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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
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,619 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
713 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!

arch2
308 posts
 
I’ve been listening to the TS 7581A’s this weekend in my Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP amp. I agree with a number of comments particularly in regards to being more revealing. I was quite surprised by that. So revealing in some instances it was like hearing a slightly different version of a song I may have heard a hundred times before. Bass is tight and extended in comparison to the stock EL34’s, but, I think I prefer the roundness of the bass and the midrange flow with the EL34’s. They seem bigger sounding and fuller in my setup. I only have 10 or 15 hours on the 7581A’s so I’ll give them a good baking before coming to any final conclusions. I consider myself a “jet age, old European potato farmer” kind of guy so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,619 posts
 
Just got the 7581A  tubes today.Very nice.Smooth but lively.Good bass too.This is right out of the box.Very impressive!Thanks jbhiller:)
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