Tube Rolling w/Crack

[John EH]

Might last longer than that.  My TV7 says the Triodes test 60/63 where 40 is the minimum acceptable value.  This is a mighty fine tube and it's real well balanced and it makes beautiful treble that I just wasn't quite satisfied with before.

Of course it literally cost more than a stock Crack does but who cares?  This sounds AMAZING!

 

[Paully]

If it makes you happy, I have no problem spending more on the tubes than the amp.  I mean I can't actually do it myself, but as a concept it sounds fine to me!

 

[John EH]

Not sure why this excites me but it does.

 

[Paully]

Lol, so many comments, so little time!

 

[mcandmar]

I want your tube tester, proper bit of kit!

...nice tube too by the way

 

[kscwuzhere]

So after retrofitting for the 5687 I decided to roll the 7119 equivalent as it seems to be a very well regarded tube (Doc B. loves it). The Amperex 7119 is so far the best tube for my hd650s. The sound signature is brighter than the raytheon 5687, the bass is more extended and significantly airer but not quite as tight as the 5687, and the mids are lusher. Overall the tone is extremely enjoyable as it really gives the hd650s some treble energy with absolutely beautiful separation and imaging. Each instrument demands its own area and instruments dont bleed into each other at all. I tried this tube with the onelivewire's beyerdynamic T1's and even though it definitely sounded impressive, it wasn't as good as a match as the raytheon as the tube was too bright for my liking.

 

[lordnikon]

Got my 421A in the mail today.  Looks beautiful, sounds better, tests good.

Where did you buy it? I've been looking all over for them.

 

[John EH]

Where did you buy it? I've been looking all over for them.

eBay.  I literally have been trying to get one for years.  I usually bid $200 or $225 and lose every single time.  There are some on eBay that I believe to be quite questionable regarding authenticity.  Anyway i found this one and threw caution to the wind and bid $275  as it started creeping up there I thought for sure somebody else would get it but it ended exactly at $275.  So by my estimation I overpaid for it but I can't get the Sennheiser HD650's off my head since I got it.

Oddly enough I have some pretty epic 12AU7's and I think the best match for this tube is the cheap RCA clear top.  With other 6080's a Mullurd box plate CV 4003 was best.  For whatever reason I don't care for Telefunken tubes in the crack.  WE421A with orange label Clear Top = Best.

 

[John EH]

I want your tube tester, proper bit of kit!

...nice tube too by the way

I work for the government.  Few years ago I was at a repair / overhaul facility in North Island San Diego doing a project on an Aircraft Visual Landing Aid.  There it sat.  I asked the boss about it and he told me they had actually just stopped using it because the last piece of gear with a tube in it, a ships gyro, had just been transitioned out.  It had just been overhauled and calibrated as well.  They told me I could have it.

 

[NightFlight]

eBay.  I literally have been trying to get one for years.  I usually bid $200 or $225 and lose every single time.  There are some on eBay that I believe to be quite questionable regarding authenticity.  Anyway i found this one and threw caution to the wind and bid $275  as it started creeping up there I thought for sure somebody else would get it but it ended exactly at $275.  So by my estimation I overpaid for it but I can't get the Sennheiser HD650's off my head since I got it.

Oddly enough I have some pretty epic 12AU7's and I think the best match for this tube is the cheap RCA clear top.  With other 6080's a Mullurd box plate CV 4003 was best.  For whatever reason I don't care for Telefunken tubes in the crack.  WE421A with orange label Clear Top = Best.

Bah. I went back and forth on the 421A and settled on my TS 1959 5998.  Then I went for a month on the WE41A, then back to the 5998 and the soundstage came back. The glare and noise in the treble went away. 

I bought my 421A for $150, sold for $190 is all I got on ebay. Buyer seems to be happy with it. I put around 100hrs on it only. Ebay had dried up that week. I was really happy when I got it, but after listening, I found the 'airy' treble to be false.

 

[NightFlight]

Oh, you like clear tops!  : That explains your taste for 'air'. Oy! Makes my teeth grind. Can't imagine the 421 with a cleartop.

 

[John EH]

Oh, you like clear tops!  : That explains your taste for 'air'. Oy! Makes my teeth grind. Can't imagine the 421 with a cleartop.

I'm generally NOT a fan of the Clear Top however I'm telling you in this rig with the 421A it's the best to my ears.  I've run through my collection as well.  The only thing I have not tried yet is my 7316 tubes.  I have two and while both test okay on my TV-7 tester one of them blows stuff up.  I wasn't smart enough to mark it and am scared to play 50/50.  Or who knows maybe both were okay and there was some other factor at play.  I should pop a cheap 6080 in and try them both.

Anyway I have 5 clear tops and only the orange label one sounds awesome to my ears.

 

[kscwuzhere]

Received a 5687 Tungsol cryo treated with black plates from the 1950's and the results are extremely holographic. Comparing to my amperex 7119 PQ, the bass tones are not quite as tight but as a result it has a lot of air. Overall data/detail retrieval between the two tubes are pretty comparable and so is the soundstage size and instrument separation. The tung-sol definitely matched the beyerdynamic T1's better than the hd650s but it was still a tad bright (with the t1s) for my liking. I think I'll be sticking with my 7119s!

 

[i luvmusic 2]

Hi,I just ordered my Crack kit with SB few days ago and i'am looking for any reasonable price upgrade tubes.These are the Tubes i have RCA 6AS7G's,Raytheon 6AS7G's,Sylvania 6AS7G's,Chatham 6AS7G's,RCA,Sylvania,GE 6080's,JJ,EH,Rogers 12AU7's and Various makers of 6SN7's.Can i use the 6SN7 with the Crack?Thank You!

 

[Lar]

Yes you can with adaptor.

 

[i luvmusic 2]

Yes you can with adaptor.

Thank You!No problem for the adapter i can make those actually i already made some for my other amps that i can used with the crack.The tube heater power is powered by desktop power supply.

 

[Strikkflypilot]

Anyone got an opinion as to what is the best input tube to match the GEC 6AS7G/ CV2523 brown base?

I find it hard to express what I want except I want the LIVE/ being there experience as close as it gets.

 

[JamieMcC]

I normally pair my GEC with either a Tungsram or Siemens E80cc 

 

[kscwuzhere]

Anyone got an opinion as to what is the best input tube to match the GEC 6AS7G/ CV2523 brown base?

I find it hard to express what I want except I want the LIVE/ being there experience as close as it gets.

For darker headphones like the hd650s I'd recommend going with the telefunken or tungsram e80cc. For brighter headphones like the T1s I'd recommend the 12bh7a.

If you want a holographic and concert like experience I recommend retrofitting for the 5687/7119!

 

[Strikkflypilot]

Thanks guys. Siemens E80cc ordered