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Really...My favorite power tube is reissue that's not widely popular

If you run 6l6/EL34 variants, I HIGHLY recommend trying this tube out.  The Tung Sol 7581A reissue.  I've had these for a good bit of time and compared them against KT150s, EL34s (several brands), KT88s, and maybe another that I'm forgetting.  They are a mere $30 a pop and they are the best tube I have heard. I know that's a brave bold statement to make as there is so much competition out there and the tube is very much under the radar from what I can tell.  

After having these around for a long time (and in and out of the amp), I had them in and was nearly spellbound one night by how great they sounded upon reentry into my amp.  I did a search and could only find one review, which I agree wholeheartedly with.  You can find it here: https://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/amplification/6l6-vacuum-tube-review-tubes-courtesy-of-www-thetu...

I am nearly incredulous there isn't hype out there about this tube.  Simply my favorite tube.  I thought I'd pass this along as it may be much cheaper to give them a whirl then fuss with a much more expensive power cord, cable, or other tweak.  
128x128jbhiller
glow_worm
84 posts
 
jb...LOL so true!

willmacc....I have a set of TS EL34Bs so I’ll let you know how they compare. They do have the typical 34 shortcomings, in that they can be a tad bright on top and the bass is not well defined. But the mids are exceptional. Really lush and involving, trumpets are unreal. For like $22 each an amazing mid-range and a very nice tube.  

I’ve rolled a number of the popular reissues,  and I’m thinking I simply like the TS sound more than the GLs (though I do have GL KT77s arriving today). I am trying GL KT88s now, going to sell them. They have a nasty glare on top I just can’t rid of (on many different recordings), and after 100 hours I don’t think they will change nearly enough with more hours. 

I do like the TS KT120s (shy in the mids but vintage Mullards in the pre helped a lot).  They have a reputation for glare, but I don’t hear it. Might just be someone mentioning it in forums and it’s become folk lore. More of a SS sound, but a really good tube, esp. if KT150s aren’t an option for your amp.  

Hope me this is helpful, will get back about the 7581A compare.  




glow_worm
84 posts
 
Btw, opinions above using a primaluna dialogue integrated 
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
Just placed my order for a quad of the 7581S Tung Sols.For that price gotta try em:)They’re up against GL KT 88s in an Aric Audio Transcend Push Pull.In other applications I’ve found Tung Sols to be clean,clear but with an annoying glare(like Wolf with his GLs)
whitestix
721 posts
 
The OP made comparison of the TS 7581 tubes to, among other tubes, the KT88's in his first sentence.  So far as I know, few tube amps can swap between EL 34's and KT88's.  I am super happy with the pricey Shaguang KT-88-t tubes in my Don Sachs power amp.  They are much better than the Gold Lion KT88's, which are also very good.     
roncagg
61 posts
 
I put the 7581As in my elekit 8200 and they really took the sound up a notch (compared to NOS el34s I had in there prior) - love the punchy dynamism with no harshness. Thanks for the recommendation!

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