[raindownthunda]

Nice to have those options. If you’re anything like me, you’ll change modes in a week and then prefer that mode I think sometimes our ears just simply like a ”change” which is why you are more likely to see new gear get rave reviews?

Totally - a week is a long time, more like later tonight . I think you're right about change though. With this 1101 amp the all the different modes/presentations sound good in their own way, just with different strengths. Changing to a new mode you hear that mode's strengths stand out as new and different. Definitely emotional/environmental factors as well.

This is my first time using these power tubes in this amp, so I'm wondering if with some tubes, their distortion just sounds "better" with RES mode than CCS mode? From my experience with the GEC 6AS7G in the BHC they have a significantly different sound than most 6080's and even other 6AS7G. Less clean/clear and more hazy/ethereal. It was almost as if in CCS mode the tube distortion was too restrained and trying to burst out, and flipping to RES mode, the distortion was unlocked and became much more pleasing/full bodied/3D. Probably just my head just making things up to justify why it sounds so good!

 

[pravous]

Nice to have those options. If you’re anything like me, you’ll change modes in a week and then prefer that mode I think sometimes our ears just simply like a ”change” which is why you are more likely to see new gear get rave reviews?

I agree on the change aspect. Every new tube/family is my favorite for at least the first hour. Some stand the test of time, others go into the “I’ll sell these someday” bin in the basement. Always nice to have the option to throw in a new roll when things get stale. Seems like the Blue Halo+ exponentially expands those possibility’s.

 

[Xcalibur255]

Yeah, I think most people would enjoy having the option. I went very streamlined with my build simply because I didn't want OCD to kick in and be constantly comparing the modes, but as it turns out I can get a pretty similar effect from my amp through tube rolling. A KT66 running in EL34 bias mode has several times more harmonic distortion than the KT150 running in its own dedicated bias mode which results in similar "flavors" like the RES/CCS switch does.

 

[Xcalibur255]

Totally - a week is a long time, more like later tonight . I think you're right about change though. With this 1101 amp the all the different modes/presentations sound good in their own way, just with different strengths. Changing to a new mode you hear that mode's strengths stand out as new and different. Definitely emotional/environmental factors as well.

This is my first time using these power tubes in this amp, so I'm wondering if with some tubes, their distortion just sounds "better" with RES mode than CCS mode? From my experience with the GEC 6AS7G in the BHC they have a significantly different sound than most 6080's and even other 6AS7G. Less clean/clear and more hazy/ethereal. It was almost as if in CCS mode the tube distortion was too restrained and trying to burst out, and flipping to RES mode, the distortion was unlocked and became much more pleasing/full bodied/3D. Probably just my head just making things up to justify why it sounds so good!

Part of it might just be voicing on the part of the 6080. Every 6080 tube I've tried has sounded a little thin compared to a 6AS7G and they all seem to have some degree of "lift" in the upper mids. Perhaps the RES mode is adding a sense of body that helps the 6080 sound more balanced? This is one of those little tube mysteries, because the 6080 and the 6AS7 are the exact same tube electrically but they do sound different, and consistently so.

 

[raindownthunda]

Part of it might just be voicing on the part of the 6080. Every 6080 tube I've tried has sounded a little thin compared to a 6AS7G and they all seem to have some degree of "lift" in the upper mids. Perhaps the RES mode is adding a sense of body that helps the 6080 sound more balanced? This is one of those little tube mysteries, because the 6080 and the 6AS7 are the exact same tube electrically but they do sound different, and consistently so.

Interesting theory indeed. The interplay of harmonics between driver tube & power tubes remains a mystery to me, why do some combinations sound magical and others bland and boring when only changing one of the two tubes? And how CCS vs RES bias influences the distortion effects on top of the tube synergies adds a whole other layer to that mystery.

