Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Eros Phono => Topic started by: Tom228 on August 26, 2013, 03:57:31 PM

Title: Noise issue / tube replacements?
Post by: Tom228 on August 26, 2013, 03:57:31 PM

Hi all!

I've gotten a good, solid 50 or so hours on the Eros.  Let me say, I love the noise it makes!  Things sound fantastic.  Though, I have a couple of questions.

First, when the record player is off, and I have the volume up much at all, it sounds like a fan is blowing.  At low volume levels I hear nothing.  But say I'd been cranking some AC/DC and I go to swap the record, I can hear said fan blowing noise.  Is this normal?

Also, the big Hamfest is coming up this weekend.  I know there's a huge thread here on tube replacements.  But it is kinda hard to parse it.  What tubes could I be on the look out for that would be drop-in replacements?  Would I only replace the x79 tubes?  All of them?  None of them?

Title: Re: Noise issue / tube replacements?
Post by: Grainger49 on August 27, 2013, 12:18:01 PM

I have a thread of the equivalent drop in tube numbers.  It doesn't say which sounds better or which manufacturer is best.  It will give you the numbers for drop in replacements.  Search for "Eros Tube Equivalents."

Title: Re: Noise issue / tube replacements?
Post by: johnsonad on August 27, 2013, 01:03:43 PM

If at ham fest, keep an eye out for telefunken EF86's/ EF806S and old Amperex bugle boy 6dj8/6922/7308. They shouldn't be too hard to come by and were common in the old tek scopes (at least the 6dj8's were). I use this combo or something close to it in my Eros and Tube Phono and am quite happy with it.

You will have some tube rush at high volumes but it should be quiet at listening volumes.

Title: Re: Noise issue / tube replacements?
Post by: Tom228 on August 27, 2013, 02:33:59 PM

Thanks guys.

JohnsonAD - Which tubes go where?

Title: Re: Noise issue / tube replacements?
Post by: johnsonad on August 27, 2013, 04:14:40 PM

Ef86 on the outside tubes (replaces the EH's that that came with it) and a 6dj8/6922/7308 in the middle.

Title: Re: Noise issue / tube replacements?
Post by: Tom228 on August 28, 2013, 11:56:16 AM

Quote from: johnsonad on August 27, 2013, 04:14:40 PM

Ef86 on the outside tubes (replaces the EH's that that came with it) and a 6dj8/6922/7308 in the middle.

Thanks!  What would be good prices on these tubes?

Title: Re: Noise issue / tube replacements?
Post by: johnsonad on August 28, 2013, 02:39:03 PM

It's HAM fest! It could be pennies or hundreds! It takes a keen eye and not coming off as an audio only guy to score. You need to know what you are looking for but I've scored some great tubes from the HAM community.

Title: Re: Noise issue / tube replacements?
Post by: Tom228 on August 29, 2013, 03:48:41 AM

Quote from: johnsonad on August 28, 2013, 02:39:03 PM

It's HAM fest! It could be pennies or hundreds! It takes a keen eye and not coming off as an audio only guy to score. You need to know what you are looking for but I've scored some great tubes from the HAM community.

Understood.  (My first hamfest was in 1990, I go yearly and am an Extra class license holder :*) ).  What I'm asking is - what is a reasonable price range to pay for the tubes you listed?  I have no clue what those prices should be since I've not had a lot of time to research the subject.  Is $20 too much?  $100?  Where does the ripoff line start?