Tubes, Tubes, Tubes -- Resources for Rollers!

Discussion in 'General Audio Discussion' started by The Alchemist, Oct 7, 2015.

  1. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Original post by MuppetFace

    I figured we could use a thread to collect helpful t00b-related info. So, without further adieu...


    The Pirate's TUBE Resource Thread!


    Please feel free to share advice on what to look for and where to find a good selection, links with good deals, opinions on which tubes are worthwhile and which aren't, etc. etc. There are plenty of amps out there, but among pirates there are undoubtedly favorites that have become something of a "pirate's canon."
    [​IMG]


    It would be great if we could collect some recommendations for what tubes work best with these amps. Additionally many amps can be tailored to suit specific headphones just by changing the tubes, so any recs for what works best with certain headphones would be beyond awesome.


    You know those wine blurbs you see at decent liquor stores, the ones that describe what the wine's characteristics and flavor profile are like? If we could have something to that effect for peoples' favorite tubes, I think that would be really fun too.

    * *I realize this thread has to pretty much be started over from scratch, but I find this thread extremely useful as I suspect other members do as well. I could attempt to port over all of the posts in that thread, but it may take a while. Also Please note, I will do my best to give credit to those members who did post in the original thread* *
     
  2. The Alchemist

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    Original Post by Valentin Hogea

    I got lots to share if someone interested in 6AK5; 6AS7/6080/5998; 6SL7; 6SJ7-type tubes...


    However the EL34-thread I started. Very limited experience (to avoid saying none...)

     
  3. The Alchemist

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    Original Post by burnspbesq

    Back in the days of my love-hate relationship with a RSA Raptor, I found Upscale Audio to be a great source for tubes. Kevin is something of an acquired taste, but his inventory is to die for and his prices are not outrageous.
     
  4. The Alchemist

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    Original post by MuppetFace

    I've got the LG coming my way soon-ish, so I'm really starting to get invested into this whole tube rolling thing. Which is a first for me. I've messed around with it in the past, but it was always more of a chore and something I didn't want to bother with really. My feelings are changing.

    I want to pick up an assortment to start out with on the LG, so I'm looking for 6SN7 / 6CG7 recommendations primarily. dBel recommended I look into 12SN7 too.

    When I heard some 1950s Sylvania black plates in the LG I feel in love. I really want to find a pair of those in particular.
     
  5. The Alchemist

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    Original post by gurubhai

    I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as well for 6SN7/6CG7/ECC82/6080 recommendations for my upcoming DIY amp. Keep it rolling!

     
  6. The Alchemist

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    Original post by dBel84

    I am afraid that I don't keep "tasting notes" but a couple of gems from times past that come to mind :

    12AU7 variants:
    GE 6080
    RFT ECC82
    GE 5963

    edit :: how could I forget the philips miniwatt 12au7

    Noval variants of 6SN7
    RCA clear top 6CG7 / 6FQ7


    6SN7/12SN7:
    Tari's Mullard ECC32
    BL63 is similar to above but needs an adapter and has a MUCH higher heater current demand than even the ECC32. Alex modified the LGs power supply just before it went into production to be able to handle this tube.
    Sylvania GT ( 1950's ) including the JAN VT231
    CBS / Hytron long tube versions - also 50's production.

    Happy surprises
    Coin base sylvanias - often cheap and very similar to the 50's GT

    The following are links to a few useful threads out there


    The Reference 6SN7 Thread http://www.head-fi.org/t/117677/the-reference-6sn7-thread

    The 6SN7 Identification Guide http://www.head-fi.org/t/209782/the-6sn7-identification-guide

    6SN7 Tube Addicts http://www.head-fi.org/t/479031/6sn7-tube-addicts

    Toob Madness Or The 6SN7 Zoo http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0304/6sn7.htm

    BRENT JESSEE http://www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm

    Joe's Tube Lore on audioasylum http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html


    I am sure there are plenty more out there too .


    My biggest problem with people describing tubes is that most amp topologies differ and thus people are describing tubes under significantly different conditions and it is a far cry to extrapolate from one person's experience running a 6SN7 at 200V with 5mA bias to another running the same tube at 350V with 15mA bias. Not to mention design differences in amps - transformer coupled, cap coupled, hybrid , B+ that is regulated or choke filtered ......... I think you see my point.

    ..dB
     
  7. The Alchemist

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  8. The Alchemist

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    Original post by Valentin Hogea

    My 6SL7-findings...


    Mullard ECC35 Tall Black Base 50's-60's
    Bass quality: 5/5
    Bass quantity: 5/5
    Mids quality: 5/5
    Mids quantity: 4/5
    Treble quality: 5/5
    Treble quantity: 4/5
    Imaging: 5/5
    Sound stage: 5/5 Deep, wide and tall
    Price: 240-300 USD


    In short: Best so far. Truly fantastic. If you only need one for your amp. This is it.


    Mullard ECC35 Short Brown Base 50's-60's

    Bass quality: 5/5
    Bass quantity: 4/5
    Mids quality: 5/5
    Mids quantity: 5/5
    Treble quality: 5/5
    Treble quantity: 3/5
    Imaging: 4,5/5
    Sound stage: 5/5 Deep, wide and tall
    Price: 240-300 USD


    In short: A bit more muddy/warm than the Tall Black Bottle ones. Maybe a bit more "high-end" Leben-ish. Unmodded HD800 / Bright headphones overall I'd say


    Ken-Rad VT-229 Tall Black Base 40's

    Bass quality: 4/5
    Bass quantity: 4/5
    Mids quality: 4/5
    Mids quantity: 3/5
    Treble quality: 4/5
    Treble quantity: 3/5
    Imaging: 4/5
    Sound stage: 4/5 Somewhat smaller than the above
    Price: 100-120 USD


    In short: A bit more refined than the RCA one, but not that big of difference.


