Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Is this to replace the NAD or just as an alternative swap with from time to time?
Totally Tubular: The Tube Thread
- Thread starter displayname
- Start date
Is this to replace the NAD or just as an alternative swap with from time to time?
OMC
Well-Known Member
My experience with the tube is old H. H. Scott integrated amps of yore. Sweet sound.
Likely a replace. I don’t need 99db sensitive speakers and 185 watts per channel in an apartment.
Besides, of all the amps I’ve heard only a few stand out. Two are Manley.
SnowmaNick
Well-Known Member
Since when has “need” had anything to do with it?
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Which ones did you get?
kvetcha
Chet Hanks' Filmography Buff
looking at the Stingray he may have just bought out Upscale Audio’s remaining tube stock
I went with the tube types the manual specified.
I went with Electroharmonix for the 12AT7 imput tubes. For the 12BH7 driver tubes, I figured I’d try TAD Tube Amp Doctor- they are a German company that’s been in business for a few years. I know the EH are Russian, not sure about the TAD. They say the tubes are built specifically for them to their specs.
For output tubes I went with the Russian Sovtek EL84M. That’s what the manual says. The M is a big deal- is specifies Russian Military spec. A regular EL84 is rated at 3000 hours lifespan and up to 300 volts on the plates. The M is rated for 5000 hours and 500 volts on the plates, so a much heavier duty tube. Sovtek and TAD are the only choices I’ve seen so far for the M. I suspect they are the exact same and TAD just stamps them. Groove Tubes does the same thing.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Yeah they’re a German store that uses some Chinese tube factories to make a couple of tube lines to their own spec. I bought some nos tubes from tad earlier this year. The tubes were a mess. Three of the four blew out and one took the fuse on the autobias out. That said, really good company to deal with and once I’d returned them, on their dime, they gave me a full refund.
I might exchange them for EH then. Thanks.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
My NOS that failed were old school Svetlana Winged C 6550s so not their own but I know you generally prefer Eastern European tubes to ones from the far east.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Maybe it’s their top of the line red base ones that I’m thinking of. They’re pretty open about those being made to their specs by a Chinese partner.
TAD Redbase™
TAD Redbase™ Family manufactured in new TAD exclusive production facility 1st choice by world-leading amp builders
www.tubeampdoctor.com
Red base is what I bought.Maybe it’s their top of the line red base ones that I’m thinking of. They’re pretty open about those being made to their specs by a Chinese partner.
TAD Redbase™
TAD Redbase™ Family manufactured in new TAD exclusive production facility 1st choice by world-leading amp builders
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
You can probably try both the 4 and the 8 and pick what’s best. I’d guess the 4 probably will because if it’s a nominal of 6 it will likely drop to 4 or below for the most demanding bass heavy sections.
Last edited:
gafacaode
Well-Known Member
First spin with the new amp
Kenny Dorham's Quiet Kenny.
The JoLida was sold with "recently replaced tubes", I failed to ask if they knew how many hours the tubes alreu have, I'll reach out tomorrow.
Right now I can hear a notable difference in sound stage, the piano and trumpet sound really good (more lifelike).
Very pleased so far.
Thanks to all that chimed in!
Kenny Dorham's Quiet Kenny.
The JoLida was sold with "recently replaced tubes", I failed to ask if they knew how many hours the tubes alreu have, I'll reach out tomorrow.
Right now I can hear a notable difference in sound stage, the piano and trumpet sound really good (more lifelike).
Very pleased so far.
Thanks to all that chimed in!
Have you checked your output tube bias yet?