2. amps-preamps
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Amplifier Power tubes - important to sound?

i replaced all the small tubes on my mono amplifiers and now I'm left with replacing the stock Power tubes, kt88.

I like what I hear with 12 new small tubes - telefunken nos 12ax7 and 12at7. 

Now I am left with replacing 16 kt88 stock JJ tubes.   will Probably use Siemens 6550 nos.

How much will this impact what I hear do you think?  I recall hearing that power tubes don't make that much of a difference.

 

emergingsoul
emergingsoul OP
1,114 posts
 

@mulveling 

 

Maybe I should’ve said do they impact the lower frequencies more? You own interesting speakers

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,892 posts
 

Maybe I should’ve said do they impact the lower frequencies more? You own interesting speakers

@emergingsoul

Ok, I see. If you are jumping between types like from KT88 to KT90 / 120 / 150 then YES, it will usually have more notable impact on bass response - but still contributes a LOT in midrange and HF too. If you are just swapping sub-brands of New Sensor tubes of the same type (e.g. KT88: Gold Lion, Mullard, EH) then the changes are a bit more subtle overall, and not disproportionately noticeable in bass. Swapping NOS versus new production (of the same type) is probably between the 2 - I don’t have experience doing this with KT88, but some with EL34.

emergingsoul OP
1,114 posts
 

@mulveling 

Interesting reply, thank you.  Along with incredible knowledge about tubes, you also must have incredible hearing sensitivity.  You conveyed you listen to your music very loud I hope you are appreciative of the likelihood the sensitivity will diminish rather quickly overtime. Or maybe not.

I guess since I'm using an MC 901 amplifier, changing the smaller tubes made sense, but because the solid state section of amplifier focuses on 350 and below maybe new Power tubes to replace whatever the heck is used for the stock tubes which I think is JJ may not be that meaningful. However it appears they do impact upper frequencies in a meaningful way so probably Worth doing.

I keep in mind that there is considerable value in higher priced NOS tubes because presumably they will last a heck of a lot longer, sound a lot better and hopefully the quality will hold up better overtime.

 

wyoboy
258 posts
 

@immatthewj Apparently you're the only one not oblivious to the fact that OP started an identical thread to this back in February...and responses have been pretty much the same....maybe this is a test?

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,003 posts
 

@emergingsoul Another excellent discussion. You folks know who you are. Thanks.

The most significant tube roll I evet did was to go from KT88’s to KT170’s. They do something magical to the bottom end and low mids. Their shape will not fit in all AMPs.

The chillaxed EL-34s don’t punch as hard but are like a first love, gone but not forgotten.

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