Tube Rolling w/Crack

[ashneel]

I have had the Mullard CV4003 paired with my TS 5998 for the last week and I must say that my search for a 12AU7 is over.  Its combination of smoothness and transparency can't be beat, IMO. It doesn't take away from all the things the 5998 brings to the table, but rather enhances them. It rounds the edges off the 5998, which sometimes could be bright paired with other tubes. It is a surprisingly quiet tube as well, and allows you to hear through to the recessed layers of tracks. Lovely.

It's one of my favourite combinations as well together with the Bendox6080+RCA 5814A
For Jazz and similar music..the 5998 and Mullards are sublime

 

[Maynard]

Hi all, wondering what a not expensive alternative for the 6080 tube on the unmodified crack would be??

 

[JamieMcC]

Hi all, wondering what a not expensive alternative for the 6080 tube on the unmodified crack would be??

Have a look at the 6as7g types or the Russian Svetlana Winged C 6H13C the latter can often be found as new old stock for under $10 on ebay don't be put off by its low price or that its Russian made as its just capable as tubes costing twice as much.

 

[Maynard]

Can anyone let me know if theNorthern Electric 6SL7 would work well in the crack? 

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Can anyone let me know if theNorthern Electric 6SL7 would work well in the crack?

The 6SL7 would be an equally poor choice for replacing both the 6080 and the 12AU7.

 

[Natural Sound]

Have a look at the 6as7g types or the Russian Svetlana Winged C 6H13C the latter can often be found as new old stock for under $10 on ebay don't be put off by its low price or that its Russian made as its just capable as tubes costing twice as much.

I took a gamble a few years back on an "untested" mixed lot of 12 6AS7's on eBay. I paid something like $25 with shipping. I tested them on my B&K 707 when they arrived. All tested at 77 percent or better. A few tested NOS although they were used. I should have enough replacement tubes to last my lifetime. ;D

 

[MrPotatoSalad]

What is a good pair of tubes for psychedelic/blues rock, classical, jazz, and the likes. I have an HD600 and will have SB soon. About $90 for both curved power tube and preamp.

Cheers

 

[JamieMcC]

What is a good pair of tubes for psychedelic/blues rock, classical, jazz, and the likes. I have an HD600 and will have SB soon. About $90 for both curved power tube and preamp.

Cheers

$90 should see you with a Tung-sol 5998 driver and a E80cc input this would give a very noticeable difference to the stock 6080 or the budget 6as7g's

 

[Maynard]

Hey all,

So what would the two tube upgrades that first spring to mind when upgrading the stock crack tubes be? Oh, that wouldn't be too expensive btw! The most bang for the buck, or the next step up.
thanks

 

[JamieMcC]

Hey all,

So what would the two tube upgrades that first spring to mind when upgrading the stock crack tubes be? Oh, that wouldn't be too expensive btw! The most bang for the buck, or the next step up.
thanks

On the bang for the buck front

For the driver consider a Chatham 6as7g or perhaps a Philco 6as7g the Philco are is said to be made by Amperex and the same as heir own branded 6as7g which sell for four times the price I thought they both sounded better than the RCA and Sylvania 6as7g.  I found the Chatham more too my own liking. The Russian Svetlana Winged C 6H13C can often be found as new old stock for under $10 on ebay don't be put off by its low price or that its Russian made as its just capable as tubes costing twice as much.

Input wise the 12au7 RCA clear top is a favourite with many especially if your using HD650's its also inexpensive and is commonly found branded as Conn. Just search on ebay for "12au7 clear top" and you will be spoilt for choice.

By the way there is a dedicated thread for tube rolling with the Crack lots of info on what types works well with different cans and genera's of music its a long thread but worth a read through and the best place to post questions like yours.

http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=663.900

 

[Maynard]

That's great something to explore!

 

[MrPotatoSalad]

I got a 12AU7 Bugle Boy and there was a deep hum in the right earpiece with stock Crack. I was going to return it since neither my stock RCA or cleartop RCA 12AU7s made this noise. Is the Bugle Boy a bad tube or is it on my end, most likely?

