Ceriatone Forum

The Tung Sol tubes came in the other day, so i dropped em in and biased em at 39.0 ma, about 55%. I'm a lil tired as i write this, so i apologize if i ramble  ;D

New Sensor/Reflektor did a nice job with these. They are not just a plain ol Sovtek put into a short bottle with a fancy logo forged into the top of the tube and Tung Sol screened on the base; they are a totally different build, and look nothing like any of the other tubes they produce, whether it be Sovtek, EH, Gold Lion, Svetlana, etc. The plates are very nicely welded, the spacers are nice and straight, and the plates have a nice black dusty look to em. Also, these tubes have very little blue glow to them, which means they were evacuated very well. One thing i've noticed about Russian tubes compared to Chinese ones, and even Czech ones is that the Russians seem to have a knack for getting their tubes evacuated nearly completely before they seal em up. Some people will say this doesn't matter much, some will say that it makes all the difference in the world. To me, it just shows an attention to detail and the willingness to go a lil further to make the tube as reliable as possible. One thing Sovteks were always known for was their reliability and toughness, if not their tone. Well, this time, it seems that Reflektor/New Sensor was listening to their customers, and delivered a product that was both reliable, and sounded sweet.

The first thing i noticed sonically is that there are alot more clear and well defined than the TADs, all through out the frequency range. The mids are very present but not overbearing or honky, the low end is nice and tight and crisp, not as mushy and flabby as the TADs. The highs are much more present than in the TADs, but not overbearing or ice picky, just was i was looking for to bring the BM to life. Overall they are punchy and lively, with a much better soundstage than the TADs. Boosted cleans are amazing on these tubes. They don't fold under the additional low end that comes from the Mega PAB and a clean boost and they handle the overdrive being produced by the boosted cleans amazingly well. The Drive channel also sounds 100% as well. The lows are nice and tight, and the mids and highs are present, but again not overbearing, which can be a problem when the HRM is bypassed on the BM. Overall, they are just more "alive" than the TADs and will faithfully reproduce what your amp is putting out and aren't loose in the low end like alot of 6L6's are. They are just nicely balanced.

These tubes are just what Reflektor adverstises: 5881 tone in a 30 watt over 400 v capable package; indeed they sound almost identical to my beloved Jan Phillips 6L6WGB's, but i don't have to worry about them red plating at full plate voltage or have a compromise in tone by lowering the HT voltage.

If you are in the market for a new set of tubes for your OTS, I suggest you give em a try, they may make you smile

Gregg

Wow, Thanks for the review. This is ironically just in time. Friday night I cranked the amp up and noticed for the first time that I think my power tubes are getting tired. The first thing I heard was little bit of crackling when I first filpped the stand-by. But also they seemed a little dull. It did seem to get better as I played, but I think a new set of tubes is going to be needed.

That's pretty impressive that you like them better than the TAD's. I think you mentioned it in another thread, but where did get these? I took your advice on the TAD's a year or so ago and was really happy, so I'm gonna take it again.  :)

Now, I wonder if I should mess around with new preamp tubes? The ones I have should still be OK, but it's always fun to do the whole amp. Anyway, let me know where you got the Tung Sol's. Thanks!

I got em from mike at kcanostubes.com

Some techs say it is a good idea to change the PI when you change your output tubes, kinda like preventive maintienence. If the rest of your pre amp tubes still sound good, I'd leave em alone. Don't fix it if it ain't broke ;)

Gregg

That's right kcanostubes, thanks.

So, are you still liking the Sovtek 12AX7 LPS for the PI? or, is there something else you've been using?

Thanks

Awesome review Gregg!
I'm sure I'll be trying different tubes at some point so I'll be referring back to this.
I just picked up an original 67 Bassman with a set of USA 6L6GC's in it. Not sure exactly what they are or how to identify them but it would be interesting to try them in my BM possibly.

@ Chris, actually i've been using GT 12AX7-R's in the PI since i have a slew of em here, but i think i'm thinking of putting one of my telefunkens in th PI spot, since they are known for reliablity


@rvf263 i wouldn't go sticking tubes of unknown origin or shape in your amp, just to be on the safeside. I'd see how they work in the Bassman first

Gregg

Gregg,
Yeah I'm not planning on trying that any time soon...lol...don't want to screw up a good thing!

Chris, did you ever try the Tung-Sols?

Gregg

Actually, no I haven't. I've been pushing the ones I have as long has possible. But like before, I was just telling myself I need to get new tubes right away. I have been going through an acoustic playing spell the last 2 months or so and haven't been playing the amp as much. I have some electric playing situations coming up and I don't trust not having a good set to start with.

Are you still loving the Tung Sol's?

P.S. Good to hear from ya!!  :)

Good to hear from you too, man!

Yeah, I love em! I actually got another set from tc tubes that are matched a lil better and he burns them in at the plate and screen voltage you specify. That set sounds even better! Very nice and very tight bass, which is always good with the Bluesmaster. So far the Tung sols and the TAD's are my fave new production tubes. I really wanna try the winged c's next, since I have read so many mixed reviews, I kinda wanna try em for myself.

Gregg