[wolfetan44]

Quote:

And you have K167's too... This is madness!
NOOO this is Head-Fi! had to get the spongebob joke in there lol

Anyways, just bought the Gamma2, I'm down $200 this week, looks like its timemtomsell some random household stuff XD

Thanks for ur help

And selling them.

 

[nelamvr6]

OK, the stock GE 6BZ7s are definitely improving, it seems as I listen to them!
 
Right now, after about 10 hours, the midrange has improved considerably.  But there's still quite a bit of congestion during busy passages of music.  The bass is fairly fast and punchy.  The highs have some sparkle and shimmer, so right now the only flaw I could point to is the congestion.  Unfortunately that would be enough for me to pass on these tubes.

 

[NightFlight]

Quote:

OK, the stock GE 6BZ7s are definitely improving, it seems as I listen to them!
 
Right now, after about 10 hours, the midrange has improved considerably.  But there's still quite a bit of congestion during busy passages of music.  The bass is fairly fast and punchy.  The highs have some sparkle and shimmer, so right now the only flaw I could point to is the congestion.  Unfortunately that would be enough for me to pass on these tubes.

 
10hrs ain't enough. Add 90 more. Every tube is different though. To be fair I only have 30hrs on my GEs though.  Makes me want to go back and check them out.   But I've sworn off changes until I get my socket savers.

 

[nelamvr6]

Quote:

 
10hrs ain't enough. Add 90 more. Every tube is different though. To be fair I only have 30hrs on my GEs though.  Makes me want to go back and check them out.   But I've sworn off changes until I get my socket savers.

 
 
Yeah, I'm not done with these yet.
 
And, I switched recordings, it appears that the congestion I was hearing was a bad recording.
 
I'm listening to a really nicely mastered CD right now, and it sounds pretty damn good!
 
The trouble, I do have some really nice, really old, NOS tubes just sitting there...
 
It's hard to be patient!

 

[toschek]

Go ahead and switch them out if you have nice nos sitting around. Unless you like waiting around. I'd personally burn the GEs in while I'm doing other things.

 

[DutchGFX]

How do I use the socket savers? When I go to change tubes, the socket comes out with the tube, is that supposed to happen.

 

[BobJS]

Quote:

 
 
Yeah, I'm not done with these yet.
 
And, I switched recordings, it appears that the congestion I was hearing was a bad recording.
 
I'm listening to a really nicely mastered CD right now, and it sounds pretty damn good!
 
The trouble, I do have some really nice, really old, NOS tubes just sitting there...
 
It's hard to be patient!

 
Too many variables!  Is the problem the recording?  The DAC?  Are you really experiencing tube burn-in or brain burn-in??

 

[toschek]

How do I use the socket savers? When I go to change tubes, the socket comes out with the tube, is that supposed to happen.

Its different for everyone. If yours happen to come out, then attach them to replacement tubes BEFORE you swap them in (will make the job 10x easier.)

 

[NightFlight]

Quote:

How do I use the socket savers? When I go to change tubes, the socket comes out with the tube, is that supposed to happen.

 
Which savers do you have, and how much rolling did you do before started using them?

 

[DutchGFX]

Quote:

 
Which savers do you have, and how much rolling did you do before started using them?

I got them from someone else, and not much yet, only have 2 pairs. I just want to know if thats normal for them to come out, I don't mind it

 

[nelamvr6]

Quote:

 
Too many variables!  Is the problem the recording?  The DAC?  Are you really experiencing tube burn-in or brain burn-in??

 
 
These tubes have definitely changed a LOT!  I'm going to switch in some NOS tubes here shortly, but these tubes sound a lot better now than when I first started.
 
I am as skeptical as the next guy on burn-in when it comes to a lot of things, but with respect to tubes, I am 100% convinced, the effect is real!
 
If I didn't have other tubes to try, I could see myself using these tubes indefinitely and being completely satisfied.  They are actually quite nice once they run in.
 
Don't take my word for it, try it yourself!

 

[nelamvr6]

Quote:

I got them from someone else, and not much yet, only have 2 pairs. I just want to know if thats normal for them to come out, I don't mind it

 
 
Don't worry too much, a lot of people here have reported the same thing.  It happens.  If it really bothers you you can try using something like a plastic screwdriver, something sturdy enough and NON-CONDUCTIVE to hold the savers in while you gently remover the tubes.
 
Or you can just attache the savers to the replacement tubes and put them back in.

 

[nelamvr6]

OK, I rolled in a set of NOS Amperex USN-CEP, and all I can say is WOW!!
 
These sound much better from the get go!  Detail, resolution and presence are all much improved, and that without any burn in at all!
 
Can't wait to see how these turn out!
 
And they're dead quiet, if I turn the volume all the way up with no music playing I get a very slight hum.  At normal listening levels the background is totally black!

 

[gmahler2u]

Man Why is Siemens CCa stupid expensive!!!!!  AHhhh

 

[rdaneel]

Are there any common recommendations for upgraded tubes that aren't $150+/pair?  I'd like to mess around with some tube rolling, but can't invest a lot of coin.  Nor do I know enough to hunt through the virtual bargain bins in the hope of finding something worthwhile?  Can anyone throw me a couple suggestions?  Thanks!