Secondly, anyone have issues with the RCA 6AS7G background noise? Mine sounds like a quiet power line. Does it go away with burn in usually? Not a big issue but it is noticeable when I first put the headphone on.

 

[hwaitung]

Saw this on a China website. It converts two 2C22 to 6SN7, I wonder if it can be done on Crack (since people are using 6SN7 on Crack already) Regardless of the sound, it does have an intimidating look.

 

[mcandmar]

I have  questions about tube but it's not for the CRACK so pardon me.
Do i need a match pair of  tube for the S.E.X.?
Is it important to match the  tubes for S.E.X.?

THANK YOU!

You dont "need" matched pairs but it is preferable.  Its also very difficult to do as there are two sections per tube so finding a pair that measure the same for each section is rare.  Even with half a dozen tubes you will end up making compromises to try and get a fairly even pair so i wouldn't worry about it personally.

Saw this on a China website. It converts two 2C22 to 6SN7, I wonder if it can be done on Crack (since people are using 6SN7 on Crack already) Regardless of the sound, it does have an intimidating look.

Thats a bit fugly looking.  Go buy a 6F8G and converter instead, its pretty much an identical tube to a 6SN7, but in a far prettier package.

 

[i luvmusic 2]

THANK YOU!

 

[FairDinkum]

Crack with Speedball and HD650 here. I've purchased some Conn 12AU7 clear top. Any suggestions for power tubes? I mainly listen to soundtracks, classical and vocals. In the mean time I'll be going through all 61 pages of this thread lol.

 

[i luvmusic 2]

Chatham 6AS7G,TUNG-SOL 6080(not those graphite plates i can't afford it and 6H13C these are my fav.......

 

[Colin]

Well, I just couldn't resist any longer.
I replaced the Toshiba 5963 that was included in my kit with a mid 50's CBS Hytron 5814a BP, 2mica with the tilted square getter.  I still have the supplied RCA 6080 installed but I replaced the stock signal wire with Cardas 24awg shielded between the RCA's and the pot and 21awg solid silver (from M Percy) for the rest.
It's just been a couple of hours but I'm lovin' it! Great imaging, deep soundstage, fantastic bass, very nice snap, and the highs aren't nearly as forward as with the Toshiba. Very musical!
I almost don't have the heart to try the rest of my stash,.. I said almost.
I'll live with this set up for a while though,.. of course there's that new TKD pot staring me in the face too.
I just have no self control anymore!

I'm a newbie in diy. Just finished build my first diy, crack. After reading this topic, i impress & want to try make some upgrade/changed with yours. So what do you mean by 'stock signal wire'? Is that the red wire? Changed it from rca terminal to potentiometer pot(only)? And 'the rest' is mean the white wire from rca terminal to poteniometer pot? Please help. Thank you

 

[Colin]

I've so voided my warranty:  All of the signal path wire is multiple-strand silver-plated Teflon mil-spec, the RCA jacks feed the pot via Canare shielded quad, the pot's from DIY-HiFi (their Alps clone), the headphone jack is a Neutrik locking jack, the caps are those huge Axon films, and I've rolled in a RCA 6AS7.

What an amazing amp!  Dead quiet, the bass has incredible slam and definition.  Brushes against a drumhead are stunning. It does a better job with my HD-650's than my K-702's but not by much. Right now I'm feeding it Apple Lossless via a RWA modified iPod. Blows away my DarkVoice 336 and my Woo Wa3. In fact I just gave the DV to my son-in-law.

Dead simple to build and incredible sound. Doc, you guys rock!

So impresive to hear your modification and its results. Want to try changed the headphone jack, but miss understanding the way you're done. Could you please to help me post a picture. Thank you very much

 

[tjessen]

I'm running my Crack with a Tung sol 5998 but the stock driver tube. Has anyone have any good suggestions? I'm looking at the 12au7 clear top but was curious about other sound signatures.

Thanks