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Supratek Tubes and Tube Swappin' for Everybody

I will have a Supratek Chenin in my set up in a day or so. Since so many folks are rolling tubes around here I was hoping to garner a comprehensive list of everybodies favorite tube compliments. Be it NOS or NIB or WLATB (Whatever's layin around the basement)
Being that the "Deal of the Century" thread is a little more like a novel I figured this would be a good place to post questions and answers related to one subject of Supratek amps and pres.
On to the subject of me. I don't have immediate plans to swap tubes as I've figured that Mr. Maloney would supply us with something listenable for the break in period. But, since so many have reported such dramatic improvments I want to ask this question:
What is your favorite compliment for quietest gain and dynamics in the phono stage?
I will be using the Chenin exclusively for vinyl ( I don't have a CD player) and listen to loads of early rock and roll and Jazz bands, smaller jazz bands mostly, quartets and quintets. Some classical, the usual Beethoven and Mozart, but usually just a lot of loud garage rock.
Ok, now lets see what happens.
mc5baby
fiddler
581 posts
 
Aloha Brian,

If you can make it over to Maui, I would love to have you in as guests to my show. The only night I am dark is Sunday nights. Any other night its two shows per night. If you can't make it this trip, let me know next time you are headed this way.
bwhite
807 posts
 
Aloha Fiddler! Thanks for the invitation - It would be great to meet you and see your show but unfortunately, we've got all our activities booked out and will be unable to get to Maui on this trip. Perhaps next time - which may be in the next few months....my wife wants to move here.
bwhite
807 posts
 
Whoopadeedoo - as a tube dealer, I am surprised you don't know that especially with military spec tubes, printing means something. And yes. There are three distinct "flavors" of Ken Rad Black Glass tubes. In vintage non-military spec tubes, parts & materials can vary tremendously. Differences in tubes are audible even by month of manufacturer in some cases.

What kind of a Supratek do you have?
jazzdude
332 posts
 
Whoopadeedoo - Are your Visseaux 6L6G's the ST glass or tall skinny glass? I got quite a few of the latter but I've only seen picturers of the former. I rolled them in my Sauvignon a long time ago. I used Sylvania 5932 dual plate for about 18 months. First in the Sauvignon and then in the Cabernet. It is IMO a real sleeper as regulator. I think the unique dual plate structure is what sets it apart. It gave me a rock-solid soundstage with neutral freq
response. Regulator tubes are a different lot when it comes to judging sound. Some of the regulator substitutes have an unusually high heater current and will place a larger demand on the power supply and also affect the current draw through the rectifier hence the voltage sag on the recifier and ultimately the operating point on the signal tubes. I wonder sometimes if that load is adversely affecting the expression of the music or maybe it's just getting everything in its sweet spot.

Sylvania VT-231 has excellent top-end extension, tight bass but could be lean for some tastes. Sylvania 6SN7GT 1952 tall boys are very similar to Sylvania VT-231 but with a bass boost below 100hz. RCA grey glass have maybe the best midrange of all 6SN7GT's with very nice harmonics.
whoopadeedoo
50 posts
 
Hi Jazzdude,

I have both the carbon coated ST Visseaux and the tall GT glass version. I prefer the GTs by a small margin. If you want to sell any of your GT Visseaux, I'd love to buy them :-)

Tung Sol round plates stays in my 6SN7 position the vast majority of the time. However, I love the RCA grey glass midrange when I'm looking for something a bit more romantic and full. I'll swap in the Sylvania VT-231 or Bad Boys if I want more air.

-Len
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