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Using Different Power Tube Types Simultaneously (PrimaLuna)

Always needing a quick answer on Sundays when the shops are closed..Murphy’s Law, Lol...

Just wanted to triple-check before I make a severe-consequences-mistake here :  Is it okay to mix one, brand A EL-34 in with three, brand B KT 77s in a PrimaLuna Prologue Classic integrated amp which normally uses a matched quad of power tubes?  I’m pretty sure I’ve been dealing with one, possibly two GL KT 77s that have been intermittently problematic for about 2 weeks but which have now gone bad to the point that re-seating doesn’t help and amp gives the red light consistently.  I don’t have a backup quad of KT 77s and need to trace down the bad tube(s).  I have the original EL 34s that came with the amp and they were working fine when I switched to the KT 77s last Spring.

if this is safe to do, is it also safe to play the amp with this mixture of tube types until I can get a replacement KT 77(s) delivered?

Apologies if this is 1 + 1 = 2 level basics...This is my first tube amp and my best Google search terms are turning up nothing but tons and tons of guitar amp articles that may or may not be applicable to my situation.  Thanks in advance.
lg1
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,610 posts
 
I would install the stock quad  and order a new quad and keep the others as back ups


good advice from tuberist
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Yup put the stockers back in and order up some new ones.. Why are you mixing? You have the originals you pulled? You broke an index off or something? LOL been a mechanic to long, reading between lines..
Use it anyways, won’t hurt a thing..

I don’t care what any manufacture says, match the valves and use the same kind. Power Valves and signal, you can mix the brands with different functions.. but don't mismatch left to right, just a real bad practice. You want to settle for "it will work" or "it sound good". I’ve heard how you can just throw a valve in, it will auto bias and you’re good. BULL. I’ve read their pitch. The exact reason I don’t care for them..

SQ and valves are because they ARE matched, not close enough.

They use to say the same thing on Macs, the reason most folks say "I don’t know what you hear in a Mcintosh"? Match and select good valves, then you get to hear the Wonders of Mac.. Their older valve amps are magical. Just takes a Mac junky to keep them running GREAT. They run forever. BUT to sound GREAT.. "Will work", just won’t do...

Enjoy OP...

Regards
lg1 OP
199 posts
 
Thanks, all!

Original, PL EL 34 quad is back up and running.  After living with the KT 77s for 10 months.....well, yeah,...I do like the ‘77s better but there are aspects of these EL 34s that are tough to beat.  Going to try a quad of the Mullard reissue EL 34s next and see if the hundred-bucks-less factor evens things out relative to the GL KT 77s but will definitely be revisiting the ‘77s at some future point, the fates willing.
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