[CoiL]

Quote:

no such thing as a cheap e88cc

Exactly!
 
Buying cheap tubes and discovering "hidden sounds" is more fun for me Btw, if someone is interested in that Amperex I have, there is one still available: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251204058788?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
Mine has code delta9F3.
 
 

Sorry, I meant Tesla E88CC, these with golden pins.They're about $25/piece on ebay.

Will put behind my ears. Thanks for tip!

 

[Grevlin]

Quote:

Exactly!
 
Buying cheap tubes and discovering "hidden sounds" is more fun for me Btw, if someone is interested in that Amperex I have, there is one still available: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251204058788?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
Mine has code delta9F3.
 
 

Will put behind my ears. Thanks for tip!

 
What the hey...I bought it.
 
My first tube.

 

[WiR3D]

Quote:

does anyone use the aune from the usb out of a giii?

Good question!
 
Someone give it a whack. Note 2 and Note 10.1 tab would also work.

 

[CoiL]

Hope you like it. Also there is one good offer to Tungsram PCC88 + RFT PCC88: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181038319964?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Bought mine from same seller: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181038321199?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[Grevlin]

Quote:

Hope you like it. Also there is one good offer to Tungsram PCC88 + RFT PCC88: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181038319964?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Bought mine from same seller: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181038321199?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 
I wonder why there is such a huge difference in price.
 
$70 at TubeDepot
 
$12 from Ebay seller
 
...seems odd.

 

[CoiL]

Well, the seller might not know its real value (seems so) ;D I dont know, anyway mine was really like NOS and pins had no marks on them. Just cleaned them before use with Vinegar (30%) + baking soda. Works and sounds like a charm!

 

[Grevlin]

Groovy - I likes me a good deal.

 
I'll make note of the cleaning techniques.
 
Thanks again.
 

 

[icecap]

arh, now the tube rolling discussions are in! this is tempting me again..... can never underestimate a NOS...
 
anyway, saw this and thought I can share.. a good guide to differentiate the vast differences... http://www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm
 
now, more homework for me to do the hunting and rolling!

 

[dcfis]

guys seriously be careful with eBay tubes.there are many fakes and tons of incentive to do so with prices so high and if the buyer isn't an expert on the inner details of construction many are listening to cheap Russian or Chinese tubes thinking its a tele or amperex. That's why the tested and assured dealer tubes are so expensive.

 

[Salvatore]

Couldn't wait any longer. Just ordered black T1 to go with my K702 anniversaries. I'm kind of a tube noob and I want to thank toschek for being very helpful and providing great information for me. I'll let you know my impressions as soon as the amp gets here. I will definitely get the rocket logo tube, but need affordable neutral sounding tube as well. Any suggestions?

 

[jiggahwhat]

Any more information on how the Aune T1 compares to the Magni/Modi stack? Those appear to be the only two worthwhile options at the $200 price point. 

 

[Sorrodje]

I purchased recently an old K501 . I will give my impressions about T1 and my tubes too

 

 

[Sorrodje]

Quote:

Got my Aune T1 yesterday, so I will offer my very humble impressions vs. the Fiio E17 and the Schiit Magni & Modi stack.
 
Fiio E17 - offers the most value but the least performance.  Upside is that it is portable and has hardware EQ. 
The Schiit Magni and Modi - a touch too bright for my taste, and over resolving with some tracks.  Doesn't play well with my indie music.  The stack, while sexy looking, is sort of a hassle (I don't think I'm cut out for separate amps/dacs).
The Aune T1 is "just right".  I've only had it for a day and I'm loving the stock tube right out of the box!  So smooth.  When the tube fully warms up, the tracks melt into my ears like butter.  I haven't even got into tube rolling but if the sound can get better than what I got right now, then I'd say the Aune is a steal.
 
So in short, Aune > Schiit Magni and Modi > Fiio E17, in terms of performance
Fiio > Aune > Schiit stack in terms of value.

 
 
Quote:

Any more information on how the Aune T1 compares to the Magni/Modi stack? Those appear to be the only two worthwhile options at the $200 price point. 

 
 
You can see the above quoted comparison from a HE-400 owner 

 

[CoiL]

Quote:

guys seriously be careful with eBay tubes.there are many fakes and tons of incentive to do so with prices so high and if the buyer isn't an expert on the inner details of construction many are listening to cheap Russian or Chinese tubes thinking its a tele or amperex. That's why the tested and assured dealer tubes are so expensive.

There is lot of info about it. For now I have managed to get original tubes in great NOS condition  
Yes there is chance you get a bad tube but if you know what you are buying and how to identify the fake ones, then you save A LOT and get many different tubes to choose from for the same money.

 

[Salvatore]

Quote:

if you know what you are buying and how to identify the fake ones, then you save A LOT

 
Do you have any sources where we could learn how to identify fake tubes?