Tube Rolling w/Crack

Dr. Toobz · 742796

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline BondDaBoom

  • Newbie
  • *
    • Posts: 1
Reply #2295 on: March 26, 2021, 12:21:09 PM
Hi I'm new here been into audio hobby since my twenties. Started with solid state until I got my first tube amp. Recently I bought a fully loaded Crack and am loving it. I'm wondering about philips 7316 on price of $390. I won't spend that kinda money on small tube unless it really performs.

I wish I could use my Baldwin 12ax7 but I guess it requires more voltage then the Crack provides? Currently running a Baldwin 12au7 and rca 6as7g. I'm seeing if I like my Bendix 6080wb that's very euphonic vs rca which produces more bass slam.



Offline Paul Birkeland

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 19319
Reply #2296 on: March 27, 2021, 06:31:32 AM
Don't spend $390 on a tube for the Crack, that's just craziness. 

A 12AX7 has way too much gain to work well in the Crack and is overall a really bad choice.  It also would require a redesign of the circuit to get the 6080 to bias properly.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


(312)

  • Guest
Reply #2297 on: March 31, 2021, 05:57:45 AM
On the opposing end of the spending spectrum, I acquired this tube on the cheap. $10.
However, with inspection upon arrival, I'm wondering if I may have fallen victim to false advertising.
As, I am just beginning to dip my toe into the vacuum tube kiddie pool, I reach out to the community of which I now proudly roll with.

My question: A wolf in sheep's' clothing or genuine article?

My investigation has gone unfulfilled. Not that I'm put off if I was duped by a less than diligent purveyor of merchandise, my curiosity is piqued and knowledge is what I seek.
Most of the U.S. players have valves that look very similar, but it is the dimple getters that have me befuddled. Either way, it is a fine sounding tube, so no buyers remorse.

Any insight would be welcomed and appreciated.

Please and thank you.

P.S.- If I have misplaced this inquiry or erred in any way, my apologies. This is my first forum posting... ever... anywhere.



Offline Paul Birkeland

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 19319
Reply #2298 on: March 31, 2021, 06:28:28 AM
My question: A wolf in sheep's' clothing or genuine article?
It's a Sylvania 6080.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline mcandmar

  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 1599
  • Not all engineers are civil
Reply #2299 on: March 31, 2021, 07:59:55 AM
A working tube for $10, nothing to complain about there.

M.McCandless


(312)

  • Guest
Reply #2300 on: March 31, 2021, 10:52:12 AM
Hence my skepticism on it's authenticity.

Thanks PB for confirmation.

Not only functional, but quite a pleasant listen as well.



Offline Paul Birkeland

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 19319
Reply #2301 on: March 31, 2021, 10:56:11 AM
Hence my skepticism on it's authenticity.

I have never, ever, ever seen a faked 6080. 

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline Doc B.

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 9540
    • Bottlehead
Reply #2302 on: March 31, 2021, 11:50:42 AM
Me either, but I do have a really rare miniaturized 6080.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


(312)

  • Guest
Reply #2303 on: March 31, 2021, 03:14:37 PM
Maybe authenticity was a poor choice of a word. I was more curious of the possibility of a rebrand.
Knowledge gained though. Thanks.



Offline Paul Birkeland

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
    • Posts: 19319
Reply #2304 on: March 31, 2021, 03:48:58 PM
The problem is that the other tubes that would look convincingly like a Sylvania 6080 are going to be RCA, Tung Sol, etc.  It wouldn't make sense to take a $10 tube and spend the time relabeling it to look like a different $10 tube.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


(312)

  • Guest
Reply #2305 on: March 31, 2021, 05:02:31 PM
Point taken. I just couldn't find another, photo wise, that matched mine with the fabric at the base, dimple getters and different font. Just trying to get educated.
I appreciate your time.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2021, 07:00:54 PM by 312 »



Offline attmci

  • Full Member
  • ***
    • Posts: 113
Reply #2306 on: April 25, 2021, 03:52:31 PM
You need a tire I or II power tube recommended here:

https://forum.bottlehead.com/index.php?topic=663.465
 



Offline attmci

  • Full Member
  • ***
    • Posts: 113
Reply #2307 on: April 25, 2021, 03:56:51 PM
Hi I'm new here been into audio hobby since my twenties. Started with solid state until I got my first tube amp. Recently I bought a fully loaded Crack and am loving it. I'm wondering about philips 7316 on price of $390. I won't spend that kinda money on small tube unless it really performs.

I wish I could use my Baldwin 12ax7 but I guess it requires more voltage then the Crack provides? Currently running a Baldwin 12au7 and rca 6as7g. I'm seeing if I like my Bendix 6080wb that's very euphonic vs rca which produces more bass slam.
I know $$ is not a problem for you because you own WA33, Abyss 1266 and many other toys. But this is not worth the advised price.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-By-Amperex-7316-ECC186-12AU7-ECC82-NOS-NIB-Super-Rare-/164290809752

 




Offline Mucker

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
    • Posts: 367
Reply #2309 on: May 27, 2021, 03:37:01 PM
So, I built my Crack +SB in 2014 and it's always in play with my Technics SL-1200 turntables. I recently started revisiting the Bottlehead forum after experiencing some noise (hum and buzz) and wanted to see if I could eliminate it. I ended up re-flowing all the connections and added the ground diodes. I also cleaned up some of the wire runs and shortened wires where I could.

What I discovered is that the I could achieve dead silent amplifier operation when a Chatham 6080WA and and various Tung-Sol 12AU7's were installed.

The same 6080 and one of my Channel Master 6SN7GTB's produced the same dead silence.

What gave me noise was a Chatham 2399 and various 6SN7GT's (hum and buzzing). Other than the Channel Master tubes (which are excellent!), all of the 6SN7GT's (VT-231's) experienced some humming no matter what I tried to fix.

I am guessing the noisy tubes I have are less than perfect. I have a couple of pair of RCA 6AS7G's that sound great but the glass (or other) vibrates into high pitched noise. It can be eliminated with much pressure on the tube but I know that dampeners can kill the audio. It's not so annoying for listening but is clearly audible in between tracks.

Back to the Channel Master 6SN7GTB, I was able to acquire 3 of these Mullard made (Japan) tubes for $20 per tube recently and they are outstanding. I'm not sure if they are better than the Tung-Sol 12AU7 but they are at least the equivalent. I need more time with them. I bought a 6SN7 adapter from Garage 1217 and it's very nice quality. I wanted to guard the exposed solder pads and came up with a simple plastic removable sleeve. It's actually made from just a $1 sink drain pipe from home depot. It fits perfectly and looks like it's part of the tube when placed over it. Anyway, this amplifier is just amazing in performance and simplicity (and superb electrical engineering!) It's so good I am wondering if a Crackatwoa is worth upgrading to. Or an S3X for my HE-6se and Grados (I use SS amps for them).
« Last Edit: May 27, 2021, 08:15:44 PM by Mucker »