[Freo-1]

My amp tech uses their EL84's, and he like them.

I would like to see the list. Thanks!

[mcullinan]

Only some TAD tubes are relabelled -- others are made on contract, and not all chinese by any means.  Somewhere I have a list -- I'll try to find it later.

-- Jim

I didnt know they were a vendor. Id like to know who produces them as well. Thanks.
Mike

Here I found this:
Anyone try the TAD KT66's?

I think the TAD KT66s are made at Shuguang tube factory in China. I have a pair of Shuguang KT66s (not TAD rebranded though) and i like those tubes. Many other people feel they are one of the best new production KT66s at the moment. Though these KT66 are the only KT66s i have tried so far.

TAD don't make their tubes so it's always good to find out where the tube was made. Then you'll get the idea how the tube is gonna compare to others of same model.

The other highly recognized Shuguangs are their EL34B and KT88.

[jrebman]

The following TAD tubes are german designed and made in China under contract:

TAD 6L6WGC-STR
TAD 6L6GC-STR
TAD EL84-STR
TAD 6V6GTB-STR

As far as I know., all the others, including the plain jane EL84 (not STR) are relabeled.  I believe that the ones designated with "STR" (Special Tube Request) are the TAD designs and made under contract.  The one exception to this that I know of is the TAD 5AR4/GZ34 which is a heavy duty, hand-screened Shuguang brown base GZ34, but obviously meets the quality expectations to earn the STR designation.

Of the other types, these are the only ones whose origins I know for sure:

The EL34B is Shuguang
The E34L-CZ is JJ
The EL34-SVT is Winged "C".

As for the KT-66 -- my guess is either Shuguang or JJ, but that's just a guess.

Don't confuse the standard EL84 with the EL84STR -- not at all the same animal.

-- Jim

[mcullinan]

The following TAD tubes are german designed and made in China under contract:

TAD 6L6WGC-STR
TAD 6L6GC-STR
TAD EL84-STR
TAD 6V6GTB-STR

As far as I know., all the others, including the plain jane EL84 (not STR) are relabeled.  I believe that the ones designated with "STR" (Special Tube Request) are the TAD designs and made under contract.  The one exception to this that I know of is the TAD 5AR4/GZ34 which is a heavy duty, hand-screened Shuguang brown base GZ34, but obviously meets the quality expectations to earn the STR designation.

Of the other types, these are the only ones whose origins I know for sure:

The EL34B is Shuguang
The E34L-CZ is JJ
The EL34-SVT is Winged "C".

As for the KT-66 -- my guess is either Shuguang or JJ, but that's just a guess.

Don't confuse the standard EL84 with the EL84STR -- not at all the same animal.

-- Jim

Jim,
Maybe you can point me in the right direction... I tried some SED 6l6gc-wc tubes and found them far to aggressive/harsh to my ears. The KT 66 had a nice warm sound to them. Any other variants/brands I might try? Or am I on the right track.
Thanks in advance.
Mike

[jrebman]

Mike,

I'm not really a good person to ask about various 6L6 flavors as I've only ever had one amp which used them -- GTA SE--40 -- which had NOS Sylvanias, and I never rolled the power tubes in that one.  Hey, if you like what you've got, why fight it?   Maybe try to get a set cryoed and see what that does.  Once my Carina breaks in I have two sets of TAD EL84 STRs -- one stock, one cryoed, so I'll be able to see what difference it makes in this tube.  In the past I've compared the JJ EL84s cryoed vs. stock and the cryoed version was smoother overall with nicer mids and highs.  It's going to be a long time before this new amp is ready for any serious tube rolling though.

I totally agree with the advice given earlier -- go NOS for the small signal stuff and use new production for the power tubes, and maybe keep a set or two of NOS power tubes around for those special occasions.

-- Jim

[SET Man]

   But if anyone need KR Audio tube I know a great dealer that I had very good exprience with. But
I'm sorry to say that the current price for the KR Audio 842VHD tubes are now $910/pr and $870/pr for 300B  I think
 

*Shaking my head in disbelief*

In my book, $910/pr automatically rules out the term "great dealer."  Why do you guys let'em stick it to you like this ?

Hey!

   Yes, I know hard to believe isn't it?

   Well, KR tube didn't start out this expensive when I bought my amps. But now they are ridiculously expensive now for me 

   I'm planning to get my my amp modified so they could use regular 300B tubes. But I will loose watts from 18w down to about 8w I think. Well, let's see. 

   I still think these are excellent tubes. I still stand that for the price I would prefer KR 300B over the new production WE 300B. I hope that KR are doing well and hope that I will be able to afford their tubes when it is time to retube my amps again... oh! in about 10 years I guess 

   BTW... sorry for wandering off topic a bit here with this KR Audio things.

Take care,
Buddy