Favorite Tube Combinations

What combinations of tubes have you found to synergize?

I'm a bit perplexed by your question. How well combinations of tubes synergize depends mostly upon the circuit/component you are using them in, as well as on the specific tubes you use, not to mention other components in the chain. Just because 6SL7's work well pushing 300B's in one amp in one system, does not mean that's going to be the case in all amps using those tubes...and the which 6SL7's, and which 300B's. The variables here are staggering. Rolling tubes within a specific component can render huge differences, or very subtle differences or none at all. One interesting detail I've found over the years is that the closer the component is to the source, the greater the potential for impact when rolling within that circuit (rolling tubes in a pre or in a tubed-output digital front-end tends to have a greater impact than rolling tubes in an amp). This, of course is a very broad generalization and there are certainly exceptions. All of this is highly subjective as well, as anything in this hobby. Glad you're having fun with it.

i have a tube preamp, tube amp and tubed cd player.

the tube types i use include, 12au7, 12at7, 67n7, 6922, 12ax7 and 807.

i have varied the brands of tubes in each instance. i have not noticed any synergy between tubes. it is said that each manufacture of tubes exhibits its own sonic signature. if so, slelect thos ebrands which achieve a sound which you like. the resulting combination may not connote a system synergy and there may be disagreemenrs as to what combination of brands achieves a synergy.

if anyone is interested, i believe i have a pair of the cbs 5814 which i will sell.

>>if anyone is interested, i believe i have a pair of the cbs 5814 which i will sell.
Mrtennis<<

Audiogon has classifed sections where your unwanted items can be listed for $6 per ad.

Give it a try.

$4 per ad + a %

Very interesting observations and reactions to the question and they are all appreciated.

There is a direct correlation between circuit design and the way a tube behaves and I realize this to be true. I also realize that most classic circuit design try to utilize any given tube for the same reason and that the tube plays the same role electrically component to component so there will be marked characteristics that remain at least relatively constant. Were this not the case any review of any tube would be so subjective that it would be useless.

There would seem to be a belief that if we can at once claim and yet disclaim that tube characteristics can be identified that more people would buy more tubes and we really shouldn't sell on ignorance anymore. I have found that Joe, VTV, and the Head Fi tube threads, to name a few, to be amazingly accurate accounts of a tubes signature.

When I ask about a synergy, it's a question of what tubes inherent sonic characteristics compliment other tubes inherent or latent sonic characteristics not how they may react or interface electrically with a given transformer or capacitor.

The taste of certain wines compliment the taste of certain foods and this is an immutable fact. Why then is sound so different? Why can't the sonic signature of certain tubes compliment the sonic signature of other tubes. Of course they can! I think if we move in this direction it could add a whole new dimension and stimulus to this hobby.