What is the best 6L6GC ever made?
Tom
I think the subject says it all. What is considered the best 6L6GC ever
made? Perhaps there is no right answer for this one so here is a chance
to argue your favorite choice. I am looking to eventually replace the GE
6L6GC's that are in my McIntosh MC240.
thanks!
Kim Chen
I own a pair of McIntosh MC40 too. Right now I am using GT 6L6GC. I
have the same question, what is the best power tubes for
MC240 ? Someone said GE 7027, other said British GEC(?) Kt66 ?
Any advice or experience ?
Kim
Tremolux
Who makes the best? Certainly NOT Groove Tubes, they do NOT make tubes,
they just buy them from third-world manufacturers and re label them. From
a tone standpoint, I'd probably vote for the old RCA blackplate. For max
power and life, I'd probably go for the Philips/Sylvania. The GEs are
pretty good as well. For 6L6 family tubes, the 7581A is killer, and the
old GEC KT66 is held in very high regard, as is the old Mullard EL37.
Honorable mention goes to the olf Tung Sol 5881.
Dave Cigna
Vacuum Tube Valley ran a feature article on the 6L6 in their last issue.
They've posted the entire article on their web page:
-- Dave Cigna
** I have no affiliation with VTV, but I wish I did. **
Le Cleac'h Jean-Michel
You wrote:
>> I think the subject says it all. What is considered the best 6L6GC ever
>> made? Perhaps there is no right answer for this one so here is a chance
>> to argue your favorite choice. I am looking to eventually replace the GE
>> 6L6GC's that are in my McIntosh MC240.
> I own a pair of McIntosh MC40 too. Right now I am using GT 6L6GC. I
>have the same question, what is the best power tubes for
>MC240 ? Someone said GE 7027, other said British GEC(?) Kt66 ?
>Any advice or experience ?
In Mac Intosh amplifiers, probably the best replacement tube for 6L6 is the
Genalex KT66 (build by General Electric in England, nothing to do with the
U.S. General Electric).
As the KT66 is heated under 1.25 A in place of .9 A for the 6L6 you have to
verify that the supply transformer accept this little (?) overload.
If I have to reply to the original question what is the best 6L6 ever made, I
should say: WE350B (no joke!). This tube as the lower THD (essentially H2 by
the way).
Best regards.
Jean-Michel Le Cleac'h, Paris, France
Steve Jones
Le Cleac'h Jean-Michel wrote:
> If I have to reply to the original question what is the best 6L6 ever made, I
> should say: WE350B (no joke!). This tube as the lower THD (essentially H2 by
> the way).
After about a month of running a couple of pairs of WE 350Bs in a
Class A push-pull amp, I'd second that opinion. In practice, although
I haven't heard *everything*, I would nominate the WE 350B as one of
the best damn beam power tubes EVER (if absolute maximum power is not
required) IMHO. Sounds *almost* as good as a GOOD DH triode. But,
I still would not spend the outragious amounts that companies are
selling them at (AES: US$190-used when available)in an effort to
make a silk purse out of a cows ear (a stock Class AB P-P amp). Start
with an amp design that uses DH triodes (go all the way.....).
Remember, extremism in audio is not a vice.
-Steve Jones
Gordon Trump
Kim Chen wrote:
>
> Tom wrote:
> >
> > I think the subject says it all. What is considered the best 6L6GC ever
> > made? Perhaps there is no right answer for this one so here is a chance
> > to argue your favorite choice. I am looking to eventually replace the GE
> > 6L6GC's that are in my McIntosh MC240.
> >
>
> I own a pair of McIntosh MC40 too. Right now I am using GT 6L6GC. I
> have the same question, what is the best power tubes for
> MC240 ? Someone said GE 7027, other said British GEC(?) Kt66 ?
> Any advice or experience ?
>
the sound as I used them in commercial PA amps. They were true 6L6GC with
the higher plate power rating. New Sensor had some a while ago.
--
Gordon O. Trump Sales Engineer
Red Rose Communications
717.738.8441 voice 717.738.7030 fax
Les Bernstein
It seems important to specify the purpose. That is, audio or guitar
amp.
As reported in issue number 4 of VTV, preferences vary greatly depending
on
the specific use. To MY ears, in MY vintage push-pull amp, the above
ratings
seem to hold quite well except to say that the Sovtek 5881WXT (yes, I
know
it's not a TRUE 6L6) scores high in terms of neutrality (i.e., overall
tonal balance).
For audio use, I'd give them serious consideration.
Les
Kim Chen
Gordon Trump wrote:
>
> Kim Chen wrote:
> > I own a pair of McIntosh MC40 too. Right now I am using GT 6L6GC. I
> > have the same question, what is the best power tubes for
> > MC240 ? Someone said GE 7027, other said British GEC(?) Kt66 ?
> > Any advice or experience ?
> >
> > Kim
>>NOS Sylvania (US) are the most rugged I have ever used. Can't vouch for
> the sound as I used them in commercial PA amps. They were true 6L6GC with
> the higher plate power rating. New Sensor had some a while ago.
> --
> Gordon O. Trump Sales Engineer
> Red Rose Communications
> 717.738.8441 voice 717.738.7030 fax
I used the Sylvania before I changed to GT, I found GT having
better performance .
Kim
O'Connor
The best 6L6GC ever, IS-- or should I say-- will be the Svetlana 6L6GC!
Sonically, it is equal to ANY of the best old production units.
Economically, it is superior to all because it is a current production
device made by a company that thinks QUALITY.
Supposed to be available late November/ early December-- what a great
Christmas present!
Kevin O'Connor
London Power