Randall Diavlo RD20 Tubes

[ridner]

sup folks!? I just got one of these heads and I am really digging it thus far. I just have a question about the tubes. what is the main difference between 6V6 and 6L6? the amp comes with 6V6 and to my knowledge, I have never played an amp w/ these before. are there pros/cons to them vs 6L6? can I swap the 6V6 for 6L6? help a brother out!

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

At 20 watts i'd be thinking more EL84 vs 6V6.


First you need to know what tubes you can run?

 

[Steinmetzify]

Wanna say these are self-biasing...

 

[ridner]

At 20 watts i'd be thinking more EL84 vs 6V6.


First you need to know what tubes you can run?

the amp is loaded w/ 6V6 and I am wondering if it is capable to swap em for 6L6 - also what the main difference between the 2 are

 

[slaveunit]

6l6 tubes should be a bit fuller sounding. They typically have a bit more highs and lows over 6V6s. I think they are better for metal amps over 6v6 100% Since 6L6 tubes are a step up in tolernace, the tubes themsleves will be fine with accepting the amps plate voltage (unless you have JJ 6V6s that can handle more plate voltage than your typical 6V6). The question would be if the transformer can handle the tubes themselves and not stress too hard pushing them.

I would email Randall or maybe Jason can chime in. If they say the transformer cant handle them then I would ask about 5881s too.

 

[slaveunit]

At 20 watts i'd be thinking more EL84 vs 6V6.


First you need to know what tubes you can run?

You'll need something like yellow jackets or another type of pin adapter to run EL84s.

If if the amp is cathode based (self biasing) you still dont want ot put any tube in them becasue you think its going to bias them correctly. First reason is the transformer...secondly...it doesnt always have the range to bias just any tube you put in it. The resistor has to be changed accoringly if the transformer can support the tubes.

 

[ridner]

thanks for the info/help

 

[killertone]

You can't run 6L6s in the RD20, that is why we make the RD45!

The RD20 is a killer little amp and the 6V6s give it a really cool vibe. Unless you need tons of headroom, you should be fine. But then again if you need tons of headroom you shouldn't have gotten a 20 watt amp!

 

[Ari]

Killertone, sorry to divert the thread, but out of all the little diavlos (1 watt and 5 watt, combo/head), which one do you like the best? I want to pick up on as a small toy or direct to PA rig. Can the 1 watt do cleans too? Thanks

 

[NinjaRaf]

Yeah, I would just stick with the 6v6s in there. Its what it was designed for. If you want to run 6l6s, get the 45 for 100 bucks more.

 

[killertone]

Killertone, sorry to divert the thread, but out of all the little diavlos (1 watt and 5 watt, combo/head), which one do you like the best? I want to pick up on as a small toy or direct to PA rig. Can the 1 watt do cleans too? Thanks

They are both really fun amps. My fave of them is the RD5 because of its class A power amp design with one 6V6. It will have a better clean tone as well.

 

[Ari]

Excellent-thank u

 

[the4thlast1]

Killertone, sorry to divert the thread, but out of all the little diavlos (1 watt and 5 watt, combo/head), which one do you like the best? I want to pick up on as a small toy or direct to PA rig. Can the 1 watt do cleans too? Thanks

They are both really fun amps. My fave of them is the RD5 because of its class A power amp design with one 6V6. It will have a better clean tone as well.

Do you like the RD5 more than the RD20 ? As far as tone goes Im talkin, obviously the 20 will have more headroom.

 

[JerEvil]

Killertone, sorry to divert the thread, but out of all the little diavlos (1 watt and 5 watt, combo/head), which one do you like the best? I want to pick up on as a small toy or direct to PA rig. Can the 1 watt do cleans too? Thanks

I wanted to do this is well. You still have to have a cab connected though AFAIK which is why I went with an RP1000.

 

[killertone]

Killertone, sorry to divert the thread, but out of all the little diavlos (1 watt and 5 watt, combo/head), which one do you like the best? I want to pick up on as a small toy or direct to PA rig. Can the 1 watt do cleans too? Thanks

I wanted to do this is well. You still have to have a cab connected though AFAIK which is why I went with an RP1000.

Nope. They include a dummy load so there is no cabinet/speaker necessary when using the XLR speaker emulated out.

 

[Mudder]

There are some amps that are wired to run 6v6 but accept 6l6, I had a Tweed Deluxe style amp that did that and was killer. Unless it says it's designed for it you can't just through 6l6 into a 6v6 amp and expect it to last. Frankly I love 6v6, especially for clean to moderate gain. In high gain they seem a little compressed to me, sort of stuffy sounding. I haven't heard the RD20 though, however VAC makes a modded plexi gain level amp that sounds killer with 6v6.

In short I'd look around for some Jan Phillips 6v6gt for that thicker creamy tone, JJ for more modern and clearer tones.