El Dangerouso Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 I know that, at least when an amp is cranked or the power section is being hit with a strong signal, EL34 will sound different from 6L6, etc. Here is my question: how much does branding in the tubes really play into the equation? I hear/see clowns talking or on boards and they say, "Oh, the tubes in the amp were BS, I changed them to RCA blackplates (insert any brand in where I put the RCA) and the amp is the bomb!" or something like, "Brother, don't buy anything but Mullard, they'll make your s**t crank." Okay, I am prepared to accept that some tubes might be poorly manufactured and, therefore, have less preformance, but I am not prepared to part with any money until I have a scientific/technical explaination that shows me that paying a premium for a particular brand will make an audible difference or, at least, a length of life difference. I figure, armed with a little true technical knowledge, I can make a smart buying decision via e-bay etc. or save myself some cash. psw, lovekraft, gorecki, other hidden geniuses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 but I am not prepared to part with any money until I have a scientific/technical explaination that shows me that paying a premium for a particular brand will make an audible difference or, at least, a length of life difference. I figure, armed with a little true technical knowledge, I can make a smart buying decision via e-bay etc. or save myself some cash. I use a lot of different tubes, mostly NOS as you describe, but not always. I have 2 very large boxes full of great old NOS tubes for my different amps, but that's my choice, I'm not trying to twist anybody's arm to go buy them. And if you play nothing but metal or some other heavily saturated type of music/ Mesa type amp, you probably will never hear the difference anyway, there's far too much saturation going on in those amps to really discriminate between one type and another (not always tho) However, I also agree that a lot of people go way overboard with their love of all things NOS tubes, but what the hell, everyone's got a hobby, right? What I'm saying is this: There IS a distinct difference most of the time YOU may not be able to hear it, not everyone can SOME people really exaggerate the differences when it isn't always that apparent Nobody is trying to force you to buy any, so what's the big deal about already? ...Or you can just go ask Mike at KCA Tubes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikhailgtrski Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 ...Or you can just go ask Mike at KCA Tubes... +1 excellent advice. IMO - NOS tubes generally sound better and are of much higher quality than most of the new production available, although some of the new stuff is improving. A lot of guys at the metroamp forum like the JJ EL34 for their Marshalls/clones. I have 3 sets of EL84s - Sovtek, Watford "Harma STR" (NOS Ei, I suspect), and NOS Tesla. They all sound different to me when the amp is cranked (the Teslas are my favorite). At lower power amp settings the differences aren't as apparent. KCA is an excellent choice. I told Mike I wanted some slightly warmer sounding EL84s with a later breakup, and he turned me on to the Teslas. You never know exactly what you're getting on eBay. Hit and miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtjdx Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 There really is no scientific proof that brand makes a difference, it's all in hearing them. Switching from GT EL34s to JJ EL34s in my amp made a world of difference. What was cold and brittle is now warm, smooth, saturated, beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dangerouso Posted September 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 #1 Thanks fellas for the the replies. I appreciate the fact that you would take the time #2 I'm not trying to run down NOS or any brand. I wouldn't describe myself as a "tone geek" really, certainly not o the EJ scale, but I can pretty well hear the difference between power tubes in my above described scenarios. What I'm getting is that you will be able to hear a difference between brands in the above scenarios assuming your ears are good enough, and you're not exclusively running some metal chugga-chugga setup. #3 Which brand you like probably depends on the variables in the rest of the amp, and personal taste. Like all other things "tone" it's very subjective, and your opinion will almost invariably vary from the person next to you! #4 I think I'll give some a shot. I'll talk to Mike at KCA. Can't hurt, and there's still a market for them on ebay if they're not to my particular tone taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtjdx Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 (edited) Hi, my name is Tim. I am retarded and don't read well enough. Edited September 22, 2006 by xtjdx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dangerouso Posted September 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 I guess, as usual, I wasn't making myself clear. I was planning on getting the tubes from Mike at KCA, and then selling them on ebay if they didn't work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 I'll tell you my system, FWIW. I buy most (not all) my power tube matched pairs from Mike. It can be disputed, but it's nice to have matched sets from a quality outfit like Mike runs, you're guarateed the goods are good. There are a few top notch resellers on the WeberVST boards as well, I trust most of the guys who hang on that amp board and advertise there in the Buy-N-Sell section. Pre-amp tubes, completely different matter. I buy most (almost all) my preamp tubes as used (UOS) off of eBay. Preamp tubes can last 20-30 years sometimes, and I can get them WAY cheaper, and thus it's way more fun to experiment with them when you're getting them fairly cheap. Might run into some duds or throwaways like that, but overall, I like my system and it works well for me, and it's pretty fun that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 I made a small valve amp kit last year and it came with new, branded tubes. Eh's and Sovteks if i remeber correctly. Anyway, i decided to swap some of the valves for some old Mullard and Brimar's i happened to have lying around...... ..... The change in tone was amazing. Once you have tried tube swapping you will realise the difference it can make. Then you will spend all your money on as many different sets as possible to find the ebst for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logical Frank Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 I noticed the same changing the tubes in my Champ. I was really blown away by how much fuller an NOS 6V6 made that little amp sound... One day I will try some out in my real amps when I'm feeling rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted September 25, 2006 Report Share Posted September 25, 2006 I noticed the same changing the tubes in my Champ. I was really blown away by how much fuller an NOS 6V6 made that little amp sound... One day I will try some out in my real amps when I'm feeling rich. dont knock it, a champs about as real as it gets!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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