Tubes for Cary V12 amps.

One of the coolest amps I've ever owned. I'm currently running Ruby all right, 6V6 Ruby and only 8. 4 per side It sounded wonderful with just 2 per side. You don't have to run all those valves.  That Cary will bias PERFECT with just 2 valves per side. 

IF you want to learn how ASK, I'll share or someone will chime in..

Literally 12 valves will voice all 3 amps with 4 per amp and run a whole lot cooler.. 

I learned that right here on AG. I use EH greens too. The real trick to those amps is what's inside. BUT the signal valves EL84 and 12BH7 6922 or I use a very special 12AX7.

6L6 coke bottle are just wonderful too, 4 or 8 will sound so good..

The only issue is how much power you actually use. I NEVER use valves for BASS duty.. I have a feeling you use them for just that.. I've never seen a valve amp pull it off. Just to easy to use SS.  They run a whole lot cooler, and with a lot less distortion and better control.

IF I were using my V12r and it was doing BASS, I'd run KT88 or 90s, EL34 just don't cut it.. FOR ME... No bass duty..

It is one of best sounding amps I've ever owned with EL34s, BUT no bass.

Rubys are special, BUT the signal valves and a GREAT PC go a long ways. Sounds crazy but I learned on the PC too.. Mac could give a hoot on a PC. Cary, you better pick a good one.. I went to a weave from a big fat shielded PC.. :-) WOW

I'm looking for a second red V12r I'll match the first one, when I'm done..

Love that amp.. Just took it out of service for the summer, too hot even with just 6V6s. It will be 102 Tuesday.. Class ds.. :-) for 3-4 months..

Happy Happy

I'll tell you a little trick too. Bias with a scope and you will really be surprised at the difference in what that unit should really be biased at. Mine did perfect at 160 and that is actually high to stop crosstalk in EL34s. The higher I went the worse it got.. I also gained over 10 watts per rail when put under an 8ohm load over 110 per rail in UL, from 98 watts per rail.. That alone DOUBLED valve life, before going under water (microphonic).

The 6922 position is REAL important too. It has to be balanced CLOSE or you will have a LOT of distortion.. I lose the holographic imaging when I don't pay attention to that valve. SixPac are the same way.. I use a very special 12AX7.. Volvo, Mazda or Tellies.. RCAs are to rare anymore.

Regards

Same here on PSVANE power valves. Their 12AX7, AT and AU were interesting too. Took 50 plus hours to settle in enough to tolerate and another 50 to find out they are a bright valve.

They remind me of Sylvania valves.. Great for a tired amp, but a fresh amp with good resistors and caps.. Bright does come to mind..

All the V12 guys, a question. Do all of you run all 12 valves? And if you do have you tried fewer valves?

It is quit an eye opener and can really cool a room down..  50 years with valves and 35 valve amps 8 different kinds.

Did you fix the PS and add Hexfreds and swap out the caps.. THAT changes the type of valves you can use..

One is my own convulsion in progress from SIXPacs. I feel a Grand Mal coming on.. 50 to 100 watts increase with a toggle switch, two wires a .22uf/900v cap. A B- filter fix and signal cap swap with Frequency collection .01uf 630 cap caps added. CLOSE to MY V12r, now..

Regards