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Post subject: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 1:45 pm
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How often are you DRRI owners having to replace your power tubes?


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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:38 pm
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A valve has a durability live time due to emitivity "wearing". Usually more than 1000h and depending how you use it, bias, RMS, switch off ... (without reliability issue).
I've changed a 12ax7 after a couple of hours due to a sudden untolerable noise, this is a pb of reliability not durability.
Wish you happy new year ... 8)

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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 4:22 pm
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Once thus far.

I heaved the crappy contemporary bottles in the amp about a week after buying it and replaced all of the tubes except the 5AR4 with vintage NOS glass. That was about eight or nine years ago. Good 6V6's seem to last forever.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:42 pm
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You got lucky Arjay, Two of the 5AR4's I got in DRRI's were crappola made for a buzzing ringing nasty sound.

From what I've been reading many of the Ruby/ Groove Tube 5AR4's are rattlers

Sure as heck wish i still had those old Motorolla 6V6's I took out of an old Stereo, They sounded so sweet in that DRRI from about two years ago.

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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:42 pm
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I've had an unfortunate few (four) pre-mee rectifier failures using JJ 5AR4 over the last three-four years. A couple were quite spectacular! Within the last year or so, Chinese-made (and this hurts me to admit it) 5AR4 have had a pretty good reputation. And we all know the ups-and-downs of Sovteks...

As of now, for folks that don't wanna spring for the mega-buck NOS Mullard or US made 5AR4/GZ34--- but still want tubes; I've been using NOS TungSol or CBS-Hytron 5U4GB's. Yes, there will be a slight change in plate voltage (which doesn't really need modding, as long as your power tubes are strong) AND a difference kinda sag effect (more sag). But, if you play your amp at or near "10" all day... these rectifiers are bullet-proof. Caveat: your PT must be able to handle the extra 1-amp heater draw of the 5U4GB. And you will lose the slow turn-on effect of the IDH 5AR4.

Either that, or sadly go to solid-state rectification. These really stiffens the tone. But, if you like that, good quality UF4007 or UF5408 are very reliable. BTW.. yes the manufacturer of the diode can make a difference in SS rectification. I like Fairchilds or Vishays. The SS change-out is not as simple as it may seem. B+ voltages often change quite a bit. Not only becuase of the SS diodes, but also because the 5VAC tap off the secondary is no longer needed. If you want to go this way, I strongly suggest a good amp tech.

Warning on either change-out & REALLY any addition of a new rectifier (whether OEM type or not)... gotta be careful with any vintage amps. New or different rectifiers often expose other parts of the amp---which maybe borderline but ok with the old rectifier, to failure with a new rectifier. RE-BIAS the amp after every rectifier change.

I recently had an amp with popped caps, after subbing in a Weber Copper Cap for on old tube rectifier.


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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:54 am
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blues bondsman wrote:
You got lucky Arjay, Two of the 5AR4's I got in DRRI's were crappola made for a buzzing ringing nasty sound.


I hear ya!

:wink:

Incredibly, mine still has the original GT recto in it. The day it starts sounding wonky I'll hook-shot it into the dumpster and stick a JJ or a Sov-Tek in there.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:54 am
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I have a few 5U4GB's laying around, not sure if the DRRI can handle it ???

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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:59 am
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The 5U4GB requires about 30% more heater current than a 5AR4.

I'm not certain that the new Schumacher PT is sufficiently robust to handle such a substitution.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 3:50 am
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Hi i change the power tubes in my DRRI about every two years or so just to make shore the amps kept in good nik. i have had my amp for five years and the frist pear where the std eh6v6s and i ran them for more than three years and the amp ran fine. than i changed them to a pear of tung sol 6v6 RI tubes. WOW these tubes sound so sweet they seem to smooth the tone take away some of that harsh tone that the eh6v6s give . i have taken the amp to a tek who is a mate of mine and he told the amp was run geat with the stock tubes biais spot on. not bad after there years and i play the amp weekly. but i am very happy with the tung sol tubes now hope they last as long as the eh6v6 tube time will tell. i all so run RCA NOS 12ax7 pre amp tubes in V1 and V2 V4 an RCA 12au7 for the reverb driver eh 12at7 for V5 and for the PI tube V6 i use a sylvania 12at7wc. this seems to work for the tone im after. till next week anyway lol.Cheers. from aus.


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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:29 am
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Cliff, (you aren't related to the guy that signed with the Phillies for $2 Billion?) jk! :mrgreen:

You are one of many ppl I've heard that really like the new reissued Tungsol 6V6GT. I haven't tried them yet, but may order some. Have you ever tried NOS stuff? Like RCA or Sylvania? Just as a comparison.

BTW... for you info, I've heard a lot of nice things about the new reissued Genalex 12AX7 (ECC83). They are a tad $$$ & a bit hard to find right now, but maybe worth a try in the first gain stage of the amp, one day.

http://thetubestore.com/goldlionecc83.html


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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 3:25 pm
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I can tell you that I have had the chance to use several NOS 6V6's over the last few years in multiple DRRI's and the Reissue Tung-sols in the last two.

The Tung-Sols are so close to a perfect 6V6 I would have to say the cost of an NOS tube is a waste of money.

I did have a pair of Motorolla 6V6's that I just loved, pretty sure I sold them along with my Victoria 20112.

As far as longevity ??? this DRRI I have now is here for the long haul it is my #1 amp and as soon as i find a speaker I love it may just get a permanent spot in the rig, so We will see just how long the T/S RI's last.

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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:29 pm
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blues bondsman wrote:
The Tung-Sols are so close to a perfect 6V6 I would have to say the cost of an NOS tube is a waste of money.


+1

And for me re current-production glass, that's saying a lot!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:30 am
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Hi bmw200ti yes they are bute tube them tung sols 6v6 i have cant see my seif buying nos 6v6s they a to pricey for me on what i make.lol i can get awa6v6s in aus for 55 bucks each still a bit dear i think . and they are thin on the ground to. i have won pre amp tubes on ebay 12ax7 RCA and GE and some mullard 12ax7 and all for a good price. so the hut continues for more tubes. cant for the life of me win my self a pear of nos power tubes for a far price. they just go to crayze a price for me. dount no abuot them gentex tubes they are a bit pricey. they seem to get a good rap on here,Cheers from aus.


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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 7:15 am
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Cool site! I will learn more...good to be here :)...Keep it up and more power!


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Post subject: Re: DRRI 6v6 replacement
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 11:28 am
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blues bondsman wrote:
The Tung-Sols are so close to a perfect 6V6 I would have to say the cost of an NOS tube is a waste of money.

I loved the Tung-Sols after replacing the stock GT tubes. But after having some NOS RCAs for a couple of months I'd say NOS are worth the extra money, if you're after the best tone you can get out of a DRRI. Unfortunately, one of the RCAs, developed a rattle and I had to put the TS back in, haven't been as happy with the tone :(

I think the 15" speaker I got in my DRRI caused the rattle, only the tube closer to the speaker rattles... so now I need to find a replacement, some heavy duty 6v6 that can handle all the vibrations coming from that speaker. Any suggestions? The two I'm considering are

TAD 6v6
or
JAN Phillips


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