Melos tube rolling thread - Page 7

I have three pairs of Amperex tubes for my SHA-1:

(1) Orange Globe 6DJ8/ECC88, made in Holland

(2) Bugle Boy 6DJ8/ECC88, made in Holland

(3) PQ 6922, made in USA (not the pinched-waist model)

They all share similar characteristics: good air, good detail, but a thin body (with my Etys, at least). Although it's hard to judge accuracy or neutrality, I've come to think of these as my reference. They sound like they're telling the truth.

But the lack of body is a brutal flaw. It leaves my Melos sounding cold, almost sterile. The strengths of these tubes can be appreciated on an intellectual level, but it doesn't connect with me at a gut level. My listening sessions left me unsatisfied and thinking about buying speakers.

The best tubes I've heard in the Melos are a pair of Sylvania JAN 6922s, which I just installed yesterday and are still burning in. I purchased them to give my Melos one last chance to avoid the "for sale" board, and they have done that (for now). If I heard these tubes a month ago, I probably wouldn't have purchased the ZOTL.

The Sylvanias sound less refined, but have a fuller body. The extra heft gives voices a sense of intimacy that was missing before, so I'm happy with the trade-off.

I've seen these tubes listed a few places for $25/each, but I bought them because I was able to pick them up for $6.49 each on ebay. It was a dutch auction with 100 tubes available, and I was surprised to see that I was the only one who bid. I just noticed that the rest of the tubes are on the market again; search ebay for "Sylvania JAN 6922".

p.s. I just re-read Hirsh's first post in this thread and saw: "JAN Sylvania 6922's. Not only cheap, but sounds good. ... I got 'em on ebay for about $6.49 ea."

So apparently this seller has been at it for a while.

Just dug this thread up and wanted to see if there were any major changes/updates to share with the rest of us. I seem to have tons of 6dj8/6922/CCa/7308 tubes sitting around and waiting for the arrival of a Melos, so can you help me with where to start, or maybe where NOT to waste my time??? What tubes have realyl sucked, and which ones have really shined. And of course, why!!!

And Doug, if you have any extra Sylvania 7308s somehow, please let me know as I'd like to do some more tube-rolling on my Melos (have Tesla/JJ 6DJ8s in there now)

Hirsch,

Thanks for the heads up and info on teh Sylvania 7308s. I'll keep an eye out for some old ones in the near future!!!


DanG,

Sorry, I got tons of other tubes, but nothing at all by Sylvania. Mostly Siemens & Halske CCa and a pair of 6922s, a bunch of Amperex 6dj8 globe logo A frames that were made in Holland, and 4 6922 wite label PQ made in US. I will try to source some of the Sylvanias for ya!! I'll keep you guys posted.

Just wanted to say that this thread rules and "all hail Hirsch" king of Head-Fi tube-rollers! Thanks everyone for the info, this is what this site is all about. I've got a link to this thread in my signature, too!

Still very much enjoying my Siemens Gold Pin 6922's from the early sixties in my Maestro. I've been leaving my Maestro on all the time for quite a while now, and I can't tell you how much this helps sound quality. I used to shut down every time I was finished listening for the day, trying to conserve tube life. Of course, switching on and off is the major stressor on tubes and a life-shortener...so it's probably a toss-up in the end.

Anyway, I find that leaving it always on has had caused immeasurable improvement in sound quality and enjoyment. Try it!

Mark

MarkL,

Hope you're tube supply is nearly as large as Hirsch's!!! He says he could last for centuries. My guess is a supply of couple of decades would be sufficient for most!!

At least you know the Melos is repairable and upgradable to keep IT around as long as well!!!

Hah! No one's tube supply is as large as Hirsch's. As soon as I get some things settled, I'm going to have to buy a replacement set of the Siemens. These things are only getting rarer and more expensive. It's a shame, but that's a market forces reality. Get as many as you can while they last!

Mark

Hirsch and Others,

Can you describe the particulars of the Sylvania tube?? Type/shaped getter? Color of label? JAN or other labeling? Etc. etc. etc. Sometimes it is SO difficult to get the same tube as someone else without TONS of info. I find myself emailing people on eBay just to ask these types of questions to make sure I get what I want.

Will the Siemens and Halske's CCa from the really early 60's make due in this, or are they sonically different than the regular run-of-the-mill 6922s?? (Not that 6922's are bad, just different from CCa's!!)

I ask as I own two pair that are REALLY strong, but didn't sound so hot in my Reality amp.

Mark,

No one's tube supply is a large as Hirsch's is right but I am gaining on him. That's what I get for hanging around on the internet with Hirsch. He has been a very bad influence.

You are also a BAD influence because I although I've always owned tube gear including guitar amplifiiers I have never "rolled" them much. Now after meeting you I've got tube testers and more pairs of tubes then I will need in the next two lifetimes.

The tubes I bought for the Melos arrived at Carlo's place today so we are getting one more step closer to the big shootout with your "Monster MAR Melos". Of course, if it doesn't do well with those tubes I've got more you can try, beleive me.





Best
Brian

Well, at $180 for the pair, I sure hope they weren't "run of the mill"!

From what I gather, the CCa are no different physically from the "run of the mill" tubes, but they tested best out of all the tubes that came off the line at that time. Is this correct tube Gods?

BTW: how do you know they are CCa? Are they specially marked tubes or are the boxes different or are you going on the word of the dealer?

Mark

He he. Brian, I've cost more members countless dollars... I always try to warn folks that conversing with me off-line is an expensive prospect! Didn't I warn you, too?

Yes, I can't wait for the Melos shoot-out. Have you sent the Nite cables by chance?

Mark

MarkL,

They're easy to spot as they have a big CCa printed on the side of them. Nothing else other than the big Siemens logo and lettering. I got two pairs at $150 each, so I guess I did alright. I also got a pair of early 60's 6922s from the same guy in Germany!!! These are some of the best runs of these tubes as the later years really went downhill quickly. Make sure to stay away from the Siemens Rohrer stuff!! Nowhere near as good a tube!!

Mark,

if you live near Sac, or can get out to Sac around Christmas I'll be happy to lend you a set of CCa's!! I'll be with my in-laws up there near Arco Arean for a week or so starting from right before Christmas until New Year's. PM or post to let me know. That way you can try these out for yourself and see if you're going to plunk down the moola!!!