Tube Rolling w/Crack

[mcandmar]

That second one looks to have the similar construction to the Bendix Graphite Plate tubes.  What are the rest of the codes on the tubes?   Specifically is there a 280 for Raytheon, or a 125 for Bendix.

Also describe the sound, i'm wondering if its similar to the graphite plates in being very detailed sounding, but slightly lacking in the low end.

[Tom-s]

It says 280 so it's a Raytheon. And from a quick online search it looks like something between a Bendix and a Raytheon.
It uses the Raytheon plates but fused together someway. But for the rest it sure looks like the Bendix tubes with all the supports.

I'm no pro in describing sound. I like it or i don't. It has more bass than other 6080's but not the amount of the russian 6as7g. It's not as boomy as the 6as7g but it's still there, it hits full and hard when needed.
It's really detailed (compared to my other 6080's) but a funny detailed. It also brings forward detailed sounds happening further back and some sounds play around more than with other 6080's. (edit: i think holographic is the word for this) Best of my collection by far.
Using it with a Tung Sol 6f8g round plate tube for best results. It's way less holographic with other tube and the 6f8g is less holographic with other 6080's.

[Kamikaze]

Hey,

Has anyone used a 6N13P with their crack? If so, i would really like to hear some impressions.

[Dc486]

Hi everyone.

I'm brand new to this whole tube thing. I built my crack back in June and have it paired with my hd600s. I am thoroughly impressed with its sound. However I am getting the itch to do some more tinkering. I read through most of this thread and decided to order some RCA Conn Clear top 12au6 ECC82 along with a Sylvania Gold Brand 6080 vacuum tube - black plates - GB6080. I am excited as a kid on Christmas morning for them to arrive. My issue is that I am having a hard time identifying the tubes that came with my crack. The only marking on my input tube is "Japan 2B" and my power tube says "RCA radiotronelectron tube made in the USA 6313" after doing some searches online I came up with nothing on these. Does anyone have any input on what these are so I can use them as a reference for sound going forward? Thanks so much in advance!

[mcandmar]

The 12au7 could be a Hitachi, Matsushita, NEC, or Raytheon to name a few.  Post a pic and somebody might be able to identify it.

The output tube is exactly what is says, an RCA 6080 with a 1963 date code.

[malloy]

Hello,

Don't know if this has been asked before:  Is the Sovtek 6AS7G identical to the Svetlana 6AS7G? If not, what are the differences?

Thanks!

[hpjun]

Which tube would offer sub bass extension with a sub bass db boost and without sacrificing too much soundstage or details?

I still haven't done the speedball yet though.

My HD 600's are lacking a bit in bass extension.

[divadC]

Haven't done any tube rolling but adding the Speedball upgrade was significant on my build.

[borism]

I really enjoy the Crack with a 6SN7 tube using an adapter. The 6SN7 I like the best so far is the Ken-Rad VT-231 black bottle. It has a great mid range and extended bass. 

[hpjun]

I need to order a input tube 12au7 variant as I think it might be my stock tube might be a source of noise.

I like full body sound, the ones with second order harmonics and low in background noise. Need a recommendation for a tube that is good value and not too expensive.

[Tom-s]

From the NOS you never know what you'll get (tried many including name variants like 5814a and 6189w).
The new type tubes i tried were PSVANE and Genalex Gold Lion.
The Gold Lion's are my favorit by far. They're better then all my NOS tubes.
Nice defined and strong bass, airy midrange and smooth treble. Soundstage is great.
Just an easy listen.

[hpjun]

I was going to get a telefunken ecc82 but I read that there new production tubes are manufactored by JJ and not telefunken themselves. Is it okay to still get the new production tube or should I get a nos telefunken? I want to get a quality tube and I am not sure if the new production is any good. Would be good to get the opinion of someone who tried the new tubes.

I also heard a lot of the new production tubes are manufactored by the same plant in russia or china and are just rebranded.

[Doc B.]

If you want a real Telefunken made Telefunken you need to seek out an original vintage one. The "new" Mullards, Tung-Sols, Telefunkens, etc. are not the same tubes as the originals. I was advised by Oliver Archut many years ago that some of the materials and processes used in those original tubes were hazardous enough not to be allowed anymore and the new tubes are made with different materials.

[attmci]

Can we use two 6BL7 with adapter as power tube? 

You can use the 6CG7 with the Crack also.  Just separate the jumper between pins 4 and 5, then run a wire from pin 9 to whicheven pin (4 or 5) has no wire running to it.  The E80CC is another decent choice. 

As for the 6080/6AS7 variants, you really need to stay within the heater current limits, that's the key.  Tubes like the 6336 will overtax the power transformer.  I will test the 6BL7 sometime this week with my Speedball Crack and see how it lines up with the stock operating points.

[Paul Birkeland]

Can we use two 6BL7 with adapter as power tube?

I never did try the 6BL7/6BX7.  They have the same pinout as the 6080, so there isn't any need for an adapter, but rather to take voltage measurements and to calculate tube dissipation and approximate the output impedance with the BX7/BL7 (which I wouldn't expect to be as optimal as with the 6080).