Forums - Print Page

Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl
AUDIO FORUMS >> Replacement Tubes >> Tung Sol 7189 Tubes vs 6P15P
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1617227439

Message started by panterica on 03/31/21 at 22:50:39

Title: Tung Sol 7189 Tubes vs 6P15P
Post by panterica on 03/31/21 at 22:50:39

Has anyone else tried these 7189 tubes in the zen triode amp? I ask because I found them to be a significant improvement over NOS Russian 6P15P's. They have noticeably more volume, clarity, and just more life in the music. I did not expect this result. Has anyone here noticed the same?

I'm new to the forum by the way. Nice to meet you guys.

Title: Re: Tung Sol 7189 Tubes vs 6P15P
Post by CAJames on 04/03/21 at 05:24:27

Welcome!

The short answer is I have not tried the 7189, but I did listen (briefly) to some other EL84 types and wasn’t impressed, so your experience is interesting. I’m curious if you are comparing them to Decware 6p15p tubes, or random ones off the internet? Because I find a huge variation even in 6p15p tubes from the same factory and same date, much less between different versions e.g. 6p15p-ev and 6p15p-er plain old 6p15p.

Title: Re: Tung Sol 7189 Tubes vs 6P15P
Post by panterica on 04/04/21 at 16:05:40

Thanks, James! That's why I brought it up.. Maybe my NOS 6p15p-ev were actually used and I was tricked. They came in sort of cyan/purple Russian boxes that were in great shape and were a matched pair, but I'll be ordering some decware to find out. When I tried the 7189 there was a huge improvement. Just odd since I understand the reasons 6p15p video tubes should outperform others.

I appreciate the response.

Title: Re: Tung Sol 7189 Tubes vs 6P15P
Post by panterica on 04/12/21 at 01:34:01

Just an update for anyone who cares. The 6p15p tubes I received from decware were clearly much better than the originals I started with, even though they were apparently the same brand. They may be an upgrade from the 7189's even, but I wouldn't say they significantly outclass them sonically. I suppose this is confirmation of the variety in quality of 6p15p's out there.

Title: Re: Tung Sol 7189 Tubes vs 6P15P
Post by Archie on 04/12/21 at 02:25:39

Just curious, are the Decware tubes -EV? The Russian Military tubes tend to be better tubes in general. I think Steve originally shipped my ZMA with 6n15P-EVs. I'm not sure what he sends now tough.

Title: Re: Tung Sol 7189 Tubes vs 6P15P
Post by panterica on 04/12/21 at 15:19:17

The Decware tubes I received say -EB on them.

FWIW, the Tung Sol 7189's are also Russian military spec with enhanced features (higher plate voltage and clean headroom) over EL84's. They make for great backups to the Decwares if nothing else.

Title: Re: Tung Sol 7189 Tubes vs 6P15P
Post by acousticsguru on 04/12/21 at 22:59:26

AFAIK, -EB is the Russian spelling for -EV.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.