Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => Legacy Kit Products => Seduction => Topic started by: castelletti on June 24, 2011, 05:31:13 PM
-
I have a Seduction w/ C4S upgrade and am wondering what others like to run in theirs. So far I have run the following.
EH 12AU7's that came stock (thats 6922 dummy!)
Amperex PQ Orange Label (NOS)
Valvo Red Label E88CC (NOS)
The Amperex and Valvo's sound similar character, however the Valvo's have extended top and tighter bottom end. However both tubes make noise when I turn up the Crack to about 11'oclock, and while the EH's are quieter they sound very thin in comparison. All of them are microphonic, not that its a deal breaker for me. It seems like this "family" of tubes is microphonic as I went through a friends stash and all of them are to some degree.
Just wondering what you guys are running out there. I still feel improvements can be made.
-
.....EH 12AU7's that came stock
I think you mean EH 6922's. 12AU7's wouldn't work well in this amp!
I'm still using the stock EH 6922's myself.
-
duh...lol too much tube rolling today....lol yes, the 6922's
-
I have in a set of 6n23P-EVs, the Russian military equivalent. This is a ruggedized tube which will have lower microphonics.
Edit: Lee, thanks for reminding me of the -EV. Those are what I'm using and the suffix is important.
I sould mention that these tubes are exceptionally clean and have beautiful soundstage. The tonal balance is not tilted toward any range that I am aware of. Not to mention they are inexpensive!
Here is a thread with a list of 6922 equivalent numbers:
http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,1029.0.html
-
I have used the 6n23P-EV and really liked their sound, excellent sounding tube for the money, but I have settled on the CCA version of the 6922.
Cordially,
Lee Hankins
-
What is it about the CCA's that you like versus other tubes?
-
i was using Telefunken ec88's until one died; i'm now using (Amperex) dario miniwatt EI88CC's. love 'em both for the liquidy thing they do.
-
Russian 6n1p-EV, but required heater supply and RIAA network modification over stock Seduction.
-
Been running the Sylvania JAN 6DJ8's that came in the kit. Heck, I have a C4S kit I've never bothered to build because the rest of the chain is so weak that it'd be pointless. I tried some EH 6922's, but the bottles are too big in diameter to fit in the shield on the socket.
-
Hmmm, my Seduction came with the EH's and they fit in the shields. Well, atleast in the bases, I never used the tubes other than the Voltage checks so didnt use the shields.
Anyway, Im using the 6N23-EV's as well. Nice sounding tubes and quiet. But I have a couple of Bugle Boys I'll get around to rolling in. Also a couple of USA Amperex and some Westinghouse labeled 6922's and Jan Phillips. I have a Valvo E88CC Gold pin and a Valvo ECC88. I'll have to see if I can find an affordable mate for each of them and if so, I'll have a couple more nice pairs. All of these on hand already from two tube CDP's that take 6922's that I purchased 10 years ago.
-
Hmmm, my Seduction came with the EH's and they fit in the shields. Well, at least in the bases, I never used the tubes other than the Voltage checks so didnt use the shields.
Mine won't fit in the short shield base that's part of the socket. No way they would fit in the shield "caps" as well.
-
Different shield bases and caps I guess??? Or, fatter EH 6922's
-
Yes the Russian tubes are inconsistent in terms of outside diameter. Also, double check the spec on the E88CC before you try it. It is a little different than an ECC88.
-
Yes the Russian tubes are inconsistent in terms of outside diameter. Also, double check the spec on the E88CC before you try it. It is a little different than an ECC88.
Thanks Doc. I dont have a mate for either tube so just maybe that will save me time and money on the E88CC :-)
-
...double check the spec on the E88CC before you try it. It is a little different than an ECC88.
were you referring to my use of the EI88CC's? or specifically the E88CC? mine run just fine.
-b
-
Popped in my pair of USA Amperex this evening. Im not sure on specifics of the tube, it is definitely a USA Amperex, 1962, but labeled made by amperex for Polarad (Not Polaroid). I cant find any reference to Polarad. Ive had these for 10 years and never used them. I think I was saving as spares for one of the CDP's. Anyway, they are quiet, not microphonic which is great. They also sound really nice. Not quite as strong on the low end as the 6n23-EV but midbass detail is a very good and the midrange seems a bit fuller, very sweet. Not quite as extended up top but smoother and airy. The 6n23-ev's are probably a bit more forward. I need to spend more time with them but first impressions are that these are very nice tubes. They arent necessarily a better tube than the 6n23's overall but they are quite different.
-
After listened stock EH6922s, I changed to Reflector 6N23Ps , but always felt they were too dark for my taste, though the the bass and mid are nice and tighten than EH6922. After few weeks I changed to NOS Tesla E88CCs and felt they were sounding soft a little bit.
The next I tried NOS Tungsram E88CCs, they did more dynamic and stronger bass and clearer top on my Seduction than Tesla did, but I just felt not satisfy. So the next were the nos Philips E88CC SQ, I got full, round, smooth and detailed from bottom to top.
Then in the end I have a pair of Siemens E88CC germany A4, I stuck with them for last few months, very very clear, air, and most detailed I've heard so far, I was quite happy with them, kept them on my Seduction the longest time than the others.
Guess what ? last week I put back the Philips SQs, and start to felt the Siemens sounded was skinny ...
So, tonight I'll try again the 6n23p later...
Having a lot of fun for tubes rolling. There is not a wrong tube to me so far. See, the difference is just because the compare.
But one thing I've heard and for sure, is that I got more 3-dimensions from Philips and Siemens, especially the Siemens. again,so far...
james
-
Question about Seduction tubes. Do I need to use the tube shields no matter what tubes I use?
-
In the three places I've lived since building my Seduction, never have the tube shields made a difference in noise (nor has the Hammond box mod). I've always left them off as a result - the glowing tubes look much cooler anyway! If you live in an area with lots of RF, then I could see it making a difference. Whether it's a hearable one is debatable.
-
We put the shields in when the Seduction was being developed, because the lab at that time was in a noisy environment and it made a difference. If they have no audible effect then they are optional (and you are lucky!)
-
Yep, me too, no shields necessary and not being used. I may get rid of the shield bases but havent decided. Although, they arent too bad.
-
Since the tubes don't glow that much, and they are about 16 feet away from my old eyes I have always left the tube shields on. I have taken them off and listened. There was no noise that I could detect with my ears, same age as the eyes so it is a personal evaluation.
-
If you don't want to run tube shields, it shouldn't be a problem. But do understand that the RFI that might be getting in will probably be VHF, and it won't necessarily be audible as a buzz or something. It could however make things subtly more harsh. Might be worth looking at the output with a scope that can get up into the 100 MHz range. Hopefully the reason no one seems to have problems is that the stopper resistors and heater bypass caps have eliminated them.