[UntilThen]

Easy now...don't hoard all the tubes @UntilThen, save some for the rest of us.

They are all yours. I'm not buying those. 2000 pounds won't get me the amp I've in mind but it's half way there.

Strangely I'm really intrigued by solid states at the moment.... or a godzilla EL34, KT66 transfo couple amp or the improved smurf. Although just thinking of the Auris Nirvana and how it moved me (sonically and bodily), I think a step in the godzilla direction sounds very exciting.

The solid states are Benchmark HPA4 or Niimbus US 4.

Whilst the group here on head-fi has run up the demand on 6J5 & friends, there is pretty wide availability still.

Good to know Chris. But phantoms are watching as we speak.

 

[leftside]

I wouldn't touch those later clear glass double ring getter KT66:
https://jacmusic.com/nos/images/Fakes/index.html

Stick to the late 60's or earlier versions. For some reason these seem to be much rarer.... (see above).

However, Langrex did have 10 Osram metal base L63 for sale last night for 125 GBP each. But it looks like they all sold!!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/L63-6J5G-VINTAGE-OSRAM-METAL-BASE-NOS-BOXED-VALVE-TUBE-LC93/274647215601

I wonder if this person is on headfi?

m***3 ( 290 )​

 

[UntilThen]

Yes I saw the L63 metal glass just one left but next moment I look, it's gone !

It's not easy to get the earlier version of KT66 anymore, especially new ones.

So @datka3 welcome to this 1101-audio thread. This is the thread where progressive custom tube amps are made by the very talented mischa. He's qualified in other disciplines so I'm not sure why he's creating tube amps, maybe just his passion.

Now you've heard the Bartok and own Dave and still want an equivalent nice tube amp, perhaps have a look here. I could refer you to Woo Audio Wa33 or the Auris Nirvana but here is where people have owned lovely HiFi gear, also talk about their custom tube amps. 2 amps are on the horizon. One is Xcalibur KT150 version and Leftside's EL34, Kt66 variant. The choice is wide here and elsewhere but it's starting to get interesting here. I'm not sure why I keep repeating 'here' but that's an omen.

2 setups have left a mark on me. They are:-

Woo Audio Wa33 > HiFiMan Susvara. Heard this combination only once at the HiFi show but it's an unforgettable experience.

Qutest > Auris Nirvana > Audeze LCD-4. This is classic creamy and at the same time very clear EL34 tone combined with the gorgeous LCD-4 at it's best.

Now, Leftside has 2 custom tube amps that he has. I've no doubt he's getting similar experience with his LCD-4 and Stellia. However it's the next 2 amps being built here that I'm watching with interest. The KT150 and EL34 version.

So stay awhile and ask questions.

 

[Xcalibur255]

I'm not worried about 6J5 availability, but I am worried about price. I think we're going to see a fairly steady climb from here on out as more people become aware of them as a 6SN7 alternative.

That said the metal can ones are still dirt cheap and are going to stay that way because they're not "cool" so the value proposition is only limited by how fussy we decide to be. Not being able to see the internal construction is a little frustrating but you're only risking $10.

 

[mordy]

I wouldn't touch those later clear glass double ring getter KT66:
https://jacmusic.com/nos/images/Fakes/index.html

Stick to the late 60's or earlier versions. For some reason these seem to be much rarer.... (see above).

However, Langrex did have 10 Osram metal base L63 for sale last night for 125 GBP each. But it looks like they all sold!!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/L63-6J5G-VINTAGE-OSRAM-METAL-BASE-NOS-BOXED-VALVE-TUBE-LC93/274647215601

Hi UT,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/A863-Z63-M...229549?hash=item2d1e7ff0ed:g:~bYAAOSwxsNfzU7k
This is what is in my amp now:

​

 

[UntilThen]

Hahaha @mordy , US4299 for that pair. I rather be a celibate lol.

I'm not worried about 6J5 availability, but I am worried about price.

That's right. With demand, so will the price go up. I'm on my precious pair of Tung Sol 5998 now with less than 200 hours. Bought new from Vietnam 4 years ago. It arrived brand new in a tupperware box with shiny pins. It's so quiet I can hear my own breathing with no music playing.

The pair on the left with green letterings. New pair from Woo Audio cost US$900.

 

[Xcalibur255]

5998 prices are crazy now. Knowing 90% of them get used in amps that bias them poorly breaks my heart a little too. 1/2 of the pair I use in my GOTL is still from the original set that blasted the right side driver in my K701 straight through the plastic slots in it's ear cup. The things we put up with for the tubes we love.......

 

[UntilThen]

5998 prices are crazy now. Knowing 90% of them get used in amps that bias them poorly breaks my heart a little too. 1/2 of the pair I use in my GOTL is still from the original set that blasted the right side driver in my K701 straight through the plastic slots in it's ear cup. The things we put up with for the tubes we love.......

You know you have bad luck with 5998. Sometimes people have a bad experience with something and it puts them off.

