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Tube rolling recommendation for EF1?

post #1 of 317
2/11/09 at 2:40am
Thread Starter 
Any rube rolling recommendation for EF1? I read suggestions for RCA cleartop, tong son, and mullard. Could anyone detail how different tube would sound differently? Basically I want one for larger sound stage, great details and dynamic for classic, and another one for warm and enriched middle for vocals. My headphone is HD600. Thanks!
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post #2 of 317
2/11/09 at 1:42pm
sylvania (nice large soundstage) for classical. mullard for warm vocals. these are my suggestions based on akg701.
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post #3 of 317
2/11/09 at 2:23pm
I have the RCA cleartop and it's really a great tube... great, really detailed highs, and a HUGE soundstage. I'd definitely pick one up.
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post #4 of 317
2/11/09 at 2:47pm
Thread Starter 
EF1 now comes with a CONN branded Sylvania. Is that a different type of Sylvania gives no good result? Could you detail what type of Sylvania and Mullard you use? I am completely new to the tube world. Thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by theBigD View Post
sylvania (nice large soundstage) for classical. mullard for warm vocals. these are my suggestions based on akg701.
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post #5 of 317
2/11/09 at 2:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by UTF View Post
Any rube rolling recommendation for EF1? I read suggestions for RCA cleartop, tong son, and mullard. Could anyone detail how different tube would sound differently? Basically I want one for larger sound stage, great details and dynamic for classic, and another one for warm and enriched middle for vocals. My headphone is HD600. Thanks!
For details you want an Amperex 7316 made in holland. For good mids and solid bass go for a mullard short or long plate. If you would like details and a nice strong bass then a Telefunken Smooth Plate would work.

Here is a link to a Raptor tube rolling thread, your amp uses the same gain tube as a Raptor, there are tons of tube impressions in this thread as a bunch of us were rolling tubes at the same time.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/abs...7/#post4900559

www.TubeWorld.com
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post #6 of 317
2/11/09 at 11:26pm
My favorite 3 12AU7's (so far) are the Mullard CV4003, the Tung-sol Black Glass, and the Sylvania grey-plate, although I have a Sylvania black-plate coming - never heard one of these yet.
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post #7 of 317
2/11/09 at 11:43pm
skylab, how would you describe the tung sol sound with ef1? i am rocking out to janes addiction with sylvania and still can't believe the crazy wide soundstage with this tube!
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post #8 of 317
2/12/09 at 12:02am
The Sylvania is a great sounding tube - an underrated 12AU7 IMO. But the black-glass Tung-Sol has an even more vivid midrange presentation - it's almost astonishing. It also has an amazingly tight, detailed bass.
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post #9 of 317
2/12/09 at 12:12am
Oh GREAT another tube I will have to try and track down. this amp was supposed to be inexpensive. but now ive got earth, moon and sun modules comming to try in place of stock op-amp. tell me when does the madness end!
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post #10 of 317
2/12/09 at 12:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab View Post
The Sylvania is a great sounding tube - an underrated 12AU7 IMO. But the black-glass Tung-Sol has an even more vivid midrange presentation - it's almost astonishing. It also has an amazingly tight, detailed bass.
Tung-sol or Raytheon?

EDIT: I see Tung-sol does have one, sorry.
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post #11 of 317
2/12/09 at 1:24am
Thread Starter 
Thanks all of you for recommendations. Just find some of these named tubes are quite expensive and some are rare. So how about "regular" tung sol (not black glass) compared to Sylvania grey plate and RCA cleartop (side getter)? And how about late 1960s IEC Mullard (didn't find CV4003 mullard)?
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post #12 of 317
2/12/09 at 3:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by UTF View Post
Thanks all of you for recommendations. Just find some of these named tubes are quite expensive and some are rare. So how about "regular" tung sol (not black glass) compared to Sylvania grey plate and RCA cleartop (side getter)? And how about late 1960s IEC Mullard (didn't find CV4003 mullard)?
Give us a price range so we can look around for you, and do you have a link for the Mullard? The clear top is very bright and harsh, it will just make your tube amp sound exactly like a solid state amp.
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post #13 of 317
2/12/09 at 7:52am
I don't tube roll for the EF 1 because it's just my side amp for the bedroom but I stick to Sylvania because I'm happy with it. Plus it was dirt cheap when I paid for it on ebay (I paid about $10 for 6 tubes) I also have an RCA clear top which is also a good tube but I just have it lying around just as a back up spare.
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post #14 of 317
2/12/09 at 11:52am
Thread Starter 
Thanks, olblueyez! I want to start with something under 20$. On this site:
12AU7 Tubes in Stock, there are some 32$ 12AU7 Mullard, Great Britain, which are probably the maximum I want to spend now, and there are also tung sol, clear top, and Sylvania blackplate right within my budget. Anything to pick there?

And how about these two on ebay?
Amperex 12AU7 ECC82 Guitar Amp Radio Tube NOS MINT 1966 - eBay (item 160315471296 end time Feb-21-09 21:57:52 PST) Is this the Amperex you recommended?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=320338628736 Is it better (or necessary) to buy NOS tube?

Again, thank you all for helping me with the tube selection.
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post #15 of 317
2/12/09 at 12:23pm
12AU7 Mullard, Great Britain = Rich mids and very smooth and warm

I took my Amperex 7316 out of the box and everything I see in the eBay add you linked too indicates that it matches my 7316 (military ruggedized ECC82) and that I think would be perfect for your classical music.

Damn, you did well choosing, the Mullard you picked and the Amprex should compliment each other well. Pull the trigger.
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