Sovtek 6L6WXT

[gary sanders]

Anyone running these?Im looking for a new pair for the D-Clone and read it was modeled after the RCA Blackplates

http://tubedepot.com/so-6l6wxt.html

Also interested in their EL84M for my '63 GE Console stereo running 7189's.Ive never used a Sovtek tube and was hoping I could get some feedback from someone.

[jestaudio]

i,m using sovtek 5881/6l6wgc,s in my D-clone and my traynor custom valve, in comparison to some stock tubes their pretty decent sounding to my ears but i still hanker after some decent NOS 6L6,s , give them a try they will sound good especially at the price in comparison to NOS stuff

[gldtp99]

I use Sovtek 6L6WXT+ tubes in many builds/retubes---good sounding, reliable, cost effective modern output tubes.
But to rate them up with RCA 6L6GC Blackplates is just marketing BS, IMO----- many of my personal vintage Fenders run old prod 6L6GC's--- RCA BP's, GE's, Sylvania's----the old tubes do make a difference (if they have some life left in them)---but i also have vintage Fenders running Sovtek 6L6WXT+'s and people have never complained about the tone ('67 Showman, '65 Bassman)---- these two amps came to me butchered and have been rebuilt with modern coupling caps (Mojo Dijons in Showman---various in Bassman) and have Mag Comp 4/8/16 ohm OT's--people love playing these amps !!! They sound great.
I also use JJ 6L6GC and Chinese 6L6GC's (different brand names)---these are ok, too.
I don't know about the Sovtek EL84's----- my 14/7 watt JCM 800/#34 Mod build runs a pair of GE 6BQ5's and my Hiwatt Lead 30 runs JJ EL84's---i'm not really an EL84 guy--- .........................gldtp99

[Cliff Schecht]

I'd go with JJ over Sovtek personally but each offers a different flavor of 6L6. If you can afford to I'd recommend you try out a few different brands of new stock and see if one makes you happier than the others. If you go to a repair shop some guys will actually let you try out different tubes in your amp before you buy, but not everyone will do this.

[David Root]

gldp99 said "I use Sovtek 6L6WXT+ tubes in many builds/retubes---good sounding, reliable, cost effective modern output tubes.
But to rate them up with RCA 6L6GC Blackplates is just marketing BS, IMO."

+1, no contest.

If you haven't tried a pair (or quad, whatever) of RCA blackplates, you have NO IDEA what a treat you are in for! There is absolutely no comparison with any current production 6L6GC tube IMHO. Unless you are a metalhead, in which case you might prefer NOS Sylvania.

Don't have to be NOS, just "have some life left in them". In fact, I have run used '60s RCA blackplates until they croak, they sounded good until they finally went to Valvehalla!

Some years ago I bought a bunch of Shuguang brown base 6L6GCs, they were so cheap, $19 a pair!. They actually sound pretty good, not sure about longevity, but they are now apparently NOS too! Carpe diem.

[M Fowler]

I have been using Shuguang because the hi-fi guys are using them so they have to be good quality.

Mark

[Structo]

I have a quad of TAD 6L6 STR in my 100w amp.
Are those made by Shuguang?
They sound pretty darn good and have kept their bias pretty good.
I bought them from Doug's Tubes.
He burns them in then matches them.
I believe the burning in part is very important for stability of bias.

I tried the Tung-Sol 6L6 STR but they drifted too far apart.
Those were from a different dealer that does not burn in power tubes.

I wanted the Winged C because I ran those in my D'lite and liked them a lot but they have raised the price too high for me.