Preamp Deal of the Century

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Slowhand,
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Now look for some Philips Miniwatt GZ34's and EL37's and a pair of reasonably priced WE 350b's and you are set for the line stage.
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On deck is some work on the phono stage if you have an interest.
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From what I have been told, you are in for more than a treat with Mick's latest iteration of the Cortese. It is supposed to be quite an upgrade even from the earlier Cortese models.
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Let us all know how you fare with your tube rolling and eventually when your Cortese arrives.
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Rgds, Larry
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Thanks Ongkaku,

Mick emailed me today to say the pre is on the way and that it definitely has the TJ PX4's. Just got my power amp back from repair today too after being 4 weeks without music, there is some serious listening to be done next week when the Cab arrives. Mick in his latest email said the PX4's were - "Better sound, quieter,lower output impedance- they really are fantastic"

What more could you want :^)

Cheers

Hi Larry,

I am using a Phillips Miniwatt metal base GZ34 in the rectifier position. What brands do you recommend in the EL37 and can you tell me how tall this tube is? I have a height issue on the power supply in my rack. I just recieved a pair of Rogers 6F6G's from Ecclectique. He told me that they come within a hair of the sound of the WE350b's. I have never heard the WE350b's, but I can tell you that he has never steered me wrong. I loved these tubes from the very first note of music. They are very detailed with good dynamics, a huge soundstage and very good resolution of the music. I also use GEC KT66's. In contrast, the KT66's are warmer with a little fatter, but well controlled bass. I like the KT66's for some nice slow jazz. My favorite thing about Mick's preamps is how you can "voice" the sound to your liking or mood just by changing tubes. God, I love this hobby! Just a note, my nieces husband is a musician and after hearing both the KT66's and the 6F6G's he felt that the 6F6G's came a little closer to the sound of real instruments (especially guitar).

Hi Gang. Lately,I have had quite a few emails regarding the 6F6 tube that I used for regulation duty in the Supratek.Some history: There were many versions of the 6f6 [a power pentode] that date back to the 1920's. They were predominately used as output tubes in old radios,juke boxes,TV's and some very early guitar amplifiers. The very first versions of the 6f6 types were all metal envelopes similiar looking to the first versions of the 6L6 and 6V6 metals [power tetrodes] which can also be used for regulation in the supratek. The metal 6f6 sounds dreadful in the supratek [same goes for the 6L6 metal] I have also tried other versions of the 6f6 glass tubes with flat plates that are mediocre as well. The "only" 6f6g tube to use in the supratek that will sound similiar to the we350b is the shoulder shaped 6f6g version with the round black plate internals. Appearance wise, these bottles are shoulder shaped like a we 350b or a gec Kt-66 style tube. "None" of the other 6F6 types will sound like these! I think our Bwhite posted a picture of my 6F6g back in the thread [ 02-21-04 ] Thank you Bryan. I believe the tube in the picture was made by either Sylvania or National Union and relabelled for Rogers. I have also seen this particular tube relabelled as Philco, Westinghouse, Marconi, Brimar,silvertone and Emmerson. Do search them out gang as they truly are oustanding in the Suprateks! Cheers

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Slowhand,
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The EL37's I have are Philips Miniwatt (made in Gt. Brittan) and are 1957 NOS. They measure just under 4.5" tall from the base (not the bottom of the pins) to the top of the tube.
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I was told that the Philips was the best of the EL37's and it is miles better than the stock tubes that came with my Cortese.
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The WE 350b is quite a bit superior to the EL37's and I am glad I invested in them. As regulator's they should last almost indefinitely so the real cost is quite minimal. I may try to find a pair of 6l6g's just on David's (Ecclectique's) recommendation and to learn a bit more.
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I would suggest you keep your eyes out for a pair of 350b's assuming that it fits into your budget. You can always get your money back out of them down the road.
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What part of the country are you in ?
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