Tube Rolling w/Crack

[Chris65]

The 6CG7 is a 9 pin 6SN7, and a minor change to the 9 pin socket wiring would allow its use (and the 7AU7 would then also work instead of the 12AU7).

And the 6AU7 also.

[Kitchener]

Might be a neat idea for some day down the line.
Maybe if I actually start noticing any difference between 12AU7s, I'll start wondering how other tubes might sound as well.
Right now I can't tell any of my three available 12AU7s apart (Mullard, Clear Top, Genalex Gold Lion).
So I'm going to give rewiring the socket a hard pass, I think.

I've read a couple of posts praising the soundstage of the 6SN7s so I figured an adapter might be an easy way to try them out for myself.


Some of you are pretty well versed in tube land, and this is all very subjective and dependent on the amp:
Would some of you say there are big, relatively speaking, differences in the sound between 12AU7, 6AU7, 7AU7 and 6CG7 tubes?

[Tom-s]

I you're looking for soundstage there's other nice additions to roll in a Crack.

With the pad in place in a Speedballed Crack there's a few cheaper options for great sound.

One to think of is the 6C8G tube. A NU or Tung Sol can be found for cheap. These are 6F8G's on the cheap essentially.

I prefer them to most 6SN7's. It's personal. Like with all tubes and "mods" to Crack, it's like different trying spicing for the same meal. Don't expect a world of difference when trying different tubes.

[Kitchener]

Oh boy those 6F8G tubes look cool.
I wonder if those eBay 6F8G to 12AU7 adapters are any good?
My gut says...nooo.

Maybe it would be cool to put an octal socket in place of the noval socket, but I don't have a Dremel so nah.
Besides I don't want to mess with the Speedball standoffs 

[JamieMcC]

Pick yourself up a step drill from ebay to enlarge the hole they are only a couple of dollars it will cut through the alloy top plate in seconds.


 

[Tom-s]

Anyone tried double 6j5's for Crack vs ECC82?

[Paul Birkeland]

A pair of 6J5s will sound nearly identical to a single 6SN7.  I  even have a few 6J5s that are 6SN7s with one of the triodes not connected to any pins.

[Tom-s]

Thank you! I've to admit i'm just rolling trough tubes for the fun of doing so.

On my "just to try" list for my Crack:
Triodes: 6C4, 6J5 etc.
Other dual triodes: 6463/6350 (bias for 5687/7119/e182cc).
Other sockets: 7N7, 7AF7

Now using a 1951, april, Valvo Hamburg ECC40, with Westinghouse 6as7GA with dynamic/musical (and a bit dark) results.

[leviathan]

are the tubes on the first page the only ones that can be interchanged or is there a full list somewhere?

[Paul Birkeland]

are the tubes on the first page the only ones that can be interchanged

Yes.

[JLDub]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say, I'm new here and I thoroughly appreciate everyone's civility and helpfulness so far. Very much a nice reprieve from places like r/headphones...

That aside, I'm a new crack owner and even though I'm still in the very early stages of building, I'm looking to secure some Power tubes to experiment with after I get some time in on the stock tubes and subsequently the Speedball.

I'd really love to find a Tung-Sol (/Chatham) 6080 and/or 6AS7G but it seems as the years have gone by, these guys are getting harder to find and therefore more expensive :/ there is zero value to be found on eBay, (tried with bangybang, wants 80 for a pair) and most online tube stores I've inquired with simply don't stock them. I was wondering if any members had one or both types on hand lying around not being used and would be willing to part with? Obviously not for free, but I also hate paying more than I need to for something...I am an obsessive bargain hunter

Edit: I'm dumb. My kit definitely came with a Svetlana (SED?) Winged "C" 6H13C which is freaking awesome because I was actually going to pick one up because they are cheap and easily available. So score one to Bottlehead for sending these out! It looks just like the one pictured here: https://www.thetubestore.com/winged-c-6h13c-6as7g and here: http://i.imgur.com/c1JoQxU.jpg http://i.imgur.com/Pz88U52.jpg

Thanks!

[L0rdGwyn]

Hey bud - so here is an option for ya: Chatham 6520.  The 6520 is a "premium" 6AS7G only made by Tung Sol, my understanding is that Tung Sol took over Chatham and began manufacturing many of their tubes, including their 6AS7's (also the 2399, which is a 5998 equivalent).  So, that is essentially a premium-made Tung Sol 6AS7G.  I was going to pick this up myself, but I have enough power tubes, I don't need another.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/614950379/chatham-6520-vacuum-tube-copper-support?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=chatham%206520&ref=sr_gallery-1-1

Here is a tube-knowledgable Head-Fier discussing the Chatham acquisition by Tung Sol:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/for-6as7g-tube-rollers-here.410326/page-261#post-13726099

[Tom-s]

From my experience with 6080's and 6AS7G (A) tubes. The 6H13C Bottlehead shipped you with their kit is probably the best value for money found for the power tube. I prefer 6H5C and 6H13C over most 6as7g (a) tubes.
Only upgrades are Tung Sol 5998 (and others 2399, 7236, 6520) Bendix graphite plate 6080's (and 7802) and GEC 6080/6as7g (CV2523/A1834), and the premium paid for those is better spend on other "mods" for the Crack. But if you can find one for the right price (as in, cheap), these are worth it.

[JLDub]

Hey bud - so here is an option for ya: Chatham 6520.  The 6520 is a "premium" 6AS7G only made by Tung Sol, my understanding is that Tung Sol took over Chatham and began manufacturing many of their tubes, including their 6AS7's (also the 2399, which is a 5998 equivalent).  So, that is essentially a premium-made Tung Sol 6AS7G.  I was going to pick this up myself, but I have enough power tubes, I don't need another.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/614950379/chatham-6520-vacuum-tube-copper-support?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=chatham%206520&ref=sr_gallery-1-1

Here is a tube-knowledgable Head-Fier discussing the Chatham acquisition by Tung Sol:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/for-6as7g-tube-rollers-here.410326/page-261#post-13726099

WOW! See? Exactly what I'm talking about! I have rarely come across such generosity on the internet! Thanks a ton L0rdGwyn! Unfortunately I posted this and fell asleep so it looks like someone else already beat me to the punch LOL. Sucks because that would've been right up my alley. Again, thanks a lot!

I am currently checking stock with another tube dealer that seems to actually have stock at decent prices, although I'm not expecting much... probably too good to be true...

This post is what got me started and the info you were sharing about Tung-Sol/Chatham and the different models definitely lines up! https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/bottlehead-crack.120/page-3 scroll down a but for 6AS7G.

[Paul Birkeland]

Bangy Bang Tubes does not have a particularly savory reputation, I'd suggest doing some research before spending any money there.

Although these are labeled as "Stromberg Carlson", they are Tung Sol 6080s.

Tung Sol 6080s

This has one Tung Sol and one GE:
Tung Sol & GE