thanks john
Talking to BAT today I was told one thing of import... look to get 6SN7s with at least 600v ratings... during start up that is the applied voltage ... if that is not the ratings things will wear out sooner or not work properly.
They didn't say anything about the 6c33b's... except they cost a lot. I'm not far from Cuba.. maybe I'll slip over there and find a Mig. |
swampwalker
I got all RCA in the Thor.. NOS. 12AT & 12AX... very nice.
Are the or is there some amalgamation of info on the types and their related sounds, akin to Joe's tube lore review?
Thanks much |
Dgarretson
Super! Thanks. Does Parts Ex. do the coolers too? I'll Google 'em.
I think for the $40 diff of the Ruskies, and the time frame to get them from there to here, I'll call and order the 33's from them.
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Dgarretson
...again, many thanks. Like other 'tube rings' I would think these also affect sonics some too, correct? |
Dgarretson
As all the tubes I'm getting are or will be NIB/NOS, MF likely won't be an issue. I've used Herbies halo rings in the past and found they do affect the sound and imaging. For the better once set rightly.
I got the names mixed up, but got in touch with PCX. $35 ea. $10 ex for matched Quad. ordered a set of 4. $30 for next day air.
OK... 6c33c-b side is done... now the bigger $$$ aspect. Eight 6SN7's. |
Could be. Now I just gotta pray it gets here in tact.
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THANKS FOLKS. nOT TOO LATE i DON'T THINK ACTUALLY. tHE JOINT i USED IS IN cANADA. tHEIR TESTING EQUIPMENT IS NOT DUE IN TILL NEXT WEEK SOMETIME.
They say they'll match them.
Kevin Deals joint shows 6c33 tubes available. Not 6c33c-b.
Anyone ever have issues with these VK60s blowing fuses? or blowing them as the result of which preamp is tied to it?
Especially a Thor?
Thanks people... I might get this right in spite of myself with your help. |
nO LUCK YET but I'm closing in... I now know who does not have 6c33c-b tubes for sale: Parts Express, Antique Electronics. Alan welch, & Vintage Tubes. Searching here provides zip as well.
Best so far is $40 ea + ship. More for matched |
Dgarretson
I'll sure bear that tube integrating idea in mind. I would freak right out if upon installing a set of tubes they were to arc out on me.
Loonytunz ... You bet, thanks. try any of the Tungs or Sylvanias?
Andy had merely mentioned the Syls being way more extended on top, tungs having better body by a fair amount, and the reds being the more warm sounding but still with fine detail and imaging. |
Dgarretson
wow! Thanks. I'd have been reticent to do that myself. probaly wouldn't have used two taps at the same time.
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Swampwalker ...sage advice. I'm in full agreement.
Fuses more so than tubes seemed the issue with the 'other' Thor/BAT user... and i think he was using a bridged pair of vk60s as vk120's. whether that matters or not i've no idea.
we'll see soon enough.
i looked into the "tube tester" briefly. Calibration is the key. Without that being accurate in the tester even with one it’s as you said, “… a pig in a poke” .
Many I saw for sale were old, out of date, unsupported, yet said to be working and recently calibrated. Several makers of tube testers told me personally even after calibration, the return shipment can put it back to it’s previous “OUT OF CAL” issues.
How does one get past that?
More importantly, finding one that is both simple to use, with a sufficiently large view meter (3” x 3” more or less), and associated electronic text (PC viewable for settings etc), and remains in calibration or can be calibrated on site… well then I’d likely be headed that way as long as it ain’t too expensive.
I’ve had the thought that in today’s digital domain there sure should be some IC set type testing gear using chips and such inside to test tube variables with and not so prerequisite of regular calibration…. And cheap.
I’ve done some of that tube buying from hobbyists… and pros…both in my exp. Have been a mixed bag, save those I’ve bought from Andy b. his have served me well, had no issues and provided good results.
Though having a tester on site does what really? Whose tester gets the nod? Mine or the sellers? I sure see it’s value for periodic testing of one’s own supply…. But as a lie detector? I don’t know about that part.
I reckon it’d be a nice thing were I out scroungeing up tubes on my own away from retail venues though.
I’m probably better served in the long run to stick with those sellers people like you point me to than attempting to become a tube monger myself.
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Thanks All.
finding one of the vendors that came recomended in the above posts being closer to me I went with him on the 6c33cb tubes. Matched Quad, + tax + ship = <$200, with 90 day warranty. A bit higher than another one or two but in stock and the quckest available.
6SN7 I'll probably get from VTS. Once I figure out which version suits me for the front two, and 5692 in the six slots of the second stage. |
Dgarretson -I do appreciate it
...a third more life expectancy using Pearl tube coolers...
Speculation, or your own experience? ...if so, that bears looking into for sure.
"EH, hold up well and sound good".
Wow. I've only had one pair of EH tubes, 12AT's, and I didn't care much for them... but they weren't new, so that played a part I'm sure.
In my 'researching' both types, 6SN7-GTB & 6c33c-b, (those numbers and designations are accurate for the VK60 application), Dan at BAT said to insure the SN7's handle 600v, or they'll run out fastER, AS 600V IS APPLIED AT START UP & DURING THE BIASING.
The least price I found so far on the 6c33c-b or cb, is right from Russia. Averaging about $8 - $10 es. less than Paarts con., but a bit more for shipping, I'd bet.
"Parts con. doesn't test them or offer warranties do they?
That would change things. I'm also finding out the 33's being sold aren't usually tested prior to the sale. Well at least it's rare.
Lastly, "Is matching needed on these big current supplying tubes?"
Samzx12
Thanks much. Think they'll take a check? ...for free, I can swim, uh, paddle, over to cuba and nab some there maybe... have to brush up on my Spanish though and get a dog that can swim.
Swampwalker
Big help. Thanks. Andy doesn't do 6c33c-b. he does do Sylvania, tungsol, & RCA. he had said in that order they'll range from open and extended to more full bodied, were their sonic traits. Also that they would gain in price going back towards earlier itterations, which is expected i suppose.
For posterity, the front 6SN7's are the more important tubes in the array. use of the lowest noise and harmonic preffs here will dictate more to the amp than elsewhere on the VK60... or so said BAT. |
Good John, many thanks.
RE - K. Deals' 6c33'S
I was hoping that to be the case. Though I did see a .pdf Tube Data sheet that showed both it and the 33c-b as two different tubes. Looking at the pics of both hasn't helped. They spec differently too.
RE - fuses
"Underneath"
...according to the owner which had that experience (s). his thoughts pointed more to the application and use to the Thor pre IN CONJUNCTION WITH, rather than the BAT VK60'S '6SN7S' alone. Some reverse synergy I guess.
We are soon to find out for sure.
BAT's tech guy, 'Dan', said to that account, "the SN's need have the 600v rating to avoid that and usually it is a bad tube causing it, arced, or to low a voltage value most of the time."
As best I can remember, Dan also mentioned rolling tubes in the amp isn't a bad thing, but one runs the risk of blowing fuses and/or tubes, if the plate voltages aren't in keeping with the design parameters... saying some NOS tubes just weren't on that level years ago.
Andy of VTS said the safe bet given that info is to keep to the military grade of NOS 6sn7's.... 5761? Syl, Tung, or RCA.
have you or anyone found placing the speaker being used cables onto taps other than the speakers suggested imp load, effective, better, or no diff? (like putting a 8 ohm spkr onto the 4 ohm taps, for ex.) |
