Let’s see some Tube Glow!

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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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  • Unknown
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,365
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    Is tube blow blue or bliss?

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    Those old globe style 866 tubes from the 1920's sure do light up better than the later 866a version.
  • Unknown
    edited June 2025
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    This content has been removed.
  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 35,562
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    mercury vapor...
    B)
  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    mercury vapor...
    B)

    Old globe 866, these old ones seem to have a better glow, as I'm using them with a tube preamp, not much current draw.
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,712
    edited November 2025
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    "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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 35,562
    edited November 2025
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    whoops... ne'er mind. :/
  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,400
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    ModWright Analog Bridge kdirlnb86e2w.jpg
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,105
    edited October 20
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    Trying out the camera on the new iPhone …

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    Looking good! What kind of KT88s are you running? Such a smooth sounding power tube!

    Edit: Wait a sec, I guess those are actually KT120s?! My bad!
  • newbie308
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    heiney9 wrote: »

    I remember when this kit was being introduced. I was intrigued by it and really wanted to build one. I remember signing up to be notified when they were available, but never got an email. How does it sound?
    Enjoying the journey while never attaining the destination.
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,712
    edited November 2025
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    newbie308 wrote: »
    heiney9 wrote: »

    I remember when this kit was being introduced. I was intrigued by it and really wanted to build one. I remember signing up to be notified when they were available, but never got an email. How does it sound?

    Superb. It's amazing what a few parts implemented correctly can sound like. Simple circuits always sound better.

    The ambient retrieval, open and transparent are all excellent. The NuTube adds just enough warmth and adds to already excellent dimensional information. It's super quiet too.

    If you want less 2nd harmonic you can adjust the voltage to the cathode with the two trim pots.

    FYI, the kits are back in stock as of today. It's been a long wait.

    The only area I see that can make a pretty big improvement is the volume pot. A standard ALPs is included which does a good job. But to take the unit another level I'm getting a TKD shunt type volume pot.

    This is in my office rig running a pair of Pass ACA mono's in parallel configuration. Since it's more near field and lower volume listening an excellent tracking volume pot is essential.

    Speakers are Polk Audio R200's and they have never sounded better!

    I didn't build this one, I bought it assembled from a great seller.

    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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,105
    edited October 20
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    Good eye! They are Tung-Sol KT120s.

    I will probably give some KT88s a try next, though.. Hear good things about Genalex.

    I recently picked up a quad of GoldLion and also JJ KT88s for my Cayin Jazz 90 integrated. Will let you know how they are once I try them.
  • tonyp063
    tonyp063 Posts: 1,157
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    Some old friends from Great Britain have come to visit for Christmas.

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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 13,105
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    Nice XF2 Mullards! Score!
  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 7,823
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    I don't have any tube glow, but I sure could use some tub glue. :#

    da2nn41enek2.jpg
  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,102
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    Viking64 wrote: »
    I don't have any tube glow, but I sure could use some tub glue. :#

    da2nn41enek2.jpg

    Try a little calk. That should do the trick.
    See my profile for list of gear.
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 6,079
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    Had a tube go bad so I'm doing some rolling!

    uk5vw9jyxxib.jpg
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre Upgraded with Mundorf Supremes
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)


    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,712
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    yfytm50iaddo.png

    Schiit Valhalla 2

    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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,712
    edited March 12
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    Above ^

    Valhalla 2 tube combo - OTL headphone amp with pre-out

    1960 - 6H6P - Foton, charcoal box plate, gold grid, square getter for the tall tubes. (very rare tube back in the hey dey of Russian tubes). These are like the Mullards of British tube world.

    1961 - 6DJ8 - Amperex Bugle Boy, Holland, gray plate, large single post halo.

    Very good combo, if a tad bit too lush and a tad slow on dynamic music. Vocals, jazz and acoustic is fantastic.

    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 | Galion TS P75 Pre | Holo Audio Cyan 2 Dac | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 26,160
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    Viking64 wrote: »
    I don't have any tube glow, but I sure could use some tub glue. :#

    da2nn41enek2.jpg

    Let me guess... Taco Bell for dinner and a match?
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 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 MiND2 Shunyata Triton/Typhon Rotel RP9400 Turntable

    “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


    How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it?
  • DiggyGun
    DiggyGun Posts: 1
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    Icon Audio - Stereo 25 MkII.

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    DG…
  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 35,562
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    ^^^ what it looks like inside a fluorescent tube (if the phosphors weren't there).
  • knotscott
    knotscott Posts: 1
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    Dynaco/VTA monoblocks

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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,650
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    are those cable terminations exposed? for airier sound?
    I disabled signatures.
  • Butter
    Butter Posts: 66
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    Warm and fuzzy ✌️
  • Unknown
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