I gave Sneaky and Levi's suggestions on grounding a try. Grounding the grid cap to the chassis (like the RCA jack) worked too well- it killed all sound in the left channel. However, running a ground wire from a capacitor to a baseboard heater shield reduced the buzzing a lot. There is still some faint buzzing but at least I no longer feel like I've pressed my left ear to a beehive!

 
 
Hi folks, sum tubular newz 4 U 
 
So thanks to Howie's advice I got a pair of Visseaux 6J5 tubes. And I'd say the sound is spot on for how he described it!
 
Straight away I was blown away by how these tubes FAR surpass every other tube I've tried - two pairs 'straight' 6J5, two types of 7193, dozens of 6SN7s and a few 6DJ8 size - it really puts these all to shame, and I have a hard time imagining any other tube being able to push this little amp any further. This cow has been milked dry, my friends, until there would appear to be nothing left - and I mean that in a good way!
 
What attributes do you get in the Visseaux dual 6J5s?
- slamming bass! Impactful, weighty thunderous bass (not too much quantity, but good quality / definition)
- smooth audiophile grade treble
- lush / sweet mids thru highs
- holographic soundstage
 
The soundstage is without a doubt the biggest I've gotten out of any tubes before. To be honest It's almost always enjoyable but on the extremely rare moment it may seem so big that the sounds aren't completely cohesive (mainly on lossy experimental recordings I'd say). Overall this is leagues above all other tubes I've tried, and a must have.
 
Oh also Howie I must apologise for recommending the GE 6SN7 GTA tube - while this is prob. the best 6SN7 tube I've tried with the best bass definition, the setup above is at least 2x better.
 
On a bit of a low note however at least one of these have a hum, which was barely fixed with a grounding wire. This is completely dependant on the tube, and is nothing specific to this type of tube - more of a random fluke; and the seller can probably help exchange that.

decentlevi said:

 

​

 
 
Hi folks, sum tubular newz 4 U 

 
So thanks to Howie's advice I got a pair of Visseaux 6J5 tubes. And I'd say the sound is spot on for how he described it!
 
Straight away I was blown away by how these tubes FAR surpass every other tube I've tried - two pairs 'straight' 6J5, two types of 7193, dozens of 6SN7s and a few 6DJ8 size - it really puts these all to shame, and I have a hard time imagining any other tube being able to push this little amp any further. This cow has been milked dry, my friends, until there would appear to be nothing left - and I mean that in a good way!
 
What attributes do you get in the Visseaux dual 6J5s?
- slamming bass! Impactful, weighty thunderous bass (not too much quantity, but good quality / definition)
- smooth audiophile grade treble
- lush / sweet mids thru highs
- holographic soundstage
 
The soundstage is without a doubt the biggest I've gotten out of any tubes before. To be honest It's almost always enjoyable but on the extremely rare moment it may seem so big that the sounds aren't completely cohesive (mainly on lossy experimental recordings I'd say). Overall this is leagues above all other tubes I've tried, and a must have.
 
Oh also Howie I must apologise for recommending the GE 6SN7 GTA tube - while this is prob. the best 6SN7 tube I've tried with the best bass definition, the setup above is at least 2x better.
 
On a bit of a low note however at least one of these have a hum, which was barely fixed with a grounding wire. This is completely dependant on the tube, and is nothing specific to this type of tube - more of a random fluke; and the seller can probably help exchange that.

Click to expand...

So glad you like them, the Seller is very good too. I'm actually saving up to buy a couple of spares of those Visseaux in the New Year as they won't be around forever. I've had some readily manageable hum with one or two 6J5's, but not with the Visseaux.
When I'm not sure which tube will suit best I just reach for those Visseaux and they have never let me down. 
I've been trying out the DT 990 Pro (250Ohm) cans and what strikes me is how good the detail with these cans, the Visseaux and Garage amps is at very low volumes-like detail seems unchanged as the volume gets less and less, as if you are just slowly walking further and further away from a live sound source. Uncanny really-have never experienced anything quite like it before.
The Visseaux work just as well with Horizon 3 and Starlight too. Look good as well, as your nice picture shows.
 
PS.No need to apologise about the GE's. I learn something new every day, maybe almost every time I switch on.
I'm thinking about those 6C8G's for next year, maybe-depends if anything is left in the bank!
                                                                                         

Yeah honestly I feel spoiled with these Visseaux tubes, and start to wonder things like what the $%&* have I been listening to my whole life before these. No faults whatsoever with the sound of these tubes, and unfortunately to my other tubes they're not getting much playtime. Have you ever heard a better tube in any of the sound attributes?
 
Oh also another small tip for grounding - I've found that a somewhat thicker gauge wire seems to reduce the buzzing better than a thin wire (see wire example in my photo above).

decentlevi said:

  Yeah honestly I feel spoiled with these Visseaux tubes, and start to wonder things like what the $%&* have I been listening to my whole life before these. No faults whatsoever with the sound of these tubes, and unfortunately to my other tubes they're not getting much playtime. Have you ever heard a better tube in any of the sound attributes?
 
Oh also another small tip for grounding - I've found that a somewhat thicker gauge wire seems to reduce the buzzing better than a thin wire (see wire example in my photo above).

Click to expand...

