You tube basterds

[ben62670]

You got me rolling.
Thanks
Ben

[kawizx9r]

Tell me about it!

The tubes in my amp aren't cheap! At least the 12au7's I got were, but I can only imagine that it'll get even more expensive as I move on :o

[doctor r]

It's a disease. You start small but then you consider the possible changes and maybe an improvement so you seek out, you buy, then you hoard. Soon you have cigar boxes full of possibilities (and all your money) but there is always that brand, that NOS year they all talk about. So you continue to seek and aquire.......... Seek professional counciling soon!

[hearingimpared]

He he he!

[Face]

How do you roll?

Do you grab the tube as hard as you can and twist it in the socket?

[Hilbert]

Or baste the tube with rubber cement to insure a good grip?

[treitz3]

You know you love it baby!

[TECHNOKID]

How do you roll?

Do you grab the tube as hard as you can and twist it in the socket?I guess he must have hooked-up a pair under each of his shoe and he is now roller skating :confused:;)

[Libertyc]

I got my tubes fired up!

[SCompRacer]

Show us your tube rolling gloves Ben. The members of the Rockford Audio Society use Dyneema gloves. They provide a firm grip and are supposedly tear proof.

Do you hot-swap when rolling tubes or do you shut it down first?:D

[Keiko]

I do a boombastic moon walk when I don my tube gloves. Tubalicious! :D

Have fun, Ben. ;)

[heiney9]

Ha Ha Ha, I just picked up another tube integrated and further down the black hole of tube rolling I shall go.

It's a disease I got it bad.

Last count I have 33 pairs of tubes and 8 rectifiers. For one pre amp and one hybrid integrated. Now I get to add some 6V6GT and 6SL7 to the pack; including all the variants for the new integrated. I'm bidding on tubes for it before the amp has even arrived :eek::)

On a positive note after experimenting with about 10-12 different tube variants I have finally settled on my top 3 (for each amp). The rest will be sold; I hope.

H9

P.s. That damn rectifying tube is a killer because once you settle on some input tubes and then start swapping rectifiers............all the results change. Just one more stinking variable in the equation!!!!

[SCompRacer]

I do a boombastic moon walk when I don my tube gloves.


We want video!:D

[heiney9]

It's a disease. You start small but then you consider the possible changes and maybe an improvement so you seek out, you buy, then you hoard. Soon you have cigar boxes full of possibilities (and all your money) but there is always that brand, that NOS year they all talk about. So you continue to seek and aquire.......... Seek professional counciling soon!

You nailed it brotha!!!

Can anyone say Bendix "Red Bank" 5992's or Tungsol 6SU7GTY or RCA "Red Bank" 5691. It's a disease!!! :D

[heiney9]

Show us your tube rolling gloves Ben. The members of the Rockford Audio Society use Dyneema gloves. They provide a firm grip and are supposedly tear proof.

Do you hot-swap when rolling tubes or do you shut it down first?:D

They are nifty gloves.............kinda manly too!

[SCompRacer]

Can anyone say Bendix "Red Bank" 5992's or Tungsol 6SU7GTY or RCA "Red Bank" 5691. It's a disease!!! :D


Getting excited here..Bendix Red Bank 6900 or MU6900!

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp260/scompracer/Tubes/mu6900.jpg

(MU Engineering bought the Redbank division and rebranded existing stock and continued to manufacture on Bendix tooling).


They are nifty gloves.............kinda manly too!


A BIG + 1 to that!

[hearingimpared]

You fellas need help!:D

[SCompRacer]

You fellas need help!:D

Come along and we'll try and find it.:D

[dkg999]

You fellas need help!:D

Is "help" a red-head with big hooters? Then I definetely need to find "help" :D

[hearingimpared]

Is "help" a red-head with big hooters? Then I definetely need to find "help" :D

That sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

[Keiko]

How many times I gotta tell you guys? A handful and a mouthful is a waste. :p

[ben62670]

I have a 5670 CBS-Raytheon tube on it's way. I can't wait to ditch the China tube in there. Jerry and George may have some 12AU7's for me to play with.

[Poee7R]

Ben, if your wanting to play with some AU7's, I have a trio of Mullards sitting here that I dont use.

Say the word and their yours.


