Tubes question (Mullard, NOS, KT77, 6550 etc..)

[Joeytpg]

I have a couple of questions....

1) Power tubes:

I'm a 6L6 guy in the clean department...... I LOVE the 6L6 sound. So far my KT77 loaded VH4 has VERY VERY good cleans....I wouldn't mind using KT77 either.....the KT77 sound great in the hi-gain dep. too.

Now out of the KT77 and the SED 6550 which ones could give me closer to the 6L6 feel?


2) Preamp tubes:

If I get NOS or Mullards.....what should I expect from them? I would like to try some hi-end preamp tubes in my Diezels. I know they're pricey but I'd only use it in V1, so I'd only need 3 tubes (one for each head I own)

What would you recommend?

thanks, I think there isn't another question like this so, that's why I posted it.

 

[Sabotage]

I have quartet of KT77 and i havent try them yet and have no experience of 6550. But for the preamp tubes I have tried many combinations. Year ago I bought a NOS Telefunken tube, for cleans and low-gain stuff it’s awesome. Smoot as hell and really good sounding tube……and expensive ! But it has a quite low gain factor. In my Einstein it really dropped the gain on mode 3. And I didn’t like the palm muted notes with Telefunken, when I played some metal stuff (less attack). I have heard that many NOS tubes are very long lasting, some even 5-6 times compared to new production. NOS tubes are expensive but if you are lucky and get a premium tube, it is worth every cent ! I ordered one Tesla NOS E83CC from TAD its coming next week, I can give short review then.

 

[PaulyPanacea]

Hey Joey
The KT77 to my ears is a great in between to the EL34 & 6L6. great cleans, super gains on the dirty channel. I really enjoyed these tubes. never sounded bad. I have tried only the JJs. But i hear the Genalex are superb!!
BUT the 6550's are another animal IMO. Great tone, much more headroom. Little more "sterile" to me but you can dial in a lil more EQ to compensate. But the tone is just WOW!!! The possibilites are endless with this tube. But again, all in taste. I know Diezel is using the SED 6550's as standard now..and after using them..i see why.
I have used a few NOS tubes..great tubes. Lot less gain..but more life. I have had nothing but good luck with anything from TAD for my preamps. I atcually use all TAD's. reliable as hell & sound great. Def worth the dough.

Hope that helps a bit. Good luck!!

 

[SneakyPete]

On your second question, I'd suggest RFTs or even Raytheon 12ax7s to try. Both are on the cheaper end of NOS tubes, and I've found both work really well in my Einstein.

(by the way, my music goes more towards the hard rock part of the sound curve...from Alice in Chains up to Tool)

I've tried a lot of other types of tubes with varying degrees of success - I agree with the poster regarding the Telefunkens - I felt I lost too much gain. Same when I tried RCAs, GEs and Amperex. The RFTs worked really well in V1 (for me), I put an old Russian 12ax7a in V2 and I used a Raytheon in V3.

Please note that this is from my experience (and more importantly, my ears) - your experience may be very different from mine.

In the meantime, good luck on your tube search!