best EF86 tubes
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- tinisuta
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best EF86 tubes
I am about to build an EF86 variant of an 18W (based on Ceriatone's one). EF86 seem to be subject to microphonics, and product quality seems to vary greatly, making it hard to find 'good' EF86s.
What brand would you suggest to use ?
What brand would you suggest to use ?
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This would fall into the 'for what it's worth catagory' but I just finished a Ceriatone 36W EF86 kit and I used a new Tung-Sol EF806. I bought the tube from the Tube Depot and it was supposedly tested for low microphonics. The tube does work. It is not microphonic and doesn't make any strange noises. I have no idea if the tone is good compared to other EF86's as it is the only one I have ever used but it sounds good to me. Not cheap, $42 USD.
I have two damping rings on the tube and there is a rubber ring between the tube socket and the chassis. See attached photo.
I have two damping rings on the tube and there is a rubber ring between the tube socket and the chassis. See attached photo.
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Classically, the Z729 is the Holy Grail, made by GEC in the 50s. You do not see many of those ...
The pragmatic and practical NOS answers are Tesla EF806S, Philips group E80F, and the Russian 6zh32p / 6j32p. You find them on eBay regularly.
The Russki valves are a lot better than people give them credit for - 4000 hr minimum spec, and low microphony. I have some in my shed marked with CV numbers, 6267 and the UK government arrow!
I'm using these - and not just because they are cheap.
The pragmatic and practical NOS answers are Tesla EF806S, Philips group E80F, and the Russian 6zh32p / 6j32p. You find them on eBay regularly.
The Russki valves are a lot better than people give them credit for - 4000 hr minimum spec, and low microphony. I have some in my shed marked with CV numbers, 6267 and the UK government arrow!
I'm using these - and not just because they are cheap.
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- EnglishBob
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Hi,
I built an 18W with a normal and EF86 channel - tried several (varyingly expensive Mullard etc) EF86 tubes, all of which were a bit microphonic for me. After reading something I think from AX84, I ended up using an EF83 -which was cheaper It has the same pin-out but different values for gain and output impedance. I found it sounded great in the AC/4 style stock circuit without altering resistors etc and it wasn't microphonic, not sure how it differs in sound to an EF86 but I like it and tend to use this channel over the 12ax7 (normal) channel. As with all these things YMMV but just an idea.
Cheers Bob
I built an 18W with a normal and EF86 channel - tried several (varyingly expensive Mullard etc) EF86 tubes, all of which were a bit microphonic for me. After reading something I think from AX84, I ended up using an EF83 -which was cheaper It has the same pin-out but different values for gain and output impedance. I found it sounded great in the AC/4 style stock circuit without altering resistors etc and it wasn't microphonic, not sure how it differs in sound to an EF86 but I like it and tend to use this channel over the 12ax7 (normal) channel. As with all these things YMMV but just an idea.
Cheers Bob
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