Dave

[ben62670]

"the word!!!"
My grounded grid pre uses 3 12au7's:)

[Poee7R]

Haha right on. Pm me your addy and Ill get em out monday.


Dave

[Keiko]

I have a 5670 CBS-Raytheon tube on it's way. I can't wait to ditch the China tube in there. Jerry and George may have some 12AU7's for me to play with.

uhh huh huh! Ben's playing with his tube.

[Poee7R]

Tubes are on the way Ben, lemme know when you receive them.


Dave

[187CAM]

I have RCA clear top 12AU7's. Ask Jerry (Kawizx9r) what they are all about. They sing!

[kawizx9r]

I have RCA clear top 12AU7's. Ask Jerry (Kawizx9r) what they are all about. They sing!

LMAO

Again it's FREDDY :p:p:p

And yes, they were my first tubes I've purchased outside of what I got with the preamp. They provide great dynamics, widened my soundstage extensively, and well they just rocked!

Pre I've got now uses 2x12ax7's and 1x12au7 with philips tubes in the x7 slot. Hmm...

[Slimmjay]

I just got into tubes a few months back. picked up a Miniwatt tube amp off craigslist, got home and was amazed at what i got from 2.5 watts! yes two and a half watts. Now i've upgraded to a converted Baldwin built by Will Vincent on Audiogon. I've only had it a for a few days and am loving it! the next step is rollling! gotta find just the right ones :) any suggestions for what to swap these 6L6's for?

[F1nut]

Last count I have 33 pairs of tubes and 8 rectifiers.

I read your post and thought to myself, I've never counted my tubes. Well, now I have. 106 tubes here and I just sold off a bunch.

[heiney9]

I read your post and thought to myself, I've never counted my tubes. Well, now I have. 106 tubes here and I just sold off a bunch.

You've been at it longer :p. Add 2 more pairs I just bought plus I'm a certain a quad will be in my future very shortly. I am getting ready for a sell off as well. I found my favorites and time to move along the rest that are still nice, just not my favorites.

H9

[F1nut]

The sick thing Brock is that I know our collections are peanuts compared to others.

[heiney9]

The sick thing Brock is that I know our collections are peanuts compared to others.

Yeah, I know. I've passed on some deals too. But I just have the pre-amp and now 2 integrateds. Just bought a full tube integrated due for delivery tomorrow and I spent a wad on a pair of matched 1950's RCA 'red bank' 5691 (premium military version 6SL7GT) input tubes and was in the hunt for a quad of used Bendix "red bank" 5992 (holy grail 6V6GT) power tubes, which finally sold for $310..........too much $$$ for tubes for a secondary rig -lol.

Having fun though

[Face]

Are you guys counting tubes "in use"? In that case I have around 70. :eek:

[F1nut]

In use, 20.

[Face]

I meant in addition to in use...if I had 70 in use, I'm not sure I could afford my electric bill.

In use right now, 16, soon to be either 8 or 17. :)

[george daniel]

Hmmm, 18 in use,if you count the headphone amp.:)

[inspiredsports]

The reduced heating bills for some of you guys will be nice as the weather cools off :D

I just have 4 puny little tubes in use :(

[miner]

I have 8 tubes in my McIntosh C2200 pre - 4 12AT7 & 4 12AX7. All are stock - haven't rolled any yet. The Line and phone sections each use 2 12AT7 & 2 12AX7. Any recommendations what to roll with - brand and grade please.

[inspiredsports]

I have 8 tubes in my McIntosh C2200 pre - 4 12AT7 & 4 12AX7. All are stock - haven't rolled any yet. The Line and phone sections each use 2 12AT7 & 2 12AX7. Any recommendations what to roll with - brand and grade please.

The 12AX7 Amperex (Holland) Bugle Boy is my favorite after trying about 10 different tubes in my single-tube/solid state hybrid Bellari VP130 phono amp. The Telefunken 12AX7 Smooth Plate Diamond is virtually a tie. Neither of the above are cheap. I found the best economical 12AX7 solution to be the Sovtek 12AX7LPS (Ruby).

I'm very new to it so many with more experience will have other great recommendations, but the tubes above are very, very musical with astoundingly wide soundstages. The Amperex and Telefunken tubes are smoother than the Sovtek throughout the frequency spectrum.

