[bmichels]

I found the amperex 5842 to be less "dry" than the we417a's. I'm also running old globe 45's

Thank you. Re the "Old globe 45", did you got "good" tubes from the first purchase ? I heard that with those "antique" tubes, it is a little the lottery: they can BE IK or... Dead ! Is it right ?

-> Where did you get them
-> are there différent type of " Old globe 45" ? If yes, then which are the Best ?

 

[Rico613]

I found the amperex 5842 to be less "dry" than the we417a's. I'm also running old globe 45's

I'm curious as to which tube adapters you are using.  The ones I got from China (via eBay), don't work in my tube tester, (AT1000), with 417a.  In fact it indicates a short and "over voltage".  The adapter made up in the US for the tube tester does work.  I'm concerned the Chinese adapter may blow the amp unless they are rewired.

 

[gsr108]

I've never had any issues with my tubes. I don't have much experience with the 45's but I think purrin stated that there were not much differences sonically between NOS 45 globes.

I'm using the adapters from eBay. I did get a dud from them but was able to get it replaced.

 

[Sko0byDoo]

 
--> Are there another type of 445 tube that I should get to make my EC445 more…. euphoric/musical ? like a…VIVA 2a3 

 

 
So you've heard the Viva 2A3?  Amazing isn't it?  I think I'll take it over the Viva 845 any day.
 
NOS 45s are better in mid/hi but not good bass as compared to the EML 45 Mesh.  The "dry" sound would probably be that the 45s are low in power, so the bass extension is not that great, so the musics sound "flat"/"dry".  The 300B got a good bass extension but lost that 45's sweet mid/hi.  It's a give/take game.          

 

[bmichels]

   
So you've heard the Viva 2A3?  Amazing isn't it?  I think I'll take it over the Viva 845 any day.
 
NOS 45s are better in mid/hi but not good bass as compared to the EML 45 Mesh.  The "dry" sound would probably be that the 45s are low in power, so the bass extension is not that great, so the musics sound "flat"/"dry".  The 300B got a good bass extension but lost that 45's sweet mid/hi.  It's a give/take game.          

 
Sko0byDoo, Did you compared the VIVA 2a3 and VIVA 845 ?  
 
With a bunch of French fellows who listened to booth  the VIVA 2a3 and VIVA 845, I am the only one who still hesitate between the 2 VIVA amps...all the other have jumped on the VIVA845 and lost interest in the VIVA2a3 or even did not considered it because of the strong personality of the 845 that impressed them so much to make them believe that there is no substitute possible to the VIVA845 !!.    

 

[thinker]

   
Sko0byDoo, Did you compared the VIVA 2a3 and VIVA 845 ?  
 
With a bunch of French fellows who listened to booth  the VIVA 2a3 and VIVA 845, I am the only one who still hesitate between the 2 VIVA amps...all the other have jumped on the VIVA845 and lost interest in the VIVA2a3 or even did not considered it because of the strong personality of the 845 that impressed them so much to make them believe that there is no substitute possible to the VIVA845 !!.    

bmichels i think your EC 445 amp has mesh plate tubes they are not good on stereo imaging mesh plates are biased and could also sound sometimes strident ,put some solid plate EML tubes on that amp , most open sound you will have with  old 245 globes

 

[bmichels]

  bmichels i think your EC 445 amp has mesh plate tubes they are not good on stereo imaging mesh plates are biased and could also sound sometimes strident ,put some solid plate EML tubes on that amp , most open sound you will have with  old 245 globes

 
In order to get a less "dry" sound, Cuthus recommended me to try a Mix by replacing 2 of my tubes EML 45 Mesh by those 2 CUNNINGHAM CX-345 BIG GLOBE  that he pointed to me.
 

 
 
 
This will be a strange mix !

  " Modern meets classic." as Cuthus said    Will see....
 
Anyway, with those 2 old tubes + the 2 driver tubes changed for WA417a, my EC445 should really have a new sound ! 
 
and if I find 2 other CUNNINGHAM CX-345 BIG GLOBE, I will purchase them to try with 4 old globe.

 

[gsr108]

So if I wanted more bass punch - would the recommendation be to switch out to the EML solids or mesh?

