Tube Rolling w/Crack

Still messing around with these Svetlana Winged C 6H13C.  Usually I just give up on a tube when I don't like it's sound.  One thing I noticed was my 12AU7 installed was a clear top. I replaced it with a Mullard Box Plate CV4003 and then just left the amp on for a couple days.

Things are much improved.  Thinking about just leaving this tube in to save my highly overpriced Western Electric 421A. Recently lost a metal base 5AR4 on another amp that would cost a bundle to replace.  I really need to get used to listening to newer production tubes and quit playing around spending money on uber tubes.

This Winged C is good enough with burn in and a good companion 12AU7 tube.
 
That's interesting John. I also put the Svetlana Winged C back in replacing the Chatham 2399. It is paired with a Mullard CV4003 and find it is sounding more mellow but still very pleasing.
 
I don't have any E80cc but have some Mazda/Cifte and Radiotechnique 12AU7s. Given the more mellow presentation of the Svetlana Winged C it may be a nice combo since I find those 12AU7s livelier than the Mullard. I'll have to try.
 
I just finished my amp build about week go and recently added Speedball. I am simply blown away by the performance of my 650's

Obviously now I have an appetite to experiment further! my kit originally comes with the 6080

can anyone comment on their experience with replacing the 6080 with any of the ones below:

6AS7G
6H13C
5998
7236
6N13

All comments welcome and thank you in advance!
 
I am wondering about my tubes. Pre Speedball I ran Tung Sol 5998 and Mullard 12au7. By all accounts fine NOS tubes.

Now with the speedball, the bass is clearly better. Yet I'm also thinking that the overall presentation got a touch brighter too-

I substituted the 5998 with a nos GE 6as7ga I have and in fact the slight brightness I not on the crack/speedball/5998 isn't their. And the 5998 is a lovely tube- maybe it's the Mullard I'm hearing? I have an RCA clear top but that tube is a touch bright to start with so I wasn't going to throw that into the mix.

Pre Speedball, the 5998/12au7 combo was superb. What do people use with the speedball?

By the way, I have perhaps 1 hour of listening time on the speedball, so maybe it's still pretty green.

Thanks all!
 
Hi Nathan,

I'm using the Tung Sol 5998 as well with Amperex Bugle Boys 12au7's and CBS Hytron 5814's. I've been very happy with both so far. I cannot comment no the Mullard's as I have not heard them.

Have you considered retrofitting the input tube so you can use other tubes like the 12BH7/5687/7119's. A few Crack users here say it is a far better sounding tube than the 12au7's. I'm looking into modding mine for those specific tubes.

EDIT: Btw, I've never had any problems with the brightness on both Amperex BB's and the CBS Hytron's.

Jim
 
I do not believe it is a straight swap, as the plate voltage would be low(terminals 1 and 5), there is a thread on retrofitting for the 12bh7, E80CC...
 
Built the Crack about two weeks ago.  Went shopping in Tokyo today, and picked up a few goodies.  My first foray into tube rolling.
 

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Rocketman248 said:
Built the Crack about two weeks ago.  Went shopping in Tokyo today, and picked up a few goodies.  My first foray into tube rolling.

Very nice Rocketman! Welcome to the club! Hope you are enjoying your music :)

Jim
 
I recently finished my Crack and want to try out some other tubes. What are the most reliable places to buy tubes online? Also, would something like a 5814A and 5998A be a good start? Having no experience with tube amps other than the Crack, I feel a little in the dark regarding how much of a difference I can expect from different tubes and what a reasonable amount to spend on a tube is (there appears to be a huge price range for seemingly similar tubes).
 
Rocketman248 said:
Built the Crack about two weeks ago.  Went shopping in Tokyo today, and picked up a few goodies.  My first foray into tube rolling.

I have a 6as7ga- it's a very good tube!
 
Adelz said:
I recently finished my Crack and want to try out some other tubes. What are the most reliable places to buy tubes online? Also, would something like a 5814A and 5998A be a good start? Having no experience with tube amps other than the Crack, I feel a little in the dark regarding how much of a difference I can expect from different tubes and what a reasonable amount to spend on a tube is (there appears to be a huge price range for seemingly similar tubes).

I have purchased tubes from vacuumtubes.net and would recommend them.  i believe they currently have the 5998 for $85.  it might sound expensive but look at the prices of 300Bs!  You might receive a 2399 instead of a 5998 but they are the same.    I have other tubes and would recommend not to buy a lot to try instead put the money towards a 5998.  As for the 12au7 tubes it depends on what you like and the type of headphones you will be using!

Enjoy the process.  It is extremely fun and satisfying!....Dave
 
The 12au7s I like the most so far in my crack/SB are the Mullard (CV4003 - military version) and the Radiotechnique (French military version) that I obtained from Upscale Audio. I have found Upscale to be a very reliable tube seller.
I also use the 5998 (actually 2399) and the Russian "winged C" 6H13C.
 
Just got my russian winged C 6H13C and Gold Lion ECC82 ...man what can I say. The sound stage feels much wider, the base tighter and it is extremely neutral with an added clarity.
I added a dedicated DAC (Schiit Modi) instead of the Fiio E10 I was using and I have to say it feels cleaner. Only problem is prying myself away from the music :)

Thinking about ordering the 5998 from vacuumtubes.net

I highly recommend thetubestore.com, they are Canadian. Tubes arrived 2 days after I ordered them.
 
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