hi all,
This is my 1st tube amp build and it happens to be Tubelab SSE (Very excited due to the flexibility for tube rolling and various options on this amp) 🙂 I also have tube rolling in mind when building this amp.
I almost have all the components sourcing completed; however, I'm still undecided on the tube choice. This is my 1st build with tube. Most of my DIY builds in the past are SS. I'm a bit overwhelmed with the tube choice on this amp. I would like to ask for your experience and sincere advices. I'm willing to put out a few extra bucks for a couple of varieties of tube flavor and rolling the sound to my most liking once the amp is finished.
My pick for Power Transformer: Edcor XPWR059
My pick for Output Transformer: Edcor CXSE25-8-5K
With all that being said, here's my tube choices so far. Please chime in and let me know your feedbacks on my chocies or any choice that you might experience in the past. Again on of these choices are solely based on what I read on various online sources. I did not have any real life experience listen to them in person just yet. That's why I need your help from the 1st place 🙂
- Power Tube: 5AR4/GZ34 JJ or 5AR4 Sovtek. Which one should give better sounding ? I think they are almost the same sounding but would like to check
- Input tube: 12AT77 JJ or NOS 12AT7 Sylvania
- Output tube: (I think this is where it influence the sound the most besides the transformers )
* JJ KT88s or KT88 - Genalex Gold Lion or KT88 EH ?
* EL34 - Electro-Harmonix or EL34 JJ ?
* 6L6GC JJ or 6L6EH or 6L6 Tung Sol reissue
Any other recommendation for the output tubes that you think can beat these choices I listed within the reasonable amount of money ? I see a few of NOS for original RCA, Tung Sol but they are crazily expensive for a matched pair (600 + to 1k). Right now i'm limited for the sub 100 USD for a matched pair.
I'm leaning to either JJ KT88 or Genalx Gold Lion reissue KT88 on AES for 100 bucks for a matched pair. Not sure if you have any inputs between these 2 choices or any other choices.
Thanks,
Tom
This is my 1st tube amp build and it happens to be Tubelab SSE (Very excited due to the flexibility for tube rolling and various options on this amp) 🙂 I also have tube rolling in mind when building this amp.
I almost have all the components sourcing completed; however, I'm still undecided on the tube choice. This is my 1st build with tube. Most of my DIY builds in the past are SS. I'm a bit overwhelmed with the tube choice on this amp. I would like to ask for your experience and sincere advices. I'm willing to put out a few extra bucks for a couple of varieties of tube flavor and rolling the sound to my most liking once the amp is finished.
My pick for Power Transformer: Edcor XPWR059
My pick for Output Transformer: Edcor CXSE25-8-5K
With all that being said, here's my tube choices so far. Please chime in and let me know your feedbacks on my chocies or any choice that you might experience in the past. Again on of these choices are solely based on what I read on various online sources. I did not have any real life experience listen to them in person just yet. That's why I need your help from the 1st place 🙂
- Power Tube: 5AR4/GZ34 JJ or 5AR4 Sovtek. Which one should give better sounding ? I think they are almost the same sounding but would like to check
- Input tube: 12AT77 JJ or NOS 12AT7 Sylvania
- Output tube: (I think this is where it influence the sound the most besides the transformers )
* JJ KT88s or KT88 - Genalex Gold Lion or KT88 EH ?
* EL34 - Electro-Harmonix or EL34 JJ ?
* 6L6GC JJ or 6L6EH or 6L6 Tung Sol reissue
Any other recommendation for the output tubes that you think can beat these choices I listed within the reasonable amount of money ? I see a few of NOS for original RCA, Tung Sol but they are crazily expensive for a matched pair (600 + to 1k). Right now i'm limited for the sub 100 USD for a matched pair.
I'm leaning to either JJ KT88 or Genalx Gold Lion reissue KT88 on AES for 100 bucks for a matched pair. Not sure if you have any inputs between these 2 choices or any other choices.
Thanks,
Tom
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If you don't mind using a tube socket adapter you could use a 6BG6 for the output tube.
It is like a 6L6 with a top cap, the socket adapter will break out the plate to go to the top cap.
6BG6's are cheap and NOS is available.
