[CoiL]

What ECC85 is it? Same Mullard ECC85 that lwrs10 recommended?

 

[lwrs10]

What ECC85 is it? Same Mullard ECC85 that lwrs10 recommended?

I would need a better pic of the tube, but doesnt look like it.

 

[HeavenNotes]

I would need a better pic of the tube, but doesnt look like it.

Hello

It is a Telefunken brand

 

[CoiL]

Can you see any etched code on glass?

 

[HeavenNotes]

  Can you see any etched code on glass?

 
Hello
 
I only can read this
 

 

[CoiL]

NB! Everybody who are using higher voltage/current tubes - make sure you clean your NOS tube pins properly!!! I tried this other PCC85 I got (different build from earlier mentioned PCC85) and without cleaning pins it sounded crackly and distorted. After cleaning - works like a charm!

 

[HeavenNotes]

  NB! Everybody who are using higher voltage/current tubes - make sure you clean your NOS tube pins properly!!! I tried this other PCC85 I got (different build from earlier mentioned PCC85) and without cleaning pins it sounded crackly and distorted. After cleaning - works like a charm!

Thank you for the suggestion. 
 
What technic did you use it to clean tube pins?
 
Thanks in advance. 

 

[manishex]

Yea my telefunken ECC85 i got off ebay has way too much distortion

 

[HeavenNotes]

 
I found this one.

 

[CoiL]

...

 

[lwrs10]

all that is wayyyyyyyyy too much work.



Pencil eraser. Poke a hole in the middle of it, spin it around each pin a few times, done.

Yea my telefunken ECC85 i got off ebay has way too much distortion

let it play for about an hour, and it will come around.

 

[HeavenNotes]

  strong 30% spirit vinegar + baking soda

Here is a little guide I made. It might not give you so good result as mini-polishing machines etc. but it`s with little hassle and all you need for it is probably in your kitchen/bathroom.
Also, it doesn`t take so much of your busy time, just leave it for ~30min and then wash excess "coating" off and clean with alcohol. Even better result if you burn tube for ~10min after cleaning and repeat process once more.
 
How to clean audio tube pins with easy-to-find home chemicals without micro-scratching and -shaping pins.
 
1st. Materials & tools needed:

 

• Larger than usual ~1-1.5mm needle, hard wire or something with sharp tip.
• Piece of thicker type paper, carton or plastic. Easy to get from used juice cartons or candy boxes. Re-use your junk!
• Baking soda ( Sodium Bicarbonate - NaHCO₃ ).
• Spirit Vinegar or other strong type (20-30%) acetic acid.
• Under-plate or some other „container“. One small and littlebit larger under-plate.

Both should be low in height. I use a cap from glass soup/jam can.

• Ventilated room because smell is strong & awful (open window and little airflow is enough).
• Some paper or cotton-stick + alcohol to wipe off acid left on pins.

 
2nd. Cleaning process with some pics:
 

• Cutting piece of paper/carton and making pin holes.

 
 
2. Mixing soda and acid.

 
 
3. Cleaning with running water, alcohol soaked cotton-sticks and drying pins.


 
 
Your done! Nice clean pins with less hassle and minimum damage to pins & leaving prints untouched! No special tools involved

 
 
Thank you so much!!!  I did it with my nail machine.
 

 
And I finished it with the vinegar. 

 

[HeavenNotes]

  NB! Everybody who are using higher voltage/current tubes - make sure you clean your NOS tube pins properly!!! I tried this other PCC85 I got (different build from earlier mentioned PCC85) and without cleaning pins it sounded crackly and distorted. After cleaning - works like a charm!

 Oh boy ... oh boy ... you were 100% right  ... the sound JUMPED UP after cleaning the pins  !!!!!!   A big smile in my face !!!! 

 
 
Thank you

 

 

[CoiL]

Do NOT use hard-polishing tips! It will thinner those pins and micro-shape! If using polishing machine - use felt or rubber tips!

 

[CoiL]

all that is wayyyyyyyyy too much work.

Imho no. It`s easy. And rubber pencil wont remove corrodation/oxidation in way acid+soda does
Maybe it just seems so much work because I made this guide too much step-by-step. If you have no special tools for polishing - it`s best way by my practice.
 
Btw, this method can be used to clean multiple tubes at once!
 

 

  NB! Everybody who are using higher voltage/current tubes - make sure you clean your NOS tube pins properly!!! I tried this other PCC85 I got (different build from earlier mentioned PCC85) and without cleaning pins it sounded crackly and distorted. After cleaning - works like a charm!

 Oh boy ... oh boy ... you were 100% right  ... the sound JUMPED UP after clean the pins  !!!!!!   A big smile in my face !!!! 

 
 
Thank you

Enjoy!