Tube Rolling w/Crack

[w0lfd0g]

Just picked up a NIB pair of Tung Sol 7802WB tubes.  Can't wait for my kit to arrive so the tubes have a home.

Fun times ahead.  Fun times.  Haven't felt the cruel delight of anticipation so deeply for a very long time.

 

[JamieMcC]

Nathan I have one of those on the way also.

Heres the thing I was swapping some tubes round this morning and whoops my Siemens e80cc one of my favourite tubes decided to roll off the table and is now toast.

A short while after the postman arrived with a little package from Bulgaria! I had been waiting a few weeks for it to arrive and  wasn't exactly sure about what I had brought because the lighting on the sellers pic was not clear but knew at the very least it was a pair of Tungsram E80cc.

Once opened I had a big grin they where what I was hoping they would be a pair of uber rare Tungsram E80cc with silver plates (chrome?) and D foil getters! I had heard of these mythical tubes but had not even managed to find a pic. Defiantly long term keepers. 

The best part is they came with test readings and sound absolutely superb.

 

[serpent68]

Jamie, how does the Tungsram silver plates sound compared with your Siemens E80CC? Is there a significant improvement?

 

[JamieMcC]

Jamie, how does the Tungsram silver plates sound compared with your Siemens E80CC? Is there a significant improvement?

Yes  I believe so, generally its very much of a similar flavour but has a certain something I cant put quiet put my finger on at the moment. Once I have a little more listening time it might become more obvious to me.

 

[serpent68]

Good for you, Jamie.  Those are really desirable looking tubes!  I don't believe I've ever seen one up for sale... are these older variety of the usual red label Tungsram with O-getter?

Enjoy the tunes, and do post your impression later on.

 

[JamieMcC]

Good for you, Jamie.  Those are really desirable looking tubes!  I don't believe I've ever seen one up for sale... are these older variety of the usual red label Tungsram with O-getter?

Enjoy the tunes, and do post your impression later on.

I really don't know there seems to be very little info online about them.

 

[kxanthop]

I have somehow managed to loose the stock tubes that came with my crack kit (I took them out of the box to protect them and now I cannot find them). Where should I begin? I wouldn't like to spend too much and living in Greece, I would really appreciate any suggestions on where to buy these tubes (preferably Europe). Many thanks!

 

[Paul Birkeland]

I would really appreciate any suggestions on where to buy these tubes (preferably Europe). Many thanks!

You'll probably be able to find better 12AU7 variants in Europe, but the 6080 may be tougher.  You'll find lots of good choices on eBay!

 

[kxanthop]

Thanks for the reply. Fortunately I found the stock tubes. However I spotted a Telefunken 6080 at a reasonable price and having heard of the glorious input tubes Telefunken used to make I was very curious about their 6080. Has anyone heard it?

 

[Loon]

I bought a Telefunken 6080 once from eBay.  It was just a rebranded GE and worth about $10.  I paid $50.  Be careful.

 

[JamieMcC]

The Mullard 6080 mitchum is my favourite of that type it bats well above its cost I might even prefer it over the 5998 and its roughly about a quarter or less of the 5998s price

 

[Mak33]

Can anyone recommend a decent input tube to go along with a Tung Sol 6080 or RCA 6AS7G?

I have a couple of 12AU7 clear tops, but the treble is too harsh for my ears.  The clear tops are also harsh with the Tung Sol 6080 I received with the kit, but better than than with the RCA 6AS7G.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Loon]

Budget?  Sonic preferences?

 

[Mak33]

Reasonably priced. Under $30 for the one tube. Just want something warmer and not as harsh in the highs.

 

[Loon]

Keep your eye open for a used Mullard or Brimar (there are lots of types, but they are generally warm). 

 

[JamieMcC]

Can anyone recommend a decent input tube to go along with a Tung Sol 6080 or RCA 6AS7G?

I have a couple of 12AU7 clear tops, but the treble is too harsh for my ears.  The clear tops are also harsh with the Tung Sol 6080 I received with the kit, but better than than with the RCA 6AS7G.

Thanks in advance.

As an alternative and if you have the speedball fitted the E80cc would be a good choice. After rolling lots of 12au7 the E80cc it is my go to tube now.

 

[Joshewah]

Didn't you need to change the voltage going to the driver tube to accommodate the E80CC though?

 

[JamieMcC]

No you don't need to but if you do it does help get the best from the tube.

 

[serpent68]

Anyone with knowledge on the Telefunken E80CC?  Saw it on ebay, but it looks structurally similar to a Tungsram (which is an excellent tube).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261454459992?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[JamieMcC]

Anyone with knowledge on the Telefunken E80CC?  Saw it on ebay, but it looks structurally similar to a Tungsram (which is an excellent tube).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261454459992?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I have not tried the Telefunken but have had several tubes from the same seller