Home Tubes Asylum

Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ

Re: Replacements tubes in CJ CAV-50, one last time!!

I have a pair of CJ Prem. 5s. While not the same circuit as the CAV-50, some things are similar. Here's what worked best for me:

12ax7 - see if you can replace it with a 5751. Much better sounding, according to some people. I've used the Sylvania Gold Brand/Gold pin (about $60+ per tube if you can find them) and Raytheon mid-60s 5751 (about $25-30 per tube) with great success.

6SN7: do a search on the archives. I did, and read a lot about these tubes. I just scarfed up about 30-40 NOS ones from 4 different dealers, for a set of SETs that I now have. Preferable ones of these: Ken-Rad, TungSol (round plates esp.), National Union, early RCAs, Sylvania W, WGT, or GTAs. All of the above in either 6SN7 or VT-231 (not much difference, really). Earlier they are the better. Anything after 1960s: not that great.

EL34s: Svetlana are the best, next to Mullards. Enough said. I use these and find them better than the TEslas, JJs, etc. Plus they are cheap and easy to come by. (note: 6CA7 = beam power tube vs. EL34= Pentode. Much different sound. EL34 is a lot smoother IMHO, and cheaper to boot.) For the best possible setup, rewire the amp so the El34s are Triode-strapped. I had this done on my Pr. 5s, and the difference was noticable. Power is cut to about 1/2 the Ultralinear rating. (in my case, 200w -> 100w)

7308s: Amperex, preferably. Cheaper and better sounding than most other NOS tubes. Certainly cheaper than CCa, Teles, Siemens, etc., generally speaking. Find the earliest ones you can. Vintage is thus: White label, orange label, green label. (white is earliest). read the FAQ here if you haven't already. (Joe's tube lore). I have some white and orange label 7308 USA Amperex (non-JAN) that I got for about $40/tube, and they are outstanding.

have fun,
-Ed Sawyer


This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  VH Audio  


Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
  • Re: Replacements tubes in CJ CAV-50, one last time!! - Ed Sawyer 01/16/0215:53:55 01/16/02 (0)


You can not post to an archived thread.