Tungsol 5881's

Hey Mark,

The 5881's are clearly superior to the stock Sovetek's in the Supratek. Visually all the 5881's I've seen are very similar and are usually available on Ebay. Do a simple search for "5881" on Ebay...

I think all 5881's are "JAN" since 5881 designates it as a militarized 6L6.

Ordinary 6L6's and even something like the gray glass ST shaped Sylvania 6L6GA's sound dull and lifeless. Not worth the effort of seeking them out.

The Supratek will run without these regulator tubes in place. Its interesting to hear what it sounds like without the tubes vs with. This is a quick and easy way to hear what those Sovteks are doing.

Sylvania double black plate 5932's are rumored to be the "holy grail" for this application. I have been searching to find them but have had no luck.

Also you might be interested to know there are three Ken Rad 6SN7GT Black Glass versions out there, and each version has its own unique character. I've been meaning to post this to the Ken Rad thread but ever since I got into vinyl, I've had no time for this silly audiogon stuff!! :)

Describe the differences among the 3 types of KR Black Glass 6SN7GT please.

-Ed

Tungsol invented and introduced the 5881 and 6550. The Tungsol 5881 had a miconol base, sort of a tan brownish color. Transductance of each of these types was superior to anything made by competitors. Both types are beam power tubes. I am curious how the 5881s are being used in the Supratek circuit.

Hi bwhite, and thank you. Yea, I saw what you said about the KenRad black glass versions. I think mine are the "dark" ones. Admittedly, I like the sound that way sometimes. Although, perhaps, that's why I've ended up with the natural sweetness of the Tungol 6SN7 round plates. Let me know what you find out listening wise on the Rads.

Yea #2: I thought that the brown based Tung 5881's looked like mil-spec. With so many out there and war time production that makes sense - which is, of course, good for me! With C-Mas here they are a little high on ebay right now, but will snab a pair next January (also my Bordeaux futures "problem" has resurfaced...). Oh, I tried a coke bottle pair of Mullard 6L6's - thought they might be nice - but you've got it right: dull, compressed, no immediacy. That's why I haven't gone right out after the Tung 5881's.

Sylv. 5932's uh?

Hmmm.