"King of tube(s) for line-stages"

Karsten Sømand · 22nd January 2007, 10:10 AM

Hi Tube-Guys!

I was thinking that it could be funny to see your opinion regarding the best tube(s) for line stages. I am not thinking about price, availability etc. Only about the best tube.

The tube might be with low noise, low distortion, wide frequency response, not necessarily high gain (line stage!), low Zout etc. If you find differences between the same type of tube then please also suggest the maker, if you feel this is important.

Could the tube be: 6DJ8, 6H30, 6922 / E88CC, 12AU7 / ECC82, 12AX7 / ECC83 (ECC803), 12AT7 / ECC81, 6H6, etc.

If you have any suggestions regarding the specific tube, eventually in combination with another tube(s), please tell about your experiences.

I hope that this topic has not been brought-up earlier (couldn´t fint it when searching) and that it will create a lot of exciting, technical discussions.

Kind regards

Karsten

Gluca · 22nd January 2007, 10:24 AM

Trasformer coupled 801a

Original Burnedfingers · 22nd January 2007, 10:43 AM

I don't think there is a "King of Tubes". Everyone is naturally going to have their favorite tube and to that person that tube is going to be "King". So there is a possibility for hundreds of different tubes in different circuit combinations to yeald different results.

kstagger · 22nd January 2007, 12:08 PM

There are lots of tubes to experiment with - and the type you use will also depend on the circuit you choose. I have a 'thing' for triode connected pentodes - so I've had good luck with the EF86 family (EF40, EF86, E80F, etc) and I really like the C3m too - my current preamp is running those. For buffering applications, I like the 5687 or 6922. I've also enjoyed using transformer coupled 6J5s and even a RC coupled 71a.

Karsten Sømand · 22nd January 2007, 02:38 PM

Of course there is no single "King of tubes" - there is no single truth. Just see hvow many tubes that can be used in the Aikido. However, I think that it is very exciting to hear about a lot of peoples experiments and experiences.

Kind regards

Karsten

22nd January 2007, 10:10 AM	#1
Karsten Sømand diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Outside Copenhagen	"King of tube(s) for line-stages" Hi Tube-Guys! I was thinking that it could be funny to see your opinion regarding the best tube(s) for line stages. I am not thinking about price, availability etc. Only about the best tube. The tube might be with low noise, low distortion, wide frequency response, not necessarily high gain (line stage!), low Zout etc. If you find differences between the same type of tube then please also suggest the maker, if you feel this is important. Could the tube be: 6DJ8, 6H30, 6922 / E88CC, 12AU7 / ECC82, 12AX7 / ECC83 (ECC803), 12AT7 / ECC81, 6H6, etc. If you have any suggestions regarding the specific tube, eventually in combination with another tube(s), please tell about your experiences. I hope that this topic has not been brought-up earlier (couldn´t fint it when searching) and that it will create a lot of exciting, technical discussions. Kind regards Karsten

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22nd January 2007, 10:24 AM	#2
Gluca tarmac ripper diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Back to Italy	Trasformer coupled 801a

22nd January 2007, 10:43 AM	#3
Original Burnedfingers diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002	I don't think there is a "King of Tubes". Everyone is naturally going to have their favorite tube and to that person that tube is going to be "King". So there is a possibility for hundreds of different tubes in different circuit combinations to yeald different results.

22nd January 2007, 12:08 PM	#4
kstagger diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Grand Rapids	There are lots of tubes to experiment with - and the type you use will also depend on the circuit you choose. I have a 'thing' for triode connected pentodes - so I've had good luck with the EF86 family (EF40, EF86, E80F, etc) and I really like the C3m too - my current preamp is running those. For buffering applications, I like the 5687 or 6922. I've also enjoyed using transformer coupled 6J5s and even a RC coupled 71a.

22nd January 2007, 02:38 PM	#5
Karsten Sømand diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Outside Copenhagen	Of course there is no single "King of tubes" - there is no single truth. Just see hvow many tubes that can be used in the Aikido. However, I think that it is very exciting to hear about a lot of peoples experiments and experiences. Kind regards Karsten

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