Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: stingray_65 on August 10, 2010, 07:10:32 pm

Title: 5881 choices for TOS
Post by: stingray_65 on August 10, 2010, 07:10:32 pm

I'm not finding any unused 5881's or 6l6GB's in my tube collection.

so I'm gonna actually buy a brand new set of tubes! (gasp!)

I'm torn right now between Sovetek 5881WXT's or Tunsol Reissues.

Any comments or thoughts would be appreciated, I'm in new territory here.

Thanks,

Ray

Title: Re: 5881 choices for TOS
Post by: LooseChange on August 10, 2010, 08:10:16 pm

Try the used ones. They may sound perfect.

Title: Re: 5881 choices for TOS
Post by: Tone Junkie on August 10, 2010, 08:44:00 pm

Tube tramp on the metro forum has some nos 5881 for I think $70 or 72.00 a pair. Bill
PS dont buy to many I still need to get some   :grin:

Title: Re: 5881 choices for TOS
Post by: tubenit on August 11, 2010, 05:05:51 am

I'm currently using Tung Sol 5881 Re-issues and have also owned Tung Sol 5881 originals that HotBluePlates gave me.

I think they're comparable to my ears in my amps & all very nice sounding tubes.

With respect, Tubenit

Title: Re: 5881 choices for TOS
Post by: Twanger on August 11, 2010, 06:54:20 am

+1 for the tung sol RI

John

Title: Re: 5881 choices for TOS
Post by: LaszloS on August 11, 2010, 08:14:11 am

+1 reissues, though I have never been able to compare NOS tungsols.

I have been using the tungsol RI's in a Pro reverb style amp they sound real good but what is the best bias point for them? mine are running at 50ma (cathode current) at 420VB+ but they don;t red plate and I feel I could push them more.  I don't know maybe thats crazy.

Title: Re: 5881 choices for TOS
Post by: FYL on August 11, 2010, 11:39:49 am

The Tung-Solskies are excellent.

Title: Re: 5881 choices for TOS
Post by: stingray_65 on August 12, 2010, 02:27:18 am

Thanks Fella's,

I can't afford to buy NOS unless I get a steal on fleaby. I'm SO over-budget on this build already, I loved the mojo the TOS has so much that I bought a lot of parts and didn't recycle hardly any where. That's not to say I didn't have a few spare parts lying around to use, but I didn't even try to use one of my vintage speakers or old Iron.

I do still have a trio of NOS RCA 12AX7's 1957 long black plates with pretty white letters and all on them and 2 NOS RCA 5879's with ugly orange print sitting wrapped up in a cigar box on my bench waiting to go in after the shake down run.

Maybe in November when I get part 2 of my severance I'll indulge in some vintage glass, but for now I'll follow the suggestions and get a pair of Tung Sol reissues.

Thanks for your opinions

Ray