JJ 6386 LGP All related - all you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

[Val_r]

Hey folks!
Just got a pair of these 6386 LPG or LGP, and thought would share some experience.
They come in a nice packaging, with connection diagram, S/N, and plate current vs grid voltage readings on 8 points.
I have bought the tube set from Tube-Town in Germany, shipping to Italy was only 11 euro and arrived super-fast (just a couple of days!).

Check the pics:

The curves  ???

S/N are different, but internally they match almost perfectly, and it's a good matched pair.
Indeed it was only by chance, since I couldn't find any store selling these tubes already in matched pairs or quartet.
:'(

I put some nice 6ba6 from General Electric in triode mode for comparison.

.... update with the Russian 6K4P:

... and obviously the real deal for reference (if you're lucky enough to find some)

Enjoy!

 

[emrr]

Thanks, I know I posted a request for a review here long ago, and no one has ever commented on these tubes.  Give us more when you have it!

 

[MagnetoSound]

What is denoted by 'LPG' here?

(I assume it's not Liquid Petroleum Gas.  )

 

[desun]

The funny thing about these tubes is that the box and tube have different naming! It's been the same since the beginning, but one says LGP, whilst the other says LPG

I don't think that the lifespan of them is that enormous, so by using a slightly lower heater voltage (about 5.9 rather than 6.3v) will help this. I believe they're getting more consistent, but even when using pairs of tubes, you still have to do some swapping around to get the best matching. Obviously you have the curves to help you match up initially.

 

[Val_r]

Hi,

I've updated the curves with the 6k4p russian pentode (wired A+G2).