Power tube sets for 3ch DR

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I need a preamp tube for my 3 ch DR so thought I would get a whole set while I am at it so I have some backups when other tubes die.

I am in Australia and will be buying from USA (via friend if need be) as the prices for tubes here are ridiculous. The first route is to buy the stock stuff from Mesa http://mesa.stores.yahoo.net/mesboogtub.html

* I thought I may as well get 5 x SPAX7-A rather than the standard 5 x 12AX7. They don't cost that much more so why not?
* I will get 2 x rectifier tubes (mine have a very light smokey stain on the glass under the bottom plate, damaged? Will need replacements one day anyway I guess)
* The power tubes have me a bit confused. Mesa sell matched pairs. However I have heard about getting matched quads. If I order 4 x 6L6s would it be 2 x matched pairs or 1 x matched quad? I was thinking that while I am at it I will get 6 x 6L6s. So if I order 6 x 6L6s do I get a matched quad and a matched pair or 3 x matched pairs? I take it you have to replace at least 2 x 6L6 at a time. Do you replace the two on the left at the same time OR the two on the right at the same time?

The other alternative is to get something different.
Winged Cs get a lot of attention so maybe I could get
http://thetubestore.com/6l6gc.html

Or make it real easy and get a whole set for my amp
http://thetubestore.com/mesa-3ch-dualrectifier.html
and get the premium package
http://thetubestore.com/sba-mesa-3ch-dualrectifier2.html

This set is about the same price as buying the Mesa tubes via the Mesa online shop.

Any advice appreciated, particulary on the power tube questions. Open to any other tubes, I would like to increase the definition of low notes at high gain setings, but don't want to lose the bowell shaking rock chords.

Tube Depot http://tubedepot.com/ sell nifty tube transport boxes, but I wouldn't know where to start with selecting tubes. Reliability is a big issue for me. I don't want to be replacing tubes all the time.

 

[fluff191]

I need a preamp tube for my 3 ch DR so thought I would get a whole set while I am at it so I have some backups when other tubes die.

I am in Australia and will be buying from USA (via friend if need be) as the prices for tubes here are ridiculous. The first route is to buy the stock stuff from Mesa http://mesa.stores.yahoo.net/mesboogtub.html

* I thought I may as well get 5 x SPAX7-A rather than the standard 5 x 12AX7. They don't cost that much more so why not?
* I will get 2 x rectifier tubes (mine have a very light smokey stain on the glass under the bottom plate, damaged? Will need replacements one day anyway I guess)
* The power tubes have me a bit confused. Mesa sell matched pairs. However I have heard about getting matched quads. If I order 4 x 6L6s would it be 2 x matched pairs or 1 x matched quad? I was thinking that while I am at it I will get 6 x 6L6s. So if I order 6 x 6L6s do I get a matched quad and a matched pair or 3 x matched pairs? I take it you have to replace at least 2 x 6L6 at a time. Do you replace the two on the left at the same time OR the two on the right at the same time?

The other alternative is to get something different.
Winged Cs get a lot of attention so maybe I could get
http://thetubestore.com/6l6gc.html

Or make it real easy and get a whole set for my amp
http://thetubestore.com/mesa-3ch-dualrectifier.html
and get the premium package
http://thetubestore.com/sba-mesa-3ch-dualrectifier2.html

This set is about the same price as buying the Mesa tubes via the Mesa online shop.

Any advice appreciated, particulary on the power tube questions. Open to any other tubes, I would like to increase the definition of low notes at high gain setings, but don't want to lose the bowell shaking rock chords.

Tube Depot http://tubedepot.com/ sell nifty tube transport boxes, but I wouldn't know where to start with selecting tubes. Reliability is a big issue for me. I don't want to be replacing tubes all the time.

The Pelican cases TubeDepot.com sells are awesome. Can't beat the life time warranty either.

As for the SPAX7's, they are just rated for extremely low noise for high end stereo gear, and paying the extra money IMO isn't worth it. If you order from either TubeStore.com or TubeDepot.com, they will send you quality tubes anyways (as opposed to buying off eBay or something).

Many places (including TubeDepot) sell 'matched pairs' so in order to get a matched quad you would indeed just order 2 matched pairs and then just specify in the comments section (during the checkout process) they you would like a matched quad.

I personally get all of my tubes from TubeDepot. TubeStore is great as well.

As for what tubes to get, just do alot of reading. I personally think the Mesa tubes nowdays are complete junk and should only be used as spares. If you can afford it, the Winged C's are a great sounding tube. If you are on a budget, the Sovtek WXT+ are good sounding tubes as well. For preamp tubes I love EH, Shuguang (Sino) and Tung-Sols.

Hope that helps.

 

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Thanks a lot. Interesting that you don't rate the Mesa tubes very well as I have heard others say they are very good and reliable. I was just thinking that I would have no "biasing" issues at all if I got Mesa tubes. I don't even know what "biasing" is other than I know if you get it wrong you can screw your amp. Thus fear has driven me to the Mesa tubes to some extent. I guess I will just take the plunge somewhere.