Sylvania 6L6GC Differences

[SpiderWars]

Yep. That's the amp that I've noticed the biggest jump in tone, the Marks I've had. But, thinking they would make a difference in my SLO at the time, negative. The wafer bottom Sovtek 5881s sounded noticeably better in that amp.

Yes! I much preferred those Sovtek wafers in my SLO clone. For new production the Tad 6L6s were the best I could find in the Mark IIc+ and Mark IV I had but there still was a noticeable step up to the Sylvanias.

 

[dead-pan]

Yes! I much preferred those Sovtek wafers in my SLO clone. For new production the Tad 6L6s were the best I could find in the Mark IIc+ and Mark IV I had but there still was a noticeable step up to the Sylvanias.

I like the older wafer base Sovtek in the SLO and Mark amps.

I really like the Winged C 6L6 in the Mark VII.

Just tried the old Sylvania in the Mark and was unsure at first but once I adjusted the EQ to fit them it opened up.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

I’ve purchased a few NOS matched STR-415 quads from Mesa in the past.
I see they’re not showing these ones on their website now?
Are they no longer offering them for sale? ?

Yep... No longer for sale unless you have that inside connection.

 

[dead-pan]

Out of all my matched NOS quads of 415’s, 387’s and Sylvania 6L6GC types, My favs are my NOS Military grade Philips ECG 7581A quads ?


View attachment 385349


… psychodave has a boatload of wisdom on this topic!
Hopefully, he’ll chime in.

I do a lot of high gain but I took a shot and ordered a pair of these.

 

[dead-pan]

The Philips arrived.

They have a lot of push in the low mids for sure.

I didn't prefer them in my Multiwatt Recto as the amp already has plenty of push and the bias wasn't quite hot enough.

Put them in the Armored Sabot and they slam. Brings it to Wizard level girth. Luckily they bias pretty close also.

I'm sure they would kill in the KSR Ares also.

@SQUAREHEAD how hot do you run yours?

 

[dead-pan]

I believe those are rated 5-10w higher per tube than the typical dual getter Sylvania 6L6GC.

It's odd, directly swapping them in the Recto they actually sound louder without changing anything.

 

[braintheory]

The Philips arrived.

They have a lot of push in the low mids for sure.

I didn't prefer them in my Multiwatt Recto as the amp already has plenty of push and the bias wasn't quite hot enough.

Put them in the Armored Sabot and they slam. Brings it to Wizard level girth. Luckily they bias pretty close also.

I'm sure they would kill in the KSR Ares also.

@SQUAREHEAD how hot do you run yours?

That's exactly it. All the JAN Philips ECG tubes in any category have a very strong of low mid push/punch, but not flubby at all. Sylvania's are brighter with higher mids. I actually really like Philips in my rectos (especially their 5U4 tubes are my favorites), but just personal preference I guess

 

[SQUAREHEAD]

The Philips arrived.

They have a lot of push in the low mids for sure.

I didn't prefer them in my Multiwatt Recto as the amp already has plenty of push and the bias wasn't quite hot enough.

Put them in the Armored Sabot and they slam. Brings it to Wizard level girth. Luckily they bias pretty close also.

I'm sure they would kill in the KSR Ares also.

@SQUAREHEAD how hot do you run yours?

Hey Brother,

I like them at around 30-32mA in my two 6L6 amps which are both around 465-480 plate volts.
I really hate running tubes as hot as some here do.
In my opinion, biasing too hot doesn’t allow the amp to breathe and leaves it sounding choked.