What are your favorite tubes and for what application?

candyliquor35m
candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
edited April 2008 in Electronics
Brand and type:
Application (pre, cd, dac, amp, buffer):
Why do you like this tube:
Do you prefer a warm tubey sound or something close to a ss sound or something in between:
Did tubes live up to your expections (1-10, 10=completely):
Music preference (jazz, classic rock, contemporary rock, classical, r&b):
Post edited by candyliquor35m on
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2008
    Bump.

    I would be very interested to hear some thoughts on this as well.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,962
    edited January 2008
    candyliquor35m wrote: »
    Brand and type:
    Application (pre, cd, dac, amp, buffer):
    Why do you like this tube:
    Do you prefer a warm tubey sound or something close to a ss sound or something in between:
    Did tubes live up to your expections (1-10, 10=completely):
    Music preference (jazz, classic rock, contemporary rock, classical, r&b):
    My first tube, so please take it with a grain of salt. Ok?

    Brand and type: Sovtek 12AX7LPS
    Application: CDP
    Why I like the tube: the end result as to what hits my ears and what it does for my rig.
    What do I prefer? between an SS and tube sound...not enough experience yet [as I mentioned, it's my first tube].
    Music preference: All but rap and opera.
    ~ 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. ~
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  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 961
    edited January 2008
    Sorry if I stray a bit from the original intent of the thread but I've been testing a bunch of tubes so this has been on my mind.

    For the Bada CDP
    In order of preference -
    396a Ericsson Gold Pin early 70s - detailed yet organized and natural
    6385 Bendix 1964 - great detail-space, highs overextended?, a bit "wild"
    5670 GE - Good all around a less refined version of above 396a IMO
    6N3P Chinese still good - not "dirty" but not as nice as any of the above.

    The Bendix has the most unique characteristcs of the above but the 396 is more "right" IMO.

    Anthem Pre (I'm still playing with these but below is what I know so far)
    Not in any particular order yet-
    6922 Philips 1986 -Most detailed of the bunch(too much detail/bright/edgy?)
    6DJ8 mix of dates all holland made - good but not better than the others
    6DJ8 HP Branded Amperex 1960s "soft", slighly less detailed warm/cozy
    6DJ8 RCA branded Siemens great all around
    6922 Sovtek(original stock tube)-same as mix above-good lacks solid bass

    The HPs are the last set I haven't tried for a second time. If the HPs sound nice without being dull and losing too much detail they will be the choice but the super detail of the Philips can be great for the right recordings/music... and they are cheap!

    Tubes are great fun!
    Acoustic and vocals for critical listening (but who doesn't want to rock out too!)
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin U2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC:T+A DAC 200 Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Infigo Method 6 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Cardas Clear Reflection SC/IC, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2008
    For my CDP--nos Tesla (not jj)E88cc's with the "o" getter,,smooth almost liquid mid's,,highs seem less edgy,
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 961
    edited January 2008
    I want Liquid!
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin U2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC:T+A DAC 200 Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Infigo Method 6 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Cardas Clear Reflection SC/IC, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,713
    edited January 2008
    I like round tubes.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    F1nut wrote: »
    I like round tubes.
    I prefer the square black ones with only three pins.;)


    The only tubed component Ive owned was a vintage Mac MC240.It used 6L6's for the outputs and IIRC 12ax7's at the input's.That combo sounded very good.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited January 2008
    Innertubes, down the guadalupe river.
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited January 2008
    Pinch waists are sexy.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,713
    edited January 2008
    Somebody needs to get out more.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited January 2008
    phuz wrote: »
    Innertubes, down the guadalupe river.


    Preach it. Amen.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited January 2008
    Yep... pinched waists are sexy...

    amy%20mcree%20news9.jpg

    I do enjoy them while enjoying tubes.... on the guadalupe...
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    phuz wrote: »
    Yep... pinched waists are sexy...

    amy%20mcree%20news9.jpg

    I do enjoy them while enjoying tubes.... on the guadalupe...
    Nice:D
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited January 2008
    That little honey in pink certainly has it goin' on:D
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2008
    must be Russian ;)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited April 2008
    Now that I bought the tubes I need without competing with any of you, I'll comment here.

    1. Brand and type: TF E88CC or E188CC if you can afford it
    2. Application (pre, cd, dac, amp, buffer): AH! 4000 cdp or AH! 99 cdp
    3. Why do you like this tube: Very warm, rich and full sounding.
    4. Do you prefer a warm tubey sound or something close to a ss sound or something in between: Tubey
    5. Did tubes live up to your expections (1-10, 10=completely): 10
    6. Music preference (jazz, classic rock, contemporary rock, classical, r&b): Jazz, classic rock, classical, r&b

    The TF E188CC in the AH! 99 cdp made my ears hurt for a few days because they weren't used to the rich and full sound of this tube. The speakers were SDA 2B's and now SDA 1B's and the wall of music coming out of them is phenominal.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2008
    Mike Reeter wrote: »
    That little honey in pink certainly has it goin' on:D

    I like the blond:D:D
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,713
    edited April 2008
    I'll take the one on the right. She's got a serious, "do me, I'm an animal" thing going on.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited April 2008
    Fallopian.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited April 2008
    treitz3 wrote: »
    My first tube, so please take it with a grain of salt. Ok?

    Brand and type: Sovtek 12AX7LPS
    Application: CDP
    Why I like the tube: the end result as to what hits my ears and what it does for my rig.
    What do I prefer? between an SS and tube sound...not enough experience yet [as I mentioned, it's my first tube].
    Music preference: All but rap and opera.


    I too found the Sovtek 12ax7LPS to be the best sounding tube for my CDP.
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