[neutralzz]

sorry if this question has been popping up all the time...

but i've seen most people happy with amperex 6922s, does anyone have any other similar tubes to recommend, i'm looking for tubes for good vocals, and also recommendations for 6922s with laidback soundstage

 

[J@ck]

Any cca would be a good bet.

 

[edisonwu]

the selected Electro Harmonix gold pins has so similar high end performance but in different style compare with some big brand NOS. they are also less expensive, and easier to find. however, NOS are still superior, but you'r gonna pay a lot.

 

[some1x]

Amperex Bugle Boys sound quite good while being relatively cheap and easy to get.

 

[bozebuttons]

Mullards

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neutralzz sorry if this question has been popping up all the time... but i've seen most people happy with amperex 6922s, does anyone have any other similar tubes to recommend, i'm looking for tubes for good vocals, and also recommendations for 6922s with laidback soundstage

Your description fits Mullards, but I personally don't like that type of sound. But CCA's are so dang expensive nowadays, it's hard to recommend them. Amperex 7308 is also a very nice, middle-of-road tube that's hard to not like.

If you run into a good German E188c tube, snap them up real fast also...

 

[gundam91]

Read Joes' article on Audio Asylum. It's got all the information you are looking for. "Best" is probably not the right word to describe tubes. Think of swapping tubes is a tweak. Depending on what your system signature is, you can try different tubes to change the sound characteristics.

In my experience, Mullards are very warm, but lack the dynamics and bass control. Siemenses have better dynamics and bass control and still a tad warmer than my liking. Amperexes are the most overall balanced, in my opinion. This is just a gross generalization. There are more differences between the different tube type/vintage within each brand. In all my systems, I prefer the Amperex tubes.

 

[neutralzz]

thanks for the replies

hmm.. as posted in another thread i've actually source for the following

1) E88CC Brimar UK Gold ($65 each)
2) E88CC Telefunken (most expensive of the lot at $210 per tube)
3) E88CC Siemens Gold Pins (2 for $100 from friend)
4) Mullard 7308 (1 for $100)
5) E88CC Mullard CV2493 (1 for $90)
6) E88CC Mullard CV2492 (1 for $65)
7) E88CC Tesla ($29)
8) Amperex (used at 2 x $130)

in SGD ( at 1 USD = 1.7 SGD)

brimars look good though

i've got 3 tubes to change on the earmax, 1 input and 2 output..

 

[sygyzy]

I run Amperex made in W. German (for driver and both channels) in my Earmax Pro clone. They sound great.

 

[photobob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozebuttons Mullards

I just scored a pair on Ebay for my Melos.
How would you describe the sound?
Bob

 

[gundam91]

Quote:

Originally Posted by neutralzz hmm.. as posted in another thread i've actually source for the following 1) E88CC Brimar UK Gold ($65 each) 2) E88CC Telefunken (most expensive of the lot at $210 per tube) 3) E88CC Siemens Gold Pins (2 for $100 from friend) 4) Mullard 7308 (1 for $100) 5) E88CC Mullard CV2493 (1 for $90) 6) E88CC Mullard CV2492 (1 for $65) 7) E88CC Tesla ($29) 8) Amperex (used at 2 x $130) in SGD ( at 1 USD = 1.7 SGD) brimars look good though i've got 3 tubes to change on the earmax, 1 input and 2 output..

My God! The Prices of NOS tubes has gone up A LOT! What else is in your system? I've only heard the earmax at the Stereophile Show many, many years ago. I was thinking about getting this amp until I started participating in this forum....

Few things to watch out for:

1/ I was under the impression that only the EarMax Pro uses 6DJ8 tubes and only in the driver section (the pair on the outside)?

2/ All the tubes used for the Earmax/Earmax Pro have two sections, so each section of the INPUT tube "processes" the sound for one channel. These include the 12AT7, ECC81, ECC86. You want to make sure that the two sections match. (Make sure the seller has tested these using mutual conductance tube testers, at the least). For the driver tubes, check with the manufacturer to see if tube matching is critical. If this amp is a push-pull type, it will be critical. If not, no need to have matched tubes, but still you want the two tubes to be from the same manufacturer and same internal structures.

I remember that there were a lot of posts on the Earmax at one time, maybe do a search and see what other users have successes with?

Good listening,

 

[gundam91]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sygyzy I run Amperex made in W. German

Take a look at the bottom of the tube, right in the center of those pins. If you see a number, it's made by Siemens. If you see a number inside a diamond, then it's made by Telefunken. There were only a few manufacturers back then, but sometimes they buy tubes from other manufacturers and relabel them. I have Amperexes that were made in Japan, Hungary, Germany, and France. But sometimes you have to check the internal structure and also the code etched on the glass to be able to tell where they are really from. There were a lot of Amperex, Siemens, Mullards labeled and sold under RCA, HP, National, etc.

 

[neutralzz]

ok i just took the plunge and got myself 2 brimars and 1 mullard cv 2493.. havent plugged in the 2493, but using my electro harmonix as input, brimars as output, wow! much improvement in sound, much more airier and warmer.. but tubes not run in yet cant give a conclusion on that..

hmm.. will plug the mullard in soon

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edisonwu the selected Electro Harmonix gold pins has so similar high end performance but in different style compare with some big brand NOS. they are also less expensive, and easier to find. however, NOS are still superior, but you'r gonna pay a lot.

I like the Electro Harmonix Gold 6922 (with gold pins - some sellers have a gold grade that is not the Gold model with gold pins but the non-Gold model they grade as gold) for music.

For slightly more of a SS sound (more vocal clarity) with video material, I use Philips first or Tesla second for slightly more SS quality.

 

[edisonwu]

I list some,

Telefunken CCa
Telefunken E188CC
Telefunken E88CC
Siemens CCa 50's D-getter (extremely rare)
Siemens CCa 60's
Mullard CV4108
Amperex "PQ" E88CC
Philips Holland "SQ" E88CC