LCD 4 needs the high impedence through the stock 1/4 cable as the body of the bass breaks and vocals aren't as forward as they should with anything less than high impedence.
Cayin HA-3A, a Compact 6V6s Transformer-coupled Tube Amplifier
- Thread starter Andykong
- Start date
mudguardiain
100+ Head-Fier
Yes, new production, I have both 6v6 & 12au7 currently fitted, still changing a little as they burn in, but sounding very good with the HE1000. The Apos is probably slightly better for the very fine details. The Gold Lion sounds a tad warmer but as I say they are still settling in & becoming more 3d sounding. Not yet tried any NOS tubes, may sell my Apos to help fund some NOS tubes.
Do you also have the Telefunken 12AU7? if so, a comparison?
mudguardiain
100+ Head-Fier
I have not heard Telefunken tubes yet, there is a retailer in the UK that has some, he also recommended some Radio Techniques. Only just beginning my journey with tubes. No doubt I will end up buying some NOS tubes as curiosity is likely to get the better of me
I have to say thank you to @Louisiana for the Bendix 6V6GTY recommendation (and link)! 
These are indeed great 6V6 tubes, probably objectively the best from the 6-8 different 6V6 pairs I have tried so far. These are the most refined, best balanced and most detailed out of the few I have heard.
To start with, I have to say that any of these NOS tubes sound better than the stock JJs to me. Some of the more common NOS pairs (RCA, Fivre and so on) already sound very nice, natural and spacious, but for me they lack bass body, extension and impact with bass focused modern music. (For acoustic genres they are fine.)
That is the main reason, I mostly used my Brimar 6V6GTs, as they have big and strong bass with a nice and warm sound. Their disadvantage is a slightly smaller soundstage and less refined higher frequencies. But their bass, man, that is fun!
So, with the Bendix I was hoping for having the spacious and detailed upper frequencies and combining them with a meatier bass. Did I get what I hoped for? Well, kind of. Basically yes, just in a slightly different package than expected.
What struck me first with the Bendix is their refined sound and great balance. Initially bass was almost as disappointing as with some other 6V6s I tried, but luckily after 10-20-30 hours of burn-in, the bass came alive and filled in. So, the Bendix tubes are refined, not as warm as the Brimar, but still nice and warmish tube sound. Space and upper frequency clarity/detail retrieval is great, probably the best I have heard from 6V6 tubes. Bass is nice, punchy and impactful. The fr spectrum is probably the best balanced. While many 6V6 tubes lack bass, the Brimars definitely have a bit more bass than an objectively tasteful balance would suggest. So, the Bendix have enough bass impact for me in a better refined environment to keep and enjoy them. The Brimar bass body is still bigger and thicker, which is super fun, and also warmer overall; but they are a bit behind the Bendix in refinement/resolution.
Conclusion? I might pop some Brimars back every now and then for some bass fun, but the general balance and refinement with adequate bass quantity and impact makes me prefer the Bendix overall. For now. And then who knows, this is an ever changing and ever evolving hobby. Enjoy the ride, guys!
These are indeed great 6V6 tubes, probably objectively the best from the 6-8 different 6V6 pairs I have tried so far. These are the most refined, best balanced and most detailed out of the few I have heard.
To start with, I have to say that any of these NOS tubes sound better than the stock JJs to me. Some of the more common NOS pairs (RCA, Fivre and so on) already sound very nice, natural and spacious, but for me they lack bass body, extension and impact with bass focused modern music. (For acoustic genres they are fine.)
That is the main reason, I mostly used my Brimar 6V6GTs, as they have big and strong bass with a nice and warm sound. Their disadvantage is a slightly smaller soundstage and less refined higher frequencies. But their bass, man, that is fun!
So, with the Bendix I was hoping for having the spacious and detailed upper frequencies and combining them with a meatier bass. Did I get what I hoped for? Well, kind of. Basically yes, just in a slightly different package than expected.
What struck me first with the Bendix is their refined sound and great balance. Initially bass was almost as disappointing as with some other 6V6s I tried, but luckily after 10-20-30 hours of burn-in, the bass came alive and filled in. So, the Bendix tubes are refined, not as warm as the Brimar, but still nice and warmish tube sound. Space and upper frequency clarity/detail retrieval is great, probably the best I have heard from 6V6 tubes. Bass is nice, punchy and impactful. The fr spectrum is probably the best balanced. While many 6V6 tubes lack bass, the Brimars definitely have a bit more bass than an objectively tasteful balance would suggest. So, the Bendix have enough bass impact for me in a better refined environment to keep and enjoy them. The Brimar bass body is still bigger and thicker, which is super fun, and also warmer overall; but they are a bit behind the Bendix in refinement/resolution.
Conclusion? I might pop some Brimars back every now and then for some bass fun, but the general balance and refinement with adequate bass quantity and impact makes me prefer the Bendix overall. For now. And then who knows, this is an ever changing and ever evolving hobby. Enjoy the ride, guys!
grant0317
100+ Head-Fier
Did you end up finding fuse replacements?
I also decided to grab a pair of those Bendix after they were recommended - You've done a much better job describing them than I could (I also find it tricky comparing tubes with the downtime required between them) but having these I don't really feel the urge to keep rolling power tubes...unless maybe I can find a decent price on some of those 5992s...I have to say thank you to @Louisiana for the Bendix 6V6GTY recommendation (and link)!
