Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Legacy Kit Products => Smash => Topic started by: corndog71 on May 13, 2015, 10:15:36 AM

Title: Replacement tube recommendations
Post by: corndog71 on May 13, 2015, 10:15:36 AM

So it sounds like one of my 4P1L tubes is not doing so good.  I've been meaning to pick up some replacements but it looks like they're all in Russia.  Any recommendations?

Title: Re: Replacement tube recommendations
Post by: Grainger49 on May 13, 2015, 10:28:29 AM

I get good service, but not fast delivery, from a number of old USSR sellers.  I have used these more than once and would not hesitate to recommend them:

Alexer1
KWTubes
Alex550

Title: Re: Replacement tube recommendations
Post by: mcandmar on May 13, 2015, 10:33:17 AM

I got nice early 60's vintage sets from tubeprofi,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-matched-pair-4P1L-directly-heated-output-pentode-f-tube-amplifier-same-Year-/361091484100?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5412bac9c4 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-matched-pair-4P1L-directly-heated-output-pentode-f-tube-amplifier-same-Year-/361091484100?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5412bac9c4)

Title: Re: Replacement tube recommendations
Post by: corndog71 on May 28, 2015, 10:01:09 AM

Quote from: mcandmar on May 13, 2015, 10:33:17 AM

I got nice early 60's vintage sets from tubeprofi,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-matched-pair-4P1L-directly-heated-output-pentode-f-tube-amplifier-same-Year-/361091484100?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5412bac9c4 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-matched-pair-4P1L-directly-heated-output-pentode-f-tube-amplifier-same-Year-/361091484100?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5412bac9c4)

I ordered 3 pairs and got them faster than expected!  They all have the winged "C" logo stamped into the metal base. Original Svetlana?

(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi576.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fss207%2Fcorndog642%2FBottlehead%2520Smash%2FCF54122E-C060-4F84-81BC-FA2F4DEFC136_zpssja2xo3e.jpg&hash=6bfebf200b97abec4326b8656936f912768675af)

Title: Re: Replacement tube recommendations
Post by: mcandmar on May 28, 2015, 10:30:17 AM

Yup, the "Winged C" logo as people refer to it.

Title: Re: Replacement tube recommendations
Post by: corndog71 on May 29, 2015, 04:14:50 AM

I listened to the first pair last night.  Wow!  Great soundstage and powerful bass.  Can't wait to try the others.

Title: Re: Replacement tube recommendations
Post by: mcandmar on May 29, 2015, 05:00:39 AM

What year of manufacture is stamped on them?      People claim the best of them are the early 60's vintage, and of the three sets i have the two early 60's pairs sound better to my ears.  Its as though they have better extension on the high and low end of the spectrum.

Title: Re: Replacement tube recommendations
Post by: corndog71 on May 29, 2015, 05:40:30 AM

That first pair was stamped 62. I also have a pair of 63 and 71.