    RCA VT-220 Tal Black Base 40's


    Bass quality: 3,5/5
    Bass quantity: 4/5
    Mids quality: 4/5
    Mids quantity: 3/5
    Treble quality: 4/5
    Treble quantity: 3/5
    Imaging: 4/5
    Sound stage: 4/5 Somewhat smaller than the above
    Price: 70-100 USD


    In short: Very similar to the Ken-Rad one. Good all-round tube.
     
  9. The Alchemist

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  10. The Alchemist

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    Original post by MuppetFace

    Picked up two pairs of 12SN7s for a pretty good price just now, some Hytron and Sylvania GTs from the 1950s.
     
  11. The Alchemist

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    Original post by ader

    In the other thread last night I was asking about your plans with rolling 6SN7's in the Electra specifically since you'd have to buy matched sets of 4 for it (I assume).
     
  12. The Alchemist

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    Original post by MuppetFace

    I have a few amps that use 6SN7s, so buying a quad is probably the way to go anyway since I can use them for the others as well as the Electra.
     
  13. The Alchemist

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    Original post by CEE TEE

    I have incoming PX4 tubes with a B4 base.
    The 300B use a UX4 base.
    Has anyone seen this socket from Yamamoto?

    Yamamoto TEFLON UX4-B4 Socket

    EDIT: Craig said this to someone who asked him about this socket...

    http://www.head-fi.org/t/497049/balancing-act-tube-rolling#post_6711695

    Quote:
    Yes that is a genius product, very cool. If I had known about that I would have made the metal for that socket. The Yamamoto has a different mounting ring, and mounting hole spacing. The socket has to be machined to fit the BA, or a new top plate has to be made.
     
  14. The Alchemist

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    Original post by IamwutIam

    I've had great success getting my NOS "glass" through Tubemongers. They can be a bit "pricey" but I've been dealing w/ them for a few years now & I have'nt gotten any bad tubes(or any I've not been satisfied w/ for that matter) yet.

    Hey, what else can we spend money on that gives back as much enjoyment, time after time
    (Now that I stated this, watch... The pair of Mullard '61 wrinkle glass CV4035/12AX7s I have in transit(these things have too many damn numbers) won't be up to the "standards" of all the other tubes I've gotten; I should delete this before I jinx my success rate)
     
  15. The Alchemist

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    Original post by MuppetFace

    I've been using eBay for tubes lately. Results have been mixed.

    The experience of buying individual matched pairs has been positive so far: Sylvania and Hytron 12SN7s and Marconi 6SN7s arrived well packaged and as specified from three individual sellers.

    However I also ordered a small lot of 15 or so 12SN7s from another seller, and the packaging on this left much to be desired. Basically the tubes were thrown into a box filled with packing peanuts, completely loose without any wrapping around each tube. Several of them were damaged and rattle when inspected. Could have at least wrapped them in tissues or something to keep them from smashing into one another during transit.
     
  16. The Alchemist

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    Original post by shipsupt

    I've generally had really good luck with small lots from e-bay, but I remain pretty picky about who I buy from and I often grab "Buy it Now" deals at realistic prices instead of going on the cheap in an auction. I usually stick to the lower priced tubes as well, leaving the high price stuff to dealers etc...

    That said, I miss having my tester, it's still back in the US. I got a quad of Tungsol ECC83's for the GES and they are causing me to occasionally blow a fuse. Without the tester I don't have a good way to check them out. Of course they were the best tubes I had for the GES by far.
     
  17. The Alchemist

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    Original post by IamwutIam

    It seems a lot of you use EBay to find your tubes. I'm guessing you are getting better prices, but I would get discouraged real quickly if I did'nt receive visibly perfect, well packaged tubes every time, screw the price. ( I justify the prices for myself, by the fact I usually replace tubes to try "different flavors" when the sound starts moving past neutral & slightly toward dull)

    Discovering "Tubemonger" may be the only good thing I got from "Head Fi". (& it's kind of surprising I came across mention of it, as the group over there were buying most of their tubes from each other & one particular gentleman who appeared to be using the thread as "his store"; they had a version of "Tube Old Boys" over there.)
     
  18. The Alchemist

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    Original post by Mr.Sneis

    That's funny, one tube I really like was bought from tubemongers by a PO of one of my amps. I know it was theirs because the box has the tube name all over it and tubemonger on the label. The tube is basically junk though [​IMG] Sounds great for about 15 minutes and then it just sounds like a disaster. I'm real scared to buy tubes these days; eBay seems like a major hit or miss and the markup at the online retailers hurts.
     
  19. The Alchemist

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    Original post by me.

    Hello fellow Pirates,

    I was looking to get a pair of 6BZ7 matching tubes for my Valhalla 2 and I was looking on eBay and I am not sure what kind to get (I have never tube rolled before). Marv suggested checking out 6BZ7's so that is what I have been looking at. I don't know what brand I should get, if I should get matching tubes, or NOS. Can some fellow pirates give me some suggestions on tubes for the Valhalla 2? Should I get matching? NOS? What brand?

    Thank you for any help and advice anyone can give! [​IMG]
     
  20. The Alchemist

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    Original post by Puma Cat

    I've got a Valhalla 2 as of yesterday, and as you can sub in 6922s, there are lots of nice options for those tubes.

    Two "classic" options are the orange-label Amperex, and the famous Amperex Bugle Boys. Another very nice 6922 is the Ediswan, which is available from Upscale Audio.

    The newer released Genalex Gold Lion 6922s are excellent for the money, also.

    I will probably end up with Ediswans in my Valhalla 2, though they are pricey at $95/ea.
     

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