 

[Rico613]

I've been listening to EML Mesh plate tubes in my 445 for several months with HD800's and LCD-3's.  They sounded fine to me and I didn't feel any need to rush back to my Balancing Act with EML 300B Mesh plate tubes.  I'm using a 30 band equalizer which could account for differences in bass output.  Overall I was quite satisfied with the 445 / EML Mesh 45 combo.  Especially on the HD800's which the BA can't drive well. 
 
Here are the pin assignments for the two different 417a adapters I have, (numbered from tube input to socket output)
 
 
Hong Kong            US made
1: 5                         1: 5
2: 2,8                      2: nul
3: nul                      3: 7
4: 1,3,6,9                4: 6
5: nul                      5: nul
6: nul                      6: nul
7: 4                         7: 4
8: nul                      8: nul
9: 7                         9: 1
 
I'll get a hold of the US maker and see what he says. 

 

[bmichels]

  I've been listening to EML Mesh plate tubes in my 445 for several months with HD800's and LCD-3's.  They sounded fine to me and I didn't feel any need to rush back to my Balancing Act with EML 300B Mesh plate tubes.  I'm using a 30 band equalizer which could account for differences in bass output.  Overall I was quite satisfied with the 445 / EML Mesh 45 combo.  Especially on the HD800's which the BA can't drive well. 
 
Here are the pin assignments for the two different 417a adapters I have, (numbered from tube input to socket output)
 
 
Hong Kong            US made
1: 5                         1: 5
2: 2,8                      2: nul
3: nul                      3: 7
4: 1,3,6,9                4: 6
5: nul                      5: nul
6: nul                      6: nul
7: 4                         7: 4
8: nul                      8: nul
9: 7                         9: 1
 
I'll get a hold of the US maker and see what he says. 

 
Here is the Pin infos that Cuthus just provided me :  " Pin out on the 5842 is:  pin1 Plate, 2 N.C., 3,9 Heater, 4,5,7,8 Grid, 6 Cathode "

 

[Rico613]

 

  I've been listening to EML Mesh plate tubes in my 445 for several months with HD800's and LCD-3's.  They sounded fine to me and I didn't feel any need to rush back to my Balancing Act with EML 300B Mesh plate tubes.  I'm using a 30 band equalizer which could account for differences in bass output.  Overall I was quite satisfied with the 445 / EML Mesh 45 combo.  Especially on the HD800's which the BA can't drive well. 
 
Here are the pin assignments for the two different 417a adapters I have, (numbered from tube input to socket output)
 
 
Hong Kong            US made
1: 5                         1: 5
2: 2,8                      2: nul
3: nul                      3: 7
4: 1,3,6,9                4: 6
5: nul                      5: nul
6: nul                      6: nul
7: 4                         7: 4
8: nul                      8: nul
9: 7                         9: 1
 
I'll get a hold of the US maker and see what he says. 

 
Here is the Pin infos that Cuthus just provided me :  " Pin out on the 5842 is:  pin1 Plate, 2 N.C., 3,9 Heater, 4,5,7,8 Grid, 6 Cathode "

That's Greek to me.  Does it make sense that #6 is Cathode when both adapters have null output?  Typical Cuthus cryptology  . . .  agravating . . . 

 

[Rico613]

OK, using the Chinese adapter (5842 - 6C45), I tested the WE 417a as a 6S45PE (aka 6C45), and it tested OK.  Whew . . . I assume it is safe to use in the amp since that is the same test I use on the stock 6C45Pi tubes.  (C and S are the same letter in Russian alphabet) 

 

[bmichels]

Look what I received. This is the last chance for my EC445 to offer me a warmer sound before... I change it for a VIVA Egoista

2 WE417a driver tubes (with adapters) and 2 CUNNINGHAM "Old Globe" ( Cuthus advised to change 2 of my 4 EML MESH 445 by those Globe tubes. have now MIXED output tubes )

MIXED tubed do not look THAT bad. I will report later how this sound ..,,

BEFORE:



AFTER:

 

[Sko0byDoo]

Look what I received. This is the last chance for my EC445 to offer me a warmer sound before... 

 
Second to last chance: the last step would be four 245/345s...some NOS tubes would sound better than EML mesh.  Good luck!

 

[bmichels]

Second to last chance: the last step would be four 245/345s...some NOS tubes would sound better than EML mesh.  Good luck!

Which 245/345 will you recommand for a warm & romantic sound ( while still bring precise with many micro-détails )