Tube Rolling w/Crack

ianp said:
I finished the stock build in a couple of evenings and have been listening to the stock crack for 5 days now and it was time for some tube swapping.

I had a couple of 12AU7A (Electro-Harmonix and a CONN clear top) tubes in the cupboard and they sound a little better than the stock on my 650s. Listening to the CONN now. It seems add a bit more clarity, a nice sense of airiness to the top end and seems to dig a little deeper for some of the details, but this may be at a little cost to the bass. Ahh, the joys of tube rolling, what you gain on the swings you sometimes lose on the roundabouts  :)

VALABS pot goes in next and then I'll have to buy a speedball and then look some more into tube rolling.
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Conn 12au7 happens to be my stock tube came with the crack.
After rolling in cv4003 and mullard ecc32 over months, i still keep going back to CONN becasue of its airness and extension to the top. I do agree the comprosmise to the bass. But i am afriad there is no all round solution.
 
Lawrence Ho said:
guys, I won a WE421a auction on ebay lately.
The seller provided a photo of the testing result. I think it is about 70% strong but in terms of hours, how many do I have before replacement is needed?
Any input would be appreciated!
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It's absolutely impossible to say.  That tube could've produced those measurements the day it was manufactured for all we know.
 
Caucasian Blackplate said:
It's absolutely impossible to say.  That tube could've produced those measurements the day it was manufactured for all we know.
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The seller told me the same thing. He also said the tube is 90% strong where 4000 to 9000  hours continuous use should be fine.
I am just hoping it is true.
 
You pays your money and you takes your chance. That's a part of DIY. IME tube vendors can't really have any idea how long a tube will last. Particularly a used one. They can only tell you how it tests and you can try to guess what that might translate to with respect to lifetime.
 
Doc B. said:
You pays your money and you takes your chance. That's a part of DIY. IME tube vendors can't really have any idea how long a tube will last. Particularly a used one. They can only tell you how it tests and you can try to guess what that might translate to with respect to lifetime.
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Apparently i have mistaken the readings as a reliable indicator of tubes’ health..

 
It's a measurement which, depending upon the type of tester, might give you an indication of a tube's transconductance or heater emission. If it measures below spec it's most likely not going to perform correctly. If it measures well it will probably perform well assuming there are no noise issues. But you don't necessarily have a measurement that relates directly to how long it will perform to spec. Lifespan specifications for tubes are generally in the thousands of hours, so a tube that measures well and sounds good is probably worth investing in if it is what you desire.
 
Doc B. said:
It's a measurement which, depending upon the type of tester, might give you an indication of a tube's transconductance or heater emission. If it measures below spec it's most likely not going to perform correctly. If it measures well it will probably perform well assuming there are no noise issues. But you don't necessarily have a measurement that relates directly to how long it will perform to spec. Lifespan specifications for tubes are generally in the thousands of hours, so a tube that measures well and sounds good is probably worth investing in if it is what you desire.
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Thanks for the explanation, doc.

My apologies being off-topic a bit, do you have plan to make the speedball upgrade switchable? Meaning that one can switch back and forth between speedball’ed and stock crack by pushing, a botton maybe?

I will get the speedball regardless. Just that i think i will miss the sound from the current crack from time to time..
 
Can someone help me ID this stock tube that came with my crack? I can't seem to decipher it.

thanks!

 

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Hi all, I built the stock Crack about a month ago and have been settling in with it.  I like it so far, but I'm looking forward to the Speedball upgrade now.

When I was looking for 6080 tubes, I stumbled on a good deal for a Bendix graphite slotted plate.  Turns out that tube was microphonic, but it still sounded good.  I thought about spending the money to go straight to the top and get a 5998, but instead settled on ordering the Speedball.  I sold the graphite plate and picked up a Winged C and a Gold Lion (the Russian pack).  Compared to the stock Sylvania 6080, I prefer both the Bendix and the Russian.  Against each other... hard to tell without the Bendix here to directly A-B, but from what I remember the difference isn't as big as I thought it would be.

At the prices the 5998 is at right now, it likely won't get any better and may become unobtainium.  The graphite plates are also getting up there too.  I want to thank everyone here recommending the Winged C - it's a great cheap tube and plays nicely with the Gold Lion.
 
Steakface said:
Hi all, I built the stock Crack about a month ago and have been settling in with it.  I like it so far, but I'm looking forward to the Speedball upgrade now.

When I was looking for 6080 tubes, I stumbled on a good deal for a Bendix graphite slotted plate.  Turns out that tube was microphonic, but it still sounded good.  I thought about spending the money to go straight to the top and get a 5998, but instead settled on ordering the Speedball.  I sold the graphite plate and picked up a Winged C and a Gold Lion (the Russian pack).  Compared to the stock Sylvania 6080, I prefer both the Bendix and the Russian.  Against each other... hard to tell without the Bendix here to directly A-B, but from what I remember the difference isn't as big as I thought it would be.

At the prices the 5998 is at right now, it likely won't get any better and may become unobtainium.  The graphite plates are also getting up there too.  I want to thank everyone here recommending the Winged C - it's a great cheap tube and plays nicely with the Gold Lion.
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Bendix 6080WB is a great power tube.  You driver tube may cause it sounds bad.  I have a couple of Winged C but never a fan of it. Just my 2c.
 
hey guys,

looking to possibly buy these two tubes from the used market. although i am a bit concerned about the RCA rebranded TS 5998's carbon'ed color domino plates. is that a sign that the tube is at end of its life?
see pic

i am also looking to possibly buy this TS 6080WA. i currently have a TS 6080WB slotted graphite column. can anyone identify this TS 6080WA? it doesn't look to be a graphite column, so my understanding that it isn't as special. does this mean it's just exactly the same as a stock Sylvania 6080WB?

look forward to hear your thoughts.
 

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howzz1854 said:
hey guys,

looking to possibly buy these two tubes from the used market. although i am a bit concerned about the RCA rebranded TS 5998's carbon'ed color domino plates. is that a sign that the tube is at end of its life?
see pic

The question had been answered by Paul and Dr.  B.

i am also looking to possibly buy this TS 6080WA. i currently have a TS 6080WB slotted graphite column. can anyone identify this TS 6080WA? it doesn't look to be a graphite column, so my understanding that it isn't as special. does this mean it's just exactly the same as a stock Sylvania 6080WB?

Doesn't look like a rebranded bendix on my phone.
You should go for this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/232327296459

look forward to hear your thoughts.
Click to expand...
 
has anyone dealt with this seller on ebay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-TUNG-SOL-5998-TUBES-DOMINO-BLACK-PLATE-421A-TYPE-TWO-AVAILABLE-/182572854832?hash=item2a8230ae30:g:H8kAAOSwnF9Y770H

i am looking at possibly purchasing one of those 5998 from him. his listed price seem average, if anything slightly above average. i don't think i've seen one lower than $150 in the past 12 months per tube.

also are there any difference between a chrome top or a clear top? the seller mentioned in his comments that you need to specify which of the two you prefer.
 
howzz1854 said:
has anyone dealt with this seller on ebay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-TUNG-SOL-5998-TUBES-DOMINO-BLACK-PLATE-421A-TYPE-TWO-AVAILABLE-/182572854832?hash=item2a8230ae30:g:H8kAAOSwnF9Y770H

i am looking at possibly purchasing one of those 5998 from him. his listed price seem average, if anything slightly above average. i don't think i've seen one lower than $150 in the past 12 months per tube.

also are there any difference between a chrome top or a clear top? the seller mentioned in his comments that you need to specify which of the two you prefer.
Click to expand...

Be patient.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/371645521761?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
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