PCL86 driver tube and sound quality in Allnic T1500


Hello,

Trying to figure out how the PCL86 tube affects sound quality in the Allnic 300b integrated? The mkII model switched to 6sn7 and 6sl7 tubes as drivers and I am familiar with how they can affect the sound but no idea on the PCL86 tube. If anyone has thoughts I would welcome more discussion on the topic.

thank you

 

rwanda

ECL86 (PCL86 should be the same but with different heater voltage) is a great sounding tube; I have an electrostatic headphone amp that uses a quad. Vintage 12ax7 (half) and vintage EL84 in one envelope. The only downside is it’s harder to track down pairs/quads of the different makes, than with the more commonly used audio tubes (like 6SN7, 12AX7, etc).

They probably switched to 6SN7 and 6SL7 because of supply concerns - those types have modern production. But I would think an EL84 (the one in PCL86) would be a hell of a lot better at driving a 300B? If you can source the tubes you might actually have the better version.

Why obsessively worry? Use and enjoy your Allnic amp. I am sure it sounds excellent!

What output tubes in your Allnic amp? 300B's? Then the 6BQ5 half of the PCL86 is the driver - a good choice!

You can buy and try PCL86's from different mfgrs. Otherwise you are stuck with them in your amp. You cannot substitute 6SN7's for the PCL86's 

Actually contemplating a purchase , hence the question. In the past I had a Cary 300sei and it used 6sn7 and I could affect the sound by switching them out, as it used 3 and one was for the "preamp" section, I have no experience with the Allnic amps.

The PCL86 is half a 12AX7 and a 6BQ5/EL84. There are plenty of NOS available on eBay. The vintage Yugoslav EI's are a good value!