Tube Rolling w/Crack
- Thread starter Dr. Toobz
- Start date
Jamie, what is the main difference in sound signature between the CV4003 and the E80CC? Does the CV4003 add a bit more bass quantity and is warmer?
I've been deliberating on purchasing a CV4003 for some time now. I'm torn between the 5998 and the Bendix 6080WB. The 5998 has incredible mids and highs, but the lows are a bit weak and lacks quantity for my taste. The Bendix on the other hand has incredible drive at the low end but does not have the magical mids-highs of the 5998.
I've paired many input tubes with the 5998 to squeeze more low end out of it, but so far nothing has worked. Have tried Amperex 7316, Siemens 12AU7 chrome plates, Philips E80CC, Tungsram E80CC, Sylvania 12BH7.
Mullard remains the only popular input tube I've not tried. I do not like warm, wooly, bloated sound and prefer clarity and transparency. Hopefully the Mullard is not too rolled off in the highs.
I also read about a long plate Mullard 12AU7. Anyone with experience comparing it to the CV4003?
I've been deliberating on purchasing a CV4003 for some time now. I'm torn between the 5998 and the Bendix 6080WB. The 5998 has incredible mids and highs, but the lows are a bit weak and lacks quantity for my taste. The Bendix on the other hand has incredible drive at the low end but does not have the magical mids-highs of the 5998.
I've paired many input tubes with the 5998 to squeeze more low end out of it, but so far nothing has worked. Have tried Amperex 7316, Siemens 12AU7 chrome plates, Philips E80CC, Tungsram E80CC, Sylvania 12BH7.
Mullard remains the only popular input tube I've not tried. I do not like warm, wooly, bloated sound and prefer clarity and transparency. Hopefully the Mullard is not too rolled off in the highs.
I also read about a long plate Mullard 12AU7. Anyone with experience comparing it to the CV4003?
JamieMcC
Active member
Siemens E80CC and Mullard 4003 differences ohh that’s rather hard especially as I find them they both very similar sounding and the differences are subtle but I will give it a go.
E80CC is slightly more edgy with a wider sound stage, slightly better top end extension feels more open, the edge on resolution & dynamics and a tighter bass.
Mullard 4003 is slightly darker but has a better way of conveying the textures in timbres and tone making for rich mids and vocals that can be mesmerizing with the right sort of music it also does a better job at creating ambience.
I look at what I have written and find it is somewhat odd and contradictory to say one has better resolution but that resolution doesn't convey the same detail in tones and timbre.
They are both great sounding tubes and I doubt I would be able to blind test between them.
I have been very fortunate in the tube department of late as I picked up Tung-sol 12au7 black glass for $1.50 from a guitar shop who just had it listed as a 12au7 and it is another super sounding tube, very similar to a 1950's Tung-sol JTL in the top end but is richer sounding and like the E80cc and 4003 really nice vocals.
I would say all three tubes are very much on a par with one another though each has its own unique style of presentation.
E80CC is slightly more edgy with a wider sound stage, slightly better top end extension feels more open, the edge on resolution & dynamics and a tighter bass.
Mullard 4003 is slightly darker but has a better way of conveying the textures in timbres and tone making for rich mids and vocals that can be mesmerizing with the right sort of music it also does a better job at creating ambience.
I look at what I have written and find it is somewhat odd and contradictory to say one has better resolution but that resolution doesn't convey the same detail in tones and timbre.
They are both great sounding tubes and I doubt I would be able to blind test between them.
I have been very fortunate in the tube department of late as I picked up Tung-sol 12au7 black glass for $1.50 from a guitar shop who just had it listed as a 12au7 and it is another super sounding tube, very similar to a 1950's Tung-sol JTL in the top end but is richer sounding and like the E80cc and 4003 really nice vocals.
I would say all three tubes are very much on a par with one another though each has its own unique style of presentation.
For the potentiometer, which should i get to replace my stock pot, linear or logarithmic?
