Anyone familiar with 6C33 tubes

mca · « **on:** 9 Dec 2015, 03:56 pm »

Interested to know about their sound. Looking at a pair of Wall Audio amps.

Thanks!

rockadanny · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Dec 2015, 04:33 pm »

Love my pair of Audio Mirror 45 Watt SETs.
They each use a pair (parallel) 6C33C.
I find them to sound: powerful, clear, organic, palpable, three-dimensional, and durable as well, though require proper break-in before using.
I have found that as long as they don't fail very early on, will last a very long time. At least in the Audio Mirror circuit.

MarkR7 · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Dec 2015, 04:51 pm »

I use the Svetlana 6c33c-b tubes in my Almarro A318b SET amp (1 per channel, 18wpc). My comments here are in the context of that amp instead of just the tubes, but here are my thoughts....

They have all the tube magic one would expect from a tube amp, and specifically from a SET amp, but they do not sound bloated or soft. They sound authoritative, tight, and fast. No wooly slow bass here. They soundstage wonderfully, and are very natural sounding on vocals and midrange as a whole. No problem with extension on either end.

Their availability is good, especially the non-Svetlanas, and their prices are tremendously great (compared to traditional SET tubes such as 300b, 845, px25, etc.). I am not saying they are better than any of these other power tubes, but I have run amps with these tubes, and the Almarro is no slouch compared to the various Art Audio amps that I've used in the past. Ultimately it will be dependent on the implementation of the 6C33C-B tube within the amp (sorry, not familiar with Wall Audio), but that tube will not be the limiting factor for sonic euphoria! They do run HOT though, so be aware of that.

There is a reason why Lamm and BAT uses these tubes in their great amps!

MarkR7 · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Dec 2015, 04:53 pm »

Just read Rockadanny's response.... and I agree with his summary as well; it;s nice that much of it mirrors mine.

bunky · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Dec 2015, 11:51 pm »

I owned a BAT VK60 and I still own a BAT VK55 and a Bravo SET amp that all use this power tube. the 6C33C-B is a wonderful triode tube on steroids.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 12:02 am »

Quote from: mca on 9 Dec 2015, 03:56 pm

Interested to know about their sound. Looking at a pair of Wall Audio amps.

Thanks!

The 6C33 have a well balanced sound especially in SE.
Tha bass is very present w/96dB and on speakers.

mca · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 12:49 am »

Thanks for your input. Bummer is the amps sold right after I posted this

MarkR7 · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 01:07 am »

How much were they going for? Just curious...

mresseguie · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 02:19 am »

I've got a newbie add-on question concerning the 6C33 tubes.

Why don't more tube amp manufacturers select this tube for their amps if the sound is so great?

I ask because I'm only now beginning to learn about tube amps, which means I'm going to ask very simple 'Why?" questions whenever I think of them. I've already learned that '6' tubes are preferred over '12' tubes for that 'tube' sound, and, perhaps, that 6s are more expensive to implement than 12s(?).

Thanks for any help.

Michael

P.S. Can you recommend a good online site that explains the world of tubes that won't put me to sleep?

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 02:49 am »

Quote from: mresseguie on 10 Dec 2015, 02:19 am

Why don't more tube amp manufacturers select this tube for their amps if the sound is so great?

Can you recommend a good online site that explains the world of tubes that won't put me to sleep?

Why don't more tube amp manufacturers select this tube for their amps if the sound is so great?
Hi-End equipment is not about good sound, is about profit.
300B are a more profitable tube, asian people are mistified by the 300B.
So builders made 300B and other DHTs flea power.
6C33 delivery a bunch of 15W in SE w/lots of bass.

Can you recommend a good online site that explains the world of tubes that won't put me to sleep?
Do you know Gizmo, you will love him:
http://www.meta-gizmo.org/index.html

sebrof · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 02:53 am »

Quote from: mresseguie on 10 Dec 2015, 02:19 am

Why don't more tube amp manufacturers select this tube for their amps if the sound is so great?

I always thought it was because of the high voltages necessary to run them, and also because they burn so darn hot.
And they don't necessarily sound better than other tube types. 300B or 2A3 guys, or EL34 guys (or take your pick) will say the same good things about their favorite tube as well.

mca · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 05:46 am »

List was $11,700 and they were selling for 3,995.

finsup · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 02:17 pm »

Quote from: mresseguie on 10 Dec 2015, 02:19 am

P.S. Can you recommend a good online site that explains the world of tubes that won't put me to sleep?

Joe's Tube Lore: Not nearly as comprehensive as the site linked above, and also not kept current, but it was a good starting point to learn about different tubes back in the day.

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/faq/joes-tubes.html

rockadanny · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 02:24 pm »

I mentioned being able to properly burn in new power tubes before use. You also want to do it safely, i.e., not put your amp at risk during this stage. One thing I really like about my Audio Mirror amps is the new circuitry Vlad installs these days. For new power tubes, there is a switch which powers only the heating element part of the tube, which you leave on for 24 hours before using for music. This safely burns in the tube. It is also equipped with an automatic cut-off for when a power tube over heats (whether due to excessive clipping or tube failure). I had mine upgraded to this level and am very glad for these features.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 05:31 pm »

Quote from: rockadanny on 10 Dec 2015, 02:24 pm

I mentioned being able to properly burn in new power tubes before use. You also want to do it safely, i.e., not put your amp at risk during this stage. One thing I really like about my Audio Mirror amps is the new circuitry Vlad installs these days. For new power tubes, there is a switch which powers only the heating element part of the tube, which you leave on for 24 hours before using for music. This safely burns in the tube. It is also equipped with an automatic cut-off for when a power tube over heats (whether due to excessive clipping or tube failure). I had mine upgraded to this level and am very glad for these features.

Congrats a useful feature and great sound amp.

Charles Xavier · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Dec 2015, 10:33 pm »

Can anyone recommend a good source for these tubes. Not Ebay please

mresseguie · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Dec 2015, 12:36 am »

Quote from: finsup on 10 Dec 2015, 02:17 pm

Joe's Tube Lore: Not nearly as comprehensive as the site linked above, and also not kept current, but it was a good starting point to learn about different tubes back in the day.

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/faq/joes-tubes.html

This was very a helpful starter. Thank you, finsup!

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Dec 2015, 10:25 am »

Quote from: Charles Xavier on 10 Dec 2015, 10:33 pm

Can anyone recommend a good source for these tubes. Not Ebay please

I also dont like Ebay.
Other vendors could be:
Upscale Audio, Tubedepot, Siberian Shop(slow to reply).
Avoid QRO-Parts.

Charles Xavier · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Dec 2015, 10:31 am »

Quote from: FullRangeMan on 11 Dec 2015, 10:25 am

I also dont like Ebay.
Other vendors could be:
Upscale Audio, Tubedepot, Siberian Shop(slow to reply).
Avoid QRO-Parts.

Yea I got burned for 6 duds from Russia

mresseguie · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Dec 2015, 12:19 pm »

Charles,

If you can tell me exactly which tubes you seek and if they are vintage or modern, I could contact this DIY shop in Taipei (you could do this if you desire). I know they sell tubes. The store has been in business for approximately 40 years.

www.thlaudio.com

There is an English tab. You can email them in English. If you're uncomfortable with this, I can ask them, but I need to know what to ask.

Michael