Tube Rolling w/Crack

[Colonl_Charisma]

Thanks guys! If I re-wire my Crack for a 6FQ7 tube, does that mean I wouldn’t have to use an adapter for 6SN7 tubes in the future?

[Thermioniclife]

You are always going to need an adaptor of some sort because the 6sn7 is an 8 pin tube that fits in an octal socket and the 6fq7 and 7au7 are 9 pin tubes that fits in a noval socket.

[2wo]

No, if you make the heater wireing change you will not need an adapter...John

[Mucker]

I enjoy the 6SN7 variants very much, but I also love the Tung Sol 12AU7. Both are outstanding tube types. The garage adapter works perfectly and keeps the original design intact. However, I am all for the "have it your way" option if that is what you desire. That is the best thing about Bottlehead engineering. Solid if left as is with the flexibility to do many customization's to the electronics and chassis. Win, win. 

[Colonl_Charisma]

I appreciate all the help! Before I start re-wiring, I will check out the Tung Sol 12AU7. They are pretty cheap on eBay.

[Mucker]

I appreciate all the help! Before I start re-wiring, I will check out the Tung Sol 12AU7. They are pretty cheap on eBay.

I REALLY like that tube. Try to get a NOS tube or at least one with matching sides. Made in USA tube and not the reissue ones although I hear the reissues are not bad at all. The NOS may be slightly higher in price but I think they are worth it.

Something like these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143923491451?hash=item218282327b:g:Z1IAAOSwNjxgCGAP

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353519882921?hash=item524f6d52a9:g:HN0AAOSwUTxgt-pP

Enjoy!

[Colonl_Charisma]

Thanks, Mucker! I picked up one of the NOS versions, and I appreciate the links. Excited to try out the Tung Sol 12AU7.

[Mucker]

Awesome, I hope you enjoy it!

[watonwak]

Did i just get a great deal? i won an ebay auction that included what i think are 2 Philips branded Mullard 6080's along with 2 Thomson 6080WA for under £10 delivered
Do these look legit? the mullards seem to go for £100-£200 each online

[Paul Birkeland]

There have been a ton of complaints about the Thomson 6080s being sold on eBay, so I would temper your expectations a little bit until you receive the tubes and try them out.

[watonwak]

any tips for spotting fakes?

[Paul Birkeland]

They are not fakes, but rather they don't seem to work properly and were possibly intended to be discarded when they were manufactured, but made it out of the plant somehow.

[Colonl_Charisma]

I'm enjoying the Tung Sol 12AU7! I had been using the 6SN7 for so long that I forgot how quiet the Crack is. I always had some tube noises with the 6SN7, but I cannot even tell that the Crack is turned on with a 12AU7 in with no music playing haha.

[Mucker]

I'm enjoying the Tung Sol 12AU7! I had been using the 6SN7 for so long that I forgot how quiet the Crack is. I always had some tube noises with the 6SN7, but I cannot even tell that the Crack is turned on with a 12AU7 in with no music playing haha.

That's really great feedback and my experience as well. I could only get certain 6SN7's to be quiet when using 6080 tubes. With a 5998 all of the 6SN7 I tried have some hum, and some more than others.

However, the 12AU7 was always quiet, and the Tung Sol really performed well. I do like the 6SN7GT Channel Master tall tube with a Chatham 5998 but if I throw the TS 12AU7 in there, I am equally happy. Just great tubes both of them. Glad to hear it is working out for you!

[Mucker]

They are not fakes, but rather they don't seem to work properly and were possibly intended to be discarded when they were manufactured, but made it out of the plant somehow.

Very interesting! I purchased a pair of these Thompson's from "Tube Maze Store" on eBay and they turned out to be be complete garbage after a few hours use. They actually sounded very good in my Woo WA2 until they just outright quit with no signs of trying to fight death. I could never get them to work in the Crack. I could hear audio but it was whisper quiet. They are quite an attractive buy because they do sound pretty good but I would never again buy them because of their wretched history.