SOund of 3B28 vs. 866A

[korneluk]

Folks,

Has anyone compared the sound of the 3B28 xenon rectifier vs. the 866A and 83 mercury types? If so, which do you prefer and why?

TIA,

-- josé k.

 

[Tubelab_com]

They are interchangeable in most circuits. I have both, you can borrow them when you get that monster built. 3B28 has a pale purpleish white glow visible only at relatively high current in a dark room.

FG32's are in the truck, remind me tomorrow.

 

[ak_47_boy]

Monster eh, sounds interesting

I remember seeing a post about the 866 having less sag, but i can't find it. More sag will make your amp sound more like a tube amp.

The 866 will also need a few minutes warm up time where as the 3B28 does not.

 

[Gluca]

The 866 will also need a few minutes warm up time where as the 3B28 does not.

Nah ... 10-30 secs are enough if you use the tube every day. Warm it 1 hour or more after the first installation before applying any high voltage. If it doesn't light up after a couple of attemps and it keeps on blowing your fuses just forget it, sometime it happens with MV rectifiers.

Ciao
Gianluca

 

[dave slagle]

to me the 3B28 has a solid state sound whereas I find mercury to be very full and musical.

dave