Here's an example. Friend of mine has been through lots of gear. He had a Cayin HA300 but it played up right from the beginning. Hum, whistles and pops. Took it back to the shop to be fixed. Came back happen again. Returned it finally. Then when I told him about Auris Nirvana, he got that too ! It came with the separate power supply in a wooden enclosure just like the main amp. But on getting it home, the power supply fail ! Change fuse but it leads to other problems. In the ends return it and swap for a Mogwai Se and now he's happy. Now those are unfortunate and frightening experience. The Auris Nirvana that I heard with LCD-4 is gorgeous but if I had such an experience as him, I would be put off completely, especially for a AUD $10,000 amp.

 

[Galapac]

That's right. With demand, so will the price go up. I'm on my precious pair of Tung Sol 5998 now with less than 200 hours. Bought new from Vietnam 4 years ago. It arrived brand new in a tupperware box with shiny pins. It's so quiet I can hear my own breathing with no music playing.

The pair on the left with green letterings. New pair from Woo Audio cost US$900.

Yes but did you reuse the Tupperware for food? I’m kidding of course, no need to answer.

 

[UntilThen]

Yes but did you reuse the Tupperware for food? I’m kidding of course, no need to answer.

There was an unfortunate story to the 5998 though. After the seller send the tubes to me, he told me the 5998 tubes were left behind by the US military in the Fall of Saigon.....

How they are use in the military I don't know. As for the tupperware, I bin it. It is new but I'm not taking a chance.

 

[LoryWiv]

By very new tubes I mean these.... @leftside get your wallet ready

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265013952551?ViewItem=&item=265013952551&category=0&ssPageName=ADME:B:SEMK:UK:SHOWI&emailtemplateid=145307560&sellerid=FpRekKD1aqAWsCi2/SAKqA==&buyerid=OT1C29eGPzQ qD9nQ2vYrw==&refid=store

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KT66-GEC-MATCHED-QUAD-NOS-BOXED-VALVE-TUBE-LC60/274647163383?_trkparms=aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20160323102634&meid=7c073e5291f24eb193da29e1e51ed39b&pid=100623&rk=3&rkt=5&sd=265013952551&itm=274647163383&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2047675&algv=DefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KT66-GEC-NOS-BOXED-MATCHED-PAIR-VALVE-TUBE-LC1/265013882340?_trkparms=aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20160323102634&meid=7c073e5291f24eb193da29e1e51ed39b&pid=100623&rk=4&rkt=5&sd=265013952551&itm=265013882340&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2047675&algv=DefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265013952551?ViewItem=&item=265013952551&category=0&ssPageName=ADME:B:SEMK:UK:SHOWI&emailtemplateid=145307560&sellerid=FpRekKD1aqAWsCi2/SAKqA==&buyerid=OT1C29eGPzQ qD9nQ2vYrw==&refid=store

That's a bit discouraging @UntilThen. I've been hunting for a pair of GEC KT88's for over a year and can't find any in good condition (ideally NOS) that aren't selling for my than my first car. The hunt continues!

 

[UntilThen]

Speaking of GEC KT88, I once had a contact who was going to sell me a bunch of Marconi KT66 and KT88 but somehow I have forgotten about him or his details ! When I got Oblivion amp by Ultransonic Studio, I thought I have given up tubes.

I believe he wanted AUD$2000 for these quad of GEC KT88 - which I would be ok if I was really going into an amp using KT88 but you know you can get Gold Lion KT88 for much cheaper but it's not the same.

 

[LoryWiv]

Speaking of GEC KT88, I once had a contact who was going to sell me a bunch of Marconi KT66 and KT88 but somehow I have forgotten about him or his details ! When I got Oblivion amp by Ultransonic Studio, I thought I have given up tubes.

I believe he wanted AUD$2000 for these quad of GEC KT88 - which I would be ok if I was really going into an amp using KT88 but you know you can get Gold Lion KT88 for much cheaper but it's not the same.

I have the new production Gold Lions and actually enjoy them in Elise very much, in deed that's what intrigues me to try to OG GEC! Live leads welcomed!!!

 

[UntilThen]

Too much going on at work and in my head-fi life. I have to try and hunt down that contact now. I believe I bought a single GEC 6as7g from him.

Would you believe it, what's rocking my boat is now a very odd setup:-

Questyle CMA Twelve (using as dac - ak4490 ds chipset) > SMSL SP200 > He1000se. This is the reason I'm interested in buying the Benchmark HPA4. I believe my Yggdrasil into HPA4 and Hekse would be stunning but I'm still interested in one final last tube amp.

 

[Xcalibur255]

There was an unfortunate story to the 5998 though. After the seller send the tubes to me, he told me the 5998 tubes were left behind by the US military in the Fall of Saigon.....

How they are use in the military I don't know. As for the tupperware, I bin it. It is new but I'm not taking a chance.

Their most common job as voltage regulators were in the computers of the era.