What's you favorite tube?
There are a number of great tube amps out there which can accommodate a variety of different output tubes. The Dynaco ST 70, The Cary SLM 100, and Cary CAD-50, are three I've played with over the years, they can take 6650, EL34's or KT88's. Each tube gives different wattage and different sonic character to the amp. Even the manufacturer and relative date can have dramatic impact on the sound. I'm still learning about tube rolling and having fun doing it! I'd love to hear from other Evoites what their favorite tube is and why? Please be as detailed as you like and feel free to tell us all about what amp you heard it in.
Discussion started by Ed Westfall , on 771 days ago
I can't claim to be a big tube roller, but the 6550 strikes a nice balance to my ear. It hints at the lushness of the EL34 and the solidity of the KT88 without going to either extreme. That's a broad generalization, but it's what I hear pretty consistently with my amps (Quicksilver and VTL).
The Yamamoto 300B A-09S is the best tube amp I have heard to date... there is an emotion that it provides that I have never heard before in any amp...
'Each tube gives different wattage and different sonic character to the amp' - that's just why I try to avoid them. Vacuum tubes are vintage technology and belong in the history books.
I'm curious AI. Could u please tell us what tube amplifiers you're referring to, have heard in your system and under what conditions? With what speakers and sources/material? Your results fly in the face of what I've heard in my system and with different speakers: to wit, tube amp designers are now obtaining the most neutral sound I've ever heard (for instance, cj, VTL, Jadis, CAT, ARC) yet continue to retain the best qualities of tube "sound".
And thus you're saying that all solid state amplifiers thereby sound alike and perfect? That too flies in the face of what I hear. Every solid-state amplifier has too its own sound. Rowland doesn't sound like Krell. Krell doesn't sound like Mark Levinson. Mark Levinson doesn't sound like Cello. Cello doesn't sound like Gammut. Gammut doesn't sound like a cj Premier 350. And so on and so on.
In fact, what differentiates high end from the mass market is that each designer puts their mark and prejudices and preferences into the sound of their components eg. what they think are the most important qualities for the recreation of the most lifelike sound from an audio system.
And thus you're saying that all solid state amplifiers thereby sound alike and perfect? That too flies in the face of what I hear. Every solid-state amplifier has too its own sound. Rowland doesn't sound like Krell. Krell doesn't sound like Mark Levinson. Mark Levinson doesn't sound like Cello. Cello doesn't sound like Gammut. Gammut doesn't sound like a cj Premier 350. And so on and so on.
In fact, what differentiates high end from the mass market is that each designer puts their mark and prejudices and preferences into the sound of their components eg. what they think are the most important qualities for the recreation of the most lifelike sound from an audio system.
Hm........My intent was to generate a more detailed discussion for those who like tubes, not necessarily a discussion of tubes vs. solid state. (I think we did that already.) So let me re-define the question: Assuming you like the sound of tubes and have had oppurtunity to hear different types, which one appealed to you the most and what was the sonic character that made it appealing.
I use factory stock tubes with my McIntosh MC2102 & I'm quite happy with the sound. Sorry, I don't do any tube rolling but there are many that do. Good luck with your search for the best tubes. :)
I know it seems somewhat pedestrian, but since I tend towards lower prices audio gear anyway, I've always had a fondness for good old KT-88 tubes. One of my primary amps is an Antique Sound Labs MG-15DT-S that uses a single KT-88 per channel for about 15 watts. I've also had the chance to play with Cary, Rogue, and a few other KT-88 amps, as well. I tried EL-34s in my amp, but preferred the punchier, more dynamic sound of the KT-88.
With the exception of a small pair of Loth-X ion-1 speakers, none of my other sets work well with really low powered amps, so I don't really have much of an opinion on the 45, 2A3, 300B amps, other than to say I have heard some remarkably good sound from other peoples' systems using these tubes.
With the exception of a small pair of Loth-X ion-1 speakers, none of my other sets work well with really low powered amps, so I don't really have much of an opinion on the 45, 2A3, 300B amps, other than to say I have heard some remarkably good sound from other peoples' systems using these tubes.
I'm a complete novice regarding tubes but the tubes Manley used to improve the Series II and Series III VTL TL 7.5 truly amazed me. Also this might not be the best place to ask this question, but what exactly is tube rolling? Thanks fellas.
As interest is winding down in this discussion, I'll give my 2 cents worth. The EL34 tube has the richest mid range, clearest high end, and little sacrifice on the low end. Hence it wins my favor as the tube of choice. I would rate the KT88 as second best overall. It has plenty of bass power and sacrifices very little in the way of high end clarity and dynamics. It can be a bit muddy in the mids, but with a good amp/circuit design that doesn't happen. The 300B is my 3rd favorite tube. I admit it is a hair better for the mids & high range detail than the EL34, but it just doesn't have the power needed to pump out convincing bass for me. Thanks for everyone's input! I'll be changing the tubes on my Cad-50's in the coming months and I'm leaning toward the KT88 at this point.
One power tube that I'd like to hear again is the 211. Years ago, heard a prototype 100 wpc Sonic Frontiers amp using this tube and it was very special. This amp had a midrange palpability to deal with as well a smoothness that just didn't exist in tube amps back then. Alas, SF went under before this amp was released. And it wasn't cheap, with an expected price of 25K for the pair of monoblocks. There are a few co's using this triode such as Cary, Air Tight and Consonance but reckon that its 1400 V operating voltage gives some manufacturers pause.
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