I would look to the NOS 6414 by Ratheon for the input tube.
I would keep an eye out for a 5AR4 made by sylvania USA or a 5AR4 made in Japan with a seam at the top of the bottle.
It is like a 6L6 with a top cap, the socket adapter will break out the plate to go to the top cap.
6BG6's are cheap and NOS is available.
I would look to the NOS 6414 by Ratheon for the input tube.
I would keep an eye out for a 5AR4 made by sylvania USA or a 5AR4 made in Japan with a seam at the top of the bottle.
I'd stay away from JJ KT88's. Actually it seems JJ tubes of any type are best suited for guitar amps rather than hifi audio amps. Gold Lion KT88's are OK. I'm currently running those in a VTA ST-120 amp now. Prior to those I had TungSol KT-120's which I think sound better in the VTA ST-120. Unfortunately one red plated which is why I switched to the GL's. I think the KT-120's may be too much for the SSE amp.
As soon as I get my SSE powered up I plan on breaking it in with Sovtek KT-88's that I got with my ST VTA-120. Once it's been running for a while I'm thinking about using the GL KT-88's I currently have so I can justify another quad of KT-120's.
As soon as I get my SSE powered up I plan on breaking it in with Sovtek KT-88's that I got with my ST VTA-120. Once it's been running for a while I'm thinking about using the GL KT-88's I currently have so I can justify another quad of KT-120's.
Tubes
In my SSE I used the Edcor GXSE. I had read the the rectifier tube should be benign. The JJ gz34 effects things the least they say. And is priced nicely.
I started the preamp, 12AT7, with a JAN Phillips. Kind of neutral. My first power tubes are JJ EL 34IIs.
I now play the power tubes, JJ KT77s, and Ellectro-Harmonix KT88s, and the 12AT7s, RCA black plates, Mullards, and Telefunkens.
Ian now adding switches for cathode resistors, first, then triode/UL, and Cathode feedback.
Then more tube rolling.🙂
I found right now the 12AT7s make more of a difference.
maybe with switches the power tubes will.
Also, my G OPTs have less power than your C OPTs.
I find fun it the process.
In my SSE I used the Edcor GXSE. I had read the the rectifier tube should be benign. The JJ gz34 effects things the least they say. And is priced nicely.
I started the preamp, 12AT7, with a JAN Phillips. Kind of neutral. My first power tubes are JJ EL 34IIs.
I now play the power tubes, JJ KT77s, and Ellectro-Harmonix KT88s, and the 12AT7s, RCA black plates, Mullards, and Telefunkens.
Ian now adding switches for cathode resistors, first, then triode/UL, and Cathode feedback.
Then more tube rolling.🙂
I found right now the 12AT7s make more of a difference.
maybe with switches the power tubes will.
Also, my G OPTs have less power than your C OPTs.
I find fun it the process.
Another thought.
George recommends using starter tubes at first. Inexspensive ones.
I lost a GZ34 while testing my amp. Wouldn't want that to happen with a first string tube(s).
Once up and running change to the good ones.
George recommends using starter tubes at first. Inexspensive ones.
I lost a GZ34 while testing my amp. Wouldn't want that to happen with a first string tube(s).
Once up and running change to the good ones.
Thank you for all the feedback guys. Looks like KT88 GL is a good option for output.
I might buy a couple of JJ tubes as starter tube for my first test see how it goes and i won't regret it in case I blow up a few tubes if my build has some major issue.
Lee,
So look like if we use tube rectifier, the power tube also plays a major role in the final sound as well, not just output tube and OPT that will impact the sound. Thanks for the feedback. I learn something new everyday.
If anyone else has any suggestions, please keep them coming. This is a fun journey!
Thanks,
Tom
I might buy a couple of JJ tubes as starter tube for my first test see how it goes and i won't regret it in case I blow up a few tubes if my build has some major issue.
Lee,
So look like if we use tube rectifier, the power tube also plays a major role in the final sound as well, not just output tube and OPT that will impact the sound. Thanks for the feedback. I learn something new everyday.
If anyone else has any suggestions, please keep them coming. This is a fun journey!
Thanks,
Tom
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