[ViperZ]

I bought my ST-70 hoping that I'll be happy with the stock EL34 tubes... Well, in a year, I am on my 3rd set (re-issue Mullards now)... Hopefully, that's the end and I'll just roll a little bit on first stage tubes... Hopefully...

[heiney9]

I have 8 tubes in my McIntosh C2200 pre - 4 12AT7 & 4 12AX7. All are stock - haven't rolled any yet. The Line and phone sections each use 2 12AT7 & 2 12AX7. Any recommendations what to roll with - brand and grade please.

Not to turn this into a FS thread, but I have quite a few 12AT7's coming up forsale.

Amperex "orange globe" made at the Blackburn plant. I have extra's I don't need. I may even have some Mullards made at the Mitchum plant, really nice with copper grid posts from 1959.

My favorites so far are the Valvo's made in Hamburg pre-1960 w/copper grid posts and Valvo goldpin 6201's (no need to get the triple mica version) double mica version is superb and the Telefunken ECC801S.

The Valvo 6201's (made in Hamburg) and the Telefunken ECC801S will set you back a pretty penny. If they are genuine NOS with boxes I've seen the Tele's go for $300/pr.

If you are at all interested I have about 10-12 pairs of 12AT7 or equivalents I'm getting ready to sell. Shoot me a PM and when I get home tonight I can run them all down for you and give you some of the details.

I'll have some nice RCA 6211's and possibly some Amperex "PQ" 7062's made in Holland, etc.

H9

P.s. the 6211 and 6414 are eqivalent subs. see here (http://www.audiotubes.com/12at7.htm)

[miner]

Since my tubes will be used in a preamp I will require very low Microphony, hence the high grade rating.

[inspiredsports]

Since my tubes will be used in a preamp I will require very low Microphony, hence the high grade rating.

There are mixed opinions about this too, but you might want to consider adding tube dampers.

I have 3 tube driven devices, all with tubes that don't have microphonics deficiencies, but tube dampers improved sound quality in all cases. I've had great luck with Herbie's Audio Labs (no affiliation) UltraSonic 9's (he also produces great turntable mats if you are into vinyl).

Isolation also seems to work wonders for tube devices if you place Vibrapods or equivalent under the unit.

[reeltrouble1]

my heart is full of joy and happiness because...........

Tubes Rule.

RT1

[Keiko]

There are mixed opinions about this too, but you might want to consider adding tube dampers.

I have 3 tube driven devices, all with tubes that don't have microphonics deficiencies, but tube dampers improved sound quality in all cases. I've had great luck with Herbie's Audio Labs (no affiliation) UltraSonic 9's (he also produces great turntable mats if you are into vinyl).

Isolation also seems to work wonders for tube devices if you place Vibrapods or equivalent under the unit.
+1 on the UltraSonic 9 dampers. I have some E180CC's that are a bit microphonic, but very good sounding tubes. These dampers cured that issue.
The Way Excellent TT mats are a fine product as well.

[doctor r]

It seems everything in my system has glowing glass bottles. The preamp, amps, phono section of the pre, and the CDP. In addition I have squirred away a few extras (RCA 5691s, 5692s, Mullard 12AT7s, Tele 12AT7s, Sylvania 6SN7s, 6SL7s, few quads of EL34s, KT77s). I knew I thouight this was a sickness! :confused:


By the way what were those "available tubes" you were going to list:D

[heiney9]

Miner, I received another tube amp today off ebay and of course it's been damaged in shipping so I am dealing with that right now. Probably won't get to that detailed list of tubes tonight as now I have to resize all the photo's I took. The damage was contained to a couple 3 bent or sheared off speaker terminals and some chips is the piano finish. I really wish people would take more care with a 35lb amp!!!!!!

I will get to it though in the next couple of days.

H9

[miner]

No rush Heiney9 - I appreciate the help.

[doctorcilantro]

OT - @ Keiko, just got word from Belgium on those D-getter 7062s, he agrees they smoke any 12AT7 he has ever tried.

cheers
dc

[Keiko]

OT - @ Keiko, just got word from Belgium on those D-getter 7062s, he agrees they smoke any 12AT7 he has ever tried.

cheers
dc

Roger, doc. Still runnin' with mine. Those dampers did the trick. ;)

[heiney9]

Miner as promised I finally pulled out some 12AT7 and excellent variants that I'm ready to sell.

