Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Legacy Kit Products => Reduction => Topic started by: rbc3 on February 27, 2015, 10:20:28 AM

Title: Tube rolling on Reduction?
Post by: rbc3 on February 27, 2015, 10:20:28 AM

I just bought a Mainline today, but I'm considering building a Reduction.  What are people's thoughts on tube rolling?  I have these matched pairs of tubes.

'70/'71 6N23P Reflector (Russian)
'79 6N23P Voskhod "Rocket" (Russian)
6922 Philips (USA)
ECC88 Amperex "Orange Shield" PQ (Holland)

I'm just wondering if these would make much of a difference in sound and noise floor.

-Robert

Title: Re: Tube rolling on Reduction?
Post by: Paul Birkeland on February 27, 2015, 10:22:32 AM

The Amperex tubes ought to be really nice.  We generally supply either Reflector or Voskhod tubes with the Reduction.  I think both of those tend to sound a bit better than the average green/blue print specimens from the US.

-PB

Title: Re: Tube rolling on Reduction?
Post by: rbc3 on February 27, 2015, 12:04:03 PM

Thank you for the speedy response.  Based on your response on the Eros list, It seems that the tube rolling in the Eros has a greater impact than in the Reduction.  Is that a fair statement?

-Robert

Title: Re: Tube rolling on Reduction?
Post by: Paul Birkeland on February 27, 2015, 04:37:33 PM

The Eros is quite a bit more resolving and transparent, and I believe the direct coupling and increase in parts and design quality will allow one to better hear the differences between tubes. (other than the 12BH7 of course)

Title: Re: Tube rolling on Reduction?
Post by: rbc3 on February 28, 2015, 01:15:22 PM

I had never thought about it that way, but now that you've stated it.  It makes perfect sense.  The amp that's more resolving and transparent is better suited to reveal the sonic differences between tubes.