tubes with the best 'glow'

[Bigun]

I see that people sometimes want to build tube amps because they glow, it’s part of the fun. I noticed my 6AS7 tubes have a clear view to the hot cathode and so it puts on a nice show. I have a family member attracted to the idea of building a tube amplifier and I know the appearance is part of the attraction of it. Perhaps it’s an additional factor in getting a younger generation interested in the art. But which tubes offer the best ‘glow’ ? - and without recourse to sticking an LED underneath it.

 

[maton00]

The 6S4S can produce a lot of blue glow in operation, even in plain day can be seen, I think the 2A3 the 45 and its variants do the same, because their plates are smaller than the filaments and that causes the electrons to scape from the usual path.

 

[w5jag]

Thoriated Tungsten filaments look the best, imo.

All 5992 have a nice blue flouresence, and as far as I can tell, it lasts for the entire life of the tube.

 

[Magz]

I vote for the 833C...

 

[Magz]

The 0A3 voltage regulator tube is nice, too!

 

[Bigun]

those regulator tubes are great

here’s a couple of 6as7 photos

 

[Duke58]

The 5881 and 0C3 tubes glow.

 

[panos29]

811a, 845, 211, and 304tl are all amazing glowing devices!

 

[nigelwright7557]

In around 1980 I was given a very old (probably 1940's) valve amplifier.
The heaters were really bright on that.

 

[brianco]

For variation ensure that you use a mercury vapour rectifier tube!

 

[mondogenerator]

They all glow though?

Some fluorescence is quite nice, Philips 5781a

 

[Wavebourn]

A first version of my Pyramid amp. 6Е1П, 6Н1П, СГ-3С, 6П3С-Е

 

[Fenris]

0D3 voltage regulators are nice too.

 

[johnsurnamerobinson]

My hot tubes box actually has a small lamp under the casing to enhance the glow.Same thing as small apps to get computers to make chugging noises when calculating.
Arnt` we humans funny.

 

[H713]

Magic eye Tubes have a pretty neat look when used as a sort of VU meter (not that they really show much that's useful).

 

[bluerooster]

I second the idea of MV rectifiers.

 

[oldschooltube]

I built a little SE 6l6 / 6sl7 amp out of lexan that looks pretty cool with the B+ on. The 6l6’s are old Sylvanias that I plucked out of an old X-ray machine in the junkyard. They have a nice glow but one is definitely brighter. Don’t know why.

 

[Dave R]

0D3 voltage regulators are nice too.

 

[Bigun]

I would love one of these !

 

[smoking-amp]

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