Tube Rolling w/Crack

[Doc B.]

S.E.X. amp had gobs of power for planars.

[ChetJettison]

I've seen the sticky about compatible tubes, and at just under 150 pages, it's a tome of valuable information. I'm new to tube rolling, and it does sound fun. But with all the options and information, it's hard to make an informed decision. So I seek specific recommendations: Which alternate tubes should I try first? Are there any tried-and-true choices out there? A consensus on particularly nice tubes that don't cost a fortune? I'm open to suggestions.

[Paul Birkeland]

Buy a smattering of what's cheap on eBay.  I would suggest not buying any new production tubes.

[ChetJettison]

Buy a smattering of what's cheap on eBay.  I would suggest not buying any new production tubes.

I meant to post my question as it's own topic. Oops. But since we're on the subject- any particular tubes you'd recommend?

[tim273]

I've seen the sticky about compatible tubes, and at just under 150 pages, it's a tome of valuable information. I'm new to tube rolling, and it does sound fun. But with all the options and information, it's hard to make an informed decision. So I seek specific recommendations: Which alternate tubes should I try first? Are there any tried-and-true choices out there? A consensus on particularly nice tubes that don't cost a fortune? I'm open to suggestions.

It's a spendy way to go, but the Western Electric 421A is always good (if you can find one) and I've been enjoying that with my Tung Sol tall bottle halo 6SN7 with the Garage1217 adapter (http://garage1217.com/garage1217_diy_tube_headphone_amplifiers_012.htm#e80)

[ChetJettison]

It's a spendy way to go

At $230+, that Western Electric is a bit out of my price range just now. But I'll add it to my wish list for the future, when I become inexplicably wealthy! That Tung Sol on the other hand is much more attainable. Thanks for the suggestions!

[cddc]

At $230+, that Western Electric is a bit out of my price range just now. But I'll add it to my wish list for the future, when I become inexplicably wealthy! That Tung Sol on the other hand is much more attainable. Thanks for the suggestions!

I would recommend a Svetlana 6H13C (Russian equivalent to 6AS7G) for around $10 from Russia/Ukraine. A decent power tube to start with, especially for the price.

[cddc]

Same as PB, I would not recommend buying any new production tube, a pure waste of money.

[Paul Birkeland]

I meant to post my question as it's own topic. Oops. But since we're on the subject- any particular tubes you'd recommend?

Yes, you did post it as its own topic, then I merged it into this thread where it belongs. 

[ChetJettison]

Yes, you did post it as its own topic, then I merged it into this thread where it belongs.

Haha, whoops! Thanks for keeping me in line!

[ChetJettison]

I would recommend a Svetlana 6H13C (Russian equivalent to 6AS7G) for around $10 from Russia/Ukraine. A decent power tube to start with, especially for the price.

Can you suggest a vendor for these? There don't appear to be any currently on eBay.

[Paul Birkeland]

Can you suggest a vendor for these? There don't appear to be any currently on eBay.

There are several on eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MATCHED-PAIR-6H13C-6AS7-6080-7802-NOS-1976-TOP-QUALITY-BLACK-PLATES-NOS/124344273254?hash=item1cf37f0966:g:bJwAAOSw3NpcVElH
https://www.ebay.com/itm/6AS7G-6as7g-6H13GC-6H5C-CV2523-valvola-nos-tube-high-fidelity-audio-amplifiers/192902269727?hash=item2ce9df0b1f:g:DBAAAOSwn7Rb8BgW
https://www.ebay.com/itm/6N13S-6AS7G-ECC230-SVETLANA-Tube-Double-Triode-NOS-USSR-Lot-1pc/273312455235?hash=item3fa2b11a43:g:JC0AAOSwgZ5cW~fG
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-pcs-6N13S-6AS7G-ECC230-Svetlana-1970s-Double-Triode-Tubes-OTK-USSR-NOS/202983096777?hash=item2f42bc41c9:g:x7gAAOSwJrBelaU-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-6N5S-6AS7G-ECC230-Vintage-Vacuum-Tubes-Double-Triode-Slightly-Used/164373017112?hash=item2645653218:g:5xUAAOSwa4NfVj9~

There are plenty more than this.

[cddc]

Can you suggest a vendor for these? There don't appear to be any currently on eBay.

Lots of them on eBay, just list some below (note: 6H13C = 6N13S in Russian)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6N13S-6-13-6AS7G-RUSSIAN-100-TESTED-TUBE-NOS/284022831534?hash=item42211479ae:g:4TsAAOSwoG5Z8FWl


https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-6N13S-6AS7G-ECC230-Tube-SVETLANA-NOS-OTK/324293038471?hash=item4b815f1187:g:lmQAAOSwMBFfXKTf

[ChetJettison]

Ah, I see! I must have mis-typed when I was first searching for them.
I went ahead and bought one. As well as a Mullard CV4003. These will be my first attempts! But I gather it's best to have a variety. So I'm still taking recommendations!

[raindownthunda]

The Brimar cv4003 ($$) and Brimar 13d5 ($$$) was a fun comparison for me after I first built my crack. They both sound good, but I found the 13d5 to stand out as a clear winner. Harder to find in the US but they're both on ebay. Langrex is a good UK seller BTW.