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Post subject: Vintage RCA Tubes... WOW !
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:56 am
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I thought my 57 Champ Reissue sounded great.....
Then I put in a set of vintage RCA tubes.
WOW !! What a difference !
The vintage RCAs sound much smoother, roll into distortion more naturally, and just overall sound far more "musical". I'm still getting all the nice harmonics, and an open, transparent sound, but it's less harsh. I didn't realize the new tubes that came with the amp sounded harsh and brittle, until I installed the vintage tubes. I don't think I'll ever buy current production tubes again.

For the record, I installed:

An early 1950s RCA 12AX7 Long Grey Plates Angled Square Getter
A 1952 RCA 6V6GT Black Plate Double Rectangle Bottom Getters
An early 1050s RCA 5Y3GT Black Plate

There are many dealers selling vintage tubes on eBay etc.
If you haven't already, I HIGHLY recommend getting a set.


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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:43 am
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"Congratulations, Luke......you've taken your first step into a larger world."

Nothing new sounds like NOS. Nothing.

Period, end of story, nothing follows.

Arjay

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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:03 pm
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When I first bought my SCXD last fall I ordered a set of replacement tubes form this guy in Cali...$36 for an 1952 RCA 12AX7 and a matched pair of 1954 RCA 6V6s. I have been holding out until I need to replace them...but now..man I might have to break down and replace them..:)
ABS :D


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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:28 pm
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airbornestrat wrote:
When I first bought my SCXD last fall I ordered a set of replacement tubes form this guy in Cali...$36 for an 1952 RCA 12AX7 and a matched pair of 1954 RCA 6V6s. I have been holding out until I need to replace them...but now..man I might have to break down and replace them..:)
ABS :D


Yeah, I wasn't in any hurry to replace perfectly good new tubes.
The price for the vintage tubes was low enough that I tried a set.
I'm glad I did :)
I've now ordered a couple sets of NOS.
The vintage tubes have made a big difference in tone.
Try a set !


Mark


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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:17 pm
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I LOVE RCA tubes,especially the blackplates.
People can't understand it till they do what you did....and then it's very obvious.


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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:29 pm
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Rebelsoul wrote:
I LOVE RCA tubes,especially the blackplates.
People can't understand it till they do what you did....and then it's very obvious.


Exactly.
I would not have thought the difference would be that profound.
I figured a bit smoother and a little less gain maybe.
Now the stock Champ sounds solid state by comparison :)

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for 50s RCA tubes in the future.


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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:38 pm
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There's nothing wrong with the RCA's made all the way up into the '80s. Likewise, NOS grayplate GE 6V6's positively sing in a Princeton or Deluxe Reverb. For really heavy-duty apps (such as the ultra-linear Twin Reverbs) I prefer the JAN Tung-Sols or Raytheons -- they're built a little sturdier and can generally handle plate voltages in excess of 500 VDC.

Arjay

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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 3:27 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
There's nothing wrong with the RCA's made all the way up into the '80s. Likewise, NOS grayplate GE 6V6's positively sing in a Princeton or Deluxe Reverb. For really heavy-duty apps (such as the ultra-linear Twin Reverbs) I prefer the JAN Tung-Sols or Raytheons -- they're built a little sturdier and can generally handle plate voltages in excess of 500 VDC.

Arjay


Hi Arjay,
I picked up a set of 60s RCA tubes also. The 6V6GTA is a grayplate and the 5Y3 is a blackplate. They're both orange label. I haven't tried 'em yet. I'm still having fun with the 50s RCAs.

What do you think of JJs ? I picked up a set of them but haven't tried them yet either.


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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 3:51 pm
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The JJ's are okay as are the EH's, Sov-Teks, and Tung-Sol re-issues. Stay away from the chicom junk, unless you happen to have an Ampeg V4, VT22, or B25B (the only source for 7027As is the PRC).

I have some beautiful Ken-Rad 5Y3's and a handful of JAN Hytron GZ34's. Great tubes, all.

Arjay

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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:50 pm
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I hate posts like this! :) Now I have to go on ebay and look for some RCA tubes...

Just some info on the 6V6 I tried in my DRRI, the JJs sounded too harsh for me, really liked the Tung-Sols, the stock GTs were the worst IMO. Guess it's time to try some NOS tubes next.


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Post subject: Visseaux 6V6GT's
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:20 pm
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I like the BP gray glass RCA 6V6GT's, too. Really, the standard that I've used to compare to other 6V6GT's. While you are looking, this French made 6V6GT is very nice. Really sounds nice in older 5E3 Deluxe circuits.

FWIW. Good hunting on those 6V6's!

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/Visseaux-6V6GT_p_653.html


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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:16 pm
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Yep, I've retubbed a few old DR and PR amps with the Visseaux tubes, very good results. The Mazda is another great tube to check out. No offense, but Upscale is kind of elitist. I've bought tubes from them, from back in the 80's, and I almost had to apologize for using them in guitar amps( orders were done by phone). But their stuff is top shelf ! Kind of funny now that I think about it. Art

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Post subject: Kevin Deal
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 3:51 am
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He puts on his "elitist" suit for hi-fi guys, too. LOL! Last tubes I bought from him was a quad of near perfect NOS Mullard EL34 (xf2). That was 8 years ago & don't ask about the price. But, some Matchless owner HAD to have real Mullards in his amp.

I just posted link, to describe the 6V6GT... didn't mean to imply that Kevin Deal was the only seller of that tube.

I've also used the Brimar CV511/6V6GT in some pull-push Fenders. Not as smooth sounding as the French Visseaux or Mazda, but not a bad tube. Just to keep one's options as broud as possible while hunting down spares.

http://www.tubemongerlib.com/gallery2/d ... ngland.jpg


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Post subject: Re: Visseaux 6V6GT's
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:15 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
I like the BP gray glass RCA 6V6GT's, too. Really, the standard that I've used to compare to other 6V6GT's. While you are looking, this French made 6V6GT is very nice. Really sounds nice in older 5E3 Deluxe circuits.

FWIW. Good hunting on those 6V6's!

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/Visseaux-6V6GT_p_653.html


Ouch... those seem like some inflated prices.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:35 am
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It is. But, unfortunately if you look for good testing, quiet NOS gray glass RCA 6V6GT the price isn't that much less. I've found buying NOS off EBay to be somewhat of a risk, as some tubes seemed to be not NOS even though they are sold as NOS. Both in appearance and testing.

Even hunting for good 6V6GTA for Princetons and Deluxes that used them, is getting to be a bit more difficult than 5-10 years ago. Check out the listings in Google.

I just posted these other tubes as options while you hunt for those RCA's. You might get lucky and find a good pair for a half decent price. Though it's getting a bit more difficult these days.

Good luck with your search!


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