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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
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,975 posts
 
I wasn’t even aware there was a vintage Tung-Sol 7581A to "reissue". Obviously New Sensor / EH doesn’t have rights to the Philips / Sylvania, RCA, or GE names, so perhaps they just pick their "Tung-Sol" label as the go-to for reissues of power tubes mostly associated with American makes.

Around 10 years ago I ran a restored pair of Heathkit W5 monoblocks with 1960’s GE 7581A side-getters & "flesh" colored bases (into Tannoy Kensington SE), and there was definitely some magic there. Wonderful tone, holographic 3D image. I later had the amps re-fitted to Gold Lion reissue KT66, which sounded more powerful and dynamic, but lost some of the "magic" tone and 3D imaging. The GE tubes looked to be exceptionally well made - the Russian "re-issues" look ugly but I realize that may have no bearing on sound quality. I think I still have some of them, but my fancy new amps only take KT88 and up, 8 at a time (or my old amps which can take the 7581A, but freakin’ TWELVE at a time) :(
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,936 posts
 
I'd love to hear the GE and TS side by side. I run the TS in EICO HF35.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,975 posts
 
@noromance
Eicos are awesome too! I had an HF-87 with the most incredible vintage tube amp tone (it was even a good tone with cheapo EH EL34, but better with Mullard XF2/3/4 and a bright-ish 12AX7 to balance, e.g. Japanese). Small sound stage though - but I know they have mono amps that can do much much better. Heard a pair of HF-22 once, and loved them!
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,936 posts
 
@mulveling I have 2 pairs of HF35s. One pair is a full rebuild with fixed bias and 3 chokes, PIO caps, Mullard GZ34, Psvane Globe 6SN7 ($375 a pair but amazingly detailed), TS 7581A and it sounds better than many amps costing a LOT more.
soundermn's avatar
soundermn
344 posts
 
@jbhiller Thanks for sharing info about the 7581a.  I ordered a set and just rolled them into my PL HP.  So far, they sound really nice, and I think I like the tone better than the KT150s.  

But, question for you... where do you put the tube switch on the HP?  I moved it to the EL34 setting.  Is that right?
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