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A few basic tube questions

For starting info i just purchased a pair of Quicksilver mid mono amps . These are my first tube amps i have owned .

Questions are : I plan on buying several sets of tubes for these amps by different manufacturers. When i have found the ones that i feel i like the best how do i sell the others that will have had an hours worth of use ?

Second question is in regards to the varients my amp can use . They are el34 , kt88,kt90 , and maybe a few more .Will all manufacturers of an el34 sound similar . Or might one el34 sound like someone elses kt 90 .

Third question is in regards to my new dodd preamp . That uses one tube of the 6 volt ilk . There are one of those as well in the quicksilver amps . Is it a good idea to use the same in the pre and amp ?

Lastly if anyone is interested in giving a quick (general description) on the differences of the el34 ,kt88 ,kt90 tubes .
128x128maplegrovemusic
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Good advice from Lostbears.
But down the road when u want to sell used tubes, I have had success with Audiogon and Audio Asylum Trader. Provide as much info as possible such as total hours used and if u can provide test readings.
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic OP
1,113 posts
 
A few more details. The amps were bought used . 8 years old to be specific. The boxes for the tubes came with the sale . written on them is a date of 08' . They are winged c tubes .A tesla e88c is the driver tube.and a mullard for the input tube. . My dodd preamp is new and the tube is some 8 buck cheapo . That uses one tube . I am going to buy a replacement for that first . Any benefit from using the same one as the driver tube on the quicksilvers ?
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic OP
1,113 posts
 
Also is there any info you wish you had when first starting out with tube gear you wish someone had told you that you later learned . Thanks
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
Another source of knowledge are reputable tube sellers. First, and to my mind, most knowledgeable, is Andy Bowman at Vintage Tube Services. Second, Brent Jesse, third, Upscale Audio.

Any one of these can provide you with information about which tube work in which components.

Of course, there are a number of forum members that can provide very valuable knowledge as well.

Good Luck, enjoy,
Dan
donjr
1,335 posts
 
"Also is there any info you wish you had when first starting out with tube gear you wish someone had told you that you later learned . Thanks"

Yes. I wish someone had told me I'd never be able to switch back to solid state. I've been trying and it's close to impossible. For me it's like the difference between a dry aged well marbled ribeye steak and the top round at a wedding reception.

In fairness to solid state I have a lot more to listen to. I'm sure it's out there somewhere.
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