[heliosphann]

Can't get away from them I use the REN904 and Phillips E424 in my preamp these old tubes just sound great.
And look neat too The E424s have no coating so you can see the internals.
Love these tubes.

Tubes are pretty amazing. They're like functional art, especially the older tubes. Something very "real" about them, as opposed to hidden electronics in a black box.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

I see the treatment didn't work... Still hooked on tubes.

Yup, they might have to institutionalize me, tell your friends kids, don't do tubes!

Can't get away from them I use the REN904 and Phillips E424 in my preamp these old tubes just sound great.
And look neat too The E424s have no coating so you can see the internals.
Love these tubes.

Some other tubes from this "family" that have clear glass Glenn are the very early Marconi-Osram MH4 (mu 40) and MHL4 (mu 20), here are some MH4, these go for BIG bucks on eBay.



The other I know of is the Mazda AC/HL, two different plate constructions, black plate and nickel. I have had my eye out for a pair of these for some time, but they go for high prices at auction when they do appear, and it isn't often. I like the look of the black plates.

 

[2359glenn]

Yup, they might have to institutionalize me, tell your friends kids, don't do tubes!



Some other tubes from this "family" that have clear glass Glenn are the very early Marconi-Osram MH4 (mu 40) and MHL4 (mu 20), here are some MH4, these go for BIG bucks on eBay.



The other I know of is the Mazda AC/HL, two different plate constructions, black plate and nickel. I have had my eye out for a pair of these for some time, but they go for high prices at auction when they do appear, and it isn't often. I like the look of the black plates.

Nice looking tubes sure I can't afford them right now. I do have a pair of E424 mesh plates but the solid plates sound better.

 

[chrisdrop]

Does anyone know the Fivre logo history/ ages? Given these and these, there are 2 'fivre' prints on the tubes. Which is likely the older/ newer?

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Does anyone know the Fivre logo history/ ages? Given these and these, there are 2 'fivre' prints on the tubes. Which is likely the older/ newer?

The second link are definitely the older type, the yellow print came later, the pattern I have seen is these tubes are 1960s era. These tubes also tend to lack the tax exemption decals associated with Fivre tubes. The box style changed as well. Earlier Fivre makes will have black print, often with the tube model enclosed inside of an octagon with the older style boxes seen in the photos of the second link.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Nice looking tubes sure I can't afford them right now. I do have a pair of E424 mesh plates but the solid plates sound better.

I can't either, not sure I will ever shell out the cash for the globe mesh plate MH4, but I would like a pair of the AC/HL. Also would like to get my hands on a pair of your clear glass solid plate E424, but as you know they don't show up often. Other than those two, I am pretty happy with my collection of these tubes. I am particularly smitten by the Mullard NR52 right now. I did a Google Image search for the NR52 and found my own picture HA! here it is next to the metallized Marconi MH4 with my old OTL in the back. These tubes have enormous soundstage and killer low end, 0.65A heaters.

 

[mordy]

Got in a new ST type 6N7G tube - a RCA 6N7G:

The date code is R 6. To make a long story short we could celebrate the 80th birthday of this tube soon!
R = 1940
6 = the last two month period of the year (November-December)
The seller listed it as an estate find - it is....

 

[chrisdrop]

I have been really enjoying these 60s GEC L63s. They really sounded good right out of the box and have continued to perform nicely.

I rarely roll my outputs. I have however been back/forth several times with either just 2x Bendix 6080 or those plus 2x RCA 6080 (newer logo variant).

The Bendix are great on their own. Adding the RCAs gives a sweet bass-cannon effect. It does however take away clarity. I am going to try to find another pair of 6080s that aren't so warm to add to the Bendix outputs. FWIW 4x Bendix is a hot furnace and noisy. Each of 2 pairs is OK independently, but together; no good!

 

[mordy]

You could try Sylvania/Philips 6080 - can be found inexpensive.

 

[attmci]

I have been really enjoying these 60s GEC L63s. They really sounded good right out of the box and have continued to perform nicely.

I rarely roll my outputs. I have however been back/forth several times with either just 2x Bendix 6080 or those plus 2x RCA 6080 (newer logo variant).

The Bendix are great on their own. Adding the RCAs gives a sweet bass-cannon effect. It does however take away clarity. I am going to try to find another pair of 6080s that aren't so warm to add to the Bendix outputs. FWIW 4x Bendix is a hot furnace and noisy. Each of 2 pairs is OK independently, but together; no good!

You should be able to find some good GEC 6080 at UK. No?

 

[chrisdrop]

You should be able to find some good GEC 6080 at UK. No?

As it happens one of the UK sellers is getting a dozen NOS GEC 6080 in this week. I will grab a pair. Hard to resist.

I have avoided the 6AS7G because they are silly expensive. Those of you who have them; well played!

 

[mordy]

Between me and you, I prefer the GEC 6080 over the GEC A1834/6AS7G....

 

[chrisdrop]

Tx for the heads up. I have been loving an early 40s RCA 6N7G lately. I rolled the dice!

Tx @rnros. It is in the amp presently. I had it in for 30 mins or so with no headphones. Put in my sacrificial headphones, sounds like a touch of noise. My advanced method (wife's book) has the noise licked for the moment. I imagine it will get quiet, but the temporary measures will suffice before getting into it much more.

 

[NickT23]

Tx @rnros. It is in the amp presently. I had it in for 30 mins or so with no headphones. Put in my sacrificial headphones, sounds like a touch of noise. My advanced method (wife's book) has the noise licked for the moment. I imagine it will get quiet, but the temporary measures will suffice before getting into it much more.

weird trickery there. So the book reduce noise floor is it ?

 

[chrisdrop]

weird trickery there. So the book reduce noise floor is it ?

The tube is slightly noisy. In this case, the book makes noise go away. Disclaimer; not the 1st time I have used this approach. Often, it is temporary, so removing the book - and all is quiet!

Mordy in particular has many tube de-noising suggestions. I'll pull it out, sand the pins 1st if it doesn't just get quiet.