ZMF Pendant by Ampsandsound; impressions, tube-rolling, and general discussions
- Thread starter KPzypher
- Start date
Wanted to inject a bit of life back into my Pendant (and back this thread). I finally found and am trying out a pair of Sylvania black plate 6BQ5's. I LOVE them! The sound is so natural and detailed. Not overly soft, not overly forward, really just middle of the line neutral to my ears. They seem to complement the natural voicing of the Pendant perfectly. Not too expensive either. Mine had a slight hum when I first plugged them in, but with burn in it's *almost* back to its dead silent self.
The "All Blacks" combo: black plates, black coating, and black labels (Sylvania 6BQ5, GEC U709, and G73-R black label). Really good balance of soundstage, impact, timbre, clarity. My favorite combo so far on this amp. I couldn't go back to the Valvos or Phillips for long before swapping the Sylvanias back in.
Too bad the G73R is a fortune and super hard to get.The "All Blacks" combo: black plates, black coating, and black labels (Sylvania 6BQ5, GEC U709, and G73-R black label). Really good balance of soundstage, impact, timbre, clarity. My favorite combo so far on this amp. I couldn't go back to the Valvos or Phillips for long before swapping the Sylvanias back in.
It really is. The red labels seem to still be available on eBay, but the black labels seem to have dried up.
I will say though, I've never been happier to spend $500 on a tube. It actually lived up to the hype, and will likely outlast the resistors in the amp given how long they're rated to last. What it does to soundstage and dynamics is just magic.
It is expensive compared with a lot of tubes, but as @haasaaroni mentioned, the red label can still be found on ebay from hanoitubes and maybe some others (last time I checked anyway, haven't been looking for this tube in some time). I haven't heard the black label version, reportedly it might be a little smoother, however, the red label is a downright magical tube in its own right and a huge upgrade for the Pendant, and one you can keep in your stash for other amps as well. It's not cheap, but if you can swing one on auction I'd say it's worth it. It was a game changer for me and once you get one, you're pretty set as far as input tubes go. No need to spend on others unless you want to. G73R is a special tube indeed.
Awesome! Nice to have some new flavors to rollThe "All Blacks" combo: black plates, black coating, and black labels (Sylvania 6BQ5, GEC U709, and G73-R black label). Really good balance of soundstage, impact, timbre, clarity. My favorite combo so far on this amp. I couldn't go back to the Valvos or Phillips for long before swapping the Sylvanias back in.
Looking good in black
billerb1
Headphoneus Supremus
Even though I don't have a Pendant, I will attest to the G73R bringing heretofore unheard depth, resonance and realism to each instrument.
A true end-game tube.
A true end-game tube.
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shwnwllms
1000+ Head-Fier
Glad you are getting so much use of it Bill. The G73-R really is a special tube
billerb1
Headphoneus Supremus
Well, Shawn, I have you and Hanoi Tubes to thank for that (My Woo WA2 amp needs a pair). I will mention that although Hanoi Tubes was only offering the red labels on ebay, the owner there at that time still had a few black labels left and he made it possible for me to get the one I needed to pair up with Shawn's. Very nice guy who went out of his way to help me. If you are looking strictly for the black print, it may be worth asking him the question.
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jonathan c
Headphoneus Supremus
Hello, Bill! I am happy to see you active in the threads. 
billerb1
Headphoneus Supremus
Hello my friend. I do come up for air every once in awhile. Hope you are well and enjoying the music.Hello, Bill! I am happy to see you active in the threads.
If anyone is interested, I listed my Pendant SE for sale. It's in great condition, looks great and I'm including a nice set of 1950s tubes along with the stock set. As an added incentive, offering a GEC U709 to the buyer for $100 more.
