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Tubes for BAT VK60. Need help


I’m now looking to retube a BAT VK60. I know very little about the tubes in it or which ones are most important to address first... or at all.

Any VK 60 owners with re-tubeing experiences out there?

I surely would appreciate some input on what you wound up with and why...?

Thanks so very much for the time and efforts here, as I'm lost now.
blindjim

Showing 3 responses by jfrech

jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I'll 2nd ATSI. I've bought 2 sets of 6C33b's from ATSI. Have initial failures both times, and got a prompt replacement. Great service.
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Which fuse? The fuse on the back panel next to the power cord or one of the 4 fuses underneath the tubes? If underneath the tubes...it's likely tubes arcing and failing. That is common. New tubes and a new fuse from Radioshack. Make sure it's the same type and value.

I'm pretty sure Kevin Deals 63CC tubes are really 6C33cb's. I've retubed my VK60 from him once. Tubes sounded great.

If it's the main fuse. That maybe a issue somewhere, I can't comment there...

john
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Hi Jim ! Hope all is going well for you! Before my now 150SE's :), I used red base RCA 6sn7's in my VK60. The front two 6sn7's are the input and make the greatest change on the sound.

The 63CCb's also seem to need to be replaced yearly in my system. More dynamics and jump every time I replace them.

Regarding the 6sn7's, They need to be matched and the matched pairs put in spots 1 & 4, then 2 & 5, and finally 3 and 6. Or course these are 6 tubes in the second row. #1 from left to right in my example here.

The RCA's seemed to be smoother on the top end, a little warmer than the stock sovteks.

Also, using 400 - 600 grit sand paper, sanding the tube pins, then using contact cleaner in the tube sockets and the tube pins to me is a big help.

Good luck
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