I noticed some pots do not have those holes to place my wire in to solder, can I still use those?
And for the tubes, as long as it is a 6080 power tube and 12au7 input tube, any variants of those tubes are ok to use in the amp?
Thanks
I noticed some pots do not have those holes to place my wire in to solder, can I still use those?
And for the tubes, as long as it is a 6080 power tube and 12au7 input tube, any variants of those tubes are ok to use in the amp?
Thanks
Grainger49
New member
Log, or audio taper. Linear will drive you nuts and won't work well at all.
As for the tubes, plenty of reading here: http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,663.0.html
galyons
Member
No, as our our overly verbose MikeB stated above. ;D
Look here:
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,4295.msg39600.html#msg39600
Then here:
http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,663.0.html
Cheers,
Geary
Look here:
http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,4295.msg39600.html#msg39600
Then here:
http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,663.0.html
Cheers,
Geary
xcoolhandx
New member
Hi! Looking for both tubes for my Crack. I use Sennheiser HD700 headphones and Schiit Modi dac. I want something warmer and I dont have a fortune to spend on tubes, so something around 70$ for both tubes. I read somewhere (maybe this thread here) that 6AS7G/6AS7GA are superior to 6080, is that correct?
Because I live in Europe it would be nice to get them from europe. I searched in ebay and found:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6AS7GA-GE-6080-NOS-VALVE-TUBE-1-PC-/370622241591?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Valves_Vacuum_Tubes&hash=item564ace9b37
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RCA-6AS7G-Tube-two-tubes-/121303602008?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Valves_Vacuum_Tubes&hash=item1c3e421358
http://www.ebay.de/itm/6AS7GA-6080-Sylvania-OO-Getter-Black-Plates-NOS-NIB-3752-/221095820243?pt=DE_TV_Video_Audio_Elektronenr%C3%B6hren_Valves&hash=item337a567bd3
Is there any difference between 6AS7G and 6AS7GA besides the shape of the glass?
What brand 12AU7 to look for?
Because I live in Europe it would be nice to get them from europe. I searched in ebay and found:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6AS7GA-GE-6080-NOS-VALVE-TUBE-1-PC-/370622241591?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Valves_Vacuum_Tubes&hash=item564ace9b37
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RCA-6AS7G-Tube-two-tubes-/121303602008?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Valves_Vacuum_Tubes&hash=item1c3e421358
http://www.ebay.de/itm/6AS7GA-6080-Sylvania-OO-Getter-Black-Plates-NOS-NIB-3752-/221095820243?pt=DE_TV_Video_Audio_Elektronenr%C3%B6hren_Valves&hash=item337a567bd3
Is there any difference between 6AS7G and 6AS7GA besides the shape of the glass?
What brand 12AU7 to look for?
$70 is kind of a fortune to spend on that particular pair of tubes if you stay with used tubes.
The 6AS7GA and 6AS7G are nearly identical to a 6080.
I'd spend money on a nice 12AU7 and not worry about the 6080.
The 6AS7GA and 6AS7G are nearly identical to a 6080.
I'd spend money on a nice 12AU7 and not worry about the 6080.
JamieMcC
Active member
Klots said:
The cv4003 is nice and often can be found for a lot less I regularly see them go for around $30 here in the UK.
The Chatham 6AS7G is a nice sounding tube for the money $19 below, I prefer it to my rca ones that's for sure.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chatham-6AS7G-JAN-Black-Plates-Test-Strong-/251488832521?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a8de70c09
http://www.vacuumtubes.net/ have a couple of hundred nos 5998's at $85 each while stocks last
You should be able to find a nice 1950's Tung-sol 12au7 jtl for around $15 one of the best sounding input tubes I have used in my Crack its very similar sounding to the Tung-sol 12u7 Black glass which goes for a lot more. They are both nearly on par with the Mullard CV4003, just a touch brighter/leaner imo. Either would make a really first class input tube.
Just be patient they turn up quiet regularly.
Nothing a little super glue can't handle!
