[Bonddam]

is that balanced output for the crack? Is that possible?

No just convince. You don’t have noise from plugging and unplugging from pins touching.

 

[buencamino]

No just convince. You don’t have noise from plugging and unplugging from pins touching.

Whats convince?

 

[Bonddam]

Convenience was word I was using. The stupid correction on my phone is thinking I am choosing wrong word.

 

[buencamino]

Convenience was word I was using. The stupid correction on my phone is thinking I am choosing wrong word.

oh got it, what tubes do you use?

 

[Bonddam]

RCA 6as7g victor and RCA6sn7gtb

 

[buencamino]

RCA 6as7g victor and RCA6sn7gtb

are they good? where did u buy them? thanks

 

[dstarr3]

 

[L0rdGwyn]

Alright.. thanks ill check the things you said out.. oh so the xlr connection is purely for aesthetic purposes..

It's just a connector preference, XLR is meant to be used in balanced gear but can be wired for single-ended.

 

[Galapac]

Oh ok, the reason I didn't get it was that bottlehead support on fb chat told me just to get the basic one.. is the speedball really a big difference? which is the power tube? the big one in the middle?

For what it’s worth, my BHC was quiet without the speedball and I am slowly adding it in now. I went for the Black Friday deal and said why not. I did the first part and you get more dynamic sound from the BHC so it is definitely worth it. I will finish the second part this weekend but if you built the crack and your voltages check out, then the upgrade is a snap.

If you cannot afford a 5998 tube there are decent Mullard 6080s too that sound decent.
I use either a 5998 or Bendix 6080WB but I got them before prices went to unobtanium status.

 

[Bonddam]

are they good? where did u buy them? thanks

Best/Worst place but I lucked out… eBay.
The Victor was biggest leap of faith couldn’t believe it was quite. The 6sn7 stuff I buy from Bullz Tubez. Bullz Tubez has been good 4 out 4 purchase perfect using that seller. All my 6sn7 are dead silent sound amazing. I also buy from another seller in Vietnam and lucked out on pair Ken Rad chrome tops V231 see those on the Woo.

 

[jonathan c]

Best/Worst place but I lucked out… eBay.
The Victor was biggest leap of faith couldn’t believe it was quite. The 6sn7 stuff I buy from Bullz Tubez. Bullz Tubez has been good 4 out 4 purchase perfect using that seller. All my 6sn7 are dead silent sound amazing. I also buy from another seller in Vietnam and lucked out on pair Ken Rad chrome tops V231 see those on the Woo.

I agree with you about Bullz Tubez

 

[ColdsnapBry]

So what are some good starter NOS tubes for the Bottlehad Crack that are not too hard to find and reasonably priced?

 

[DenverW]

For power tubes I would recommend the rca 6as7g, the tung sol 6as7g, or the 7236 tube. They can all be found at reasonable prices, so if you see what seems an excessively high priced one just move on.

For input tubes I would say a older rca/victor 12au7, a Siemens silver plate 12au7, or a 6sn7 adapter and one of the tubes that interests you from the 6sn7 reference thread.

 

[jonathan c]

Cetron 7236 for the power (back) tube. RFT ECC82 for the driver (front) tube. [The ECC82 is the European 12AU7.]

 

[DenverW]

There is a post in the classifieds selling many different 6sn7 tubes. I would recommend having the speedball upgrade and make sure to NEVER put them in the power tube slot. You must use a 6sn7 to 12au7 adapter. Although they fit in the 6080 tube slot they are not compatible.