Rogers E40A that need help!

Roger asked:
(18 Jul 2001)

I am actually new to tube amplification when I first bought the amp (Rogers E40A). And so far after listening to it for about three years, I was wondering if I should change the tubes? I have seen & heard many types of different tubes but can somebody out there please help me or give me a list of tubes (namely its function) that is good for my amp so that in future I would know what is best for my system! I do understand that the enjoyment of having a tube amp is sometimes to play around with different types of tubes but could somebody please teach me the pure joy of it? Your help is greatly appreciated! Cheers!

Joseph Luk responded:
(19 Jul 2001)

Hi Roger, The info you enquired is usually available in the technical manual come along with amp from the manufacturer. The Rogers E40a is using the following tubes:  - 8 pieces of 6L6GT for the power ouput  - 2 pieces of 12AX7 (ECC83, CV4004, 5751) for the phono stage This amp delivers 40W class A at push-pull. If your amp is working fine so far and you're happy with its performance, you don't have to replace any tube. But for fun and better performance, you may replace those tubes with better quality ones like, NOS tubes under the labels of Mullard, Telefunken, Amperex. But all these NOS tubes are expensive and also be careful whether you get fake ones too. In the beginning, you can try out some new tubes which also can give good sound, like the Sotvek 12AX& LPS for the phono, and the Electro Harmonix 6L6EH for the power, alternately you may try the Telsa tubes for both which are considered not bad too. Later on, you can also try the NOS tubes 12AX7 from GE, Philip JAN which are less expensive than the Mullard, Telefunken, Amperex ones. Further info to you, 12AX7 tube can be interchangeable with ECC83, E83CC, EC803, CV4004, 5751, M8137 tubes. Have fun and enjoy listening.

Roger asked again:
(20 Jul 2001)

Dear Joseph Luk, Thank you very much for your help. You are really an angel! Your advice was really helpful. But I am very sorry to have to bother you 1 more time is that what about the input tubes for my amp? Could you please guide me along in this area? And the next question is what other makes and model are there in the market for the power tubes? For example you stated that the different types of tubes for my 12AX7 can be interchange with ECC83...and so on.. Can you please also help me by stating the different types of tubes that I can interchange for my input and power tubes? Please forgive me for my very little knowledge and thanks again for your time!

Joseph Luk responded:
(23 Jul 2001)

For the input tubes (small ones), I would suggest you to replace the existing ones with Sotvek 12AX7 LPS or the Electro Hamonix 12AX7 EH, both two types are not expensive but deliver quite warm, musical sound, good for vocal music. However, if you like speed, powerful pop or rock music, you can consider to get the JAN/Philips 5751, or Sylvnia (ECG) 5751 or 12AX7. All you can find from the "Martin's speaker" shop on ground floor at Burlington Square, opposite Sim Lim Square. For the power tubes (big ones), your 6L6 GT can be replaced with those tubes coded 6L6 xx and 5881. I would suggest you to replace the existing ones with Electro Hamonix 6L6 EH, this power tube is said to deliver warmer sound, good for vocal music too. Alternately, you can consider to get 8 pieces of the Svetlana 5881, which is also excellent but may cost a bit more than the Electro Harmonix ones. For the Sveltana 5881, you may try your luck to get it in the above-mentioned Martin's speaker shop, you can take the opportunity to ask the shop keepers for advice. When you are at Burlington Square, you can also have a look at another Hi Fi shop on the same floor, where they are also selling small, big new and NOS tubes. Wish you good luck and enjoy listening!

Roger wrote:
(23 Jul 2001)

Hi Joseph Luk & 1388.com,  Thank you very much for your time & advice, very glad that there is such a wonderful guy like you around!! Keep up your good work!!  I would also like to thank 1388, for without you guys around, I would definetly be sucking my toes & scratching my head & still not know whats good for my amplifier!! Cheers!!I will definetly be enjoying my music!!

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