Tube Rolling w/Crack

[Paul Birkeland]

Any thoughts

The seller was very honest!

[hdtv00]

I know right , how ugly is that thing haha. But long as it's good and test ok when I get it. I'll be happy at $197.50. If I can't hear any difference between my 5998's I'll just resell it on ebay for same amount and call it a day. But this way I'll at least figure I'll know first hand. That's what I been about lately first hand knowing. Got a real amp with the crack, got real tubes letting it all go. And if in the end I don't feel it's something special I'll sell it all for little loss and pass it on to the next guy.

I'm just getting older and feel I had to know....you all feel me.

[AllanMarcus]

Got my unassembled (used) crack today, and I learned my first lesson the hard way. When unpacking I managed to let the power tube slip out, and boom crash, no more tube. :-(

Anyone have an extra 6080 they are willing to sell? Or a pointer to an inexpensive purchase?

Also, what do all the letters and numbers the tube mean? There's:

U.S.N.
CRC-6080-WA
57-30

If I want to search for a replacement tube, which of these digits is relevant? Is there a good web page that explains the lettering/numbering on tubes?

Many thanks,

Allan

[mcandmar]

6080 is only part you need to worry about, the model designation of the tube.  You can also use a 6AS7G in place.

FYI the U.S.N. is the marking for US Navy, CRC is the designation for RCA, and the -WA signifies the tube is a ruggedized version, or tested to military spec.  Finally the 57-30 is a production code or date of manufacture. I assume 30th week of 1957.

[Rocketman248]

I've had good experiences with buying tubes on ebay.  You can find 6080 tubes for pretty cheap.  And as an added bonus, now is a perfect time to start looking at tube rolling!

[AllanMarcus]

I've had good experiences with buying tubes on ebay.  You can find 6080 tubes for pretty cheap.  And as an added bonus, now is a perfect time to start looking at tube rolling!

My first experience with tube rolling wasn't good. The tube rolled right off the table!

[Rocketman248]

My first experience with tube rolling wasn't good. The tube rolled right off the table!

Ha!  Well played, sir.

[hdtv00]

I was thinking of getting this one to try out for myself but since you're had issues I'll let you get it. Watch out tube watching on ebay is addictive as the great sound of the crack with right tubes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261807233997?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I thought about this one too just cause they're basically giving it away at that price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231188557398?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&var=530402754716&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thought about these too just cause I'm curious.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171730026130?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Anyway there ya go some options from my own watchlist. I didn't link any high cost ones. There are probably even cheapers ones on ebay just search 6080 and you'll see lots.

[mcandmar]

Some nice options there, both the 1st and last options are good deals.  The 2nd one isnt anything special so i would pass on that one, though its a shame the Sylvania Gold brand is sold (#6) as it was a nice tube, especially at that price.  The seller is a nice guy too (Walt), he favors sales volume over markup so his prices are always very reasonable, and always more than happy to test/match tubes if you ask him too.

[AllanMarcus]

thanks for the advice. I will probably get the cheap one just until I get the amp working and can establish a baseline. Stupid gravity.

[hdtv00]

Ok so I think I better calm down. But do you guys think I did good deal wise on what I gathered so far? As much as I've gotten carried away I at least hope I got good deals. I tried to do good and not do something stupid. I read this read entirely and tried to make good right choices for fair prices. The prices listed is for that group of tubes.

1 Tung Sol came with my crack when I bought it on head fi
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2 Mullard CV4003 cryo treated $240
1 Telefunken rib plate
1 Telefunken smooth plate
1 Mullard 12AU7 1950 blackburn factory

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Tung Sol 5998 (1961)  $120
1 Sylvania 6080WB
1 FAA? 6AS7G
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Electric 421A  $197.50
Both triodes on this one test identical at 120% of spec
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tung Sol 5998 322451-3  $30.00
40 is Minimum
Tube Tests 54-52
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telefunken rib plate  $41.50
  Min good is 56.  NOS is 88 tested 102/107 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Amperex Orange Globe 12AU7A Tube; Min good is 56. NOS is 88 tested 95/93   $28.50

[JamieMcC]

Ok so I think I better calm down. But do you guys think I did good deal wise on what I gathered so far? As much as I've gotten carried away I at least hope I got good deals. I tried to do good and not do something stupid. I read this read entirely and tried to make good right choices for fair prices. The prices listed is for that group of tubes.

