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List Your RSA B52 Tubes

post #1 of 74
8/19/08 at 2:46am
Thread Starter 
just thought i would try to round up all the RSA B52 owners and get them to list what tubes - other than stock - they have used and are using in their RSA B52. i have a full set of NOS tubes, but have to check to see what they are.

i found these posts to start us off. please post tubes, impressions, comparisons - anything useful.

thanks


Quote:
Originally Posted by earwicker7 View Post
I've found output tube nirvana for my Ray Samuels B-52! It had four Phillips 5687s. Honestly, it sounded awesome, but you know audiophiles... if there were even a slim chance of improvement, I'd go for it as long as it's not super pricey. I was told by quite a few people that the Phillips were considered average at best (Ray has to buy in bulk, so he has to go with people who can supply him with a thousand tubes at a time... not good for cherry picking).

So, I purchased a matched quad of 1960s RCA bronzeplates from Brent Jessee. The difference is unbelievable. I was expecting subtle, but it's not. With the Phillips, you had to turn the amp up fairly loud to make my HD650s hit their "sweet spot." I just assumed that this was the cans and not the amp. However, the RCAs only had to be turned up about half way to hit the spot. Because the volume is much lower, not as many details are "drowned out." It also now sounds as close to analog as I've heard.

Anyway, if any of you guys are B-52 owners, I'd highly suggest you give these tubes a listen.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigEat View Post
I'm not exactly a "tube roller" but I just replaced the tube compliment that came with my RS B-52 with higher grade Tung-Sols and holy crap what a difference. The new tubes really increased the gain and provided an even more smooth presentation over the range. If anything these tubes are a bit brighter than the previous set. Anyone have any similar experience with Tung-Sol, RCA (new old stock) etc.?

I'm amazed.

Quote:
Originally Posted by shaizada View Post
PS:- I rolled in some Amperex 7062 in place of the already excellent sounding stock 12AU7 tubes. The 3D soundstage exploded and is the reason behind my trembling hands and racing thoughts about the amp.
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post #2 of 74
8/19/08 at 7:03pm
I also had some Tung-Sols put in the pre-amp section.
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post #3 of 74
8/19/08 at 7:06pm
So you finally gave in to the need to have something which glows.

Based on your experience so far, is the B52 a big improvement in SQ over the Apache?
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post #4 of 74
8/19/08 at 9:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ctemkin View Post
So you finally gave in to the need to have something which glows.

Based on your experience so far, is the B52 a big improvement in SQ over the Apache?
it is a noticeable upgrade. tubes are nice
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post #5 of 74
8/20/08 at 7:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vcoheda View Post
it is a noticeable upgrade. tubes are nice


ugh.... i remember i read it somewhere that, the Apache is 95% of a b52.....ugh.....
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post #6 of 74
8/23/08 at 1:55am
Thread Starter 
i checked my tubes.

i'm using Mullard 12AU7s in the gain position and Jan Raytheon 5687s for the drivers. the former are a matched pair. the latter are a matched quad.

question: which tubes will affect the sound more - the gain or the drivers, or both equally?
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post #7 of 74
8/24/08 at 9:46pm
Thread Starter 
just ordered a pair of 12AU7A RCA Clear Tops. Supposed to be one of the best 12AU7s around.

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post #8 of 74
8/24/08 at 9:53pm
Tung Sols in pre-amp and
GE 5 star in the headphone stage
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post #9 of 74
8/25/08 at 12:26am
Thread Starter 
just went through all my tubes. here they are:

B52 tubes
- 2 12AY7 JAN Sylvania (input)
- 2 12AU7 RCA Clear Top (input)
- 2 CV4003 Mullard Military Box Plate (input)
- 2 RCA 5693 (preamp)
- 2 CV4004 Mullard Military Box Plate (preamp)
- 4 5687 WB JAN Philips ECG (driver)
- 4 5687 WB Tungsol branded Raytheon, 1950s (driver)
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post #10 of 74
8/26/08 at 5:28pm
so which ones did you like the best?
I'm trying to find a 12au7 or substitute that I could possibly like better than my 7062 Amperex, especially in the preamp section for my speaker setup.
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post #11 of 74
8/26/08 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by shaizada View Post
so which ones did you like the best?
I'm trying to find a 12au7 or substitute that I could possibly like better than my 7062 Amperex, especially in the preamp section for my speaker setup.
not sure.

i found this neat little chart on tubeworld though.

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post #12 of 74
8/26/08 at 7:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vcoheda View Post
just went through all my tubes. here they are:

B52 tubes
- 2 12AY7 JAN Sylvania (input)
- 2 12AU7 RCA Clear Top (input)
- 2 CV4003 Mullard Military Box Plate (input)
- 2 RCA 5693 (preamp)
- 2 CV4004 Mullard Military Box Plate (preamp)
- 4 5687 WB JAN Philips ECG (driver)
- 4 5687 WB Tungsol branded Raytheon, 1950s (driver)


Usually, the stage that amplifies the signal the most will make the greater difference. In this case that would be the 12AU7. You should try a 5814A which will sub for the 12AU7. The early Hytron and Raytheon 2 mica, D getter 5814s are very good.

If you really want to improve the amp see if the amp can handle the extra heater current demands of the 12BH7A. The 12BH7A is a much better tube than any 12au7 I have used in my SP or modded Doge amps.
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post #13 of 74
8/26/08 at 7:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shaizada View Post
so which ones did you like the best?
I'm trying to find a 12au7 or substitute that I could possibly like better than my 7062 Amperex, especially in the preamp section for my speaker setup.

I highly doubt you wil find any 12AU7 that will match the Amperex 7062, maybe the 12BH7A ,if the amp can handle the added heater current draw.
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post #14 of 74
8/26/08 at 7:34pm
Thread Starter 
^^^

thanks for the info. will look into it.
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post #15 of 74
8/27/08 at 2:56am
sacd lover,

I have to say that in all my readings of your post, I've always come away impressed with your thorough knowledge of tubes. Thanks for sharing your thoughts in this matter.

~Gaurav
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