Why Not to Use 6V6s As Preamps

This is a topic that rears its head periodically on vacuum tube forums and discussions. Just a couple of days ago I was reading a forum thread on preamps and someone threw out the suggestion of using a triode strapped 6V6 as a preamp tube. Now this is nothing new. I’ve been hearing this suggestion, on and off, for at least ten years. But using a triode strapped 6v6 (or any beam power tube) as a voltage amplifier is a poor idea which simply doesn’t hold up to technical scrutiny.

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Singleton Power Tubes

Being a proponent of single ended topologies, I am constantly on the lookout for singleton power tubes. Since I’m working on designs with all single ended signal chains, things like matching and bias points as less important to me than tubes which test strong and are reliable. One source containing lots of singleton “New Old Stock” and “Used” power tubes is Ebay. Often I can get a single power tube for far less than buying from one of the more established vacuum tube business on the web. But I have begun to wonder about whether these are really such a great deal after all.

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