KCA NOS & Dr. Z - Matchless - Bad Cat - Vox AC-30/4 and AC-15 ... the EF86

[myles_rose]

Many folks have amps that use the EF86 / 6267 pentode in the first gain stage. In some amps, such as the Dr. Z Z-28, Route 66, KT-45, and Delta 88 this is the ONLY preamp tube in the tone and gain stage. From this tube the signal hits the phase inverter and then the output section.

 

In Matchless DC-30 type amps the second channel also uses the EF86 as it's tone and gain tube.

 

Some amps are more critical on this tube than other amps. The Dr. Z amps use this tube in a different manner than a Matchless amp so it is not as critical if the tube is not quite perfect noise wise as in the Matchless or Bad Cat. BUT ... the tone can be improved in ALL these amps with a GOOD EF86.

 

The only current new EF86 is made by Sovtek. Some may say Svetlana on them but these are off of the same tooling as the Sovtek tube.

 

http://www.groovetubes.com/groovetubes/images/6267M.jpg

 

Above is the Sovtek / Svetlana tube.

 

I recently put a NOS GEC CV4085/EF86 in V1 of a Dr. Z Z-28. WHAT A DIFFERERENCE. I then tried this in a Dr. Z KT-45 and the difference was just as remarkable. There is more gain, more lows, mids, highs, less background noise, and in every aspect it was an outstanding improvement.

 

http://www.kcanostubes.com/images/CV40851.jpg

 

This is the tube above.

 

In a Matchless DC-30 in channel 2 the result was even more spectacular. The Matchless amps design goes for a ton of gain (which can lead to noise) if the EF86 is not a pretty good one.

 

In a Victoria Sovereign there was also a great improvment.

 

Frankly, today's new EF-86 / 6267 tubes are pretty crappy. In the Z amps they work nice enough but when you use virtually ANY NOS version there is an improvement that smacks you in the face.

 

The current inventory over at www.kcanostubes.com is:

 

All of the EF86s we carry are top quality western European tubes and will outperform new production Russian tubes. Many of them were manufactured using identical equipment. These are all great upgrades in Vox, Matchless, Dr. Z and similar amps. Also great in audiophile equipment.

 

NOS Telefunken EF86s------------------------------------------------------$ 85 Each

<> bottoms. Made in Germany. Date coded 1966 (one is 1970). Original industrial boxes. 10 in stock. Perfect for your Matchless, AC15 or other guitar amp. Also excellent in audiophile amps.

 

NOS GEC CV4085/EF86-----------------------------------------------------$ 65 Each

Top of the line military grade EF86 from GEC, England. From the same company that produced ALL British KT66s and KT88s (GEC, Genelex, Gold Lion, etc). Tight mesh plates. Original GEC stickers on tubes in immaculate condition. Original military boxes, pin protectors and corrugated wrapping. Very rare.

"The GECs are the most musical of any EF86 variant I have tried; I have tried longplate Mullards (and Z729 GECs that to my dismay were also longplate Mullards) Telefunken gray and nickle plate EF86 and EF806s, Ei 1970s EF806s, Tesla 1970s EF806, Tungsram 1980s EF86, Philips Holland 14mm plate EF86, and Svetlana Ef86. The Telefunkens were very precise and neutral, but not as musical. Chris S"

 

I just received a NOS GEC EF86 from KCA tubes & swapped it w/the suspect stock EF86 {in my Dr Z Z28}. No more hiss & tone from upon high! I also took your suggestion & put in a GE JAN 5751 for the PI. Now I KNOW I did not make any mistake buying this amp! Again, thanks for your help in the troubleshooting. Keep up the great work!

 

Sincerely, Christian

 

 

 

 

NOS AMPEREX --------------------------------------------------------------$ 45 Each

Made in Holland with mesh plates.

 

NOS Amperex EF86s

2- Made in Germany (NOT Telefunken). Original Boxes.-------------------------- $45 Each

 

NOS Mullard EF86------------------------------------------------------------$ 50

Made in Great Britain in the 1960s. Mesh plates, shield logo, industrial red/black/white boxes with corrugated internal wrapping. Excellent pick for your Vox type amp, Dr Z, Matchless, etc.

 

NOS Philips EF86--------------------------------------------------------------$ 42

Same as the Amperex above but marked by Mullard's/Amperex's parent company, Philips. Made in Holland.

 

NOS Miniwatt EF86-----------------------------------------------------------$ 42

Made in Holland, mesh plates.

 

NOS Valvo EF86---------------------------------------------------------------$ 42

Made in Germany, mesh plates.

 

NOS AMPEREX but labeled and boxed as Sylvania----------------------$ 40

Made in Holland with mesh plates.

 

..........................................

 

Just a tip ..... you may want to grab one or five of these before the prices go up as the production of new EF86 tubes from New Sensor (Sovtek) may be a bit shaky. I know that at GT I only find less than half of these that pass for our own use by the way.

 

A great NOS EF86 is a fast and pretty cheap investment in any of these amps. The amp will play better, feel better, sound better, and the tube will last MANY times longer than current production EF86 tubes.

 

By the way ... Thank You to Terry Guder from Chicago for my GEC EF86 which he sent me as a gift.

[myles_rose]

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