LampizatOr Golden Atlantic + TRP

[tedwoods]

Ted-
Which other “big plate” tubes do you have preference for? I have a few 6V6, all American builds but I haven’t gotten around to using them yet. These were part of a bigger buy and I haven’t had time to match them with others to make up quads yet.

Like many in this thread I like the KT66 but also have a soft spot for the Dutch metal base EL34.

 

[Designsfx]

Have you tried the KT-88 in your TRP?

 

[tedwoods]

Have you tried the KT-88 in your TRP?

Not yet, I'm ashamed to say... I have a quartet of original Gold Lion KT88s (as well as a duet of Gold Lion KT77s for that matter) stashed away at my father's house, but going through the stacks of boxes to get to them is a daunting task, to say the least....

 

[tedwoods]

Next up, to keep things British, a change of rectifier: the CV1863/5Z4GY FE. With this rectifier the ethereal is gone and all the body is back.

 

[Designsfx]

Ya- I think we all can apply some example of that to our life experience. I have a quad of Lin Lai KT88 “Dream” series that came with the dac and I could never get into the sound. I replaced them within the few days of owning the dac. I keep telling myself to pull them out and give them another try but I just never get around to it. I should though, just to give them a fair shake now that I’m more familiar with the way the dac performs.

 

[brianehrlich]

Have any of you tried the EL35 with TRP? I sold my TRP last year, but I remember really liking the EL35 as a very "natural" sounding but present tube. British sounding but not overly warm. It worked well with both the 5v and 4v rectifiers.

 

[Beckola66]

Like many in this thread I like the KT66 but also have a soft spot for the Dutch metal base EL34.

I have tried quite a few different valves (tubes) but can’t seem to get away from the Gold Lion KT66, just gives me everything I need. Quite curious to try some KT88’s

 

[Designsfx]

Have any of you tried the EL35 with TRP? I sold my TRP last year, but I remember really liking the EL35 as a very "natural" sounding but present tube. British sounding but not overly warm. It worked well with both the 5v and 4v rectifiers.

This is interesting as I had not heard of an EL35 before. When I looked up the data sheet I found a document from Mullard that said it was obsolete and had been replaced by the EL37, another tube I’ve not seen.
I have quads of EL3N, EL5 and EL6 and all are very cool sounding. The EL6 is probably the best out of the bunch in my system but that is only because the EL5 is a problematic tube.
So no- I have not tried them but have made a mental note to look for them in the future.

 

[brianehrlich]

I actually have a few pairs. You're more than welcome to try them if you'd like.

 

[Designsfx]

I actually have a few pairs. You're more than welcome to try them if you'd like.

Wow- that’s a nice offer. I did more reading on these over at the Head Fi forum and some say the EL35 is very similar to the EL5. One report mentioned preferring the mesh version but noted they are a very rare find. Have you come across the mesh version of this tube?
As I mentioned above my EL5 (Tungsram) produce a really great sound but they have been extremely problematic. I purchased one quad only to find one being dead on arrival. I purchased a second quad weeks later only to get another dead tube out of the bunch.
Out of the six remaining tubes four of them are prone to noise issues and sadly these can pop in and out at any time. I ran these tubes for a week straight and while the condition improved with time I finally tired of shifting the bases or tapping the tube in between songs. I pulled them and they have sat in a drawer since which is sad because they create a really beautiful presentation.

 

[HungarianPal]

I have tried quite a few different valves (tubes) but can’t seem to get away from the Gold Lion KT66, just gives me everything I need. Quite curious to try some KT88’s

You mean the new production Russian tubes?

 

[tedwoods]

I have just put the CV593 in (a GZ32 in other words...) and it's just amazing...

 

[tedwoods]

And for good measure and just to be "methodical" I guess, one of the "holy grails", the brown base U52 with its effortless delivery of power.

 

[tedwoods]

And this is an all Brimar combo (blackplate 5V4G & 6V6G), I'll be sticking for today as it sounds just lovely.

 

[tedwoods]

Going through my tube collection, I came across a set of 6V6s I had forgotten about: the Brimar brown base "slimline" CV509. Pictured here with the CV2748 (GZ30) recti.

 

[Designsfx]

@tedwoods
Wow- A great collection of tubes there! Have you rolled any triodes in your dac yet?

 

[tedwoods]

@tedwoods
Wow- A great collection of tubes there! Have you rolled any triodes in your dac yet?

Thank you! I started "collecting" tubes for my guitar amps when I was still a teenager, but it quickly went out of hand...
I have only briefly tried the Soviet 6J5s, which were not bad, but maybe a bit "mechanical" sounding, however I plan on trying out some NOS too.
An interesting tube I'd also like to try is the 5B-254M/CV428, an 807 variant (requires an adapter).

 

[tedwoods]

Still in the British Isles, the brown base CV511/6V6GTY, a beefed up 6V6.

 

[brianehrlich]

@designfx

I don't believe I've seen the solid plate el35. All of my sets are mesh. PM me if you want to borrow a pair.

 

[Beckola66]

You mean the new production Russian tubes?

Yes correct, they are sublime to my ears and just do it for me.