ES-1 Tube Rolling.

[ken36]

This thread probably won't get legs, but I'm feeling a bit joyous right now so I will start this thread anyway. Adrian turned me on to this tube rolling the ES-1. For some reason, I never thought of it and here I sit with 41 tubes from the MPX3 days. I've been pretty happy with the stock tubes Mikhail sent. Anyway A is using the 12AX7 in the first row, and I need 2 adapters so I ordered them from M. So yesterday I started some rolling and I hit on an amazing combination: Tungsol 5687 D getters in the first row and and TS 6BL7GTAs in the second row.

Now for the amazing part: I have remastered vocals from the 1950s, my sweet and not so sweet memory years. These albums all had the big band backup and it was the back up that until now was horrible to play. I stopped listening. All of a sudden the ES-1 with these new tubes cleared it all up and I am shocked. Now, Dean Martin, Doris Day and Joni James et al, put me right there on the stage. What a trip.

THANK YOU MIKHAIL.

[size=x-large]WOW![/size]

 

[bahamaman]

I'm awaiting some tube adapters from Mikhail and have some NOS Telefunkens (ribbed plates) for the first row when they arrive. I can't wait to hear the differences as well!

 

[ken36]

A note of clarification: The 5687 tube needs its' own special adapter. Not the same adapter as the 12AX7. AT $100 a pop they are not cheap. I am going for the 12AX7 adapter, because M Told me it is the best with the 02.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken36 A note of clarification: The 5687 tube needs its' own special adapter. Not the same adapter as the 12AX7. AT $100 a pop they are not cheap. I am going for the 12AX7 adapter, because M Told me it is the best with the 02.

After hearing the difference TS 5687 makes with Foo_Me's ES-1 at the LA meet, I must concur that these are "IT" for the front row of ES-1

 

[foo_me]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon L After hearing the difference TS 5687 makes with Foo_Me's ES-1 at the LA meet, I must concur that these are "IT" for the front row of ES-1

One of those tubes was actually bad as I get a consistent hummm from them...but they do sound great...clearer, more detail than the stock 6bl7gtas.

Also ordered a quad of the GE EL34s based upon Mikhails recommendation as well, which he recommended for improved bass.

Can't wait!...wow...these cost for these tubes can add up

 

[Konig]

Im sorry but I thought the 12AX7 doesnt need any adaptors at all?

does anyone know the difference btw TS 6BL7GTAs and 6sn7? I prefer to buy tubes without adaptors...

 

[abs@nilenet.com]

The 12AX7 is a small bulb 9 pin tube and will not fit in the larger 8 pin octal socket so they do require an ECC-1 or equivalent adapter.

As to the 6BL7GTA and 6SN7, you can find all of the differences on the NJ7P website:
6BL7GTA
6SN7

In the ES-1 either can go in any of the front 4 octal sockets without a special adapter. IMHO, the 6BL7GTA sounds best in the second pair of front sockets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konig /img/forum/go_quote.gif Im sorry but I thought the 12AX7 doesnt need any adaptors at all? does anyone know the difference btw TS 6BL7GTAs and 6sn7? I prefer to buy tubes without adaptors...

Happy Tube Rolling!

 

[Konig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by abs@nilenet.com /img/forum/go_quote.gif The 12AX7 is a small bulb 9 pin tube and will not fit in the larger 8 pin octal socket so they do require an ECC-1 or equivalent adapter. As to the 6BL7GTA and 6SN7, you can find all of the differences on the NJ7P website: 6BL7GTA 6SN7 In the ES-1 either can go in any of the front 4 octal sockets without a special adapter. IMHO, the 6BL7GTA sounds best in the second pair of front sockets. Happy Tube Rolling!

so the 6BL7GTA doesnt need any adaptors?
It seems rather hard to find 6BL7GTA tubes around, when you compare to 6SN7

 

[vcoheda]

big bump. i was so confused at first.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konig /img/forum/go_quote.gif so the 6BL7GTA doesnt need any adaptors? It seems rather hard to find 6BL7GTA tubes around, when you compare to 6SN7

The 6bl7gta/6bx7gt have the same octal base and the same pin wiring scheme as the 6sn7gt .... so no adapter is needed.

I would not use the 6bl7gta/6bx7gt in the first gain stage. These tubes are low voltage gain/ high current tubes. They are much better suited for the second gain stage to provide current gain to drive the output tubes. The 6bx7gt, in particular, doesnt have enough voltage gain to work well in the ES-1's input circuit.

The 6bl7gta/6bx7gt are not hard to find and they are usually much, much less expensive than good nos 6sn7gt's. Make sure you ask for construction matched pairs. These tubes were made for 30+ years and underwent a number of regular design changes. So, there is a large number of differences in the plate structures, getters, plate material etc... depending on the build era.

This is also the most rebranded tube I have come across. In other words, just because the box says Sylvania, for example, that doesnt mean you are getting a Sylvania tube. The tubes could have been made by GE and branded Sylvania. Worry about getting the same physical construction even if you seem to be getting two different brands. Most of these tubes were made by GE or Sylvania .... with a few RCA's floating around.

Where can you get these tubes? Check out the links.

Antique Electronic Supply

TUBEMAN.COM

Vacuum Tubes Radio Tubes - 5,000 different tubes in stock - Over 10 million tubes!

 

[Audiofiler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacd lover /img/forum/go_quote.gif So, there is a large number of differences in the plate structures, getters, plate material etc... depending on the build era. This is also the most rebranded tube I have come across. In other words, just because the box says Sylvania, for example, that doesnt mean you are getting a Sylvania tube. The tubes could have been made by GE and branded Sylvania. Worry about getting the same physical construction even if you seem to be getting two different brands. Most of these tubes were made by GE or Sylvania .... with a few RCA's floating around. Where can you get these tubes? Check out the links. Antique Electronic Supply TUBEMAN.COM Vacuum Tubes Radio Tubes - 5,000 different tubes in stock - Over 10 million tubes!

Just a wealth of knowledge Earl is, thx for the links SACD.