Speedball or New Tubes?

[ashneel]

I've had my Stock crack for over 5 months now. I love it paired with the ODAC. Now I want to go for some upgrades.
I read about tube rolling and decided if I was to ever change my stock tubes, it would be directly 5998 TS along with some Mullards ECC82. They actually sell for $80/$40 NOS
Now this is Speedball kinda money. I can't afford both Speedball + the tubes atm.
What do you advice me, to go speedball or new tubes? Also, Can I use those tubes on the Stock without any problem?

Any advice/help would be welcome

[Paul Birkeland]

The Speedball offers an improvement in isolation from the power supply, a little more gain, and quite a reduction in measurable distortion.

Tube rolling changes the flavor of the amplifier, IMO it's a form of tone control.  I'd recommend spending $20-30 on a lot of mixed used 12AU7's on eBay to try a few flavors.  The 6080 matters a bit less in my experience. 

[Grainger49]

First, I don't own a Crack.  But... I have installed upgrade C4S circuits in two Bottlehead products, my Eros came with them.

Hands down!  You should buy the Speedball first.  Then you will know what the Crack can sound like.  After that flavor your Crack with the tubes and capacitors you prefer.

Edit: Funny, I wrote "flavor" while PB was writing.

[adamct]

I would vote for the Speedball over tubes, too...

Best regards,
Adam

[earwaxxer]

I would have to add that the expensive tubes are something I would approach with caution. I dont have that kit, but some well placed component upgrades would get you more bang for the buck.

[grufti]

Speedball