Tube vs Solid state for SDAs

2

Comments

  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    What is Brent's contact info?

    http://www.audiotubes.com/

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    Jim is out of the Teslas and is recommending Genalex KT-77 reissues. Thoughts?
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    Jim is out of the Teslas and is recommending Genalex KT-77 reissues. Thoughts?

    I've heard good things..........I want to try a pair myself at some point.

    H9

    The SED Winged "C"s are really nice as well.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    After explaining that I'm looking for tubes that will bring out the detail in music without losing the tube warmth, Jim stated that it was basically a contradiction of terms given that much of the tube 'warmth' is due to a tube having a restrained top end. He said that the EH's are the brightest tube and that any other tube will sound 'muddier'. He's recommending a quad of EH 6CA7 based on my desire for better detail.

    As for other tubes:

    12AX7: 1963 GE JG-5751 or Genalex B759

    12AU7: RTC 6189
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    The best 12AX7 (ECC83) I have heard so far is the Valvo ECC83 w/45* slant getter made in Hamburg, short plates. Code: I60 Dxx. They were made in the late 50's and 1960-61. They are pricey but detail in spades and what a glorious soundstage. It's a very neutral tube.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/MATCHED-PAIR-ECC83-12AX7-VALVO-45-GETTER-SAME-CODE-/250726309157?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a6073dd25

    I am on the hunt for the GE JG-5751 as I have heard/read they are nice as well, but expect them to be a little mor laid back, lush and "creamy" compared to the Valvo's

    I also have a pair 1957 RCA 12AX7 blackplates w/square getter I like very much but for different reasons than the Valvo Hamburg tubes.

    Also IMO, the SED Winged "C" is a better choice than the EH's. The Winged "C" is a very nice tube and seems to have the same characteristics I read about the vintage Mullards to have. Lot's of detail but with nice and airy and open and non-fatiguing. Not in your face at all but still tons of detail.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    After explaining that I'm looking for tubes that will bring out the detail in music without losing the tube warmth, Jim stated that it was basically a contradiction of terms given that much of the tube 'warmth' is due to a tube having a restrained top end. He said that the EH's are the brightest tube and that any other tube will sound 'muddier'. He's recommending a quad of EH 6CA7 based on my desire for better detail.

    As for other tubes:

    12AX7: 1963 GE JG-5751 or Genalex B759

    12AU7: RTC 6189

    If you want to try them,,pm me,,I have a quad that I got from Jim that I am not using at the moment--you are welcome to try/use them,,just say the word.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    The best 12AX7 (ECC83) I have heard so far is the Valvo ECC83 w/45* slant getter made in Hamburg, short plates. Code: I60 Dxx. They were made in the late 50's and 1960-61. They are pricey but detail in spades and what a glorious soundstage. It's a very neutral tube.

    What about these for the 12AU7's?
    http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-pair-VALVO-12AU7-ECC83-tested-/320618239750?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4aa6561706


    BTW, Jim McShane has a 1963 GE JG-5751 that he was recommending.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    What about these for the 12AU7's?
    http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-pair-VALVO-12AU7-ECC83-tested-/320618239750?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4aa6561706




    BTW, Jim McShane has a 1963 GE JG-5751 that he was recommending.

    Those Valvo's based on the codes the seller lists are from 2 different plants. The one with the B is a Mullard made tube from the Blackburn plant in England, the other with < I assume he was trying to indicate a delta triangle which is made in Holland at the Heerlen plant. If you need a pair they aren't the same so I'd pass. If you need a single then this will give you an opportunity to listen to two different tubes and see which one you prefer.

    Valvo tubes made in Hamburg with the letter "D" in the second set of numbers are the special Valvo tubes all others are Philips made tubes from Holland or England and sometimes even Munich from Siemens and Halske.

    With Valvo tubes the codes are extremely important because the Philips conglomerate allowed most of their tubes to be re-branded. Actually all Euro tube codes are important because the "label" means nothing. Even Telefunken re-branded, only not to the extent Philips did. All true Tele's have the diamond embossed on the bottom of the tube between the pins. If it's not there, it's not a Telefunken tube.

    Jim is awesome, but I buy my tubes on ebay and pay about 60-70% less than Jim sells them for. I know I take my chances that way, but I'm willing to take the risk. If you aren't, then Jim is one of the dealers to buy from.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    OK, I'm excited! Just scored a Valvo ECC83 w/45* slant getter with the I60 Dxx code for the 12AX7. Can't wait to get it in the amp. Now it's on to the 12AU7's. I may go with the Genalex for the 6922's in the pre. Doctorcilantro tells me he's doing a group buy shortly.....
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    After explaining that I'm looking for tubes that will bring out the detail in music without losing the tube warmth, Jim stated that it was basically a contradiction of terms given that much of the tube 'warmth' is due to a tube having a restrained top end.

