Schiit Lyr Tube Rollers
Jul 21, 2015 at 10:23 PM Post #7,141 of 23,494
  I was pretty sure these would be good in the Lyr, but it's an especially sweet feeling when a hunch turns out to be true. :)
 
But to clarify, to the best of my knowledge, every ECC804 was manufactured by Brimar. It was never manufactured by Mullard or any other Philips subsidiary. Further Tungsram didn't make them either. Only Brimar. So it doesn't matter what brand you see on the tube, whether it be Brimar, Mullard, Mazda, Ediswan or what-have-you. They are all from the same factory. However, I have noticed that on some tubes, the shield is gray, and on others, it is silver. While I have not investigated to see if there is a sonic difference, it might be best to be sure the shields are the same.
 
And your impressions mirror mine, but of course, in a different amp. To help others, I would say that that the sonic signature of the Brimar ECC804 is intermediate between Mullard and Heerlen, not as warm as the Mullard and not as bright and lush as the Heerlen. Very good bass, a bit of warmth and fairly liquid, a very nice tube. :)

 
Thanks for the additional info.  I guess Mullard and the others bought them to label and sell to television repairmen, given they were mainly used in TVs.
 
Jul 21, 2015 at 10:29 PM Post #7,142 of 23,494
  I have never seen a tube labeled 6GA8, but that is the correct American designation for the ECC804. I have seen these tubes labeled as B729, 6/30L2 and ECC804. And rarely, I have seen them labeled as Mazda 6CG7, but this is an incorrect. The 6CG7 and 6GA8 are similar, but not the same. But it seems back in the day, someone at Brimar/Mazda had this great idea of labeling these as 6CG7 and selling them in the US! lol :)

 
I read about the Mazda 6CG7 mislabeling.  Reminds me of the "Arcturus" "6ES8" (ECC189) labeled 6DJ8s I bought.  The seller didn't know, so he sold them as 6ES8s/ECC189s.  People here pointed out that the etched tube type was "GA".  Now that's some misrepresentin', esp. since the 6ES8 is variable mu.
 
Jul 21, 2015 at 11:18 PM Post #7,144 of 23,494
Be patient. Keep your eyes peeled on the bay , this forum,and hifishark. They can be had for around the $200/$250 mark.

Wb Sam.
 
Yes, just save your money for another month... Something is bound to pop up in August.
 
Also, I tried Voskhod Russian tubes in my Aune tube buffered amp, and also the WA2 as drivers and really didn't care for them. So I think I agree that you may just have to find some special hand selected HG pair. I agree with a lot of what is written on rb's list, so I would enjoy hearing the Russian tubes he thinks highly of.
 
Should also edit in that the ZD uses Russian tubes for power. Crazy 6C33C-B tubes that were made for Migs. I haven't rolled any tubes in a while... don't feel the need anymore.
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 2:09 AM Post #7,145 of 23,494
regarding the Reflektor, i'm currently listening to my Lyr2 associated with those russian tubes... (74 gray shield)
 
It is FAN-TAS-TIC...
 
i never tried a CCa before, but those russian tubes make my music totally addictive.
 
i listen to a bunch of well known albums and i truly discover new details.
It is obviously quite tough to describe what i feel as i lack of vocabulary!
 
But the music is spacious, when i close my eyes i'm totally surrounded by the sound.
the bass is so well controlled, punchy and deep.
the hight are mind blowing, so clear and not at all aggressive 
Vocals are pure and so enjoyable. 
 
Please note that i only used those great tubes for about 40 hours...!!! 
Bob, the seller, obviously told me to burn them at least 150-200 hours. I hardly believe it might be better, but i prepare for the best...!
 
i have a pair of Philips SQ that i need to try as well. i will update you
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 10:08 AM Post #7,147 of 23,494
  I read about the Mazda 6CG7 mislabeling.  Reminds me of the "Arcturus" "6ES8" (ECC189) labeled 6DJ8s I bought.  The seller didn't know, so he sold them as 6ES8s/ECC189s.  People here pointed out that the etched tube type was "GA".  Now that's some misrepresentin', esp. since the 6ES8 is variable mu.

 
If you would like a pair of these "Mazda 6CG7", you can get them here for top dollar:
 
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/mazda-6cg7-6fq7/?page_context=search&faceted_search=0
 
But of course, since they are really ECC804, there is no reason to pay that much.
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 12:12 PM Post #7,148 of 23,494
  If you would like a pair of these "Mazda 6CG7", you can get them here for top dollar:
 
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/mazda-6cg7-6fq7/?page_context=search&faceted_search=0
 
But of course, since they are really ECC804, there is no reason to pay that much.

 
I ordered a couple "Mazda" ECC804s from a British seller for quite cheap 
wink.gif

 
Jul 22, 2015 at 2:01 PM Post #7,150 of 23,494
Thurston and others... If Schiit introduces solid state tubes next month for the Lyr, will you guys be buying them? Just wondering.

 
Depends on the cost.  I don't think I'll be an early adopter.  I'm well past "fool me twice, shame on me" when it comes to that
wink.gif
  But I am really interested in them.
 
Jul 23, 2015 at 8:24 PM Post #7,151 of 23,494
I loved my Mullard E188CCs in the Lyr 1. Such an open soundstage and clear highs and warm upper mids. Only thing I didn't like about the Mullards was the ting when anything knocked against the amp.

Have to part with the amp and tubes sadly. Anybody interested in a limited edition black Lyr 1 with Mullard tubes? 
atsmile.gif

 
Jul 25, 2015 at 1:58 PM Post #7,153 of 23,494
  Does anyone know what these will sound like in my Lyr 1?
 
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/telefunken-e88cc-6922/
 
I am looking for good thumpin' bass, nice mids and detailed highs.  Thanks.

 
I'd be shocked if they didn't sound really good or great.  Most people who've bought those from Upscale have not complained about the quality of the sound, but more about the customer service.  Personally, I had no problem with Upscale, and I love those tubes.  I don't think I'd pay what they're currently asking: $360 for a platinum pair 
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  That's more than $100 over what I paid.  Kevin did warn this would happen, so...
 
You may want to check eBay.
 
While I don't think the bass, mids and highs would disappoint, I find that those attributes depend more on the cans than the tubes, all else being equal.
 
Jul 25, 2015 at 2:08 PM Post #7,154 of 23,494
I'll be using my LCD 2.2's.  I hear what you are saying about the price.  I don't know about fleabay though.  I have bought some tubes there and they weren't great.  But I guess you get what you pay for.  
 
These are a little bit cheaper:
 
http://www.tubemonger.com/Telefunken_E88CC_6922_MINT_NOS_NIB_1968_ULM_Diamon_p/1190.htm
 
are they comparable?  They look pretty much the same in the details to me.  Close to the same years.
 
Jul 25, 2015 at 2:23 PM Post #7,155 of 23,494
  Does anyone know what these will sound like in my Lyr 1?
 
http://www.upscaleaudio.com/telefunken-e88cc-6922/
 
I am looking for good thumpin' bass, nice mids and detailed highs.  Thanks.

 
I have those exact tubes, from Upscale, using them in a Lyr 2. They are the most detailed I've listened to, and the quality of the sound top to bottom is superb. The bass is nicely extended and accurate, but there is no extra warmth or oomph imparted by the tubes. What's in the music is what you hear.
 

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