Tube Rolling

VR3
VR3 Posts: 28,644
edited May 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
I have come to the conclusion with my vast, limited experience...

Tube rolling does not make much difference, if any.

I've got $150 dollar tubes in my CDP vs the ones originally sent in them. I must say I didn't hear one iota of a difference...

I changed out my preamp tubes, and again - no difference.

So... I think TUBES make a difference, but difference between tubes...not so much.

Maybe I am just not using the right tubes. :)
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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Comments

  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited May 2007
    Are you kidding?

    There are huge night & day differences between various tubes. That's what makes tube gear so appealing. Change a tube to another brand and there can be major differences between them.
    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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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited May 2007
    Im not kidding.

    Maybe I need some different tubes.

    I personally have not heard a difference yet that I have really picked up on.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited May 2007
    BTW -- the tubes originally sent with your CDP were probably already upgraded from the stock Chinese tubes. Are they WE396A?
    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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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited May 2007
    I noticed a decent difference swapping tubes in my Jolida CDP, but I went form 12ax7s to 5751s and from stock $10 tubes to NOS GE 3 Micas.

    Changing tubes in the my Modwright pre I did not notice as big of a difference. I actually preferred the original tubes to the ones that I tried, but there wasn't a big difference.

    Jared
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited May 2007
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    I have come to the conclusion with my vast, limited experience...

    Tube rolling does not make much difference, if any.

    I've got $150 dollar tubes in my CDP vs the ones originally sent in them. I must say I didn't hear one iota of a difference...

    I changed out my preamp tubes, and again - no difference.

    So... I think TUBES make a difference, but difference between tubes...not so much.

    Maybe I am just not using the right tubes. :)

    This may be why my shandling is sitting on the shelf. I'm not bashing it yet but I find it strange why a old stock telefunken ecc83 doesn't sound good in it when it's one of the warmest sounding tubes I know of.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited May 2007
    Well you gotta remember, I had great tubes in it from the get go.

    I didn't hear a bit of difference in the Odyssey either.

    Either way, the Shanling is still a fine player.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited May 2007
    I must have been dreaming. I have a Jolida.
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited May 2007
    Can I have your 'spensive Shanling tubes then?
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited May 2007
    Tube rolling can make a huge difference or very little if any and it all comes down to the circuit you are rolling them in. my Anthem Pre1L sounded great with NOS Amperex 7308's as it is a warm euphonic sounding circuit with the right tubes. i put the same Nos Amperex 7308's in the BAT VK 3i and i prefered the BAT spec Sovtecs or Ei Elite Goldpins over the much more expensive NOS Amperex's. the Candela uses the 12AU7 tubes and is even more neutral than the BAT VK 3i. i tried Mullard CV4003 12AU7's in the Candela and the Midrange sounded really nice but the sound was rolled off at the extremes.i tried the JJ ECC802 longplate's and they sounded much better across the entire frequency range, the best tube in this circuit so far are the rare and expensive White label Amperex Holland ECC186/7316 D getter PQ's vintage 1962. my Sonic Frontiers SFS 80 power Amp Came with a quad of Ei KT90's and a Quad of Teslovak KT88's although both tubes sound really good i prefer the Ei KT90's as they have more slam on the bottom end and seem a bit more neutral in this particular circuit. some friends have rolled the CBS/Hytron 5814A's in the Candela and say that it sounds great in this circuit. George Daniel sent a pair of these tubes to me in the mail and i hope to get them by Monday. i hope they sound as good as they say they do :) . thanks....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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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited May 2007
    William,, please let us know what you think,as I believe that Trey is speaking about the same tubes that I'm sending you for the Candela, as I had purchased 4 in anticipation of a candela,which did not happen,let us know,,as I'm in the "tube rolling is overrated camp" :eek: :)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited May 2007
    george daniel wrote: »
    William,, please let us know what you think,as I believe that Trey is speaking about the same tubes that I'm sending you for the Candela, as I had purchased 4 in anticipation of a candela,which did not happen,let us know,,as I'm in the "tube rolling is overrated camp" :eek: :)
    tube rolling in a fast, clean, neutral circuit like the Candela is not going to produce a dramatic difference like it would in my Anthem Pre1L. if there is an audible difference it will be much more subtle,if there is a slight improvement i want it! nothing ventured nothing gained :D thanks....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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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited May 2007
    Shizelbs wrote: »
    Can I have your 'spensive Shanling tubes then?

    A member here has already purchased them from me.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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