    This guy who said truthfully about Tubes should be awarded most honorable person of the year award!

    FYI, you can have warmth sounding SS gears with lush open top ends and very good frequency characteristics across the board. But if you are into tube rolling and tailoring the sound, Tube is for you.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2010
    megasat16 wrote: »
    This guy who said truthfully about Tubes should be awarded most honorable person of the year award!

    FYI, you can have warmth sounding SS gears with lush open top ends and very good frequency characteristics across the board. But if you are into tube rolling and tailoring the sound, Tube is for you.

    another characteristic of Jim,,he won't BS you into spending more money than you need to.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    Jim is out of the Teslas and is recommending Genalex KT-77 reissues. Thoughts?

    I have a Anthem Amp 1 using Genelex Reissue KT77's and a Mullard CV4003 12AU7 and Ei 12AX7's .the KT77 is very nice in the Amp 1....WCW III
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    W WALDECKER wrote: »
    I have a Anthem Amp 1 using Genelex Reissue KT77's and a Mullard CV4003 12AU7 and Ei 12AX7's .the KT77 is very nice in the Amp 1....WCW III

    Thanks! Are you sure you have a single 12AU7 and 2 X 12AX7's? My manual shows it as just the opposite.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    Thanks! Are you sure you have a single 12AU7 and 2 X 12AX7's? My manual shows it as just the opposite.

    My Bad :redface: in my defense i have not been inside of the Amp 1 for quite some time. Jim McShane is a really good guy who goes to great lengths to test all parameters of the tubes he sells under real world conditions.
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    No worries. :) It made me take a second look just to make sure; especially since I had just ordered that single Valvo 12AX7.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    I received the Valvo 12AX7 yesterday and rolled it in to the Amp 1 this evening. My initial impressions are that the overall sound signature of the system didn't change BUT after listening to some familiar tunes, what I believe I'm hearing is a broader soundstage and more subtle details emerging from the music. This is showing up specifically in the cymbals/hi hat. While the detail is not forward by any means, it is at least showing up where it was absent prior to changing the tube.

    Thanks to H9 for a great suggestion! Looking forward to getting the other stock tubes replaced!
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    Doug - glad you're liking it so far. I've found tube differences to be more subtle than other changes one can make, but the changes will really come into focus after repeated listening sessions. You'll start noticing little things you hadn't heard before. Tube rolling is a lot of fun, but for me can lead to frustration and then back to fun. It's taken me about a year to find the perfect combo in the main rig.

    Speaking strictly for my main rig and the synergy of the gear and absolutely love Valvo Hamburg manufactured and Telefunken tubes. They have an air and sparkle on the top end (not to be confused as forward) that no other tube can quite match and the 3D soundstage is to die for!! They tend to be neutral tubes compared to their Blackburn (Mullard) and Holland made tubes.

    I permanently have a pair of Telefunken ECC801S in the Dared pre-amp and I swap those with a pair of Valvo 6201's. In the Norh I use the '59 Valvo ECC83 short plate 45* halo getter and/or a pair of '57 RCA 12AX7 long black plates w/square getter. In the Dared/HCT hybrid tube integrated I found a couple pair of rare '55 Valvo ECC85 with the foil "D" getter, made in Hamburg of course, or I use the fabulous Telefunken ECC85.

    Have fun, enjoy, do a lot of listening and report back
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    On the Valvo's you look for the Dxx value on the bottom. On the Telefunkens, how do you know if you're getting the right Holland made tubes? All I've seen on ebay are that they have a <> logo on the bottom.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    On the Valvo's you look for the Dxx value on the bottom. On the Telefunkens, how do you know if you're getting the right Holland made tubes? All I've seen on ebay are that they have a <> logo on the bottom.

    Just saying the word 'Telefunken' gives me a warm and fuzzy toobey feeling!:wink:
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    On the Valvo's you look for the Dxx value on the bottom. On the Telefunkens, how do you know if you're getting the right Holland made tubes? All I've seen on ebay are that they have a <> logo on the bottom.

    Usually tubes made in Holland are not true Telefunkens. It is possible, but rare, to find a Tele branded tube made in Holland. Then it's just a re-branded Philips tube, NOT a ture Tele. All true Telefunken tubes made at either the Ulm or Berlin plant in Germany have the diamond <> molded into the glass between the pins, end of story. Tele's used two different kinds of date/manufacture codes and can be very confusing. They used a 3rd for tubes they were exporting for other companies which rebranded them, but they are still Telefunken manufactured tubes.
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Just saying the word 'Telefunken' gives me a warm and fuzzy toobey feeling!:wink:

    I have come close on several occasions buying a t-shirt. My absolute favorite word is Telefunken.

