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Post subject: Advice on re-tubing a DRRI
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:28 pm
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I have a DRRI with stock tubes (Groove Tube 12AX7 & 12AT7; Electro Harmonix 6V6; Sovtek 5AR4), and it sounds like it's in need of new tubes (microphonic noises, etc.). I actually bought it used, so I really can't be sure about whether the tubes are original or not and how much they have been used, so I figured I might as well replace them all.

I was thinking of purchasing the following tubes:

New Production Tung Sol 12AX7 (x 4)

JAN Philips 5751 (x 2)

New Production Tung Sol 6V6GT (x 2)

Sovtek 5AR4 (x 1)

A few questions:

Any better suggestions for tubes? (keeping budget in mind)

Reliable online retailers for tubes? (Currently looking at Tube Depot)


Thanks in advance.


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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:49 pm
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Tung Sols are nice. JJ also makes a really nice sounding 6V6. I'd go with a NOS rectifier tube, but it's all up to you. I use a NOS Jan Phillips 5751 in V1 in my Egnater Rebel 20 to reduce some gain. Sounds great and really tightened up the bottom end.

I've dealt with http://thetubestore.com/
and Bob at www.eurotubes.com


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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 7:07 pm
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My personal favorite modern tube is the Sovtek LPS. However in the past I have heard concerns about using them in a cathode follower position in some amps. That being said, then I would probably recommend JJ 803s. I haven't heard of any problems with them at all. They do seem to be at the top of the modern tube chain as well, and I'm sure they would be safe.

Although I haven't had any problems with LPS tubes in my HRDV, I just don't like recommending anything that could possibly cause a problem in someone elses amp.

I have big issues with modern Tung Sols. A couple years ago I bought 4 12ax7's, and all 4 were DOA. I returned them, and ended up with 2 more DOA. Their screening process is virtually non existent. Of course that was from the local GC. But it still doesn't account for inconsistencies of that sort.

The best screening of JJ tubes I know of are from Eurotubes. Can't go wrong there man. You can contact them by phone, and they'll chat with you about what you're looking for. Might want to think about some JJ 6v6s while you're at it. I personally don't think you're going to find those Tung Sols to respond any better.

I think 63Supro has some good advice for you. JJs and Eurotubes are great for modern tubes.

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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 7:53 pm
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Shredd6 wrote:
My personal favorite modern tube is the Sovtek LPS. However in the past I have heard concerns about using them in a cathode follower position in some amps. That being said, then I would probably recommend JJ 803s. I haven't heard of any problems with them at all. They do seem to be at the top of the modern tube chain as well, and I'm sure they would be safe.

Although I haven't had any problems with LPS tubes in my HRDV, I just don't like recommending anything that could possibly cause a problem in someone elses amp.

I have big issues with modern Tung Sols. A couple years ago I bought 4 12ax7's, and all 4 were DOA. I returned them, and ended up with 2 more DOA. Their screening process is virtually non existent. Of course that was from the local GC. But it still doesn't account for inconsistencies of that sort.

The best screening of JJ tubes I know of are from Eurotubes. Can't go wrong there man. You can contact them by phone, and they'll chat with you about what you're looking for. Might want to think about some JJ 6v6s while you're at it. I personally don't think you're going to find those Tung Sols to respond any better.

I think 63Supro has some good advice for you. JJs and Eurotubes are great for modern tubes.


Bob's a great guy and takes what he does seriously. Eurotubes only sells JJ's.


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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:06 pm
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Just a word about the 5751 tubes, I'm guessing you'll use them in the reverb driver and phase inverter positions. While the Phillips is a reliable tube, for the most part, it doesn't have the current output capacitity of a 12AT7 tube. The early 5751 had very good side to side matching, which made for great phase inverters in the older amps. The later production 5751 can fall a little short in this respect. I would prefer to use a quality matched 12AT7 for the phase inverter and a quality 12AT7 for the reverb driver as well. NOS tested versions of these tubes can still be found at reasonable prices and would last many years. As far as the rectifier tube goes, yeah you could pop for a $150 Mullard 5AR4, but I would consider the Weber copper top and keep the Sovtek as a spare. Art

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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:13 am
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The NOS JAN Phillips 5751 I use in my Rebel cut the gain back a bit to where I really like it. It also is a very quiet tube, I got rid of some slight hiss when I bump up the gain. I got it for less than $20.

It's all such a personal preference. Tone is just so subjective. But once you find the right combination, it's great.


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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:55 pm
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Yeah the 5751 is a great tube. I use a RCA 5751 in my Bassman in the V1 position. In the past I used them almost exclusively for phase inverters, especially for blues players. But that was before I found vendors that tested the 12AT7 more extensively. Djvi8, I would order a 12AT7 and experiment with it in the phase inverter and reverb driver positions. It's all fun stuff and there are no set rules. One thing about the 5751, like Supro said, they are quiet and due to sturdy construction,are not likely to go microphonic. That Weber rectifier is called a "copper cap." Art

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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:07 pm
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Thanks for the replies. I really appreciate the advice. I'm not in a huge hurry to re-tube my DRRI, so I'll definitely be doing more research.

There are so many choices with tubes!


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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:56 pm
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One more ingredient for the tube stew; some of your tubes probably don't need replacement, so I would prioritize. If you play the vib channel all the time, I'd save up for a nice tested NOS 12AX7 for V2. This tube pretty much sets the character of the amp. I'd consider V6 as very important. The power tubes can only perform at their best if driven by a good phase inverter. It's my experience, that great sounding 12AX7 tubes are not necessarily quiet. It's their job to sound great when you're playing and not the opposite. Art

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