In @A2029 's BH+ measurements, we were both surprised that CCS config measured higher distortion than RES for the EL34 driver + 6080 power tubes (RES: 0.12%, CCS: 0.15% THD+N). He mentioned this was different than what the computer sims would have predicted and theorized it might be a "distortion cancellation effect" happening between the EL34 and 6080 tubes. That's what got me wondering if some tube combos are going to sound better in RES mode - perhaps due to similar effects?

I've been defaulting to BH+ with CCS mode as it seems to generally sounds better from my limited time with the amp than RES mode. If I'm not feeling a tube roll in CCS mode, I'll plan to give RES a shot to see if things sound better - for science.

Yeah, I think most people would enjoy having the option. I went very streamlined with my build simply because I didn't want OCD to kick in and be constantly comparing the modes, but as it turns out I can get a pretty similar effect from my amp through tube rolling. A KT66 running in EL34 bias mode has several times more harmonic distortion than the KT150 running in its own dedicated bias mode which results in similar "flavors" like the RES/CCS switch does.

That's totally understandable. It's definitely is a double-edged sword having so many options! I would not recommend CCS/RES switch for those that want to keep it as simple as possible. However, I think what will draw most people to the BH+ is the maximum versatility, so why not one more extra mode to experiment with? I love to tinker, and being able to experiment frequently is fun for me. If you just want a good sounding amp, you can't go wrong with Blue Halo amp (which is equivalent to "only" having BH mode). Even Blue Halo has an entire universe of driver tube rolling that allows you to tune the sound within a certain extent. I can't say BH+ sounds subjectively better than BH , so you really can't go wrong with either amp. Like @maxpudding said, I think it just comes down to how much value you put on having as much versatility as possible and being able to get max distortion/more tube sound.

 

[raindownthunda]

Running Cetron 6336B & Osram L63 in the Blue Halo+ today.

With 6336 being equivalent to 2x 6080, the output impedance is around 35 Ohm. This puts the damping factor right around 8.5:1 with the Verite Closed.

They sound excellent. Fast, tight, spacious, impactful, with a tasteful amount of tube tone. As they say "ZMF neutral", I think this sounds like "1101 neutral".

These chunky tubes are mini-space heaters. However with the fans running at 40% speed, internal ambient temps are a cool 100° F.

 

[leftside]

Running Cetron 6336B & Osram L63 in the Blue Halo+ today.

With 6336 being equivalent to 2x 6080, the output impedance is around 35 Ohm. This puts the damping factor right around 8.5:1 with the Verite Closed.

They sound excellent. Fast, tight, spacious, impactful, with a tasteful amount of tube tone. As they say "ZMF neutral", I think this sounds like "1101 neutral".

These chunky tubes are mini-space heaters. However with the fans running at 40% speed, internal ambient temps are a cool 100° F.

And Osram labels facing forwards!

 

[mordy]

Running Cetron 6336B & Osram L63 in the Blue Halo+ today.

With 6336 being equivalent to 2x 6080, the output impedance is around 35 Ohm. This puts the damping factor right around 8.5:1 with the Verite Closed.

They sound excellent. Fast, tight, spacious, impactful, with a tasteful amount of tube tone. As they say "ZMF neutral", I think this sounds like "1101 neutral".

These chunky tubes are mini-space heaters. However with the fans running at 40% speed, internal ambient temps are a cool 100° F.

The 6336B and the 6528 are similar 5A tubes; the 6528 has a higher mu (9 vs 2.7). Don't know if the 6336B graphite tube has the same construction, but the 6528 has graphite zirconium coated plates and gold plated molybdenum grids.
I use the 6528 with very good results in a different amp - packs a lot of punch.

 

[raindownthunda]

The 6336B and the 6528 are similar 5A tubes; the 6528 has a higher mu (9 vs 2.7). Don't know if the 6336B graphite tube has the same construction, but the 6528 has graphite zirconium coated plates and gold plated molybdenum grids.
I use the 6528 with very good results in a different amp - packs a lot of punch.

Do you find the 6528 sounds much different than the 6336?

 

[mordy]

Do you find the 6528 sounds much different than the 6336?

