Tube Rolling w/Crack

[pnooud]

Hi,

Ive just bough a new tube to replace the tube which came with my amp which had a fault.



I just wanted a cheap tube to check if mine was faulty, so ordered one cheap off eBay that was in the uk, so would be delivered quick, The I ordered a brimar 12au7, but I got a tube that has the brand ZaeuX (or maybe ZaeriX) on it, the guy also gave me a second tube as a free gift which is just labeled 12AU7A, with no other branding.

With the Zaeux tube, there is a little more treble and you notice listening to a track with a busy drum section, the drums seem to have a bit more texture.

The non branded tube was a bit smoother sounding and sounded a bit cleaner, but its not got the same energy.

I prefer the sound of the Zaeux personally.

It would be good to know if it sounds better or worse than the original tube that came with the crack; I seem to remember the original sounding better, but that could have been the glass of single malt I had

Where should I go from here do you think, I am wondering will I get much more detailed sound etc spending a bit more?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

The Zaerix looks to be of European manufacture, it's probably not a Brimar, but rather an Amperex or something of the like.  It's a very nice tube!

 

[pnooud]

The Zaerix looks to be of European manufacture, it's probably not a Brimar, but rather an Amperex or something of the like.  It's a very nice tube!

Thanks Caucasian, Thats good to hear.

 

[Maxhawk]

the guy also gave me a second tube as a free gift which is just labeled 12AU7A, with no other branding.

Several of my Westinghouse tubes have the part number printed at the top like that with the rectangular octagon around it and they also have the flat sides on the spacer too, so my guess is Westinghouse.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

(The octagon means RCA)

 

[Maxhawk]

(The octagon means RCA)

Does that mean my Westinghouse tubes with the octagon around the tube number are actually made by RCA? They do have the 337 printed on them which I read somewhere is code for Westinghouse. *shrug*

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Yes, if there's an octagon around the label, it's an RCA.

If there are a bunch of dots under the label, it's a GE.

 

[blackeyeliner]

Any recommendations on tube rolling with my crack? I run kit tubes at the moment, and I have a couple of tubes in stock ready to roll: Tung-Sol 5998 which microphones a lot, RCA 6AS7 with a broken getter as power tubes, and a Mullard Box Plate as an input one.

Currently with stock tubes the amp is REALLY bassy, and as much as I appreciate dark sound, it's really darkest thing I've heard. The bass can be tiresome. So what I'd want to do is achieve a more mellow, sweet sound with less accent on the bass.

Where do I go?

 

[Hornet900]

Hello  :-*
I took a gamble on ebay with two old worn looking  mullard 12au7 tubes and won them  for  £11 delieved.... work really good and sound  nice ... good tubes ...I'm happy  :-*

still haven't heard the gec tube yet :-[

 

[Maxhawk]

Any recommendations on tube rolling with my crack? I run kit tubes at the moment, and I have a couple of tubes in stock ready to roll: Tung-Sol 5998 which microphones a lot, RCA 6AS7 with a broken getter as power tubes, and a Mullard Box Plate as an input one.

Currently with stock tubes the amp is REALLY bassy, and as much as I appreciate dark sound, it's really darkest thing I've heard. The bass can be tiresome. So what I'd want to do is achieve a more mellow, sweet sound with less accent on the bass.

Where do I go?

I've purchased a ridiculous amount of tubes in a short time. Depending on how the rest of the spectrum sounds, you could try an RCA 12AU7 clear top to bring up the top end, which may subjectively lessen the bass peak.

Or, use your 5998. I understand yours is microphonic, but it should be fine as long as it's quiet if you don't bump your amp or table? For me, the 5998 tightens up the bass and leans it out a little. My CV2984 output tube also tames the bass compared to my stock GE 6080.

What's interesting is the more I listened to the Crack, the more I liked the warm low end. The GE output tube doesn't sound as bloaty as it did before, but of course that's also with different input tubes. Latest iteration is 5687 which requires the Speedball upgrade as well as wiring mods since the pin-out is different. (See other thread about modifications for different tubes).

