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What tubes and why? Marantz 8B

uenjoymyself

uenjoymyself

Surrender to the flow
Having a difficult time deciding on what tubes to run in a newly acquired Marantz 8B. Originally had decided on new production winged C's St Petersburg Germany. Then started looking at NOS Mullards and Svetlanas after two different retailers attempted to sway me from winged C's. One saying that Ruby tubes el34bht where better and the other recommending Groove tube el34m's both are inexpensive Chinese made tubes.

The 8B sounds wonderful with a mismatched quad of vintage el34's from different makers. Im hoping a new MATCHED quad of some DECENT new production tubes will make it sound even better!

Anyway just wondering what AKer's are using and why.

Recommendations? Please be specific and descriptive as to why you like what you have.



THANKS, Tube newbie

PS the 8B has been tested and serviced and is to spec. paired with a model 7 pre also tested and serviced. Both original with no modifications.
 
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I'd wager to say if there's any irregularities you'll be able to hear them with that level of hardware. I worked on a 7C and only guess what the 8B mite be like.
I think most here like to hear tube comparisions. Let us know results.
 
I run my dynaco with a quad of sylvania 6ca7's. I also have a quad of EI 6ca7's that sound rather nice as well, pretty difficult to find them nowadays.

Why- I was running jj's and they sounded ok, didn't have great tone. Both my fat bottle quads settled that dispute.
 
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I've been real happy with Svetlana 6550=C= and Electro Harmonix 6550 for output tubes driving 4.3K iron. I use minimal feedback so the tubes must have the stones to stand on their own performance. 6L6GC, 6P3S, 5881, 6P3S-E and EL34's were all weak performers at volume with the 4.3 k iron. They did perform much better with 6.6K iron......
 
Your tube choices sound good.
Enjoy the 8b, it is a wonderful amp.

Keep your eyes out for a quad of Siemens el 34s.
The sound nice in the 8b, imho.

Paul
 
paul cbc said:
Your tube choices sound good.
Enjoy the 8b, it is a wonderful amp.

Keep your eyes out for a quad of Siemens el 34s.
The sound nice in the 8b, imho.

Paul
Click to expand...

Yes, Siemens where my first choice but availability is limited at this time and the Svetlana's where a deal I couldn't pass up.

The 8B came with two German made Siemens a Sylvania and a new production Slovtek. I wanted a matched quad and the Svets came up first.

I'll be on the lookout for sure!!!!
 
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