Sovtek KT66's to replace 6L6's

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Author Message hollis Intermediate Member Username: hollis Post Number: 192 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 1:06 pm:    I switched out the 6L6GC's in my Mesa DC5 with Sovtek KT66's... Holy Moly!! These are very fat sounding power tubes. The tubes themselves are very large(they barely fit), but man, what impressive sounding tubes. The reviews at the tube store (go to:http://thetubestore.com/6l65881types.html)were dead on! I'll let you know how they last...But so far, I'm sold! (Message edited by hollis on May 11, 2004) xlrogue6 Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 64 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 4:47 pm:    Beware, Hollis--the KT66 pulls about 50% more heater current per tube than a 6L6 (.9 amp for a 6L6, 1.4 for the KT66)--could dramatically shorten the life of your power transformer. I'd call Mesa to find out if the filament winding of the tranny can handle the extra demand. hollis Intermediate Member Username: hollis Post Number: 194 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 4:53 pm:    Thanks, I'll call them tomorrow morning. xlrogue6 Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 65 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 4:56 pm:    Minor correction--the KT66 heater current is actually 1.3 amps. hollis Intermediate Member Username: hollis Post Number: 195 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 5:35 pm:    Hey Kent, Where are you getting the specs? Is it someplace I can get to? I was using the info from the tube store, they seem to be saying Sovtek KT66's draw the same as 6L6GC's. They do warn about the Shuguang KT66's pulling 1400 ma's heater current. But they say the Sovtek's are okay...... hmmmmmm. xlrogue6 Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 66 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 8:34 am:    The KT66 spec is from http://www.mclink.it/com/audiomatica/tubes/kt66.htm 6L6 spec is from the RCA tube manual. I wonder about that Sovtek heater spec--could it be that their "KT66" is actually just a 6L6 in a different envelope. If memory serves, I believe they've been known to do that sort of thing. Kent hollis Intermediate Member Username: hollis Post Number: 196 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 11:18 am:    Could be... It draws 900 ma's heater current, so it looks good as far as the Mesa's trasformer is concerned....Phhheeewwwwww! Although it looks like there's way beefed up innerds besides the envelope's obvious size. How's that for technical jargon? One thing that cannot be disputed is the sound quality....Very rich....And much higher output. My wife asked me if my guitar wasn't too loud for the birds....I hadn't up'd the gain at all, but the walls were shakin'...a condition usually left to my brothers of the lower frequencies. I really appreciate you taking the time to caution me on this....As you've probably deciphered, I'm walking around somewhere beyond left field most of the time. I can use all the heads up I can get.... Thanks again.