To match or not match... that's the question

[Bocc69]

I'm getting tubes for my DSL40c.

I'm assuming I get matched power tubes?... but what about preamp tubes?

I had read somewhere a while back, that this amp shouldn't be matched and it's designed that way. . I don't remember any of the details or if it was true.

Thank you for any advice

 

[Kerry Brown]

I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will answer but I've never matched preamp tubes only power tubes. Whenever I've rolled tubes looking for tone I've always used matched power tubes and whatever preamp tubes I have on hand.

 

[steveb63]

Always been my understanding that no matching for the pre amp tubes.

That DSL really reacts to new pre amp glass. Have fun...

 

[Bocc69]

I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will answer but I've never matched preamp tubes only power tubes. Whenever I've rolled tubes looking for tone I've always used matched power tubes and whatever preamp tubes I have on hand.

Thanks. That's my approach too. I'm just not well versed in the subject. I just want to eliminate any unnecessary tonal issues.

 

[Cadorman]

There isn't any reason to match preamp tubes since they all do different things. I've seen arguments for and against getting a balanced phase inverter, but I haven't ever bothered with it. Power tubes should definitely be matched so they run close to the same voltage.

 

[Cadorman]

And I'm still really happy with the Electro Harmonix EL34s I put in the DSL100HR.

 

[ninjaking67]

From my somewhat limited knowledge:

Matched power tubes = Good
Balanced Phase Inverter = Good
various mismatched preamp tubes = Good

 

[ninjaking67]

For what it’s worth, I had taken a page from the Robert Herndon book of Tone and had the following in my DSL40C:

V1 - ECC823
V2 - 5751
V3 - ECC83MG
V4 - 5751

 

[ivan H]

Don't bother with matched pre-amp tubes. They may be beneficial in stereo phono pre-amp stages, but not necessary in guitar amps. If you do have a balanced triode ECC83/12AX7 stick it in the phase inverter position, it "may" be of benefit there. The "long tail pair" type phase inverter used in guitar amps is imbalanced to start with (inverted output is of greater amplitude than the non inverted output). Taking into account component (resistor) tolerances & it's really a crap shoot how a given 12AX7 will perform in that position. Cheers

 

[Cadorman]

For what it’s worth, I had taken a page from the Robert Herndon book of Tone and had the following in my DSL40C:

V1 - ECC823
V2 - 5751
V3 - ECC83MG
V4 - 5751

I put a 5751 in V2 of my DSL100HR. It works very nicely there.

 

[Bocc69]

Thanks everyone.

I ended up getting,

2 x TS-EL34B

4 x TS-12AX7

I'll use it as a starting point. I put a new speaker in and it's so much better. But I Think the tubes in it now are toast, so it's total upgrade time.

 

[ninjaking67]

What speaker did you put in? I had an Eminence Red Coat Governor in mine and it sounded way better than the Seventy 80 that was stock.
I know that members of the Marshall forum are also singing the praises of the Swamp Thing and Texas Heat in a DSL40C.

 

[Cadorman]

My DSL100HR sounds awesome with my Greenback cabs.

 

[Bocc69]

What speaker did you put in? I had an Eminence Red Coat Governor in mine and it sounded way better than the Seventy 80 that was stock.
I know that members of the Marshall forum are also singing the praises of the Swamp Thing and Texas Heat in a DSL40C.

I put this in. What a difference. So much better then the 70/80.

 

[ninjaking67]

Nice!
The Celestion Seventy 80 is a a low end, budget speaker sold to many OEMs to fit in their products. Is there anyone who has left one in their amp because they thought it sounded good?

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Thanks everyone.

I ended up getting,

2 x TS-EL34B

4 x TS-12AX7

I'll use it as a starting point. I put a new speaker in and it's so much better. But I Think the tubes in it now are toast, so it's total upgrade time.

You mean Tung Sol?

 

[Bocc69]

You mean Tung Sol?

Yup. Tung sol.

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

Yup. Tung sol.

Tung Sol might be a little ringy microphonic, but good gain.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Yup. Tung sol.

I have had 3 Tung Sols go bad in the PI position in various amps. Might not be the same there but FYI. The stock preamps should also last eons.

 

[67plexi]

Good news Gibson had me up date my Mesa account they are selling the Siemens EL34 dimple top in pairs

Power Tubes - EL34 STR 450 Siemens NOS - Matched Pair

The official Mesa Boogie online store for factory replacement parts, custom parts, hardware, shirts, hats and accessories.

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