. Sorry, haven't rolled a whole lot of drivers.) The esteemed (and now retired?) Mr. Korneff even went so far as to tell me once that I probably wouldn't notice anything being awry with different brands of 45 in each channel! It's a circuit that is simply not "brand conscious." (That we all were! -- maybe there's a lesson there....)
  - Any comparisons? - smart845 13:46:33 03/15/07 (0)
    Hi Jottow,
    Hear lots of good things of Don's amps and wondered if you've done any comparisons with say the DRD45.
    I've got the Star chiefs and maybe would like to improve on them though very happy at the moment.
    Do you think Don would accept an email from me.
    Thanks for your contributions to the forum
    smart
  - Ahh, me too - 2chJunkie 07:39:22 03/14/07 (1)
    You likely know I too am a Don Allen fan. Have his 45 amp and 300b amps. LOVE EM, no regrets what so ever!
    Don also feels the TJ 45/300b tubes are one of if not the best.
    I was the guy who snaged the pair of AVVT 300bSL on agon (have a hunch there used though). Since my EML went south (started arcing) I wanted another pair. Currently using china 300b-98c tubes, hey they sound amazing! no lie In Don amps the china tubes really sing but I found the EMLs to sound good when they work..... Only picked the AVVT tubes up as they were the same cost of new TJs, figured Id expand my horizon on taste.
    I found the RCA black plates to be my fav 6bk7 and 6bq7 make. Although Sylvania also makes a black plate 6bk7/bq that is "almost" identical in looks and sound.
    Also use the RCA bk in my CD and pre. Only use the bq in my 45 where they sound best IMO.
    Im my 45 int amp I like the 6by5G rec tube the best. A little smoother than the 6ax5 Don shipped it with.
    Have you bought his CD player yet? If not, wait no longer.
    All the best
    Dave
    - Re: Ahh, me too - jottow2 19:36:39 03/14/07 (0)
      I am using Muller 6bq7's and will try the RCA's. I did buy Don's CD player and am amazed at the performance. It ran circles around my Esoteric 50S at a tenth of the price.
- Re: Now that youre hear - SteveBrown 05:24:31 03/13/07 (0)
  Interesting that you like the TJ Mesh 45s, I had the opposite experience with the TJ Mesh 2A3's, thought they were wooly. Maybe I'll try the 45's.
Re: Another 45 convert - Interstage Tranny 17:24:22 03/12/07 (0)
Hello there ! Are those Tung Sols small ST type tubes(like small old coke bottles) ? ST means shoulder tubular, by the way.
If you like the ST 45s, wait unitil you try GL 45s ! GL means globular large, also known as the original balloon shaped tubes.
GL tubes stopped in 1932. While their rarity is certain, their sonic purity is a real earful. It seems that the original versions of most tubes were the best versions.
Yes, there might be exceptions, but new is not better, generally speaking.
By the way, have you tried the original single plate 2A3s in your Fi amp ? Rumor has it that the newer Chinese mesh plate 2A3s sound excellent, but they are pricey. Happy Listening...