6J5 to 6C45P?

currly30 · 7900

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Offline currly30

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on: May 17, 2023, 08:10:54 PM
Would I be able to use the 6J5 tubes with an adapter in place of the 6C45P?



Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #1 on: May 17, 2023, 08:39:08 PM
Most definitely not a good idea!

Paul "PB" Birkeland

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Offline currly30

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Reply #2 on: May 17, 2023, 09:43:22 PM
Why is that? Doesn't it have the same voltage and current?
« Last Edit: May 17, 2023, 09:53:11 PM by currly30 »



Offline Doc B.

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Reply #3 on: May 18, 2023, 04:17:21 AM
Very different tube with much less gain, much less max plate dissipation  and much higher output impedance. The most feasible substitute for a 6C45pi is a WE437A. IME the 6C45pi sounds just as good as the 437A and even a bit better in some applications.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
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Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #4 on: May 18, 2023, 04:37:51 AM
You'd also be running at nearly maximum cathode current, which would also likely shorten the lifetime of a 6J5.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline currly30

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Reply #5 on: May 18, 2023, 10:56:23 AM
Interesting. Thank you for the information.



Offline bergurbrag

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Reply #6 on: July 17, 2023, 06:00:55 AM
Hi ! Are there any upgrade tubes for the Mainline you would recomend, that would upgrade the sound ?



Offline Doc B.

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Reply #7 on: July 17, 2023, 06:09:57 AM
The most feasible substitute for a 6C45pi is a WE437A. Of course this requires completely different sockets and the tubes are very expensive. IME the 6C45pi sounds just as good as the 437A and even a bit better in some applications.

IMO the energy would be better spent upgrading headphones or maybe playing with boutique capacitors.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline ipetruk

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Reply #8 on: August 23, 2023, 10:36:27 PM
Also 6S15p, I tried it. Sounds different, a matter of taste

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