Calling all "Tube Heads"...

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
edited April 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
From my previous post about giving Frank's T8 preamp a try to see how it compares to my CJ PV14L, your feedback was almost 100% in favor of just keeping the CJ & don't mess with anything else. I tend to agree with your comments. Now, Early B suggested tube rolling. So I made a few inquiries on the subject. The CJ comes stock w/ Mullards which are very sweet sounding. The feedback here was to leave the Mullards alone, & don't mess w/ the sound. But for the fun of it I've got to try something else just to hear for myself. This is the email response I got back from Conrad Johnson: "The Mullard tubes we supply are in fact made by Mullard, and are Admiralty Grade. It is not likely that you will find a better sounding tube, but I cannot absolutely swear that you cannot. I don't know who else might have made this tube, but if you were to find one made by Telefunken or Siemens or Amperex, it might be wonderful" Ed/CJ.
What's your take on this? Any tube suggestions or just leave the Mullards alone. Even Stephen (Owner of Quest for Sound) where I bought it said the Mullards are wonderful sounding & advised against tube rolling. I also talked to Andy at Vintage Tube Services & I have to call him back with the tube info I got back from CJ. He likes the Mullards too, as long as they are true Mullards & not knock offs. Suggestions???:)

Cheers,
Phil
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2007
    I think that Ed/CJ's suggestion of Amperex is really solid. Look for some white globe and orange globe versions for a taste. Its often overlooked for some reason, as most tube "lovers" are all caught up in the usual stuff.

    Telefunkens are cool but you usually get raped for authentic Bugle Boys so I look for the off brand sleepers. The diamond on the bottom is the key. No, I'm not telling you anything else, put on your sneakers.

    Good luck.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2007
    Hey Doro, Thanks for the reply. I'll get my sneakers on & see what I come up with. By the way what does "Admiralty Grade" mean in tube lingo?
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2007
    I will presume its just how they test, much like the Platinum grade that Upscale Audio uses. Identically matched, low noise & microphonics...blah blah.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Now, Early B suggested tube rolling.

    Wasn't me. I suggested trying Frank's T8 preamp.

    Mullards are fine. Don't bother with tube rolling.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited April 2007
    Mullards give you a good full sound, nothing sticking out, not much change over a flat response. I can't imagine anything giving you a better sound unless it would be a: bugle boys giving you a more pleasing sorta rolling bass or b: telefunkens giving you a bit more of a treble bump up around the cymbal freqency range. Its damn tough to beat a mullard unless your system is calling for a bit of a freqency curve change. Try for yourself for sure! Not familiar with the term Admiralty grade unless maybe it has something to do with Admiral. I noticed it was capitalized so it may refer to the name of something? Just don't know.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited April 2007
    Early B. wrote: »
    Wasn't me. I suggested trying Frank's T8 preamp.

    Mullards are fine. Don't bother with tube rolling.

    Early, You are correct & I stand corrected. It was candyliquor35m that suggested tube rolling. You did indeed suggest that I try Frank's T8. Seems like everybody likes the Mullards so I've got some thinking to do. Oh, the fun of it all!!!:D
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2007
    If spending 1K+ makes more sense than rolling tubes, you're in for a long ride. Good luck.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2007
    dorokusai wrote: »
    If spending 1K+ makes more sense than rolling tubes, you're in for a long ride. Good luck.


    For as much coin as Pear has dropped on Frank, he ought to send Pear the pre at no charge and let him demo it alongside the CJ.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2007
    That's a good point :D
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited April 2007
    I had my fun rolling, I really never heard all that great a difference in them, never had a "bad" tube I stayed away from most of the chinese tubes, it just got to be not worth the effort for me.

    I have tele's in the Dodd, 12ax7's, satisfied with those there, the BAT uses the 6h30 supertube so that is that and the MF tri-vista is hard wired as Antony despises tube rolling. Gary Dodd was not all that hyped up about it either come to think about it, he really likes the Sovtek's that come stock with the Dodd MLP. I rolled a bunch of 6dj8 types through the ELP when I had it, like I said never heard big differences a few subtle things but that was it.

    I think it is very dependant on the individual as far as what tube they like/dislike.

    RT1
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  • james838
    james838 Posts: 6
    edited April 2007
    Just a question for any one that can help. Have dared sl2000a pre amp and I need a rectifier 5z4p which I cant find . Is there an equivalant or adifferent one I can use
    Please help
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited April 2007
    Maybe the info contained in this auction will be useful?

    http://cgi.ebay.ie/5Z4G-5AR4-5Z4-GZ34-CV1863-TUBE-NEW-NOS-X4-NR_W0QQitemZ330011049468QQihZ014QQcategoryZ7275QQcmdZViewItem

    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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