Tube Rolling w/Crack

Dr. Toobz · 1225518

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Offline Adelz

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Reply #1035 on: January 15, 2015, 01:01:49 PM
I recently finished my Crack and want to try out some other tubes. What are the most reliable places to buy tubes online? Also, would something like a 5814A and 5998A be a good start? Having no experience with tube amps other than the Crack, I feel a little in the dark regarding how much of a difference I can expect from different tubes and what a reasonable amount to spend on a tube is (there appears to be a huge price range for seemingly similar tubes).


Offline Nathan

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Reply #1036 on: January 15, 2015, 01:10:44 PM
Quote from: Rocketman248 on January 15, 2015, 12:38:35 AM
Built the Crack about two weeks ago.  Went shopping in Tokyo today, and picked up a few goodies.  My first foray into tube rolling.

I have a 6as7ga- it's a very good tube!

Crack/Speedball, SEX 2.1/C4S, Bryston BHA-1

Sennheiser HD600/Cardas cable, Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Gen, Hifimam HE560/Hifiman balanced cable

Offline wullymc

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Reply #1037 on: January 15, 2015, 03:16:55 PM
Quote from: Adelz on January 15, 2015, 01:01:49 PM
I recently finished my Crack and want to try out some other tubes. What are the most reliable places to buy tubes online? Also, would something like a 5814A and 5998A be a good start? Having no experience with tube amps other than the Crack, I feel a little in the dark regarding how much of a difference I can expect from different tubes and what a reasonable amount to spend on a tube is (there appears to be a huge price range for seemingly similar tubes).

I have purchased tubes from vacuumtubes.net and would recommend them.  i believe they currently have the 5998 for $85.  it might sound expensive but look at the prices of 300Bs!  You might receive a 2399 instead of a 5998 but they are the same.    I have other tubes and would recommend not to buy a lot to try instead put the money towards a 5998.  As for the 12au7 tubes it depends on what you like and the type of headphones you will be using!

Enjoy the process.  It is extremely fun and satisfying!....Dave

Dave
Project RPM5.1 with 2M Bronze/Graham Slee Era Gold V/Quickie with PJCSS/Paramount 1.1 300B/Woden Valiant

ODAC/Crack/DT880 600ohm

Current Project:  Beepre!!!

Offline borism

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Reply #1038 on: January 15, 2015, 03:58:12 PM
The 12au7s I like the most so far in my crack/SB are the Mullard (CV4003 - military version) and the Radiotechnique (French military version) that I obtained from Upscale Audio. I have found Upscale to be a very reliable tube seller.
I also use the 5998 (actually 2399) and the Russian "winged C" 6H13C.

Boris

Offline russell_janab

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Reply #1039 on: January 15, 2015, 07:54:37 PM
Just got my russian winged C 6H13C and Gold Lion ECC82 ...man what can I say. The sound stage feels much wider, the base tighter and it is extremely neutral with an added clarity.
I added a dedicated DAC (Schiit Modi) instead of the Fiio E10 I was using and I have to say it feels cleaner. Only problem is prying myself away from the music :)

Thinking about ordering the 5998 from vacuumtubes.net

I highly recommend thetubestore.com, they are Canadian. Tubes arrived 2 days after I ordered them.
« Last Edit: January 15, 2015, 08:11:48 PM by russell_janab »


Offline russell_janab

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Reply #1040 on: January 15, 2015, 08:24:24 PM
Quote from: Rocketman248 on January 15, 2015, 12:38:35 AM
Built the Crack about two weeks ago.  Went shopping in Tokyo today, and picked up a few goodies.  My first foray into tube rolling.

Love that modi in the background ;)


Offline Jimb0

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Reply #1041 on: January 15, 2015, 08:29:31 PM
Quote from: Adelz on January 15, 2015, 01:01:49 PM
I recently finished my Crack and want to try out some other tubes. What are the most reliable places to buy tubes online? Also, would something like a 5814A and 5998A be a good start? Having no experience with tube amps other than the Crack, I feel a little in the dark regarding how much of a difference I can expect from different tubes and what a reasonable amount to spend on a tube is (there appears to be a huge price range for seemingly similar tubes).

Hi Adelz,

Yes those are actually some great tubes. Try the Tung Sol 5998's from vacuumtubes.net for $85 (Cheapest price online) and the CBS "JHY" Hytron 5814a. You will be wowed by the combination.

I actually have a question to you CBS Hytron 5814a owners. Is there a difference between the newer JHY version and the vintage one?

Here are two links to the new one and the old one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-CBS-HYTRON-JHY-5814a-BEST-12AU7-Made-Blk-Plt-D-Getter-Vacuum-Tubes-8-V54-/231451459914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e395014a

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-CBS-Hytron-JHY-5814-12au7-ECC82-BLACK-plates-tube-Test-NOS-/171631998987?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item27f610780b

I'm curious to know if they will provide a different sound as they look very similar with flat black plates and "D" getter.