 

[hdtv00]

I wonder if this was ok purchase. I paid $30 shipped for

1 5998 TUNG-SOL 1950's Hi Fi Amplifier Tube Date Code 322451-3

Tube Tested on a TV-7D/U Tester

40 is Minimum

Tube Tests 54-52

There are a few small pieces of loose glass inside of the tube, but this does not effect the performance.



I figured it could be a back up for my current one I use now even though it tests lowish it would be an ok backup for $30. Another strange thing is its look. 5998 is on the glass not the base. Have a look at this pic. It's on right side of tube to see what I mean.

 

[audiomaniac]

I just received a SED-6AS7G Winged "C" 6H13C from the Tube Store. It was within my budget and my 1st tube roll! I'm using it with the stock input tube I received with my Crack amp. Sounds really good! Maybe a little more laid back from the stock 6080, but nice full sound! It's very quiet and I have no complains. Man, I'm loving this amp! ;D

 

[Chris65]

Another strange thing is its look. 5998 is on the glass not the base. Have a look at this pic. It's on right side of tube to see what I mean.

Quite normal, some tubes were labelled on the base & some on the glass itself.

 

[Maxhawk]

Quite normal, some tubes were labelled on the base & some on the glass itself.

Dimpled plates are a good indicator that it's a 5998 and not a 6AS7G.

 

[hdtv00]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've only had my crack for short few days and not entirely familiar with tubes for it. Reading through this thread still. The person wanted $50 for it but I offered $22.50 and they accepted it. Now my only concern then is the test rating. 40 being min for good and it testing at 54-52. Any insight into how long a tube can last at its Min point. Or how long it might take it to go from 54-52 to its 40 min.

I've read lots of stuff on the 6922 for my Aune T1 but I don't remember seeing lots of take about how the tubes rating relates to how much longer it might last. Course it's based on usage but any general idea. I guess it doesn't matter to much being it was $30 and it's the real deal. It last however long it lasts I guess. Now to hope its silent when it gets here Thursday.

I did get a Amperex Orange Globe 12au7a because I loved them in my Aune T1 which feeds my crack. And I think it sounds just great to me. As much as the Telefunken ribbed plate 12au7 that was part of my purchase deal for the crack. I also bought another rib plate Telefunken as a back up for it because I loved it's sound.

I don't like the 6080 tube that it came with it's not as clean sounding to me. Not as crisp and detailed.

 

[hdtv00]

If a tube tests 54/50  min being 40 how long do you guys think it might last in normal use. Few years, months? Any idea's anyone.

 

[Chris65]

There are too many variables to say how long a tube will last. They have a 'rated' life but manufacturing tolerances, what circuit it is used in, how hard it is 'worked', use, etc....Brand new tubes can fail, old tubes can go for years & years.
Just use & enjoy!

 

[Koop]

Hey guys, new guy here 
I scored a used Crack with Speedball last week to go with my HD650's and I'm really diggin it!! So far I have replaced the stock 12AU7 with a Gold Lion ECC82, I didn't know where to start with NOS and I heard the gold lion was a good tube so I thought I'd try it out. Compared to the stock tube, the gold lion really brought the mids forward and added a significant amount of detail/texture to the music.
I still have the stock 6080 though and I'm thinking about replacing it.. to me it's tad bass heavy/bloated and tricks my ear into thinking there's a lack of treble in the mix, but there really isn't. I listen to a lot of drum-heavy progressive metal and it's hard to distinguish the cymbals at moderate volumes. Any recommendations on a tube that would open up the sound with a bit less bass but still pack a punch?

 

[ZacharyP]

Just acquired two Tungsram ECC82 for $15 shipped, and according to the tester they tested well and at that price there isn't much risk. 

 

[Grainger49]

Zachary,

At that price even if they tested low you would have hours of a good tube.  Nice deal!