Which pentode for AC10 clone?

[Phil_S]

It's not easy trying to keep busy with this sort of thing and worse on account of the tubes

I'd like to build something from stuff I've got on-hand and am thinking about how nice it would be to have an AC10-like amp in a head. Besides, then that pair of Mullard EL84's I've got can find a home. I've heard that EF-86's tend to be microphonic. Since I don't already own some, I took a look at pentodes I already have. I have several to choose from: 6AU6, 6SJ7, and 6AC7 (no, not EL34, not a typo). Looking at the data sheets, these seem to hold out some promise as a decent input tube. I've used the 6SJ7 before in a Gibson GA20 "lite" circuit (one channel only) and liked the result.

It it a fools errand to use something besides the EF86? How essential is that particular tube to the tone? I'm not all that picky. If I can get close, I'll be very happy. When I build, I never expect the outcome to sound like a production amp because I monkey with lots of variables, including the iron. I"m looking at a used universal Merit OT for this. I just like it to sound good.

Opinions please? Thanks.

Phil

[Reeltarded]

Just me talking from writ, but I read something a while back were a guy described a great outcome with the 6ac7. (notta typo)

I have some lil grey amps with Ef86s though. No problems with them, always the outputs.

[tubelectron]

Hi,

EF86 were designed to be anti-microphonic and low-noise audio pentodes, but sometimes they didn't meet their requirements, often when it's rebranded items from the late 70's, where it can vary from one batch (or even sample) to another. Among the best were the Telefunken gold pins EF86, by experience.

Nonetheless, a excellent substitute to the EF86 is the 6AU6, which proved to be more consistent than the all-around EF86 in terms of noise and microphony, when I tested it.

I wouldn't use an octal pentode here, as I found them too vibration sensitive.

A+!

[10thTx]

5879 pentode is a good tube but if you don't have it then I'd opt for the 6AU6. Also a 5654 and 6AU6 have similar pinouts.

With respect, 10thtx

[Phil_S]

I think I have 6 or 8 6AU6's. I'll give them a try. Any reason to treat it differently from EF86? Or just build to the schematic and tweak after?

Thanks everyone for the input. Much appreciated.