6386 Dual Triode

[seaneldon]

manley makes a direct replacement based on B6A6 pentodes wired in triode. i believe it's called the t-bar mod. it'll keep whatever 6386 box you have running for as long as you want to keep it, but will also change the sound quite a bit.

[emrr]

If you search my posts you'll find a thread about the 6386 and why it isn't re-issued. I'm sure there are others, but there are just too damn many results in every search here to find anything.

I also searched, and could not find, any thread addressing any sound differences in the T-bar mod versus the 6386. Any input from anyone?

[Fletcher]

The 6es8 tube is another alternative. The thing about those particular tubes is that the windings on the grid aren't uniform so as you reduce the voltage to the tube they produce "gain reduction" is smooth and controlled manner.

For all intents and purposes you can use something as mundane as a 12ax7 as a gain reduction tube... but the windings are very uniform so when you get to a certain point in the scheme of gain reduction the tube just shuts down [I believe the ART "toob compressor" uses the 12ax7... or the Bellari... one of the cheap assed "variable mu" wannabes].

The 6386 has a character that is pretty unique on a sonic level... the 6es8 is probably the closest to the 6386 in sonic character...

[emrr]

Yes, I've had limiters using 12AU7's, 6J7's, and 6AU6's as GR tubes and none of them are purpose built for that usage.

I hear the curve tracer shows the T-bar alternative(s) to spec out identically to the 6386. I'm curious what sound differences are noted, if any, in the same 6386 based product.

[azzzy]

Originally Posted by mac black

Ok, its a tough one ... what are we gonna do ? is there any reason why they're not manufactured anymore? it seems like in 5-10 years we would run out of these tubes ...what's the solution if we still want to use units that require them ?

What do you have that uses 6386?