Sadly, there is really no definitive answer to your question.

Posted by jsm (A) on July 27, 2007 at 11:18:56

In Reply to: Which 5751 posted by DaLarry on July 26, 2007 at 21:02:03:

The fundamental reason is simple. Which tubes sound best can depend a lot on the specific circuit involved. The second reason is also important. Different tubes will sound different, but it can be a mtter of taste, your taste, which you like better. In the same piece of equipment, two different people could decide two different tube choices were the best.

I went through this in a big way with my EAR 834p. After trying a number of 12AX7s, from very fine NOS Teles and Mullards and so on, I went on to try a number of different 5751s. I was guided by Joe's Tube Lore referenced below. I quickly decided i clearly preferred the 5751 in all three positions, while others here have not liked them. I went through all kind of 5751s, and finally found the ones I liked the best: GE 5 star with gray plates and a dome-shaped getter. The black plate version was more highly touted, and I wouldn't be surprised if in other circuits I would have preferred it, but it was the gray plates for me. Incidentally, I made CD-Rs of every set-up, so I had a permanent record and could always go back and compare any tube choice with any other without having to rely on memory; this was extremely helpful. I tried Raytheons with windmill getters, almost works of art to look at, RCAs, other GEs, Tung Sols- the list goes on. I liked most of them quite a bit and a lot better than 12AX7s. My least favorite 12AX7 was the EH gold pin. In the end this was beginning to drive me crazy, as no choice was without its limitations. I sold the EAR and bought an ARC PH 5 which is far more to my liking. I now have a pile of tubes in boxes in a closet.

I suspect that if I were tube rolling a ST-70 (my first amp!- I built one from kit 45 years ago), I would come up with very different conclusions.

Joe

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Which 5751 - DaLarry 21:02:03 07/26/07 (15)

Sadly, there is really no definitive answer to your question. - jsm 07/27/0711:18:56 07/27/07 (3)

RE: Sadly, there is really no definitive answer to your question. - DaLarry 12:18:18 07/27/07 (2)

You are absolutely right. - jsm 13:54:32 07/27/07 (1)

RE: You are absolutely right. - DaLarry 18:38:06 07/27/07 (0)

RE: Which 5751 - JimOfOakCreek 08:10:50 07/27/07 (2)

RE: Which 5751 - DaLarry 09:37:22 07/27/07 (0)

Just goes to show - Frihed89 09:18:54 07/27/07 (0)

If you can 3 Mica black plates from RCA, GE, Slyvania, or Raytheon - Frihed89 02:54:19 07/27/07 (7)

RE: If you can 3 Mica black plates from RCA, GE, Slyvania, or Raytheon - bluelobster 06:06:30 07/27/07 (6)

Excellent recommendation to read Joe's Tube Lore. Here is the "punch line" -- - hukkfinn 05:56:14 07/29/07 (4)

RE: Excellent recommendation to read Joe's Tube Lore. Here is the "punch line" -- - DaLarry 12:07:50 07/29/07 (3)

Try them and see. - bluelobster 16:57:16 07/30/07 (2)

RE: Try them and see. - DaLarry 18:46:47 07/30/07 (1)

good question. i will ask art audio. - hukkfinn 19:13:27 07/31/07 (0)

RE: If you can 3 Mica black plates from RCA, GE, Slyvania, or Raytheon - DaLarry 08:47:16 07/27/07 (0)

Follow Ups

Sadly, there is really no definitive answer to your question. - jsm 07/27/0711:18:56 07/27/07 (3)

RE: Sadly, there is really no definitive answer to your question. - DaLarry 12:18:18 07/27/07 (2)

You are absolutely right. - jsm 13:54:32 07/27/07 (1)

RE: You are absolutely right. - DaLarry 18:38:06 07/27/07 (0)

Sadly, there is really no definitive answer to your question.

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