Question about STR387 vs. STR415

[Skyless7620]

From reading around I've understood that they are very similar tubes with the STR387 apparently having a bit more headroom. Will the 387's give me the same aggressive bite as the 415's however? I ask because I can get my hands on either RCA 6L6GC's or Sylvania Yellow labels for a lot cheaper than the 415's are going for right now and was wondering if they were essentially the same thing

Thanks

 

[dodger916]

I've never used 437s; can't say that I've heard of them (but I'm no encyclopedia). I can say that nothing sounds better in an early Mark amp (pre Mark IV) than dual top getter Sylvania/RCA/GE 6L6s (aka STR415 or STR387). More headroom than STR 415s?? I'd have to ask in what amp do you plan on installing them? Also, good tube dealers will publish the idle current draw, so if you get 415s that draw in the low 20's mA, you'll get more headroom versus a higher idle current which will break up earlier, in fixed-bias amps that is.

 

[cremona]

I have been reeding through as much info regarding the 415`s and 387`s i could find, the 387 came with ither a singel or the dual getters, the ones with dual getters is the same as the 415 the just changed the name later on to 415.

If you want somthing that should give a littel more clean headroom , get the Philips 7581a str,( not the GE 7581a wich is GE`s own production) the where not designed for consumers, but the military, and is proberly the most reliable 6l6gc ever made.

The RCA`s with the dual getters is a relabled sylvania 415

 

[Skyless7620]

Alright thank you guys. I DID mean STR387. Just a big mistake on my part :lol: I'm not necessarily looking for more headroom, just more punch and definition across the board.

I plan on putting these in my Mark III btw. Although I might change around my current combination in the preamp. I got 2 RFT 12AX7s off a friend but I think one or both of them may be microphonic since my amp is relatively noisy now (not bad, just not quiet like I've heard these tubes can be). I like it in V3 but think I need something else in V1. Any suggestions? I've been looking at those JAN Phillips and the Tungsrams. I guess I should mention I got a GT12AT7 in V5, and that when I put a mesa 12AX7 in it's place, the amp seems to be come harsher.

Finally, how do those SED =C= compare to standard production tubes?

 

[Skyless7620]

"black plates and horseshoe duel getters in the lower part of the tube." - Describing a type of RCA 6l6.

Does that ring a bell for anyone?

 

[Facelift]

Alright thank you guys. I DID mean STR387. Just a big mistake on my part :lol: I'm not necessarily looking for more headroom, just more punch and definition across the board.

I plan on putting these in my Mark III btw. Although I might change around my current combination in the preamp. I got 2 RFT 12AX7s off a friend but I think one or both of them may be microphonic since my amp is relatively noisy now (not bad, just not quiet like I've heard these tubes can be). I like it in V3 but think I need something else in V1. Any suggestions? I've been looking at those JAN Phillips and the Tungsrams. I guess I should mention I got a GT12AT7 in V5, and that when I put a mesa 12AX7 in it's place, the amp seems to be come harsher.

Finally, how do those SED =C= compare to standard production tubes?

I found that any Mesa tube in any socket of the preamp sounds harsh and thin. RFTs all the way. I personally cant see how Mesa can charge so much for thier tubes, they are crap.

 

[dodger916]

From reading around I've understood that they are very similar tubes with the STR387 apparently having a bit more headroom. Will the 387's give me the same aggressive bite as the 415's however? I ask because I can get my hands on either RCA 6L6GC's or Sylvania Yellow labels for a lot cheaper than the 415's are going for right now and was wondering if they were essentially the same thing

Thanks

Thanks for correcting your post. Mesa does not actually manufacture tubes; they buy tubes from manufacturers, have their logo printed on the tube, then test and match them to ensure they operate within Mesa's specs. As such, STR415s and Sylvania/RCA/GE dual top getter 6L6s the same thing.