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Post by antonio on Nov 28, 2020 12:56:16 GMT
My first ever tube amplifier has just been sent from China today. This might be a bit premature but I've been looking at valves on the internet and listening to comparisons on You Tube. While things are fresh in my mind I thought I'd start this thread.. I have read that the first tubes to roll would be the pre-amp ones, and on my amplifier there are 2 ECC82/12AU7's and 1 ECC83/12AX7. I have already asked if a ECC81/12AT7 can be used to replace the one tube, it's probably not a good thing came the reply. I certainly do not want to spend more than £100 on the three tubes, so I'll start with ones I've heard and liked on You Tube. The one tube that stood out for me was a General Electric ECC81, unfortunately looking on ebay they can cost over £100, there is a used one in the USA, $19 but with bids. There is a new GE at £50 at Watford Tubes although obviously not a 7025, but would it have a similar sound signature? Is it worth buying used valves would be my first question. Ok I'll list a few that I've heard on YT
ECC83
Electro Harmonix £18 - liked this brand very much
Tungsrum £40 - another brand I liked very much.
RCA ? - These vary in price from £20 used to well over £100 NOS
Phillips - £75
ECC82
Electro Harmonix - £18
Tungsram - £40 for 2 but can pay more
RCA - $20 + $18 shipping from the states for 1 tube
Phillips ECG - £20 for 2
GE 5814 - £119 puts it out beyond my budget.
To my ears I seem to go for the less warm brands in GE, EH and Tungsram, I guess the others wouldn't be classed as overly warm either.
Do I have to buy a matched pair for the two ECC82's or will the same brand do, or even can you mix and match?
Would I be better off, putting in one slightly warmer tube?
Please feel free to comment on any of the tubes I have listed, or if the prices I've looked at are wrong. Suggestions of yours for valves, configurations, sites to look at, and any other useful tips would be gratefully received
Just one more thing, I got the feeling the ECC83 maybe made the largest difference, if this is true, would I be better spending more on this tube.
Sorry for the long post.
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Post by firebottle on Nov 28, 2020 14:32:05 GMT
Firstly what is the amplifier?
If '82 and '83 are fitted then '81 probably isn't a good choice.
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Post by antonio on Nov 28, 2020 15:56:50 GMT
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Post by firebottle on Nov 28, 2020 18:12:23 GMT
The '83 is the preamp valve and the 82's are the phase splitter/driver valves, so rolling the 83 will have the greater effect.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2020 18:34:52 GMT
For an 83, I think you would be hard pushed to beat one of these - link |
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Post by da2222 on Nov 28, 2020 20:05:27 GMT
Tungsram ECC83 FOIL getter. If you are lucky enough to find one, grab it, it may well save you spending a shed load on other ECC83s. I've tried a enormous variety of vintage ECC83s, it beats all of them by some distance IME. The TFK is also a solid performer, if a little clinical in some applications.
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Post by antonio on Nov 29, 2020 0:43:55 GMT
For an 83, I think you would be hard pushed to beat one of these - linkThanks for the tip, I did like the Telefunken, I think I have just forgotten to put it on the list. Here are a couple of demo videos that I enjoyed for anyone interested. |
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Post by antonio on Nov 29, 2020 0:56:03 GMT
Tungsram ECC83 FOIL getter. If you are lucky enough to find one, grab it, it may well save you spending a shed load on other ECC83s. I've tried a enormous variety of vintage ECC83s, it beats all of them by some distance IME. The TFK is also a solid performer, if a little clinical in some applications. Thanks for that, I always liked Tungsram valves whenever I heard them on the videos. With this being hard to find, would a different Tungsram still have the same sound signature even though they might lack a little compared to your recommendation? |
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Post by antonio on Nov 29, 2020 3:02:01 GMT
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 29, 2020 10:06:24 GMT
I've had a lot of the valves on that YouTube list.
The GE valve is still a relatively unknown bargain! However it is well and truly battered by a TFK.
