mean_charlie wrote:ok as for changing out my old stock tubes what would you all recommend i got the jca5212rc its a 2x12 200w combo amp i'm totally open to suggestions as tubes are not my area of expertise i studied electronics but mostly operational amp and digital circuitry so in the realm of tube i'm a novice i've played tube amps for aeons and i love the sound of the amp better than most but replacing the stock tube i dont know where to begin
My advice is to contact one of the more reputable tube vendors (Eurotubes, ValveQueen, Tube Doctor, Tube Depot, The Tube Store, etc) and tell them what you're wanting to do. I bought a set of JJ tubes and a bias tester from Eurotubes, and have been really happy with them. Their support person gave me a lot of information as to what the bias should be set to (actually varies, based on what plate voltage your PT is supplying).
Note - I'm assuming you're familiar with circuit testing, based on your stated experience with electronics. That said, op amps and digital circuits don't run on the kind of juice your typical tube amp is running - something in the neighborhood of 400 volts. You have to exercise EXTREME caution when poking around inside the chassis, even when the thing is off and / or unplugged.
Getting a good set of starter tubes and setting your bias right will make a HUGE difference in how your amp sounds, and will establish a good baseline for other mods and trying out other tubes.
Oh, and one other thing - it'd sure help my tired old eyes and OCD if you'd try a little bit of punctuation & grammar in your posts - kinda hard to read a three line run-on sentence, eh?
