Tube Rolling w/Crack

[Deluk]

Hey guys, I'm in the process of building the Crack with Speedball and was wondering what tubes to get? I want a fast, detailed and fairly neutral sound from the amp paired with the HD650. I was considering the Tung Sol 7236 (Since the 5998 are out of my price range), Tung Sol 6AS7G or some cheaper Sovtek 6AS7G. Anyone have any input or other suggestions?
Also just double checking that the 7236 can be used with the crack without any mods needed?
Thanks

Build the Crack standard and use it for a while to get it's sound in the brain. Add Speedwell and do the same. Only then think about spending(wasting) money on oddball changes to the good and well considered stock tubes. You can seriously damage your wallet buying tubes that you might just think are better along with those that which are worse. Even the small number of tubes that get praised can vary and not give any useful improvement. Listen to the music, not the equipment. 

[odi]

Thanks guys will do. I guess I'll just try get used to the sound of it for a while. Almost finished building the standard crack so I'll be listening to it soon 

[attmci]

Build the Crack standard and use it for a while to get it's sound in the brain. Add Speedwell and do the same. Only then think about spending(wasting) money on oddball changes to the good and well considered stock tubes. You can seriously damage your wallet buying tubes that you might just think are better along with those that which are worse. Even the small number of tubes that get praised can vary and not give any useful improvement. Listen to the music, not the equipment. 

True. We need to get rid of the dac/tube amp.

[Maynard]

Hey all just got my crack out again after a while. I have a Svetlana 6h13c and an rca clear top on it. My cans are hd 650s, I feel like the sound from this tube combination is quite bright , almost etched at times, and I'm looking for a more spacious slghltly darker sound with lovely midrange, still detailed with good bass. Does anybody have suggestions as to a combination that would yield this type of sound, but does not break the bank, like a Tung sol 5998 for example.
Thanks in advance.☺️

[Doc B.]

The answer you seek is in the thread linked below:

http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=663.0

[attmci]

OK. Someone is selling hundreds of 7236 on bay. Price is very reasonable.

[rjb1101]

The "check" to see if it is the tube or the amp would be to try a different tube. You have done that. From the obvious conclusions drawn from that test, the solution to this noise issue is a simple two step process.

Step one: Put in the 6080.

Step two: Listen and enjoy.

 

I really enjoy the soundstage that the 5998 gives the crack.

1. Clean the pins.
2. Try another drive tube?

Do you have any suggestions of drive tubes that sound good with the 5998 (I don't have the speedball kit installed yet)?  I only have the 12AU7 that came with my kit.

[attmci]

I like a TS smoke glass 12au7 with the 5998. 7316 is too expensive.

[calmiswar]

Got a GEC 6080 tube today. It has a very weird start-up flash/fluorescence! Here's a quick video I shot: https://streamable.com/4kkaa.
Is this normal?

Sounds phenomenal though, beautiful sound.

[Paul Birkeland]

I see your 12AU7 doing a bit of a flash, not the 6080.  This is often referred to as "The Mullard Flash" and isn't anything abnormal.

[calmiswar]

I see your 12AU7 doing a bit of a flash, not the 6080.  This is often referred to as "The Mullard Flash" and isn't anything abnormal.

Hey, if you wait a bit longer into the video, you can see the power tube fluoresce.

[Paul Birkeland]

Oh that's strange.  I think magnesium vapor might glow that color.  Is the tube otherwise functional and quiet?  If so, I'd leave the amp on with that tube running for 7-10 days to give the getter a chance to do its job.

[Doc B.]

The pattern doesn't look like gas, so no need to worry. Looks more like electrons impinging on some fluorescent or phosphorescent material in the glass (zinc oxide, maybe?).

[calmiswar]

Thanks for the reply PB and Doc!

The tube seems to be working perfectly. I'd highly recommend the GEC 6080.

[attmci]

Thanks for the reply PB and Doc!

The tube seems to be working perfectly. I'd highly recommend the GEC 6080.