[Beav]

Having determined that the 2C51 tube type sounds the best in the driver slot of my MPX3 Slam I am now faced with a purchasing decision. I've read that best sounding 2C51 are from Western Electric. I've also read that if you can find them, the Ericsson goldpin is even better; well, I found them, but at $200 for a matched pair I thought I'd check to see if anyone on Headfi had heard the tube and is it that good?

 

[takezo]

i like the sound the 2c51 and its derivatives give out of the mpx3
slam se. it has the largest soundstage with lively highs... not to
mention a very high gain/amplification factor...

the goldpin ericssons are nothing extraordinary...at least not like
the bendix 6385... the goldpins are comparable to the western
electric 396a made in the early 50's... the one made in the 60's
and 70's seem less silky in the mids and not as lively and clean
in the highs... the bendix 6385 is the only tube in this family that
seems to have great bass as well as mids and highs... the bass
is deep, controlled and fast/snappy...quite impressive... the goldpin
ericssons are known to have minimal microphonic charactertistics
but the SQ itself is not worth $100 per tube imb... i'd get 4 or 5
50's WE instead for $100+... or grab a bendix 6385, that tests
well... the bendix 2c51 is not the same as the 6385 and doesn't
have that great bass characteristic.

 

[Happy Camper]

Nice!

I've been considering a 2c51 socket. I was hoping to hear some comments on the vendor sound.

 

[Beav]

Thanks Takezo,

Though this what I usually find when I post requests for tube info. The one that is suggested, that you now want, is not available through searches on Google, Ebay or your regular tube dealers....sigh

Ever heard the National (made in England) 5670?

 

[takezo]

the national brand 5670 or 2c51 are kinda tricky... some say
they are rebranded WE 396a, while others say they're just
rebranded General Electric 2c51... i have several of the national
2c51 and they sound fine, but not like the 50's WE though...
compared, the national is slightly brighter at the top and grainer
in the mids, which some may actually prefer...

when i purchased thru mikhail of singlepower last year he sent me
several other usa brands like sylvania, rca and tungsol...of these the
tungsol sounds the best to my ears. it just seems a bit more
controlled at the top and cleaner sounding than the other ones.
it compares favorably to the 50's WE, with the latter a bit more
laid back and smoother in the mids than the tungsol.

here's a pic of my favorites along with the bendix 6385:

 

[Beav]

Another interesting possibility

6N3P-DR

 

[takezo]

the russian military version... haven't tried that yet.
it seems all the military version has the tall glass with double
top mica... the bendix 6385 is supposedly military stock.
the knock on virtually all russian tubes is that they are not
known for longevity... but at that price it may be worth trying...
i've purchased other russian tubes, military or not, and they've
all shared a characteristic in the mid range that's a little grainier
than the usa counterpart...

 

[Skylab]

The russian tube isn't that great IMO. The best value for the money are the Sylvania black-plate 2C51's. They sound great and are not usually that expensive. I have some RCA 5670's that sound pretty nice, too. I have WE 396A's and JAN-Bendix's, and they were not any better than the Sylvania 2C51, IMO. Heck, the JAN-GE 5670W's sound pretty good considering they are cheaper than dirt. The Tung-Sols you are using are pretty good too - better than the GE, but not as good as the Sylvania, again, IMO.

 

[takezo]

i like the sylvania 2c51 too, but they seem a little subdued to my ears
compared to the tungsol... but of course, it may just be that the
tube i have is a little off... i've noticed variations in SQ even among
same brand/ date issued tubes.

*i just took another look at the sylvania i have and it has grey plates
shielded by a blate plate, so i guess that may explain why it sounds
the way it does to me. of course, what headphone is being used
makes a lot of difference too, i assume...

 

[Beav]

Found some more...

NOS Western Electric JW 396A! 1940's Square getter black plate! at $200 per matched pair. Is he overpricing or is this a rare WE?

Sylvania NOS NIB 5670 2 Mica spacer green lettering - 39.99 a pair. This is probably not the one mentioned previously.

Raytheon JAN 5670! Windmill Getter design! I've always had good luck with Raytheon's, maybe worth a shot.

 

[Jahvetti]

You make me want to buy an adapter. Must resist...

 

[takezo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beav /img/forum/go_quote.gif Found some more... NOS Western Electric JW 396A! 1940's Square getter black plate! at $200 per matched pair. Is he overpricing or is this a rare WE? Sylvania NOS NIB 5670 2 Mica spacer green lettering - 39.99 a pair. This is probably not the one mentioned previously. Raytheon JAN 5670! Windmill Getter design! I've always had good luck with Raytheon's, maybe worth a shot.

i've never heard a 40's WE 396a... i would guess they are on the scarce side.
the raytheon 5670 with the thicker than usual mica are unusual and scarce too.
they would have box-like plates too. i've not heard one so don't know
if they are better sounding or just more scarce...

 

[Beav]

Quote:

i've never heard a 40's WE 396a

Hmmmm...well then, have you heard of the Tube Dealer...sounds like he's got some scarce stuff; now is he reliable?

tejastubes

 

[takezo]

nope... sorry, but i haven't heard of this seller.
they're priced rather high...all of the tubes.
hope they have warranty or return policy...

 

[Fairbanks]

Hey Beav,no need to spend that much on those tubes.Go to Radio Daze and look under 2C51's.You can call them and tell them exactly what tubes you want.