These are indeed great 6V6 tubes, probably objectively the best from the 6-8 different 6V6 pairs I have tried so far. These are the most refined, best balanced and most detailed out of the few I have heard.
To start with, I have to say that any of these NOS tubes sound better than the stock JJs to me. Some of the more common NOS pairs (RCA, Fivre and so on) already sound very nice, natural and spacious, but for me they lack bass body, extension and impact with bass focused modern music. (For acoustic genres they are fine.)
That is the main reason, I mostly used my Brimar 6V6GTs, as they have big and strong bass with a nice and warm sound. Their disadvantage is a slightly smaller soundstage and less refined higher frequencies. But their bass, man, that is fun!
So, with the Bendix I was hoping for having the spacious and detailed upper frequencies and combining them with a meatier bass. Did I get what I hoped for? Well, kind of. Basically yes, just in a slightly different package than expected.
What struck me first with the Bendix is their refined sound and great balance. Initially bass was almost as disappointing as with some other 6V6s I tried, but luckily after 10-20-30 hours of burn-in, the bass came alive and filled in. So, the Bendix tubes are refined, not as warm as the Brimar, but still nice and warmish tube sound. Space and upper frequency clarity/detail retrieval is great, probably the best I have heard from 6V6 tubes. Bass is nice, punchy and impactful. The fr spectrum is probably the best balanced. While many 6V6 tubes lack bass, the Brimars definitely have a bit more bass than an objectively tasteful balance would suggest. So, the Bendix have enough bass impact for me in a better refined environment to keep and enjoy them. The Brimar bass body is still bigger and thicker, which is super fun, and also warmer overall; but they are a bit behind the Bendix in refinement/resolution.
Conclusion? I might pop some Brimars back every now and then for some bass fun, but the general balance and refinement with adequate bass quantity and impact makes me prefer the Bendix overall. For now. And then who knows, this is an ever changing and ever evolving hobby. Enjoy the ride, guys!
*edit - I'll add that, while I am still very early with the Apos Ray's, I think overall between the Rays and the Bendix I'm pretty satisfied with where my ha-3a is at in general.
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mrdbristol
New Head-Fier
yeh, got some from eBay - after a little Googling i was told that the E in the name was possibly some sort of brand or lost in translation thing.
Installed T125mAL250v and its working now.
Tube rolling really is a blast. Honestly didn’t think I’d bother that much but the whole process can be a joy - looking at recommendations, trying to source (…like a treasure hunt for some of them, lol..), finally getting your hands on them, the initial listen and then the reveal over time. Wonderful!
Now on the hunt for a pair of the Bendix
Now on the hunt for a pair of the Bendix
Bit of a costly blast though. $100 here, $200 there. Way too easy to double the amp's cost.Tube rolling really is a blast. Honestly didn’t think I’d bother that much but the whole process can be a joy - looking at recommendations, trying to source (…like a treasure hunt for some of them, lol..), finally getting your hands on them, the initial listen and then the reveal over time. Wonderful!
Now on the hunt for a pair of the Bendix
Oh for sure, easily! It’s only moneyBit of a costly blast though. $100 here, $200 there. Way too easy to double the amp's cost.
dynamic headphones
100+ Head-Fier
sums up a lot of this hobby for some
NJoyzAudio
Lurkerus Supremus
IMO: Eclipse Pioneer Bendix Redbank tubes share a lot of similarity in build and somewhat the sound with the what some call the "Holy Grail 6V6" the Bendix 5992 Redbank tubes, but at a much lower price point than the 5992.Tube rolling really is a blast. Honestly didn’t think I’d bother that much but the whole process can be a joy - looking at recommendations, trying to source (…like a treasure hunt for some of them, lol..), finally getting your hands on them, the initial listen and then the reveal over time. Wonderful!
Now on the hunt for a pair of the Bendix
I've listened to both Redbank tubes. I've been asked is there a difference. I have 2 sets of the 5992 in my stash (if that speaks to "If" I think there is a difference from the Eclipse Pioneer versions to the 5992's) Bought 2 sets as I did like what I heard and the 5992's are disappearing at an alarming rate, but I do find myself routinely going back to the Mazda 6V6G ST tubes I own. Roll between the Mazda's and the 5992 as my current go to's, but reading the comments again here with the Eclipse Pioneer 6V6, going to have to borrow them back and listen again, and may have to go out and buy a set.
But fully agree with you 1oad3r, it is a lot of fun!
(And at least I'm not rolling NOS 300b's with that OMG/No F'in way price tag)
And as to the Tube rolling and the associated cost, I'll just say....
"...Welcome To Head-Fi, Sorry about your wallet..."
grant0317
100+ Head-Fier
So I switched the stock 12au7 to brimar cv4003 and 6v6 to mullard holland tubes today but now I'm getting noise on my left driver. Which of side on the amp would the noisy tubes be on? (is the the left 2 with the VU meters facing me?) and any suggestions on how I would go cleaning the tube pins? Also I turned the amp on and off twice now and am sort of debating whether to keep turning it on and off again to test for tube noise.
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