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Little Dot Mk IV SE Tube Rolling

post #1 of 68
6/8/08 at 3:20am
Thread Starter 
Hi all--

Thanks to all who have helped me get sucked into this fascinating microcosm of hi fi for one. Here's where I stand: I've got my Denon DVD-2800 DVD-A/SACD/CD feeding into a Little Dot Mk IV SE amp which is connected to my ears by a pair of V3 Darth Beyers. Yes, I love everything I'm hearing.

But...it seems there's a whole corner of the world I can explore which might open up even greater splendor: tube rolling. OK, I said it, now maybe someone can tell me what I mean (alright, I can figure out that it's swapping tubes around), and more importantly, what are some recommended tube rolls (is that good head fi speak?) for this get-up?

I'm very happy with the bass I'm getting (shouldn't be a surprise I guess). I wouldn't want to sacrifice any low end, but a little more brightness would be nice (just a little). Also, I'd like to open up the soundstage - maybe it's just the way it has to be when you've got speakers strapped to your head, but I feel like I'm getting a lot of "left ear"/"right ear"/"right in the middle of my f-ing head" without enough "wow, listen to that guy back there, or over that way, or way over that hill yonder."

I guess the last sonic quality I'd want is no less warmth... I love the temperature of the sound I've got (again, tell me when I veer off track with the attempts at elucidated jargon) ("elucidated jargon" being not-very-convincing double talk for "trying to sound smart"). The point being, is additional brightness going to come at the cost of "warmth"?

Suggestions? If so, ideas of where to find suitable tubes would be greatly appreciated as well.

Also, if anyone knows a marriage counselor who understands the fancy headphone bug, I'd appreciate a referral.

TIA

Ira
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post #2 of 68
6/8/08 at 3:54am
You my friend are in need of some 50's era Sylvania 6AK5WB's or W's. Make sure you look for the W version,or WB.....you'll get the SQ you desire and your wallet won't die of shock either.

Amperex PQ E95F are also very very good from top to bottom like the Sylvanias, but they are near impossible to find.

Tung Sol 403B are also another very good tube, as are Telefunken 6AK5's. That should get you started in the right direction. You might want to check out the LD MK III tube rolling thread since both amps can use the same types in the driver sections.

Keep spinning the tunes

Peete.
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post #3 of 68
6/8/08 at 4:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete View Post
You my friend are in need of some 50's era Sylvania 6AK5WB's or W's. Make sure you look for the W version,or WB.....you'll get the SQ you desire and your wallet won't die of shock either.

Amperex PQ E95F are also very very good from top to bottom like the Sylvanias, but they are near impossible to find.

Tung Sol 403B are also another very good tube, as are Telefunken 6AK5's. That should get you started in the right direction. You might want to check out the LD MK III tube rolling thread since both amps can use the same types in the driver sections.

Keep spinning the tunes

Peete.

Awesome-- thanks for the start! Other/concurring opinions?

Ira
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post #4 of 68
6/8/08 at 9:35am
Do you know how to change the tubes?







Because I don't and I would like to know.

Sincerely,

slightly ashamed thread-jacker
(though somewhat on topic)
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post #5 of 68
6/8/08 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by falang View Post
Do you know how to change the tubes?







Because I don't and I would like to know.

Sincerely,

slightly ashamed thread-jacker
(though somewhat on topic)
Uh, yeah...sure...I know how to change the tubes... you just dial the flux capacitator down to zero, disengage the hybrid synergy drive, and the rest pretty much takes care of itself.

Ok, I don't have a clue... I was assuming I would be able to find a thread here somewhere which explains it. Also, if you have a LD, Dave is extremely helpful and could explain it in a snap, at least for his amps.

Thanks for pointing out another one of my inadequacies (just kidding, it is something I'd need to figure out anyway)

Ira
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post #6 of 68
6/8/08 at 11:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chzplz View Post
Awesome-- thanks for the start! Other/concurring opinions?