Thanks!


Offline Jimb0

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Reply #1042 on: January 15, 2015, 08:32:15 PM
Quote from: russell_janab on January 15, 2015, 07:54:37 PM
Just got my russian winged C 6H13C and Gold Lion ECC82 ...man what can I say. The sound stage feels much wider, the base tighter and it is extremely neutral with an added clarity.
I added a dedicated DAC (Schiit Modi) instead of the Fiio E10 I was using and I have to say it feels cleaner. Only problem is prying myself away from the music :)

Thinking about ordering the 5998 from vacuumtubes.net

I highly recommend thetubestore.com, they are Canadian. Tubes arrived 2 days after I ordered them.

Those are two tubes I've never heard about. How can you compare them with the more mainstream ones like the Mullard, Bugle Boys 12au7's or the CBS/Hytron's 5814a's?

I know that feeling. The Crack made my cans sound so good I am rooted to them for good :D



Offline russell_janab

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Reply #1043 on: January 16, 2015, 07:25:38 AM
Hey Jimbo,
The combination is great. I highly recommend the Gold Lion ECC82, it is a bit pricey ($43) but the base seems very clean and tight, the stage much wider,  the sound feels more immersing with more neutrality and detail. I listen to Jazz, blues and progressive trance. I am excited to try it with 5998


Offline Rocketman248

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Reply #1044 on: January 16, 2015, 11:24:59 AM
So, I'm not going to lie.  I honestly thought that tube rolling was going to be a whole lot of smoke, mirrors, and snake oil.  I didn't think that there would be an appreciable difference in sound, especially to my untrained, non-audiophile ears.  I'm happy to report that I was wrong.  First thing I did when I got back from buying those tubes was listen to the stock tubes for about an hour, listening to a variety of genres.  Then I let it cool down and popped in the RCA 5814A.  There was an immediate boost in the bass, and a nice boost in the overall body of the sound.  I spent another hour listening to the same genres, and I was loving what I was hearing.  Then I put the GE 6AS7GA in and it tamed some of the boominess, and tightened everything up.  All of this was initial improvements.  Now I'll have to see if the whole burn-in thing exists.  :)

Nick DeBrita
Yokosuka, Japan

Offline Adrian

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Reply #1045 on: January 16, 2015, 12:30:05 PM
I got a wonderfully sounding Mullard CV4003 from Upscale Audio:
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/all-products/

Adrian C.

VPI Prime w/Ortofon Quintet Black MC/Rothwell MCL Lundahl SUT/EROS/Submissive (3 output mod)/Mainline/Crack - Speedball/S.E.X. 2.1 - C4S/S.E.X. 3.0 - C4S/Paramounts - Blumenstein 2.2 Mini-Max w/DOF mod -Senn HD600/Viso HP50/Focal Elear.

Offline Adelz

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Reply #1046 on: January 16, 2015, 02:42:18 PM
Hey, thanks for all of the advice. I think I'm going to go with the Tung Sol 5998 available on vacuumtubes.net and either the CBS Hytron 5814A or Mullard CV4003. How do those two input tubes compare?


Offline denti alligator

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Reply #1047 on: January 17, 2015, 03:55:06 PM
Alright, so my Crack isn't even fully built yet, but I'm curious about cheap options for tube rolling. I have HD600s with Cardas cable. My kit came with RCA 6080 and a 12AU7 I can't identify (it has a sticker with 97/97 on it). I can't spend much, but would like to know what's out there in the budget price range that would complement my HD600s. I listen to all genres.

- Sam

Rega P3-24 (w/AT 150MLX) w/Groovetracer upgrades / Eros II / FLAC >J.River >DSD256 >Gustard X20 / Moreplay > Stereomour II / Klipsch Forte II w/Crites upgrades / C4S S.E.X. 2.0 +Nickel MQ Iron / Speedball Crack / Sennheiser HD600 w/Cardas cable

Offline wullymc

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Reply #1048 on: January 18, 2015, 01:53:54 AM
I would go with a 5998 tube for $85.....or if that is too much an RCA 6AS7G but the 5998 is much better.

A lot of people go with an RCA Clear Top 12AU7 that have the HD 600 AND hd650 to lift the veil.

try a bunch and see what you think.

...Dave

Dave
Project RPM5.1 with 2M Bronze/Graham Slee Era Gold V/Quickie with PJCSS/Paramount 1.1 300B/Woden Valiant

ODAC/Crack/DT880 600ohm

Current Project:  Beepre!!!

Offline InXcesS

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Reply #1049 on: January 18, 2015, 11:33:41 AM
Has anyone ever bought from vacuumtubes.net? I filled in an order form for a 5998 but it just leads to a confirmation page but nothing else, they didn't take payment details or send an email to confirm, should I be waiting for something?


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