Now, I too thought the TFK was king of all valves, and in truth I think I still do but the Tungsram valve I have on loan from Drew, has really put the car amongst the pigeons!
It's a stunning valve, but I haven't done as much by way of comparisons yet, as I am extremely busy.
If you want a cheap alternative which is still IMO very very good, get some valve base converters and use some 6N2P-EV-OS in place of a ECC83.
They are roughly £10 a piece and they sound crisp and clean, only really missing a little 3D aspect compared to the very best valves.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2020 10:55:26 GMT
Which Tungsram do you have?
The almost unobtanium foil version, or something different?
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Post by antonio on Nov 29, 2020 13:35:19 GMT
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 29, 2020 13:44:04 GMT
I only buy NOS Telefunken mate, and other than the one you linked to being genuine as far as I could tell, I didn't look too far into it. Yes, apparently those converters work but I've never tried them. NOS military valves, very reliable too. I have a few here if you need them mate. I paid £4 each for them so I can send you a pair for £4 ea + postage if they are of interest. They are plentiful on eBay though. |
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Post by da2222 on Nov 29, 2020 13:55:42 GMT
Which Tungsram do you have? The almost unobtanium foil version, or something different? There were basically 3 types of Tungsram foil getters produced between '50s and very early '60s. (actually, another side support type too). Oli has the 3rd one on the right of the photo. Any one of these is first class. Expensive tubes with the middle, chrome type MEGA bucks....  |
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Post by da2222 on Nov 29, 2020 14:01:20 GMT
Tungsram ECC83 FOIL getter. If you are lucky enough to find one, grab it, it may well save you spending a shed load on other ECC83s. I've tried a enormous variety of vintage ECC83s, it beats all of them by some distance IME. The TFK is also a solid performer, if a little clinical in some applications. Thanks for that, I always liked Tungsram valves whenever I heard them on the videos. With this being hard to find, would a different Tungsram still have the same sound signature even though they might lack a little compared to your recommendation? The 'standard' Tungrams with dual supports are very good tubes and TBH I actually preferred them to TFKs in the appliances I've used them in. Not as good as the foil getters which are different animals, but the price is much lower... |
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Post by antonio on Nov 29, 2020 15:27:02 GMT
Thanks for that Oli, I'll let you know. I shall mainly look for NOS valves from now on, those TFK's are pretty expensive though, guess it would be safer. Now all I need to know is do I buy a matched pair of ECC82's, or just the same brand, or can I mix Tungsram with EH?
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 29, 2020 15:47:11 GMT
Thanks for that Oli, I'll let you know. I shall mainly look for NOS valves from now on, those TFK's are pretty expensive though, guess it would be safer. Now all I need to know is do I buy a matched pair of ECC82's, or just the same brand, or can I mix Tungsram with EH? Well for that particular amp, I'd be putting a full compliment of Genalex GL's in there. Brand new, really well made, currently in production and very affordable. I put them in the PL5 and loved them |
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Post by antonio on Dec 30, 2020 2:21:04 GMT
Well purchases have been made, Genelex were looked at Bigman and listening to them on YT were definitely short listed One Tungsram ECC83, used but in good condition was the first one to be heading my way and the lookout for a couple of 12AU7's was on I have plumped for a pair of GE Jan 12AU7W/6189W's although I will not be able to hear thjese for a while since they are all to be sent to my uk address I'd like to try another 12AX7 since I understand they will make the biggest difference and have a couple on my watch list I went for the GE's on reviews and what I've heard on YT, they seem neutral, detailed and still smooth sounding positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/quickies-minimum-reviews-for-maximum-audiophiles/ |
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Post by antonio on Feb 4, 2021 7:12:47 GMT
Won a couple of Brimar 5751's very cheaply, they don't look in great condition but I would like to try a 5751 valve and it will be cheaper doing it this way than spending £50+ on the GE version to start with.
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Post by antonio on Apr 14, 2021 13:37:35 GMT
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