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recommend a great sounding input tube...

post #1 of 16
Thread Starter 
I currently have a Xiang Sheng 708 (www.nysound.com) that came with a cheapo 6N3 input tube and I want to replace it with a high quality good sounding tube. My options are 6N3, WE396A or a 5670. I will be using this with 2 Amperex ECC88 orange labels (thanks Chris). I use Senn HD650s with this amp and listen mostly to rock and roll.

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post #2 of 16
Thread Starter 
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post #3 of 16
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post #4 of 16

I am also interested in this. I have no tube rolling experience myself, but found these suggestions for 6N3 replacement tubes on another online forum:

 

'Here are the equivalents:

The more expensive and best replacements are:

Bendix 6385
JJ 6386

The not so expensive but still best replacements are

WE396A (the military version)
WE2C51 (The military version)

Next
level below are (look for 1950 - 60 models):

Tung-sol 2C51
Raytheon CK5670
RCA 5670
GE 5670'

 

I found a matched pair of the Bendix on ebay for $149.... Thats more than half what my amp cost!

 

Maybe Headfi member Skylab could help. He seems to know a thing or two about tubes.

post #5 of 16

I would say browse ebay for cheaper tubes of that price. Maybe look around your area for some old tube dealer, they can help you with brands and whatnot. Sure, buying boutique tubes is fun, and the bragging rights are standard on Head-fi, but half the fun of tube rolling is seeing what does what :)

post #6 of 16

Just wanted to share my experience.

 

1.Warm Musical Sound

 

Western Electric - WE396A/2C51

 

2. Linear Sound

 

Russian 6N3P-DR

 

3. Bendix 6385

 

This is very expensive because it has the sonic qualities of 1. and 2. above.

 

And Bendix tubes were made for the military, so they are extra rugged and last a long time.

post #7 of 16

Just fired up a pair of matched GE 5670 5 star tubes I got from ebay.

 

They are indeed warmer and more musical. A good and fairly inexpensive upgrade from the chinese 6N3 that were fitted originaly IMO.

post #8 of 16

This thread is 8 years old.

post #9 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by hodgjy View Post

This thread is 8 years old.

 

It sure is!

post #10 of 16

Does that make it vintage?

post #11 of 16

Maybe NOS.

post #12 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by cogsand gears View Post

 

It sure is!



Let's all "meet" back here 8 years from now...

 

All my cheapo Russian 6N3Ps and US Jan Philips 5670s will be worth 10x what they are worth right now. wink_face.gif

 

 

post #13 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Soth View Post



Let's all "meet" back here 8 years from now...

 

All my cheapo Russian 6N3Ps and US Jan Philips 5670s will be worth 10x what they are worth right now. wink_face.gif

 

 


Agreed! its a date.

 

The GE 5 stars are great by the way - if anyone is still there. More detailed, more dynamic very musical.
 

 

post #14 of 16

What this thread needs is some pictures to revive it!

 

With and without guard. Its a bit shorter than the old 6N3... But so much better!

2012-01-26 18.03.22.jpg                   2012-01-26 18.03.05.jpg

 

 

 

post #15 of 16

I'm curious how the OP is after these years. Is he married now and has children? Is he still a headphone lover? And most importantly, did he find his dream amp?

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