Tube rolling my CJ PV14L preamp...

pearsall001

I've heard so much talk about tube rolling that I figure I might as well give it a try. This is why this stuff is so much fun. My CJ pre has (2) type 6C4 miniature triode tubes. I love the sound I'm getting now, but I need to scratch my itch. I like that laid back analog sound. What do you guys recommend I try first. If I don't like what I hear I can always go back to stock. My ears are all yours for recommendations, let's hear 'em. Thanks

Libertyc

Hey Phil,

What kind of tubes do you have in the CJ - glass ones?? J/K

Anyway I'll look around to see what I have.

Libertyc

Check out link:

http://www.tubedepot.com/6c4.html

pearsall001

Hey Bill,

Thanks for the link. But they don't give a description of the sonic charateristic of the different tubes. How would I know which one's will give me laid back analog sound. If there is such a thing.

Thanks,
Phil

Early B.

pearsall001 wrote:

How would I know which one's will give me laid back analog sound. If there is such a thing.

The thing about tube rolling is -- ya gotta try several of 'em to see what you like. Start with the NOS JAN Phillips since they're on sale.

Dennis Gardner

I've never run the 6C4 so this may be apples to oranges, but I've found that many of the preamp/amp tubes from the new JJ tesla line seem to give a firmer more solid foundation, with cleaner highs. No muddiness at all with lots of control over the bass. Some would say that they lose the warmth of tubes, but I say that they only lose the flabbiness that other brands have. I prefer them over the Sovteks, Ei, and EH that I have rolled.

dorokusai

I've found that chicken wire soldered to a copper penny is like lifting a blanket off that pre-amp

That's an odd tube for rolling.

pearsall001

dorokusai wrote:

I've found that chicken wire soldered to a copper penny is like lifting a blanket off that pre-amp

That's an odd tube for rolling.

Please in English. This is my first time trying this, lend a hand.

dorokusai

That's an odd tube for rolling, that's in plain English.

You'll have to try out some ready tubes in that bracket as...for example, a JAN 6C4 sound is not exactly comparable to a JAN 12AU7 sound in another tube/circuit design...ya' dig?

fredv

NOS tubes usually have more lay back sound than the new production. My Eico HF-52 mono integrate uses one 6c4 in the preamp section. The amp has very warm sound, but I can't say how much is from the 6c4. I don't remeber it is a RCA or Sylvania. Check ebay, even the NOS is pretty cheap as demand is not that big.

dorokusai

Yea, just pick up a few off Ebay and play around, that's the whole purpose of tube rolling.

pearsall001

I think I'm gonna hold off on rolling some tubes for my CJ. I found out I have the later edition which is the PV14LS2 which comes stock with Mullard 8080's along with vibration rings. Mullard's are pretty darn good & I think I'll leave things alone, at least for now. Till later!!

Early B.

Good decision.