Scutey
Headphoneus Supremus
That's who I bought a quad from at £5 each, less than an hour later they had gone up to £6 each.
Feliks-Audio EUFORIA - A Wolf in "Sheep's" Clothing...
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More like profiteering lol!!
...I understand market forces, but I hate and detest this aspect of the 'free market economy'...thankfully there are, obviously, plenty of the CV1052 still available, from the ebayers I alluded to in my previous post. So this Marconi VT52 ebayer can be given a wide berth, methinks!!
(if so inclined, there's still the offer of 10x CV1052 for £42 - just don't bother making 'Best Offer', and avoid being insulted!!)...CHEERS!...CJ
connieflyer
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That's what I paid also. I did a search on eBay a couple of different times and so far he is the only seller that has the Marconi e l 32v t52 so I'm figuring if you want them you're going to have to pay his price for him so glad I got some early
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connieflyer
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connieflyer
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Anyone else having trouble posting photos?
connieflyer
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connieflyer
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connieflyer
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connieflyer
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With the discussion of the Fotons, decided I should take another look at them. Tried them with EL32, EL2 Spez and TS 5998. Well, they do sound good, just not as good as four El32's in my estimation. But to each his own.
Thanks for the photos. They are very similar. Perhaps they are not from the same batch because there are minor differences, but I'm willing to accept that they are both Mullards.
connieflyer
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Looks like this seller is selling his stock quite quickly. Only 59% left . This is the seller I bought from . https://www.ebay.com/itm/EL32-VT52-...574268?hash=item1ee23b943c:g:-cgAAOSwjvJZS5XJ
I just got a pair of straight-form Mullard and Marconi VT52. No wonder CF reported the EL32's all sounding similar. Close inspection in bright light or held up to the window reveals how similar these round plates are, with similar lead wires and plates that seem to have only slight variance in width, and larger variations with upper fins and getter. My hearing's been back for a while and I'm enjoying the ST EL32's but haven't yet had a chance for these new guys.
Searching for a good diagram of lingo for tube construction in general I came across this illustration.. seems mostly complete accept "fin" and "base" which this tube doesn't have in the sense of larger tubes. Maybe somebody has a better diagram of lingo.
EDIT: Here is a photo I found from one of our earlier threads when a user opened his broken EL3N in the name of science, which clears the terminology up a bit:
Oh and per advice from H1, I went ahead and applied a small 'ring' of superglue around all the top caps, just as with my first one that I had repaired, as preventative measure to make sure they won't break off again like last time...
Searching for a good diagram of lingo for tube construction in general I came across this illustration.. seems mostly complete accept "fin" and "base" which this tube doesn't have in the sense of larger tubes. Maybe somebody has a better diagram of lingo.
EDIT: Here is a photo I found from one of our earlier threads when a user opened his broken EL3N in the name of science, which clears the terminology up a bit:
Oh and per advice from H1, I went ahead and applied a small 'ring' of superglue around all the top caps, just as with my first one that I had repaired, as preventative measure to make sure they won't break off again like last time...
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connieflyer
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Brief explanation. http://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/en/audio/t_bas5.htm
connieflyer
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This one is for pentodes http://www.bonavolta.ch/hobby/en/audio/t_bas8.htm
OK, after spending a good few days with the EL32's here's my take. And as a pre-disclaimer these are my personal opinions, and YMMV depending on tube condition and other elements of your chain, or preferences. The below is based on multiple critical listening sessions well after my hearing has recovered over the last 5 or so days, and with an assortment of headphones; Senn. HD-600 with silver cable (which I do find resolving and suitable for my tastes), Senn. HD-650 and Senn. HD-380 closed-backs, as well as a variety of well mastered songs that I'm intimately familiar with.
In a nutshell the EL32 are like a mini-EL12 Spez of a different flavor. Having only considered sonic similarities until the time of writing, it becomes ironic noting how similar the (ST-shaped) EL32's look to the EL12 Spez visually; yet are around 40% smaller. The EL32's to me have a dazzling sense of fidelity in a very sweet, detailed way, with bass definition / quality, detail and dynamics that are nearly impeccable. The highs are silky smooth and 'sweet', allowing for a fairly non-fatiguing listen at medium-high levels just as H1 put it. For me the DOWNSIDES lie in bass quantity (amount), 'thinness', and soundstage. My multiple comparisons against the EL12 Spez reveals a sound that to me seems more 'intimate' with a subtle improvement in texture and a slight boost in weight to the bass, as well as a substantially larger soundstage which to me was lacking on the EL32's. However the EL32's to me still have their place: a slightly more neutral, less euphonic tone can actually be a very welcome trade off for some recordings - which to me the EL32's certainly excel in neutrality with nothing overdone and not overtly euphonic. OTOH I do often prefer the EL12 Spez which to me is a master at uncanny reproduction of micro-detail, intimate voicing, texture, soundstage and a fairly pure bass reproduction.