    Doug - you pm'd me, you seem a little confused. I'll see if I can get you some educational links to help sort out these confusing tube issues.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    On the Valvo's you look for the Dxx value on the bottom.

    This is true for tubes manufactured up until about 1956, after that there is an acid etched code on the tube glass usually down towards the bottom.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Usually tubes made in Holland are not true Telefunkens. It is possible, but rare, to find a Tele branded tube made in Holland. Then it's just a re-branded Philips tube, NOT a ture Tele. All true Telefunken tubes made at either the Ulm or Berlin plant in Germany have the diamond <> molded into the glass between the pins, end of story.



    I have come close on several occasions buying a t-shirt. My absolute favorite word is Telefunken.

    Doug - you pm'd me, you seem a little confused. I'll see if I can get you some educational links to help sort out these confusing tube issues.

    H9

    That would be great! I am a tube noob and any info would be helpful. It's a great leap of faith to put out the amount of cash vintage tubes demand.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    That would be great! I am a tube noob and any info would be helpful. It's a great leap of faith to put out the amount of cash vintage tubes demand.

    It is...............and I usually watch a lot of auctions to find the best deal. You can't go wrong with Valvo or Telefunken tubes. The Philips conglomerate made and distributed a crap load tubes. Many are awesome tubes as well. It gets a little murky with Philips tubes as you get closer to 1970 and later. Richardson bought the Amperex label and most Richardson manufactured Amperex tubes are merely average. Phillips bought the remaining tooling of Dutch Philips in about 1980 and produced some of the last true NOS tubes, problem is they were mediocre compared to the Dutch Philps hey dey tubes.

    IMO, earlier the better for tubes. Many of the classics and my favorites are from the late 50's early 60's. Exception being Valvo Hamburg tubes and Telefunken's. They have a consistency through the years that's hard to beat. Not to say Philips based tubes didn't, there are a lot more variables with later Philips based tubes and while still nice reliable tubes lack that special sound early tubes seem to me to have.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    With Valvo and Philips made tubes it has nothing to with the brand logo on the tube and everything to do with the date and manufacture codes. When you get really good you can start identifying tubes by their internal tube structure and plate size/shape, type of mica, etc., etc.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited November 2010
    H9...

    What is your impression of Tung-Sol tubes... I have chosen the KT120's for the amps I am building, but being a newb to tubes also, I really have no clue about them. The amps will also be able to work well with KT-88's...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    This will likely be my next buy if the price doesn't get out of hand. I only need 2 of them and could probably resell the others....

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290503194889&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

    or these:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370458831801&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    H9...

    What is your impression of Tung-Sol tubes... I have chosen the KT120's for the amps I am building, but being a newb to tubes also, I really have no clue about them. The amps will also be able to work well with KT-88's...

    No experience with that Tung-Sol but I don't really care for any new production tubes. I have a pair of Tung-Sol 6SL7's made in Russia and they aren't that great.

    I certainly understand having to use new production tubes because using vintage tubes would cost a small fortune if you could find a suitable amount. I have an EL34 based integrated and I use newer production SED Winged "C" simply because I'm not going to pay the price of Mullard EL34's. I know the Mullards are better.

    Having that many tubes and that tube type in the power section, I'm not sure there are many other choices out there. The other choices available are either very hard to find in those number and/or astronomically priced.

    Don't skimp on the input and driver tubes.............many times these have a larger effect on the overall sound.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited November 2010
    dpowell wrote: »
    This will likely be my next buy if the price doesn't get out of hand. I only need 2 of them and could probably resell the others....

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290503194889&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

    or these:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370458831801&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

    Those are excellent choices, but I bet they go for good money. The first seller I've bought from before and they do a great job.

    H9

    P.s. I was watching these for my Norh in the office rig, too much money for a secondary rig. These are the long plate version.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290503169852&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2010
    If you are looking for European 12Au7's,,I would suggest that you pm Jerryj12 before you buy from e-bay.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited November 2010
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I certainly understand having to use new production tubes because using vintage tubes would cost a small fortune if you could find a suitable amount. I have an EL34 based integrated and I use newer production SED Winged "C" simply because I'm not going to pay the price of Mullard EL34's. I know the Mullards are better.

    H9

    Like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/Quad-vintage-Mullard-EL34-6CA7-Dynaco-xf3-NOS-matching-/330501179615?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4cf367c8df

    :eek:
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    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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