which 6L6 for the Shiva?

[woemoejack]

I was changing out a few pre amp tubes today in my Shiva and noticed that the manufacturer of the tubes that came in it are ARS. All the 12ax7 and both 6L6, all ARS. There is very limited info on the interwebs, so I suspect the are a rebrander or cheap russian or chinese tubes. If they are cheapos, I am left wondering what a good set of glass will do for the amps tone. I already love the sound, but to think it could get better makes me a tad giddy.

So far looking at JJ, Tung Sol, and EH. Thoughts?

 

[Bludave]

Re: which 6L6 for the Shiva?

My Shiva has Svetlana in her(EL34). I haven't had the need to change them out yet. Amp sounds great since the day I brought her home!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: which 6L6 for the Shiva?

Svetlana 6L6's sound really good, and the bracing inside is tighter than JJ's, so there's less chance of tube rattle coming through your speakers.
That's with 6L6's. I've never had any problem with EL-34 JJ's.

I used to work across the street from ARS, and from what I could see they were a small office building/distributor/rebrander. Not sure who makes their tubes.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: which 6L6 for the Shiva?

ARS branded valves are typically from China ...

 

[FretFire]

Re: which 6L6 for the Shiva?

If I ever try 6L6s in my JSX I'll probably give the TAD 6L6GC-STR a shot.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: which 6L6 for the Shiva?

I think people have generally had really good success with the Winged C stuff. I think Reinhold actually stated somewhere that he designed his amps around those power tubes and Chinese preamp tubes. With my EL-34 Shiva, I can tell you that that combination works very, very well.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: which 6L6 for the Shiva?

THIS is what you want in that amp. They come alive with EL 34's. However, if you want to stay with 6L6's, use THESE . KCANOSTubes is a great place to buy tubes from.

I'll not even talk NOS right now, although those would be a whole nuther level of tonal bliss.