Hello .I have a bunch of 6146 B tubes I would like to use .I would probably run them around 400 plate volts .maybe 4 of them in parallel/pushpull..Even though these tubes are good for transmitting tubes.....I have heard that these tubes are not good for hiFi because they get to hot etc.come loose.especially if running hour after hour..... maybe beacuse the bottle is too small.????.OR..is that only if your running them at 700 +plate volts??....Is there any truth to this..????.I would like to use them...of course I cold use 807's/6L6,6550 etc....but would like to get use of these 6146 B's
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Well guitar amps are not easy on tubes. You could drill holes around the tube sockets for better airflow.
It seems the main reason why 6146 RF power amplifier tubes are not very popular for hi-fi is the very low screen grid (G2) voltage rating of only 250 V max.
Specs -> TDSL Tube data [6146-B]
Typical operating points -> NJ7P SQL Tube Database Query
Looks like you can still make a workable audio power amplifier. Don't know how good it would sound.
Specs -> TDSL Tube data [6146-B]
Typical operating points -> NJ7P SQL Tube Database Query
Looks like you can still make a workable audio power amplifier. Don't know how good it would sound.
The original Ampeg SVT used the 6146B before switching to 6550. You could probably sell off the 6146B's to someone restoring an old SVT.
Either way, used within their limitations they will work fine.
Either way, used within their limitations they will work fine.
Yup my 1970 SVT had them! they changed to 6550's in 71 and 6146B's sound much better then the 6550's in my opinion! wish i had never sold it! But damn it was heavy! heavy heavy to haul in and out.
6550s are like one of my least favorite tube, its really crunchy but I just don't find them as dynamic in the sound compared to their equivalent the KT88 I prefer them and EL34s and 6v6, certain 6v6s really sound wild lol like the Brimars and the Phillips,popes etc the Popes were made on the Amperex EL-34 tooling so people claim they can handle 450v on plates and screens and draw a crazy amount of current without blowing up that's just nuts for any 6v6 lol I almost bought some Brimars but heard they were all mids and pretty weak bass that's not what I'm wanting I want an EL34 sound but I still want some bass lol I find lots of american 6v6 have great top and bottom but the detail and clarity in the mids is missing
Be aware that a 6146 thinks it is an RF valve so will happily oscillate at VHF frequencies if you give it a chance. Use grid stoppers, and possibly anode stoppers too.
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