1 Tung Sol came with my crack when I bought it on head fi
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2 Mullard CV4003 cryo treated $240
1 Telefunken rib plate
1 Telefunken smooth plate
1 Mullard 12AU7 1950 blackburn factory

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Tung Sol 5998 (1961)  $120
1 Sylvania 6080WB
1 FAA? 6AS7G
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Electric 421A  $197.50
Both triodes on this one test identical at 120% of spec
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tung Sol 5998 322451-3  $30.00
40 is Minimum
Tube Tests 54-52
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telefunken rib plate  $41.50
  Min good is 56.  NOS is 88 tested 102/107 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Amperex Orange Globe 12AU7A Tube; Min good is 56. NOS is 88 tested 95/93   $28.50

You certainly went to town with such a collection I suspect you will be able to easily narrow down what suits your personal preferences weeding out and recouping some of your costs selling those that don't.

[hjc]

Genalex Gold Lion 12AU7 (current production from Russia)

I couldn't find anyone else mentioning this tube so I thought I'd write a few words about it. (edit - I only searched for Genalex, but I see Koop likes this tube also). This is the first tube I've rolled into my new Crack with Speedball. Here in Australia the Genalex costs almost twice as much as other current production 12AU7s but is still a cheap and as it turns out, very worthwhile upgrade.

Initially I build the Crack as we are supposed to, without the speedball. I was quite happy with the RCA clear-top that came with my kit but I commented to a fellow Crack owner that while I loved the sound it lacked the detail and resolution of my WA6 (with 6DR7s or 6SN7s), he assured me the Speedball would change that. He was right, although I felt the WA6 still edged out the Crack slightly for detail, while the Crack won with midrange and bass.

The Genalex 12AU7 had a huge impact on the Crack's sound, it slightly tightened the bass and added much more resolution. I'm used to 'detail and resolution' often equating to 'reduced bass' but that's not the case with this tube. It feels well rounded in every area. In the past I've had to do the usual burn-in with different tubes but the Genalex sounded great from the start, and slightly improved after about 10 hours of use.

The Crack is my main amp now and stays at home while the Woo is relegated to the office desk. Don't get me wrong, the WA6 is a fine amp - and I know people keep saying this but I'll join in - I can't believe how good the Crack-Speedball sounds. Something I built has no right to sound this good! I'm so happy with the new Genalex I probably won't think about another tube for at least a week

To keep things in perspective, headphones are T1s and source is a Schiit Gungnir, I listen to all sorts of music but mostly Classical and acoustic Jazz.

cheers Howard

[Maxhawk]

Something that would have been cool when I started is a set of tubes that could be passed around for auditioning. I don't mind paying for something that I like the sound of, but it gets expensive to tube roll when the desirable tubes demand a premium. I've spent at least $500 so far on tubes over the last 2 months and now have my favorites which total about $200 (5998, GB6080, 6080WB graphite, T-S 5687, Syl 12BH7, CBS-Hytron 5814WA).

Extra tubes that I'm no longer listening to: RCA clear top, RCA long black plate, CV4003, Sylvania 12AU7, Westinghouse 12AU7, RCA12BH7, Tungsram E80CC, GE 5814, CV2984, GE 6080, RCA 6AS7G.

I wouldn't be adverse to sending out my unused tubes knowing that they will come back. One way to guarantee their return would be to take a deposit which would be refunded upon return of the tubes. One risk I'd have to deal with is tube failure when not in my possession.

Thoughts on this?

[fullheadofnothing]

Please take this opportunity to re-familiarize yourself with the rules of this forum:

http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=3.0