These are all great sounding and very low noise used in a pre-amp. These are either duplicates or tubes I will probably never listen to. I'll guarantee them for 7 days and if you have a problem all I ask is you pay the return shipping.

1 pr. 1960's Amperex 12AT7 Orange Globe made in Gt. Britian - Blackburn plant used at 80% of NOS. Original boxes are shot so they will be shipped in white boxes $35 shipped

(3) 1962 Amperex Orange label long plate 7062 "PQ". Made in Holland with the "delta" symbol. Round getter. Very nice sounding low nose tubes. "PQ" are specially screened for low noise. Strong used shipped in white boxes $45 shipped

E180CC or 7062:
Most often found in European types, typically Amperex or Philips, this tube is virtually the same as a 5965 in regard to electrical specifications. Audiophiles have been seeking it out since the price is generally lower than the premium ECC81 NOS prices currently. Like the 5965, it has slightly lower gain than the 12AT7, and has the added advantage of a 10,000 hour heater life to make it another audiophile "secret" tube. A super bargain when you find them, since they are musical and smooth to listen to, and actually sound better than many standard 12AT7 tubes. Better grab them now while the prices are still low! This tube is about a half-inch taller than the standard 12AT7, so chassis space is an important consideration.

(3) 1970's GE JAN (joint army/navy) "green label" 5965, clear top dual side getters, 2-mica. NOS in bulk pack boxes. A very nice sounding lower gain tube. $30 shipped

5965:
This industrial tube is close enough to the 12AT7 that audiophiles have started buying them up and commenting on the low noise of this tube. It most likely is because it has a lower gain, a mu of 47 compared to 60 of a 12AT7. It is kind of like using a 5751 in place of a 12AX7--the lower gain being the main difference. These tubes are still plentiful, and are really well made. GE made a fine version of this tube in their "5-Star" broadcast line. A few have an extra mica spacer on top, known as "triple mica" and noted for lower microphonics. There is also a rare Telefunken version of this tube with long plates.

(3) 1970's GE JAN (joint army/navy) 6414W. Green label, long plate for low microphonics, solid disc getter, NOS in bulk pack boxes. $35 shipped

6414:
An industrial, computer rated dual triode,virtually the same specs as the E180CC or 7062 listed above. Unlike the E180CC, this tube was made in the USA. It is a more rugged build, with the Raytheon blackplate type sporting triple mica and military ratings. This tube is also like a 12AV7 and will work wonders in any 12AT7 spot, and may be just the ticket if you want to boost the gain of a 12AU7 circuit. The 6414 is getting very hard to find, but with a 10,000 hour heater rating you may never need a replacement. Discussion groups rate this type very highly for use in headphone amps. Stands about 1/2 inch taller than the standard 12AT7.

1 pr. RCA 6211 Gray plate, round getter, NOS probably from the 80's. I really like the 6211 because it has such a nice mellow sound. $20 shipped

1 pr. GE 6211, Gray plate, clear top, dual side getter, slightly used, probably form the late 70's nice boxes $25 shipped

6211:
This unusual tube is listed as a frequency halfer, in addition to being a class A amplifier dual triode with medium mu. Medium mu means it has lower gain than the typical 12AT7, in fact lower than even the 5965 listed below. It also has much larger, flat plates that have diamond shaped points at the corners bent inwards (in the versions I have seen) that seem to add rigidity to the plate structure. This tube also has slightly lower plate voltage and current ratings, but not enough to make a difference in hi-fi use. I have seen it used in preamp circuits, and it's lower gain and lower microphonics (thanks to the large plates) probably contribute to a mellow sound. I have an amp where this tube is used interchangeably with a 12AT7, and there is a difference in sound between the two types. These are hard to find, but you may want to try them to see how a medium-mu tube sounds in place of the standard 12AT7. Just the thing to tame down a screaming guitar amp or shrill stereo system.

These all work in the typical 12AT7 spot. Well, there you have it. Ask any questions. I'll give you first shot but I will be "officially" posting these in the FM shortly and then off to ebay.

H9