Supratek Tubes and Tube Swappin' for Everybody


I will have a Supratek Chenin in my set up in a day or so. Since so many folks are rolling tubes around here I was hoping to garner a comprehensive list of everybodies favorite tube compliments. Be it NOS or NIB or WLATB (Whatever's layin around the basement)
Being that the "Deal of the Century" thread is a little more like a novel I figured this would be a good place to post questions and answers related to one subject of Supratek amps and pres.
On to the subject of me. I don't have immediate plans to swap tubes as I've figured that Mr. Maloney would supply us with something listenable for the break in period. But, since so many have reported such dramatic improvments I want to ask this question:
What is your favorite compliment for quietest gain and dynamics in the phono stage?
I will be using the Chenin exclusively for vinyl ( I don't have a CD player) and listen to loads of early rock and roll and Jazz bands, smaller jazz bands mostly, quartets and quintets. Some classical, the usual Beethoven and Mozart, but usually just a lot of loud garage rock.
Ok, now lets see what happens.
mc5baby

Showing 10 responses by sorlowski

Jazzdude,

As far as I understand stock 5881 can be repleaced with Tung Sol 5881's , Western Electric 350B but not with Ken-Rad's 6SN7GT/VT231 or Sylvania 6SN7GT ?
Bwhite,
great comprehensive post !
Is Bendix 6106 better then Philips Miniwatt GZ34 (which I'm using) for Chenin ?
For short time I had WE350B I had impression that sound was too worm, I have warm monoblocks, so what is the best way to have a little more highs (what tubes) without sacrificing anything.
I'm using Ken Rad Black Glass VT231,Philips Miniwatt GZ34 (rest is stock).
Bwhite,
Thank for interesting reply, are you sure that Bendix would work with new Chenin ? (some people claims it did not).
Any Bendix would do, or it have to be "Bendix 6106 Red Bank" ? I'm real rooky when it comes to tubes, but really like them.

I have got usual Philips MiniWatt GZ34 not metal base, is there big difference between those two ?
I have asked Mike these questions:

Can bendix 6106 be used in Chenin rectifier (line level and phono inputs)?
Or maybe it can be used only when line level input are used, or not at all ?

His answer:
"
The Bendix can be used in any Supratek, and is probably as good as you can get.
The 6F6GT regulator tube can only be used in the line stage pres, and there are a few brands that dont seem very reliable -I'm recommending that if you want to experiment with regulator tubes the Sovtek KT66 is a good sub.
"
What is a difference in look, sound quality between Bendix 6106 and Red Bank Bendix 6106 ?
Or maybe all Bendix 6106 are Red Bank Bendix 6106 ?
What are the best new replacements for 5881 which comes with Chenin, because NOS replacements like WE350B or Tung Sol 5881 are awfully expensive...
Thanks for your answers, but what reissue of KT-66 or other tube would give me most warm, details and drive (if such combination of features is possible) ?
Which new replacement will get me closest to famous WE 350B performance ?
Are tubes from Chinese Valve Art (KT-66) or maybe Harmonics any good ?
What is a difference between GEC KT-66 and Genelec KT-66 ?
Are they both equally good ?
Thank you, I'm asking because all GEC KT-66 I have seen were gray glass, and Genelec KT-66 were clear glass, the some shape though. So I thought that they must be different companies.
Thank for info, I have though that Marconi is Italian company and Osram German company ?
Is there a difference in sound between gray glass or clear glass GEC, Genalex ?