Tube Matching/Rolling
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:51 pm
When I started with tube amplification, I was caught up with sourcing out pre-amp tubes for their different characteristics. This was then followed by trying out different power tubes, which I experienced and learned could also have a significant effect on the music presentation. Eventually, I started to mix and combine different power tubes and pre-amp tubes on my integrated amp in order to find the best combination or combinations that I liked.
Althought the Mastersound Due Venti S.E. only uses 4 x EL34s and 2 x 12au7s, I was actually suprised at the different possibilites of combinations and of course the different characteristics of sound that can be produced by this lowly integrated amp.
In this exercise, I found out the best combination for me:
1. RCA 12au7 + Matsushita 6CA7.
2. Raytheon 12au7 Black Plates + Mullard (re-issue) EL34.
3. RCA 12au7 + Siemens EL34.
4. Valvo ECC82 + Matsushita 6CA7.
5. Tungsol 12au7 + Svetlana Winged-C EL34.
6. Siemens ECC82 + Siemens EL34.
7. Brimar CV4003 + Siemens EL34
There are more tubes in stock, but I found these combos much to my liking.
Others who have more tubes in their system would probably have more fun in this.
Cheers.
Althought the Mastersound Due Venti S.E. only uses 4 x EL34s and 2 x 12au7s, I was actually suprised at the different possibilites of combinations and of course the different characteristics of sound that can be produced by this lowly integrated amp.
In this exercise, I found out the best combination for me:
1. RCA 12au7 + Matsushita 6CA7.
2. Raytheon 12au7 Black Plates + Mullard (re-issue) EL34.
3. RCA 12au7 + Siemens EL34.
4. Valvo ECC82 + Matsushita 6CA7.
5. Tungsol 12au7 + Svetlana Winged-C EL34.
6. Siemens ECC82 + Siemens EL34.
7. Brimar CV4003 + Siemens EL34
There are more tubes in stock, but I found these combos much to my liking.
Others who have more tubes in their system would probably have more fun in this.
Cheers.