Not really, but it plays a little louder, and in certain combinations it may be helpful.

 

[whirlwind]

And Osram labels facing forwards!

That is pretty dang rare!

 

[raindownthunda]

First time fully loading up all 9 sockets in the BH+ tonight.

Power: 6x Sylvania 6BL7GT
Driver: 2x National Union 12J5GT + 1x RCA 12SX7GT

Tonight I'm enjoying RES mode with the 6BL7's. RES mode seems to compliment the 6BL7 wonderfully. Output impedance with this roll is ~30 ohm (@A2029 correct me if I'm wrong) so the sound is still very fast and tight, with a healthy serving of flavorful full-bodied tube distortion. No not syrupy/gooey/rolled off sound here.

 

[mordy]

First time fully loading up all 9 sockets in the BH+ tonight.

Power: 6x Sylvania 6BL7GT
Driver: 2x National Union 12J5GT + 1x RCA 12SX7GT

Tonight I'm enjoying RES mode with the 6BL7's. RES mode seems to compliment the 6BL7 wonderfully. Output impedance with this roll is ~30 ohm (@A2029 correct me if I'm wrong) so the sound is still very fast and tight, with a healthy serving of flavorful full-bodied tube distortion. No not syrupy/gooey/rolled off sound here.

Very nice tube complement! The 12SX7GT is a mil spec 12SN7 tube. I am curious if there is a difference in sound if you just run the pair of NU 12J5GT tube.

 

[leftside]

First time fully loading up all 9 sockets in the BH+ tonight.

Power: 6x Sylvania 6BL7GT
Driver: 2x National Union 12J5GT + 1x RCA 12SX7GT

Tonight I'm enjoying RES mode with the 6BL7's. RES mode seems to compliment the 6BL7 wonderfully. Output impedance with this roll is ~30 ohm (@A2029 correct me if I'm wrong) so the sound is still very fast and tight, with a healthy serving of flavorful full-bodied tube distortion. No not syrupy/gooey/rolled off sound here.

I was chatting with Deyan the tube adapter guy the other day. Says he has slimline 2 * 6BL7 to 1 * 6080 adapters these days. I have lots of 6BL7 and 6BX7 that are doing nothing sitting in storage, so 6 adapters are on their way to me. Kind of ridiculous I know, but I want to use those 6BL7 and 6BX7 tubes... and they are cheap.

 

[raindownthunda]

Very nice tube complement! The 12SX7GT is a mil spec 12SN7 tube. I am curious if there is a difference in sound if you just run the pair of NU 12J5GT tube.

The NU 12J5 on their own definitely have more clarity and hi-fi sound. Running the 12SX7 in addition to 12J5 smooths out the edges and add a slightly hazy layer over everything (like an extra warm fuzzy blanket). I just tried the 12SX7 by itself and noticed the same thing - more clarity when run alone. Compared to the NU 12J5 on their own, the RCA 12SX7 is slightly warmer/slightly less clarity but more 3d sounding. I'm honestly surprised how much clarity/detail there is in general with these 6BL7 in RES mode.

I was chatting with Deyan the tube adapter guy the other day. Says he has slimline 2 * 6BL7 to 1 * 6080 adapters these days. I have lots of 6BL7 and 6BX7 that are doing nothing sitting in storage, so 6 adapters are on their way to me. Kind of ridiculous I know, but I want to use those 6BL7 and 6BX7 tubes... and they are cheap.

Wow - so are you going to be running 12x 6BL7/6BX7 at a time? The 6BL7 I'm listening to right now sound pretty great. Definitely going to stay in the amp for the next few days as I try some other driver tubes. I need to give the 6BX7 another shot at some point too. The 6BX7 I tried had a fairly noticeable noise floor (unlike these 6BL7) so didn't stay in the amp for very long. It's a little hard to troubleshoot noise when there's 6 tubes IIRC, Glenn mentioned at some point that it's best to find NOS/NIB tubes if you can since they were run pretty hard in old TV's. Can't wait to hear what you think in your amp.