Roadster power tube options

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dwman3

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I have my Roadster combo sounding pretty good after getting it back from Boogie. Now I want to explore some different power tubes, currently I have Boogie EL34s and I really like what they do to the Roadster. So I'm curious what would 6CA7,KT77,E34l etc... sound like? Any one have experience with these, also who has used the NOS Boogie EL34 STR450 and STR442 we're they worth the cost?
 
I loved the old STR-420 6L6s. The Svetlana 6L6s aren't bad and the JJ E34Ls are my favorite EL34 that I've tried.
 
If you want something a bit different, you may want to try the Mesa STR445 which is the JJ6L6 tube. Mesa is now offering JJ and Tung Sol tubes in the power tube line up, all tested and certified by Mesa. Check out their online store on the Mesa website.

I have not tried any of the new offerings or from Eurotubes in the Roadster. I have run =C=6L6GC, =C=EL34, Gold lion KT77 but that is about it. Felt the EL34 seemed to take away too much for me with the Roadster, could because of its darker tone. I should try the other tubes again now than I have revamped the preamp section. I do have some EHX 6CA7 I should try. I did run a pair of Siemens el34 STR450 with a pair of the stock STR 447 EL34 in the Multi-Watt dual rec, that sounded interesting. The Siemens tube (NOS Mesa STR450) sound basically the same as the standard Mesa EL34 STR447 but smoother, not harsh. I though those worked much better in the Royal Atlantic but for me the NOS =C= EL34 (Mesa STR442) is more enjoyable in the Royal. Sorry for the other amp references as this is not being helpful.
 
bandit2013 said:
If you want something a bit different, you may want to try the Mesa STR445 which is the JJ6L6 tube........
Are you 100% certain of this? Looking at the picture of the STR-445 on the Mesa Store and the plate structure looks different than the JJ’s.

Have you confirmed this with tubes side by side?
 
I have only seen them on the website. I do not have any JJ power tubes to look at. Besides that, when I was in California at the Hollywood store I had asked the product specialist what would be coming from Mesa that is new or in the works that he would be permitted to disclose. I was told that Mesa will be offering some power tubes from JJ6L6GC and another from Russia but was identified as a TungSol or Mullard. That was back in late July this year prior to the release of the STR445 and STR441. I will have to get a set to try out in the Roadster. Interested to hear the difference.
 

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