Valve rec's for Ai S500

[dicy]

Hi All

I've finally got my hands on a Audio Innovations S500, but thanks to the clueless turds at interparcel, it had a rather protracted journey and a couple of the tubes are knackered.

It currently has 4 6n3c-e's ? Not sure what these are, but they look Russian and seem to have some positive feedback on here if I recall. All the signal tubes are branded 'AI' - which I assume are the original Audio Innovations tubes?

I'd really appreciate some advice on what Wammers recommend for the s500, if you could give me some suggestions at cheap/medium and slightly higher spec price points, i'd be really grateful.

It takes 4 x EL34's, 2 x ECC88 and 3x ECC83's.

Cheers

Rich

 

[Philv]

Someone once reccomended genalex gold lion kt66 - said they were excellent in his ai500.

excellent soundstage etc.

I only ever tried el34 and 5881 in my ai700.

The el34s were on their way out and i never really gave the 5881s much of a chance as i sold soon after. So cant comment on those.

 

[AmDismal]

Get 5881s, as EL84s can die and take out other components. This was a rec from David Wright, who knows his AI amps. Get a decent matched set, and don't worry about it too much. You will probably get the best sonic improvement in the preamp tubes, spend the money there if you are desperate to splurge out.

 

[Guest]

hi dicy,

good to hear you're an AI owner again

now, first you need to identify the amp whether it's the MkI w/ the Hinchley transformers (smooth black painting, case can't be directly opened from the back, has 4/8/16 Ohms taps, the O/P and mains transformers are totally closed w/ a black tape on the iron) or the MkII (if the transformer part doesn't coincide of the above) . if the former, the best tubes for the ECC88 (as written in the 1st post) part are the PCC88/P88CCs as the amp was designed, and set for, these. Mullard PCC88 tubes sometimes go for a song. for the ECC83s, at the time I loved the Sovtek 12AX7LP-S valves the most. finally, the 5881s work a treat in place of the EL34s (note please it's EL34s and NOT EL84s as just said above) but put out less juice - and for me the best-sounding power tubes were the Svetlana winged C 6L6GCs. good luck, mate

 

[Bourney]

I have had a couple of AI500s and easily the best valves I had were a set of GE 'fat boy' 6ca7s. I sold them to pdiddy on here. Drop him a pm and see of he still has them as he sold the Leben he was using them in. The difference with these wasn't subtle.. Lazy tubby EL34ness gone completely.

 

[dicy]

Thanks for the advice so far guys

Atilla - It's the later version mate, with the 2 taps - anything you particularly recommend for that version?

Steve - Do you lose warmth and liquidity with those GE's, or do they retain that and add some drive? You know me - ever so slightly pipe and slippers (only slightly mind;-))

 

[Bourney]

Not a hard sound at all Rich, still sweet but very solid sounding. I always find 34s slightly plump in the rump.

 

[silencio]

Thanks for the advice so far guysAtilla - It's the later version mate, with the 2 taps - anything you particularly recommend for that version?

Steve - Do you lose warmth and liquidity with those GE's, or do they retain that and add some drive? You know me - ever so slightly pipe and slippers (only slightly mind;-))

Then stick to the El34s. The ones you have are indeed Russian, made in the Saratov "Vozhod" plant (IIRC). Pretty good and equivalent to the US 6L6CG. With the EL34, NOS RFT for example, you get more warmth. They usually go for 100-120 quid for a quad. As far as ecc83 - the new production JJ ecc803 aren't bad at all, though I'd go again for NOS RFT. The NOS Tungsram and Tungsol 12ax7 are very good too.

 

[AlanB]

Never had an AI but have rolled a LOT.

From my experience EH 6CA7's are much better than any EL34 I've heard. As Bourney says EL34's all have a 'plumpy rump'.

ECC88's? Tried many but the best have been Siemens PCC88's.

If you find the 6CA7's are not 'tubey' enough then add a bit with Mullard yellow print 12AX7's. I've tried many Mullards and been sent to sleep but these yellow's (that I'm using now) are superb.

 

[MJ.]

Never had an AI but from my experience but have rolled a LOT.EH 6CA7's much better than any EL34 I've heard. As Bourney says EL34's all have a 'plumpy rump'.

ECC88's? Tried many but the best have been Siemens PCC88's.

If you find the 6CA7's are not 'tubey' enough then add a bit with Mullard yellow print 12AX7's. I've tried many Mullards and been sent to sleep but these yellow's (that I'm using now) are superb.

Exactly what I found with my AI amp.

 

[myrman]

Never had an AI but from my experience but have rolled a LOT.EH 6CA7's much better than any EL34 I've heard. As Bourney says EL34's all have a 'plumpy rump'.

ECC88's? Tried many but the best have been Siemens PCC88's.

If you find the 6CA7's are not 'tubey' enough then add a bit with Mullard yellow print 12AX7's. I've tried many Mullards and been sent to sleep but these yellow's (that I'm using now) are superb.

Good point Alan. I have a set of EH6CA7s that I must try in my Art power amp :^

 

[dicy]

Hi ALan

Are those EH 6ca7's the new type?

Never had an AI but have rolled a LOT.From my experience EH 6CA7's are much better than any EL34 I've heard. As Bourney says EL34's all have a 'plumpy rump'.

ECC88's? Tried many but the best have been Siemens PCC88's.

If you find the 6CA7's are not 'tubey' enough then add a bit with Mullard yellow print 12AX7's. I've tried many Mullards and been sent to sleep but these yellow's (that I'm using now) are superb.

 

[dicy]

Cheers chaps, i'll post a wanted ad in classifieds for some of the above suggestions.

If anybody has any for sale, or know if any - please let me know,

Thanks again

Rich

 

[AlanB]

Hi ALanAre those EH 6ca7's the new type?

Yes Rich. £58 for a quad matched set from Hotrox. Silly cheap if you say it quickly.

 

[JANDL100]

... Lazy tubby EL34ness gone completely.

Ha ha!! -- you've seen (heard) the light, Steve.

Fookin' boring things, el34! :zzzz: