2. tech-talk
  3. 1143225993

Tube Suggestions Onix SP3

As a rookie to tubes, one of the Melody 5881s tubes on the Onix SP3 I recently purchased on Agon has gone pzzzsst and I'm clueless and suffering without good sound. I have to keep within a reasonable budget but at the same time have a solid replacement for resale value. Can the original Melody 5881's be had anywhere? Otherwise the tube shop I called said I need to replace all four, rather than only 1 and recommended the NOS Sylvannia 5881 at nearly $90 per. I'm tempted to just buy another used Onix if that's the case. (Just kidding) Help
get2it1

Showing 4 responses by newbee

newbee
4,794 posts
 
If your amp can take 6L6GC's the SED model is excellent sonically and its rugged as well. If you must have 5881's on a budget the Sovtek's are OK.
newbee
4,794 posts
 
Power tubes usually do require break-in. I've frequently found that the top smooths out and the bass developes after 24 to 100 hours of operation, BUT.....

Proper biasing is manditory and the bias setting for the 6L6's would be quite different than the 5881's. I'm not up to speed on the bias arrangement for the Onix but if its not auto bias (as I suspect) you should contact the distributor, referred to earlier, and find out how to bias in your new tubes.
newbee
4,794 posts
 
The tube which went out, if it shorted out, could well have damaged some of the electronics in the bias circuit. This is not a rare event. I've had it happen 4 times on three different amps in the past 10 years. Probably time to take it into a repair shop (get some references 1st - not all repair shops know how to repair tube amps.)
newbee
4,794 posts
 
What a winner! And you bought it used. Many dealers/manufacturers would not even have talked to you except to say send it in, we'll fix it, and you'll pay for it! Hope the new one works for you.
More to discover