Originally Posted by
Marcel
Swapped the EL34's for a pair of 6L6's in my 2204 build... I figured as it was originally built with 6BQ5's, and modified to 6L6's before I got it then it would probably be a good fit.
While now with the 6L6's the output impedance selector works correctly the output volume level is noticeably reduced. With the EL34's there was a lot more volume and "grunt" from the amp but the impedance selector needed to be in the next position for the amp to 'behave'. That's not to say the 6L6's are weak, hell no, they do kick out substantial clean volume, maybe I'm just noticing the absence of 'dirt'... As HT volts, biasing, output transformer ratios and drive signal size all play important parts I'm guessing the build went from a solid and gritty 50W to a (for the moment) squeaky clean 40W...
I can't call it a 2204 build any more so its new name after it gets the EF86 input stage upgrade is the 6682 build... It will be interesting to hear how clean things get before further rounds of modifications to 'beef it up' again...