Ira
Yes, PP is right on the money!!
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post #7 of 68
6/8/08 at 11:27am
Just remember that some of the tubes that the LD can take require you opening up the unit and changing a jumper. For example, I obtained a pair of Mullard M8161's to try, but they require a jumper change. I haven't tried them yet as I have gathered the courage to open up the unit yet....

But I do have a pair of Raytheon 6AK5W's that sound rather nice, but I prefer the M8100 so at this point I'm just using my SE with the stock tubes.
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post #8 of 68
6/8/08 at 11:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nspindel View Post
Just remember that some of the tubes that the LD can take require you opening up the unit and changing a jumper. For example, I obtained a pair of Mullard M8161's to try, but they require a jumper change. I haven't tried them yet as I have gathered the courage to open up the unit yet....

But I do have a pair of Raytheon 6AK5W's that sound rather nice, but I prefer the M8100 so at this point I'm just using my SE with the stock tubes.
Ow, hey snpindel, all you have to do is use a pair of long nosed pliers and install the jumpers through the elongated holes in the bottom of the MKIVse.
No need to open up the case. A flashlight helps a bunch too.
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post #9 of 68
6/8/08 at 3:27pm
Oh really?????????? Hmm, I think I need to go check out my M8161's!!!!

Is there any documentation on what to do?
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post #10 of 68
6/8/08 at 4:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nspindel View Post
Oh really?????????? Hmm, I think I need to go check out my M8161's!!!!

Is there any documentation on what to do?
No, but it's just like the jumpers on a computer motherboard or other computer card. Simple plastic jumper fits over two pins sticking up from the board inside the amp. Look with a flashlight, you can't miss them.
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post #11 of 68
6/8/08 at 4:23pm
Going to check it out as soon as the Yankee game is over....
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post #12 of 68
6/9/08 at 11:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Ow, hey snpindel, all you have to do is use a pair of long nosed pliers and install the jumpers through the elongated holes in the bottom of the MKIVse.
No need to open up the case. A flashlight helps a bunch too.
Are these different than the switches used to change the gain settings? That's all I recall being accessible through the slots on the bottom.

Thanks

Ira
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post #13 of 68
6/9/08 at 11:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chzplz View Post
Are these different than the switches used to change the gain settings? That's all I recall being accessible through the slots on the bottom.

Thanks

Ira
Yes. Both are accessible from those elongated holes in the bottom. You probably just didn't notice them, because the default is with the jumpers off.
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post #14 of 68
6/10/08 at 11:59pm
Thread Starter 

Newbie in need of more info re: tube rolling

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete View Post
You my friend are in need of some 50's era Sylvania 6AK5WB's or W's. Make sure you look for the W version,or WB.....you'll get the SQ you desire and your wallet won't die of shock either.
Any idea where to find these? I came across "Pair of New Jan Raytheon 6AK5W Tubes" on Ebay

PAIR OF MATCHED JAN 6AK5W TUBES - eBay (item 160117790359 end time Jul-09-08 12:33:25 PDT)

but am guessing that you wouldn't have specified Sylvania if it wasn't important, or 50's era vs. new. As a newbie to tube rolling, am I right that it's not just finding the right tube model (or whatever you call the number part of the name), but also the manuf. and vintage?

Also, is there any difference between the W and WB, and if so, is one preferred over the other?

Thanks,
Ira
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post #15 of 68
6/11/08 at 12:08am
Thread Starter 

Newbie in need of more info re: tube rolling

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete View Post
You my friend are in need of some 50's era Sylvania 6AK5WB's or W's. Make sure you look for the W version,or WB.....you'll get the SQ you desire and your wallet won't die of shock either.
Oops, also found these RCA's:

Pair of 2 RCA 5654 / 6AK5W Radio Tubes in Box - eBay (item 110258177921 end time Jun-30-08 16:14:37 PDT)


which are $40 for the pair (untested), compared to $10 for the Raytheons. Is this just typical ebay hucksterism, or is there something special about the RCA's? If I need to get an electrical engineering degree to get my Darths to sound as good as they can, I will, but I'd rather find an easier way (such as picking your brains) (or reading a faq or whatever if there is one)

Thanks again,
Ira
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