Page 1 of 7

THE TUBE WILL SET YOU FREE

PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:14 am
by jadis
Thought I'd post some pics of my favorite tubes, some are still with
me, but some that I did not need and sold, but had graced my tube shelf, are here:
(and some, the more expensive ones, are owned by my friends)

Image
Image
Image

Tele EL34 metal base
Image

Blue glow of tubes in my amp and pre-amp
Image
Image

PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:32 am
by Killer Mike
Hi Jadis,

Are the C SED logo a 6550? :)

PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:34 am
by jadis
Mike,

No, they are KT88s.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 7:45 pm
by rs241
Jadis, Wow! TFK metal base EL34s. These the most expensive EL34s ever! They are highly valued by the tube connoisseurs in Hong Kong for having the best mid-range. Have you actually heard them in use? and if yes, on what amp? I heard that they work best on SET amps like the Audion Sterling.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:02 pm
by jadis
rs241,

they are truly rare gems. i have not heard them bec a friend who was supposed to
order them backed out. they are about $400 each, NOS.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 9:21 pm
by jadis
Telefunken CCa-GABL

The real deal. Post office type complete with red tip test marking
for audio use. To me, the best 6922 I have ever heard in my long
search of 6922 ultimates. As clear as the CCa's of Siemens, but just
a lot more liquid, with extended bass.

Image

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:50 am
by mozilla
Jadis,

I see you have 10Ms. Are these ecc82s? How would you describe the sound vs TFK ecc802s and Amprex 7316PQs?

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 8:36 am
by jadis
mozilla,

My 10Ms were the ecc83 variety. And I had a chance to compare it with the <>Tele
803s. 10Ms are a little more lush, thicker sounding, though not by much. Tele's 803s are
perhaps the king of overall transparency. It makes the 10m's sound 'veiled' by comparison.
10m's are more musically satisfying, speciallay in vocals, where the vocalists tend to sound
more emotional and dramatic. 803s are great for jazz, and other instrumentals. As the
Germans would say, 'uber alles' in terms of definition and cleanliness.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 9:00 am
by mozilla
Great, Thanks Jadis.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:55 am
by jadis
Anytime, Mozilla.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:55 pm
by Killer Mike
Dami Telefunken :o so far, i only have a Telefunken ecc81/12at7, logo at the bottom and a Sylvania 6201/12at7 gold brand, gold pin with blk plate.

I'm now hunting for a mullard :D

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:23 pm
by jadis
Mike,

Good luck....great sounding tubes, Mullard...

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:47 pm
by mozilla
Jadis,
Just a follow up to our earlier exchange. Is there really a step up in performance as say a regular (Mullard or other) ecc83 and a Master Series that would justify the price difference?

Secondly, putting aside system specific issues for the moment and generally speaking, do the ecc802s', given their "transparency" & "definition" and have a tendency to sound "hifi"?

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:04 pm
by jadis
mozilla,

That's a great question. But in my honest opinion, I would say that there is no step up performance in the 10m version of the Mullards against its ordinary counterparts, based on
my own A-B comparison as I have both 10m and standard models. The thing, or hype about
the 10M version, aside from its pretty big box and foam protection, is that it is supposed to
last 10,000 hours. I understand that IEC, the mother company that bought Mullard in its
twilight, wanted a specially selected tube to be marketed under the Master Series 10M brand.

As for the second q, I don't think the 803 or 802 series sound hi-fi. Not at all. I feel
they still retain the basic texture of the music WITHOUT over-doing it, which would make
it sound hi-fi-ish. They are excellent tubes, imo. But for those who love a slightly 'colored'
sound, like me, then these may not be their cup of tea.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:10 pm
by mozilla
Thanks for the reply Jadis. These are the kind of answers I wanted to hear. :)

1 more q, what's your take on the Amperex 7316PQ?

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:16 pm
by jadis
mozilla,

No problem. :) But I would say there is a big sound difference bet. the <>803s and ordinary 83s...not that it is worth 4 times the price, but big difference.

I have not encountered the Amperex 7316PQ. I hope to. What I have heard are the
6922 variety, the Amperex7308 USN-CEP. Excellent tubes, very warm and almost 'hypnotizing' on female vocals. Wide soundstage. But, compared to CCa variety
of Siemens and Tele, are a bit on the 'dark' side, imo.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:31 pm
by Killer Mike
Jadis,

Are you familiar with the Tele ecc801? or have any experience on how it performs? :)

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:05 pm
by mozilla
Thanks again!

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:39 pm
by rtsyrtsy
jadis,

what are your tube installation practices before you take it for a serious listen?

i remember some chatter before about dirty pins and sockets contributing to a certain sound or another.

ditto for the gear itself, given that there is no 100% "neutral" gear, what precautions do you take before coming to your own conclusions about a particular tube? or would you caveat your thoughts with the usual "in my experience, in my system, etc.?"

i guess what i'm driving at is what are the other points for consideration (especially for tube newbies like me) in evaluating one tube vs. another?

thanks in advance.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:45 pm
by Killer Mike
Jadis, do you apply any special solution in cleaning the pins of your tubes? :)