TUBE purchase questions

[Greg]

Well fellas here is another newbie asking an annoying questions.

I am just about ready to "let the smoke out" of my DONNA ROCKET. Since this is my first ever build I thought it would be prudent to release inexpensive smoke from a "start up" set of tubes. I am not exactly sure if that includes all 8 tubes.

Should I buy 4 good EL84 and 1 good GZ34 and 3 inexpensive Sovtek 12AX7? Or should I get Sovtek for everything? Or are the power tubes at more risk?

I am looking at ordering from either KCA NOS Tubes or The Tube Store. I guess price will determine that. Also both seem to offer matched sets as a upgrade. Is this the way to go?

What do you guys recommend as a good first tube set. If the smoke likes its new home then I can spring for the expensive set.

Thoughts???

Thanks again for putting up with the ignorant.

[M Fowler]

Greg,

I am confident your amp is built correctly so go with all JJ tubes. My two cents.

Mark

[stubbyfex]

Hello!
I think the ones that will "smoke"!!! are the power tubes. I have had real good luck with JJ tubes also. They are not the cheapest, nor are they as expensive as NOS ones, but they are very sturdy. They also seem to have a higher plate voltage rating then other brands. The pre-amp tubes are very hard to "smoke"!!! I've hooked them up wrong, fed them with too high a voltage, even played heavy metal, and they are like that Timex watch, they take a beating and still keep running! Perhaps get a light bulb current limiter, or a Variac if you are worried your amp will smoke. Whenever I power up an amp for the first time, I have my voltmeter monitoring the high voltage, and I watch the power tubes for any tell-tale signs of overheating, or sparking.

[Greg]

Thanks guys...

[Ron Worley]

I used the JJ's for my test tubes and they are fine... but, I would think that once you get her a set, a matched quad of Saratov's from Sgt. Overdrive are what you want .. and a decent price to boot.....

[Normster]

I used the JJ's for my test tubes and they are fine... but, I would think that once you get her a set, a matched quad of Saratov's from Sgt. Overdrive are what you want .. and a decent price to boot.....

If those are the Russian military "equivalent" EL84s, I agree. Ballsiest tubes on the planet!

[rawnster]

I used the JJ's for my test tubes and they are fine... but, I would think that once you get her a set, a matched quad of Saratov's from Sgt. Overdrive are what you want .. and a decent price to boot.....

+1 Totally agree. This is exactly what I did with my recent Rocket build. The JJ's sound decent enough to get started. But dang, The Saratov's sound killer!

It is nice that Eurotubes is just down the proverbial street from me. (20 minute drive)

[Ron Worley]

I used the JJ's for my test tubes and they are fine... but, I would think that once you get her a set, a matched quad of Saratov's from Sgt. Overdrive are what you want .. and a decent price to boot.....

If those are the Russian military "equivalent" EL84s, I agree. Ballsiest tubes on the planet!

That would be them!!

[Allynmey]

Greg, get Russian EL-84's from the early Seventies.

[gahult]

And he...Sgt. Overdrive...is fast too.
Sent a request for prices and delivery at 4:03 and got a reply at 4:13.....in the AM.
He's either up late or getting an early start.

[mcrracer]

+1 on the lightbulb limiter for first time start up. It has saved my behind several times.

[Stanz]

+1 on the Saratov El84s. it was the difference between OK and great for all my Rockets.

[Structo]

+1 on the lightbulb limiter for first time start up. It has saved my behind several times.

+2

[Greg]

Greg, get Russian EL-84's from the early Seventies.

So SGT SLAUGHTER sells early 70's Russian EL 84s called Saratov?

I will get those but what about preamp and rectifier...JJ's???

[Blind Lemon]

Saratov for the out puts, JJs with a Tung Solski for the front end. I think they are a little fatter then the JJs.

BL