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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
raytheprinter's avatar
raytheprinter
1,234 posts
 
Wc65mustang,They only have one used one in stock,,Thanks Ecclectique,Let me know if you find any!Thanks,Man,,,these seem to be hard to find NOS ! I have a used pr. of Sylvanias and Brimers,that sound good,but not as smooth and clean as the NOS,NIB pr.Tungsols
ecclectique
509 posts
 
Hi Ray. The 6f6g [shoulder shaped bottles]were the first examples of this pentode and typically made in the 30's. The st glass version was introduced later [40's-50's] and then followed with the metal envelope types. In the suprateks, the G bottles are the better sounding. Most all G versions internals have a round black plate very similiar to that of the Western Electric 350b, although I have seen some with oval plates as well.The 6f6 pentodes were typically used in many early radios and juke boxes.
cello
645 posts
 
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Wc65mustang,
.
Have you tried Tung Sol 5881's as well as the 6f6G's? I spoke with Brendan today and ordered a quad of Tung Sol 5881's.
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At this point, I still have the Sovtek's that came with the unit. I have one more position to roll after I figure out the best 5881's or replacements.
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Did you find a large difference when you changed out the 5881'S and if so what did you get ?
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Rgds,
Larry
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nickatkins
82 posts
 
Hi all,

I want to improve my phono stage by replacing the 6922 tubes on my Chenin and based on what I've read recently, esp. comments from Mick, this seems like a good thing to try. I've already rolled my 6sn7 with Ken Rad VT-231 "US Navy" from the '40s.

Can Chenin owners say which 6922 tubes do the best job, for the money? I know the Telefunken CCa are supposed to the pinnacle but they are very expensive. Tube World has a lot of 6922s for sale but which have you tried that did the best job for you? My price limit is about $250 for a pair.

Many thanks,

Nick.
wc65mustang
524 posts
 
Larry,
Mick told me that the Tung Sols are an improvement but not worth the expense. I have no idea what you paid but from my recollection they are a fairly expensive tube and I would have needed 4 of them. More importantly however, the 5881 is a much better output tube in a push pull circuit than it is as a regulator.

The Westinghouse 6F6GT in concert with the 1957 Philips metal base GZ37 (I changed all at the same time) increased the dynamics appreciably. The transients are also much quicker and detailed. IMO, an upgraded rectifier has a bigger impact than upgraded regulators in my Grange.

I just had the Hexfred diodes installed as well as an adjustable filament voltage switch. This will enable use of three different output tubes PX/4 (2.5V), 45 (4.0V), and 300B (5.0V). I have a pair of Emission Labs 45 mesh that I'll be playing with this weekend.
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