avguytx Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I won't be able to hear a huge difference with my tinnitus so I've been deliberating on the output tubes for the VTA ST-70. Go EL34 or 6550? Bob is recommending the standard EL34's it comes with but I do like the looks of those 6550 tubes...rather sexy. What's the advantage/disadvantage? Worth the extra money? Which are considered a high gain versus low gain tube? Am I over thinking? About to order so only want to do it once. May order one of those Bowei 2a3c Chinese amps on ebay. Curious about the raving on the sound of those smaller powered amps. It looks good, but not sure of its build. But that's another story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Thee 6550 cost more than the common EL 34. A EL 34 Mullard tub from the tubedepot is an excellent tube for $23.00. Then you can check out some different preamp tubes: https://www.tubesandmore.com/tech-corner/12ax7-comparison-current-made-tubes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 14 hours ago, avguytx said: May order one of those Bowei 2a3c Chinese amps on ebay. They are a Chinese clone of the Sun Audio SV2A3 amplifier. The Bowei has printed circuit boards. Sun Audio is point to point and uses Tamura iron. I think you can still get the Sun Audio SV2A3 in kit form, however it's about $2300 for the kit...sumthin' like that. But I love that candy apple chassis of the Bowei...at those prices you can buy the amp, gut the innards and build your own circuit in the chassis. The Raphaelite tube amplifiers I see on net searches appear to be a decent product...at least they appear to... Raphaelite has point to point wiring with turret boards, if one wants to avoid printed circuit boards in a tube amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 They are a sexy beast for sure. To do something other than what's there, I'd have to solicit someone to help out with that as I don't have that mental capacity. Ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 Bob Latino emaimed me back saying he uses the Shuguang EL34 tubes and described them as "midrangy and very good with acoustical jazz". That might be about 20% of my listening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 But the more I think about it, the more I'm pushed away from spending 5+ big ones on something from across the pond that I would have to figure out. Sure, iron could be changed out but that price could get me an amp from Maynard most likely and sound hella better, be built better, and I could understand him on the phone if it got down to it. ha I'll stay with my quest to find the right tubes for the ST70 and get it ordered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajcllc Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 In my TAD-60, I just replaced my quad of Mullard XF2 EL34's with reissued Gold Lion KT77's. (I got a matched quad on eBay for about $150 shipped.) Honestly, I have been an NOS vintage tube user for years. However, these new Gold Lions are blowing me away; they are crystal clear and balanced from top to bottom. I was also using GE 6550's, but in my amp I found them to be too dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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