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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
cello
645 posts
 
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David / Wc65mustang,
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Thanks for the advice on the 5881's. I already bought a pair, but will pick up a quad of Westinghouse 6F6GT's. Would Tube World be a good place to get them ?
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Wc65mustang, Are you having any microphonic issues with your Grange ?
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Thanks & Rgds,
Larry
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wc65mustang
524 posts
 
Hi Larry,
I bought my GT's from Brendan at Tube World. I've dealt with most tube vendors and I find that his selection and quality is unparalleled. He's not always the lowest priced but he stands behind the sale which to me is important when you're dealing with 40-60 year old products.
My Grange is microphonic but I wouldn't call it a "problem". There are a number of means to isolate and/or remove surrounding vibration without spending a ton of money and most importantly violating the doctrine of matrimonial harmony. :-)))
cello
645 posts
 
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Wc65mustang,
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Thanks for the quick response.
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I buy 90%+ of my tubes from Brendan for the same reasons. I would much rather pay a premium, get a great sounding tube and have someone that stands behind all that he does than try to save a few dollars and run the inherent risks involved in buying NOS tubes.
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I will get a hold of Brendan again and order a quad of the 6F6GT's and let you know how they compare with the Tungsol 5881's that I just received from him.
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Do you know of a good replacement tube for the 2 tubes that sit in front of the PX4's in the Grange. The stock tubes are SOVTEK's with the number 6H30(n)-EB. The (n) is a Russian letter that looks a bit like an English lower case N. I asked Brendan if he knew the tube and it was new to him.
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Thanks / Rgds,
Larry
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wc65mustang
524 posts
 
Larry,
If I'm not mistaken it is a Russian designed (and built) tube with very few, if any, substitutes. Ecclectique and Whoopadeedoo, please jump in here.

PS I just bought a dynamite pair of Siemens 7308 (circa 1972) to replace my Cca. Absolutely the finest 6922/Cca/7308 that I've ever heard. Quite expensive at $410/pr but after a few hours with them, I have no regrets whatsoever. Check them out if you are going to buy yourself a Christmas present. You'll flip at the extremely low noise level and spectacular dynamics. A breathtaking tube.

And by the way, Merry Christmas to all Supratek owners and everyone following this thread.
ecclectique
509 posts
 
Hi Gang. Larry/Mustang.....Yes, the 6h30 is a dual triode developed by the Soviet Army. There is no equivalent sub for it.Until the fall of the Big Red Machine,no one even new it existed. Victor Khomenko of BAT was one of the first to introduce it to the West and employ the 6h30 in a commercial design. He dubbed it "the super tube". More and more designers,DIY types as well as the industry giants [ARC,CJ etc]are now embracing this tube for use in audio circuit design and rightly so as it does possess some unique electrical characteristics that are ideal for use in audio circuits that other triodes simply cannot do. Unusually high filament current[transconductance]combined with very low plate resistance, as well as an ideal amplification factor whereby it can be employed as a single stage all by itself, without the use of any negative feedback or cathode followers. Not to mention it's a 10,000 hour tube thats very low in noise and microphony.
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