I kinda want the 50 watter because it sounded good to me in clips but no way I'd ever crank it up to where it would sound best. I'd be pretty happy I think with pedals in front.
I sorta get cathode biasing but after reading a few tidbits on using any tubes in such amps, I'd not personally want to drop in whatever tubes into an amp unless it was biased to match them or previously tested to be sure they are within the range the amp was designed for (as boogie does). Yes, I understand they'd still probably work. It would just be in the back of my mind that maybe they wouldn't be ideal.
At any rate, glad it works for your needs. I love a handy grab-and-go amp!
I feel your pain. 3 weeks ago i bought a quad of ANOS [almost new old stock] Amperex 6CA7's with good results but taking the sellers word for the testing data. Couple years ago i got a nice quad tested 70% new.
So if 2 quads are good than another quad is better [my classic GAS thinking].
Well last Saturday i installed & biased the latest quad testing at 50% to 70%.
There was an audible hum on startup, i turned it up and popped a 1 amp fuse. One of the tubes is bad pulling too much "Z".
I had never popped a fuse in the JMP in the whole 15 years ive had that amp.
I may be able match a pair for one of my 50 watt amps but i wont use them as a quad.
The seller gave me a partial refund.
Its the price of messing with NOS power tubes but tube prices for new are not that different than NOS.
All my amps have NOS and all have good tubes now. I shouldn't have any problems.
Thermionic vavle amps are electro-mechanical devices. No need to be apprehensive.
With Cathode bias if it doesnt redplate in the first 10 to 15 minutes you're prolly okay.
