MATCHING POWER TUBES AND PREAMP TUBES

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MATCHING POWER TUBES AND PREAMP TUBES

Postby ESaudio » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:47 pm

One thing exciting about this hobby is tube rolling. We always look for and search for that mythical perfect mate between a power tube and a preamp tube. And, the most we end up with is contend ourselves with what could be pleasing and sweet-sounding to our choosey ears.

This is what i've found so far. And yours?

Image

6550/kT88 (AMP) matched with 6EW7/6EM7 (switchable) preamp tubes.

Shuguang 2A3C (SET-Parallel amp) matched with 6DE7 preamp tube.
Last edited by ESaudio on Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:40 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Postby JackD201 » Sun Jun 22, 2008 6:02 pm

Favorite preamp tubes are WE417A, 6H30, to a lesser degree except for some special NOS varieties 6DJ8, 12AX7, 6N1P

Favorite Power Tubes are in order GM70, 6C33C-B, WE 300B, RCA 2a3, el34, KT88, 6550, 845, el84
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Postby Jon Agner » Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:22 am

Mine would be the EL 84 (siemens and sylvanias), the telefunken and valvo 12au7s, and the RCA and EH 2a3s. The EL84s are used on my HK 224 trio vintage amp while the 2a3 is on my SET amp. Both amps use 12au7s for the drivers.
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Postby Oldfogey » Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:44 pm

Favorite preamp tubes in descending order: 26, 6SN7, Holland-made 7308

Favorite amp tubes, again in descending order: 245/345, globe 50's, 45ST, 300B. That's only because I haven't heard the uber-rare Tele AD1, MOV PX4, or WE205 in my rig.


:)
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Postby audiophileman2002 » Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:28 pm

Mine would be.
Preamp:
12AX7 variety - ECC803S Telefunken, ECC83 Telefunken flat plates
12AU7 variety - ECC802S Telefunken, ECC82 Telefunken flat plates
6DJ8 variety - 7308 Amperex, E188CC Telefunken, Mullard
6SN7 variety - 5692 RCA red base, VT231 Sylvania
Rectifier:
6X5GT - Bendix
5U4G - National Union, Raytheon
Power Amp:
5687 - Raytheon (input / driver)
6550 - NOS Tungsol
300B - Western Electric
EL84 - Telefunken
EL34 - NOS Mullard
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Postby pigdog » Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:33 pm

for Power valves
300B Western electric and TJs
245 RCA, Cunningham
KT66 Marconi Osram, GEC
EL84 Mullards
ECL82Mullards
also interested with the PX24 and the PX4

rectifier:
Cv378
5AR4
5U4GB

Preamp valves

6SN7 with emphasis on ECC33 mullards which i have a modest stash
ECC32 mullards
6922 particularly Seimens, Valvo and Bugleboys
EF86 Bugleboys and mullards

for everyday use i have several pairs of Electro Harmonix 6922 gold pin Cryo treated very decent valves for the price and very quiet, perfect for phono Pre
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Postby audiostar » Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:37 pm

amps - 845
preamp - WE-407
phono - 12AX7
cdp - 6922
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Postby jadis » Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:11 pm

One of the most enjoyable combi's, or synergy I have had with power amp and pre amp tubes was when I had my Jadis JA 200 with 2 pcs of 12 AX7s and 2 pcs of !2AU7s input tubes mated with my Jadis JPL line stage which had 3 pcs 12AX7s and 1 pc of 12AU7. That pretty much explains my user name. :lol: :lol:

With that combination, I had Mullard 12AX7s short plate and Tele !2AU7s smooth plate for the amp and Mullard 12AX7s and Tele 12AU7 smooth plate for the pre amp. That really created a magical sound in my system, with a deep and wide soundstage, with lush mids, extended highs and 'tube-tight' bass (as opposed to SS tight bass) :lol:

For phone stage, I have been using 6922s all the time on my ARC PS. My fave is the Mullard military grade 2492/6922 goldpins, although the Amperex USN CEP 7308 sound pretty darned musical too, but they were not mine. :lol: I'm a guy who chooses the tube gear, then the tubes. Unfortunately, my ARC VS110 uses Russian 6N1Ps for its input tubes, nothing much to roll over there. :cry: The power tubes I replaced the stock EH6550s with SED KT88s, next dream is the Black Sable Cryo KT88s... 8)
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