MPX3 Tubes? (for metal)

[hungrych]

Just wondering, what are some good tubes for an MPX3 for metal? It sounds really good and realistic on most things so far, but the liquidic presentation doesn't lend itself to metal so well. Or should I just get a grado?

Also, any recommendations for the W10LTD? I know not that many people have heard it, but it's one of the AT's that leans a bit more to the w100/2002 side, but not too much. My sonic preferences would probably be at least a realistic amount of bass, and "searing soaring highs"/

[PFKMan23]

Maybe some 5687s, 6BX7s, 6350s, etc.. Probably something brighter with more impact...

[hungrych]

Maybe some 5687s, 6BX7s, 6350s, etc.. Probably something brighter with more impact...

More vague please...

[hirsch]

For metal, you'd want a very clean and fast presentation with lots of impact. A dry midrange wouldn't hurt much. One of the Raytheon VT-231's has flat plates and support rods, and might fit the bill nicely. Another possibility would be something like a Sylvania 6SN7WGT or WGTA. Quick, but don't have the lush mids of some of the other 6SN7's. Come to think of it, the GE 6SN7GTA might be an interesting choice. I'm not sure how to pair these up with an output tube, and they're not tubes that I normally use, but those are where I'd start if I was going to tube a Singlepower amp specifically to play metal. An interesting combo might be something like the Raytheon in front of a pair of Tung Sol 5687's (using the Slam adapters). That should have pretty decent kick to it.

Internally, I'd suggest Sprague Orange Drop coupling caps if they're not already there. These caps are not as smooth as the Jensen paper-in-oil caps, but do have some nice kick to them, as long as you don't mind losing a bit of smoothness and microdetail (and that seems to be the objective).

[aerius]

GE 6SN7GTA's, they look a lot like the '52 Sylvania GT's. Doesn't have the detail, soundstage, refinement, smoothness and all that of say, the RCA grey glass tubes, but it has great drive and nice impact. It's a fun tube, I use it when I want to headbang to hard heavy music.

[hungrych]

Well I'm not really building the system for metal, as I don't listen to that much relative to the rest of my stuff, but when I do I want it to sound good; no permanent modifications needed.

Thanks Hirsch, I'll look around. Right now I have 3 EH tubes, 2 Sylvania VT-231's, and a Ken-Rad VT-231, but I haven't done much rolling yet.

I'm contemplating just buying an SA5000 or some grado though, as that might be the best way to get the speed and impact I'm looking for.

[hungrych]

GE 6SN7GTA's, they look a lot like the '52 Sylvania GT's. Doesn't have the detail, soundstage, refinement, smoothness and all that of say, the RCA grey glass tubes, but it has great drive and nice impact. It's a fun tube, I use it when I want to headbang to hard heavy music.

Would this be them?

[aerius]

Would this be them?

I don't know, mine don't look anything like that. Mine have black T-shaped plates and the getter is on the bottom, taller bottle too. Reports from Audio Asylum say that there's several styles of GE 6SN7GTA's, and that they mostly sound the same, but I wouldn't know. Apparently I have the GE Canada version which is said to be the best one. BTW, my 2 pairs are actually 12SN7GTA's, same as the 6SN7 except the heater voltage & price.

[Dusty Chalk]

You might want to try some new tubes, like the Golden Dragons. Dry presentation, nice impact, bass comes with burn-in, slight loss in microdetail -- yup, they should fit the bill.

[Dusty Chalk]

That said, listen to Hirsch -- he knows his tubes. (And caps, for that matter.)

[nmculbreth]

I'll agree with the recommendation of using 6BL7s / 5687s for the output, both are more impactful than 6SN7s. For the driver I'd try the EH 6SN7 or if maybe another analytical tube like the Tung-Sol 6SN7GT.

[hungrych]

I'll agree with the recommendation of using 6BL7s / 5687s for the output, both are more impactful than 6SN7s. For the driver I'd try the EH 6SN7 or if maybe another analytical tube like the Tung-Sol 6SN7GT.

To be clear, 6BL7's won't need adapers, correct?

[PFKMan23]

Given that the 6BL7GTs are octal tubes (the 6BX7GT are octal as well), no you do not need to use adapters for them.