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
Hello everyone, This is my first post on Audiogon. I've just written to Mick about NOS tubes for my Cortese (built in January 2005), and yes, he recommends the Bendix 6106 along with the Amperex/Siemens 6922s for the phono stage, "... a good 6922 will make a big difference" but also recommends caution, "... a lot of hype and many ignorant, if not dishonest vendors out there".
well,i have almost 2 weeks on the 6106,the rest of my tubes are stock,compared to the sovtek 5ar4,the 6106 is much clearer all around,better defined and tighter bass,much more enjoyable ,,,im not sure that its fully broken in yet,now to decide on which NOS to try for the 6sn7 and 5881,i like tight bass,WITH SOME WEIGHT,texture,truth of timbre,holographic imaging,no softening of notes,,and a little money left in my bank account,,open to sugg.
Hi Raytheprinter,

I have found the Tung Sol round plates to be the best for me. I have a couple pair of Ken-Rad black glass I can sell you at a good price if you are interested. I have some other tubes for the Supratek too. Shoot me an e-mail off line if you want to know what I have.
Raytheprinter - the 5881 is one of the worst regulators. Better to go with 6L6G, 6L6GA, or 6F6G and they are less $ than 5881. Ken-Rad's 6SN7GT/VT231 or Sylvania 6SN7GT Tall-boy have the best weight. Email me if you need pictures of examples.