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Favorite Tube Combinations

OK, I've never been a big believer in "synergy" except maybe as a last resort and never completely bought into the idea that this or that tube sounds different in your system than mine. Well recently I've been rolling 12AX7/ECC83/5751s and 12AU7/7316/5814s and I think I'm on to something.

After many recommendations of the CBS Hytron 5814a, I was able to acquire a nice NOSish pair. In combination with a Raytheon Black Plate it sounded gorgeous as long as I was using a SS CD player. When I hooked up my Cayin CDT17a (which uses Ei 6DJ8EGs) the sound became syrupy and sloppy, dark and really not too pleasant. When I switched to the 7316 / ECC83s (JJ copy of the Telefunken E803s), everything became clearer, focused with much better definition and life. (This combination with SS was just a bit much and a little dry in the mid-range for my liking). The Raytheon Black Plate still sounds beautiful as long as the 7316 pair is in the circuit but the ideal seems to be with the JJ, at least with the Cayin in the path.

I stand a changed man.

What combinations of tubes have you found to synergize?
anacrusis
anacrusis OP
69 posts
 
Regards Mrtennis and all,

Tube rolling is not only about chasing some ideal, it's about discovery. If you accept the idea of there being any value to subject evaluations of individual components then it's only obvious that one component's characteristics can compliment another. Tubes are components with individual characteristics! I can recommend that a Tung Sol 6SL7 compliments a KEN RAD VT-321 and that it sounds good to me and that you should give it a try. I have most of the usual suspect 6SN7s and keep them so that I may change with my mood, with the recording and to achieve a particular spin on the music. Subjective?, yes of course it is.
anacrusis OP
69 posts
 
As I review the previous posts, I would agree that context is essential and that suggestions of tube combinations within a given device would be of most value to the listener.

By the way, the Moscode 401HR and the new 402Au can use quite a variety of driver tubes and will allow as Cyclonicman suggests, to a degree, an opportunity to mix and match not just manufacturers but actual tube types. One of the best pieces of equipment I have ever owned and wish I'd never sold was the 300. Anyone have a second hand 401HR for sale? Only $4 per ad +%.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I have most of the usual suspect 6SN7s and keep them so that I may change with my mood, with the recording and to achieve a particular spin on the music. Subjective?, yes of course it is.

Here's a few for your collection.
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