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Really...My favorite power tube is reissue that's not widely popular

If you run 6l6/EL34 variants, I HIGHLY recommend trying this tube out.  The Tung Sol 7581A reissue.  I've had these for a good bit of time and compared them against KT150s, EL34s (several brands), KT88s, and maybe another that I'm forgetting.  They are a mere $30 a pop and they are the best tube I have heard. I know that's a brave bold statement to make as there is so much competition out there and the tube is very much under the radar from what I can tell.  

After having these around for a long time (and in and out of the amp), I had them in and was nearly spellbound one night by how great they sounded upon reentry into my amp.  I did a search and could only find one review, which I agree wholeheartedly with.  You can find it here: https://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/amplification/6l6-vacuum-tube-review-tubes-courtesy-of-www-thetu...

I am nearly incredulous there isn't hype out there about this tube.  Simply my favorite tube.  I thought I'd pass this along as it may be much cheaper to give them a whirl then fuss with a much more expensive power cord, cable, or other tweak.  
jbhiller
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,451 posts
 

Would the 7581A be biased the same as a 6L6GC/KT-66? I am currently running KT-88s in my DeHavilland 50A mono blocks and would like to try the 7581As. The DeHavilland is designed to accept 6L6/KT-66 tubes and a bias setting for those is specified in the owners manual. Would it be safe to assume that the same bias setting be used for the 7581A?

I'm not a tech but NO I would not assume that. I was running Heathkit W5 monos originally with NOS GE 7581A. When I switched to reissue Gold Lion KT66, those ran a LOT hotter and my tech had to adjust the bias down so they wouldn't orange-plate. 

Of course you're talking reissue Tung-Sol 7581A which I haven't quite tried yet, but I do have three quads on the way to try in my Rogue Apollo Dark monoblocks :) 

ml8764ag's avatar
ml8764ag
515 posts
 

Op, Agreed. I ran some current production “Tung Sol” el34s and for my tastes nothing else came close. I was initially turned off at the exploitation of the name but the tubes/their quality do the name some justice.

 

re. 6922s Although there may be some complications getting them these days, the  Electro-Harmonix are EXCELLENT tubes.

 

I think the superiory of NOS over current production tubes is greatly exaggerated in many cases.

 

All that being said, I once had a pair of telefunkens that were simply divine.

teknikk7's avatar
teknikk7
3 posts
 

This tube is so underrated.  Sound amazing in my Primaluna Evo 400 mono’s.  

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