 I think I still prefer 'Bad Boy' for female vocals and FrankenEmber set ups for big orchestral stuff, but for just about all other Classical and Jazz the 6J5's sound great to me, and probably are the best I've heard so far.
I must admit though to still being a bit 'on a high' over the Visseaux as they were the first 6J'5's I tried, (actually in the Horizon3). At the time I had no idea they would even work as a class of tube in G1217 amps. A couple of days later I broke the adapter, as you already know, and had a VERY frustrating 10 day wait for another one.
Having said that the search for even better sound still drives us on. I wouldn't like to think we had reached the end of the road for perfection. I'm sure we haven't.
My uncle used to say the sound from his 1940's radio bettered any of this modern stereo 'nonsense'- maybe he had a point,(of sorts)!  

Umm all this talk about the 6j5 is making me a bit jealous. My last acquisition was a Russian 6n23p which is the most clear tube I have tried (the 6sn7 are close). Just lacking a bit in the bottom end.

But I want to try something new for Christmas. So far I have been curious about the following:

- A vintage (late 60s' early 70s') 6n6p gold grid. From those dates can be found at around $20 per tube.

- Go for a 6N30Pi, these can be found at $30 per tube.

- Try the 6j5 setup with the Visseaux. This would set me over $100 which is a bit steep for my taste. For that price one can even try one of the original 6N30P-DR.

Any thoughts?

tunkejazz said:

Umm all this talk about the 6j5 is making me a bit jealous. My last acquisition was a Russian 6n23p which is the most clear tube I have tried (the 6sn7 are close). Just lacking a bit in the bottom end.

But I want to try something new for Christmas. So far I have been curious about the following:

- A vintage (late 60s' early 70s') 6n6p gold grid. From those dates can be found at around $20 per tube.

- Go for a 6N30Pi, these can be found at $30 per tube.

- Try the 6j5 setup with the Visseaux. This would set me over $100 which is a bit steep for my taste. For that price one can even try one of the original 6N30P-DR.

Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

First thought is you don't have to jump straight for the Visseaux to experience the 6J5 class sound. There are others which, in their own ways, may suit you even better., Like any tube type it comes down to trial and error, which, as you imply, can be expensive.
The 6J5 to ECC88 adapter will cost about $31 with postage, and you can source a pair of 6J5's/6S2S/6S5S/ 6C5C's, all of which will give you the flavour of the class, for about $30 with postage. There are even cheaper metal bottle varieties but I can't vouch for their sound as I haven't heard any yet.
The 6N6P and 6N30Pi Russian tubes you mention that I've heard are all very good with Ember, but I personally prefer your 'Bad Boys'.
However, an original 6N30P-DR for $100 sounds a good deal, though best check it's genuine before purchase as the ones I've seen cost more than double that.
So many choices..
Good Luck!........
 
EDIT: Think I read recently on another site that the sound from the metal 6J5's was just as good as the glass ones.

Howie, Levi, which seller did you get the  Visseaux from?  A good recommendation on a seller is always welcome, waiting on my Hytrom 6c5.s and new adapter, first one did not fit without tube extender, so ordered one with 6sn7 base, Jeremy's adapter is much more stable.

connieflyer said:

  Howie, Levi, which seller did you get the  Visseaux from?  A good recommendation on a seller is always welcome, waiting on my Hytrom 6c5.s and new adapter, first one did not fit without tube extender, so ordered one with 6sn7 base, Jeremy's adapter is much more stable.

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/6J5G-VISSEAUX-NOS-BOXED-valves-tubes-/310708999592?hash=item4857b315a8:g:HBYAAOxyi6hR6Snr

Thanks for  the link, have to wait a little till the credit card cools off!

howie13 said:

  First thought is you don't have to jump straight for the Visseaux to experience the 6J5 class sound. There are others which, in their own ways, may suit you even better., Like any tube type it comes down to trial and error, which, as you imply, can be expensive.
The 6J5 to ECC88 adapter will cost about $31 with postage, and you can source a pair of 6J5's/6S2S/6S5S/ 6C5C's, all of which will give you the flavour of the class, for about $30 with postage. There are even cheaper metal bottle varieties but I can't vouch for their sound as I haven't heard any yet.
The 6N6P and 6N30Pi Russian tubes you mention that I've heard are all very good with Ember, but I personally prefer your 'Bad Boys'.
However, an original 6N30P-DR for $100 sounds a good deal, though best check it's genuine before purchase as the ones I've seen cost more than double that.
So many choices..
Good Luck!........

Click to expand...

Thanks for your comments @HOWIE13
Problem is after buying the demo Polaris and the modified Philips headphones from Frans, I feel quite a lot of economic guilt (you also got a pair right?).
 

connieflyer said:

  Thanks for  the link, have to wait a little till the credit card cools off!

Click to expand...

 
Same here. In fact, I should sell a few of my "Bad Boys" to get some cash back. I shamefully sourced a set of decently priced ("per-tube")  Bad Boys but still too many for one user. If anyone wants one, just let me know. The price will be the same I paid for them (~42 EUR). The seller tested all of them and they are in very good condition
 
See my post at diyah about this: http://diyah.boards.net/post/16758

I know what you mean, I have way more tubes than I will ever wear out. Perfectly happy with the dual 6L5's, 6J5.s, so I found some Hytron 6J5's that Howie liked and bought them.  Stil got some nice 9 pin and 6sn7's, 7193's, extra pair Sehh650s,  should go on Ebay and open up a store!

Bookmarking the 6J5. When my money flows in i will definitely try out some Visseaux 6J5 with my Ember II, if they are really that good (endgame tubes?)

Problem I have is everytime I buy an endgame set of tubes, someone else finds something better. Can't seem to get ahead of the game!

LOL yeah probably thats how it will play out.