[MacMan31]

All of the 12au7 types will fit, such as ecc82 and 5814a.

E80cc will fit but won’t be optimal without small internal changes. Same thing with the 12bh7 tubes.

You can find adapters online for tube types like the 6sn7.

What about other 12A*7 options?

 

[pravous]

What about other 12A*7 options?

The 12at7 has gain factor of 60 and the 12ax7 has a gain of 100 vs the @20 for the 12au7 so they are a no go for the BHC.

 

[JamieMcC]

From what I can find the E80CC is pretty pricey. I wonder if these would be any good?

https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/e80cc-mullard-blue-boxed-nos-valve-tube-lc84/

https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/e80cc-mullard-nos-boxed-valve-tube-lc68/

Fyi be aware I'm pretty sure Mullard didn't make E80cc themselves they will be either rebranded Tungsram or Siemen/Philips who I believe we're the only manufacturers of the E80cc in Europe.

Fwiw Both brands produced very nice sounding tubes with substantially longer life than the 12au7.

They are a great choice for the Crack when used with the inexpensive resistor mod for optimising voltage.

Follow the guide on the Bottlehead forum and the mod to add a small switch that allows switching between the correct voltages for 12au7 and E80cc it's a easy and inexpensive (just a few dollars) to do.

 

[snapple10]

Well, I haven't heard the other tube amps you've mentioned, but my BHC is tubbiness maximus! I have gravitated toward the 5998 and RCA clear top 12au7, after some tube rolling. I bought mine pre-made by an expert BHC builder and then had the granite enclosure custom made. I also use ZMF cans and it's a PERFECT pairing (as would be your Senns). While I really like it a lot, I may stick with solid state and go that route. Undecided, but I might sell and fund a solid state amp I have my eye on. Here's mine...

that granite enclosure got my attention on the ZMF thread , nice!!!

 

[RestoredSparda]

Hey all! I have a brand new never used pair of General Electric 5 Star 6005 vacuum tubes available FOR CHEAP if anyone needs for a crackatwoa build.

I was going to go crackatwoa back when, but ended up building a Mainline. PM me for details as these are just sitting in a box and I'd rather someone enjoy them.

 

[dstarr3]

I'm building a media rack that I'd like to design to accommodate an eventual BHC. About how tall is a BHC with tubes installed?

 

[MacMan31]

Any one here from Canada that would be able/willing to make a custom wood base for my BHC? Also where are you all getting your alternate volume knobs?

 

[skhan007]

Gents- I have been using exclusively a clear top RCA 12au7 in my preamp position, but after reading a bit, I feel like I'm standing on the edge of the rabbit hole and hearing positive reviews of the 6sn7 w/ adapter in this position.

So very simply: I believe the garage1217 adapter is the safe bet for 12au7 to 6sn7 conversion, correct? If there was one brilliant 6sn7 tube to try in the position, what would you recommend?

If I can hear a superior presentation in this position with a good 6sn7, I'll be more likely to explore that rabbit hole! Cheers to all.

 

[jonathan c]

• Before you hitchhike on route 6SN7, try one more tube: the RFT ECC82 ‘foil getter’. It is a remarkable tube. I used these when I owned a Rogue RH-5. I do roll them into Woo WA2, WA3, and WA6. Fantastic balance, clarity, dynamics, soundstage: even better than the excellent RCA ‘cleartop’.
• As for 6SN7 tubes, the best to my ears are: Melz 6N8S/1578 (1960s vintage), Raytheon ‘brown base’ 6SN7GT, CBS / Hytron / Zalytron ‘brown base’ 5692. Excellent 6SN7s also include: Sylvania ‘chrome dome’ 6SN7 and Ken-Rad (Kentucky Radio Corp.) VT-231.
• Lastly, for the adapter, I recommend the one below from ‘xulingmrs’ (Xuling Audio Lab) on EBay. I have been using XAL adapters on all my Woos (a TV program spinoff ?) with no issues just all .

 

[skhan007]

• Before you hitchhike on route 6SN7, try one more tube: the RFT ECC82 ‘foil getter’. It is a remarkable tube. I used these when I owned a Rogue RH-5. I do roll them into Woo WA2, WA3, and WA6. Fantastic balance, clarity, dynamics, soundstage: even better than the excellent RCA ‘cleartop’.
• As for 6SN7 tubes, the best to my ears are: Melz 6N8S/1578 (1960s vintage), Raytheon ‘brown base’ 6SN7GT, CBS / Hytron / Zalytron ‘brown base’ 5692. Excellent 6SN7s also include: Sylvania ‘chrome dome’ 6SN7 and Ken-Rad (Kentucky Radio Corp.) VT-231.
• Lastly, for the adapter, I recommend the one below from ‘xulingmrs’ (Xuling Audio Lab) on EBay. I have been using XAL adapters on all my Woos (a TV program spinoff ?) with no issues just all .

Fantastic! Thank you for all this great information. I will proceed accordingly.

 

[bagwell359]

I'm building a media rack that I'd like to design to accommodate an eventual BHC. About how tall is a BHC with tubes installed?

Depends. Stock ones are pretty basic. I use taller ones as do a fair amount of folk. I'd give an answer but mine is on loan.

Do please give it lots of room on all sides, and if you plan on changing tubes and/or cables put it on top or give it more room for that.

Alternately in a cold basement get them close to your feet.

 

[skhan007]

• Before you hitchhike on route 6SN7, try one more tube: the RFT ECC82 ‘foil getter’. It is a remarkable tube. I used these when I owned a Rogue RH-5. I do roll them into Woo WA2, WA3, and WA6. Fantastic balance, clarity, dynamics, soundstage: even better than the excellent RCA ‘cleartop’.
• As for 6SN7 tubes, the best to my ears are: Melz 6N8S/1578 (1960s vintage), Raytheon ‘brown base’ 6SN7GT, CBS / Hytron / Zalytron ‘brown base’ 5692. Excellent 6SN7s also include: Sylvania ‘chrome dome’ 6SN7 and Ken-Rad (Kentucky Radio Corp.) VT-231.
• Lastly, for the adapter, I recommend the one below from ‘xulingmrs’ (Xuling Audio Lab) on EBay. I have been using XAL adapters on all my Woos (a TV program spinoff ?) with no issues just all .

Ok, I decided to purchase the adapter pictured above. The seller wants me to confirm that I have 6.3 volts for my current 12au7 tube and not 12 volts. I believe this is true, but can you guys confirm? Is there a pin I should check with my multimeter?

 

[Galapac]

Ok, I decided to purchase the adapter pictured above. The seller wants me to confirm that I have 6.3 volts for my current 12au7 tube and not 12 volts. I believe this is true, but can you guys confirm? Is there a pin I should check with my multimeter?

The crack is 6.3 V for the 12AU7 socket.

 

[skhan007]

The crack is 6.3 V for the 12AU7 socket.

Thank you- most appreciated!

I have a few 6sn7 tubes in my tube stash and I figured, why not give them a go. I believe one is a newer Sovtek and two are old RCA brown base. I'll have to double check those.

 

[pravous]

I'm building a media rack that I'd like to design to accommodate an eventual BHC. About how tall is a BHC with tubes installed?

My BHC with dual 6j5 adaptors is @ 9 1/4 inches tall. @ 8 1/2 to the top of a 6as7g if you are not using adapter for the 12au7 socket. With the heat the power tubes give out I would not go anything less the 12 inches in my opinion.