recommend 6L6 tubes for preamp
I just recently completed a Moreplay preamplifier kit from Bottlehead. It came with some russian 6L6 tubes. Not sure what the brand is because it's in Russian (maybe Sovtek). Anyway, wondering if folks had any recommendations for a NOS tube? It's sounding really nice right now but I think I could go with a little less bass bloom. I'm a fan of the tube sound but I like it to be subtle rather than in your face. Should I stick with the Russian tubes or look for something else?
thanks!
Try searching the Bottlehead forum (one example linked below with good info on the 2nd page). Been looking for the same info, but not a lot of hits so far. I had favorites in vintage Fender guitar amps, but the sonics really don't apply to usage in the Moreplay. I use good (now expensive) vintage tubes in my old Foreplay/Paramours which IMO makes them sound a lot better, but the tubes were inexpensive when I bought them 20 years go. https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=13298.0
DeKay |
I have a headphone amp that runs 6v6 tubes. My favorite NOS tubes are listed below. STC/Brimar 6v6g (1930s era). well balanced sound, no single area of emphasis. Hard to find and somewhat pricy. My current favorite. Westinghouse 6v6g: (1940s era) similar to the STC, but a little more bass emphasis. More easily found than the STC and less expensive. Goes well with brighter input tubes like Brimar 12au7s. Mazda 6v6gt: (1950s era) this might be the tube you’re looking for. Airy, great soundstage, a little more emphasis in the high frequencies, but not too much. I pair them with warmer/darker sounding input tubes like Mullards to balance them out. Somewhat easy to find and not crazy money. Sylvania 6v6gt: does no harm, but not a standout in any area. Cheap and very easy to find. A good tube to choose if you just want to “try it out”. |