Having also compared the EL32 to many other tube types I would say they sound most similar to VT-96 and Ken-Rad VT-231 (6SN7) in tonality, similar to EL12 Spez in frequency, but comparatively brighter than more neutral tubes such as GE 6SN7GTA, Valvo EL12, Bendix 6080, etc. (having also compared these as powers or as drivers accordingly). Speaking of PAIRINGS: There's a reason why this article only pertains the EL32 pairings with other EL tubes: In agreement with H1, these do synergize better with EL tubes. My sole exception was as previously noted: EL32 (powers) + VT-96 black metal drivers. This pairing was robust, weighty, extended great PRaT; albeit slightly V-shaped and not nearly as detailed / organic sounding as the EL32 was with other EL tubes especially all types of EL12 and the better pairing EL12 Spez. That is to say, IME the EL32's as powers don't like the 6SN7 class drivers, usually sounding 'soft' and not detailed, and make the miniature 9-pin octals sound bright; as drivers the EL32's don't seem to like any 6080 or 6AS7G class tubes; Bendix 6080 sounded 'good' but not nearly as synergestic as with other EL tubes, and somehow the synergy just wasn't there with GEC 6AS7G or RCA 6080's.
By no means am I advising against the EL32, as these do occupy a throne extremely high 'above the clouds' in the realm of super top-tier rare radio valves. To me though it takes a certain taste to like these, as they seem modestly skewed toward the thin and bright side of the spectrum; almost as if a tube with the sound signature of the Beyerdynamic T1 headphones. Interestingly these are reported to pair well together as well; and I will once again emphasize that YMMV depending on your environment and preferences. Thus being said however, I would strongly advise AGAINST getting these tubes for anybody who considers themselves a basshead - the bass quality is fantastic but not especially forward.
So my advise is for anybody with a single-tube setup to get one pair of ST-shaped EL32's and one pair of EL12 Spez (each needing special adapters). The above was based on how these two performed against each other (tested as both powers and drivers, which they both do with immaculate finesse and flexibility!!) Having also tested these together, it becomes evident that that synergy abounds - BIG TIME! With EL12 Spez as powers and EL32 as drivers I get a very balanced, snappy and resolving sound, then reversing it with EL32 as powers it seems you get a sound that interestingly has a nuance more warmth and laid back. I would also advise anybody who's impressed with the sound of the EL32's to do a comparison with EL12 Spez whereas I feel confident that not only will you hear differences, but that 'that mighty EL12 Spez' will hold its' ground till the bitter end!!
In a nutshell the EL32 are like a mini-EL12 Spez of a different flavor. Having only considered sonic similarities until the time of writing, it becomes ironic noting how similar the (ST-shaped) EL32's look to the EL12 Spez visually; yet are around 40% smaller. The EL32's to me have a dazzling sense of fidelity in a very sweet, detailed way, with bass definition / quality, detail and dynamics that are nearly impeccable. The highs are silky smooth and 'sweet', allowing for a fairly non-fatiguing listen at medium-high levels just as H1 put it. For me the DOWNSIDES lie in bass quantity (amount), 'thinness', and soundstage. My multiple comparisons against the EL12 Spez reveals a sound that to me seems more 'intimate' with a subtle improvement in texture and a slight boost in weight to the bass, as well as a substantially larger soundstage which to me was lacking on the EL32's. However the EL32's to me still have their place: a slightly more neutral, less euphonic tone can actually be a very welcome trade off for some recordings - which to me the EL32's certainly excel in neutrality with nothing overdone and not overtly euphonic. OTOH I do often prefer the EL12 Spez which to me is a master at uncanny reproduction of micro-detail, intimate voicing, texture, soundstage and a fairly pure bass reproduction.
Having also compared the EL32 to many other tube types I would say they sound most similar to VT-96 and Ken-Rad VT-231 (6SN7) in tonality, similar to EL12 Spez in frequency, but comparatively brighter than more neutral tubes such as GE 6SN7GTA, Valvo EL12, Bendix 6080, etc. (having also compared these as powers or as drivers accordingly). Speaking of PAIRINGS: There's a reason why this article only pertains the EL32 pairings with other EL tubes: In agreement with H1, these do synergize better with EL tubes. My sole exception was as previously noted: EL32 (powers) + VT-96 black metal drivers. This pairing was robust, weighty, extended great PRaT; albeit slightly V-shaped and not nearly as detailed / organic sounding as the EL32 was with other EL tubes especially all types of EL12 and the better pairing EL12 Spez. That is to say, IME the EL32's as powers don't like the 6SN7 class drivers, usually sounding 'soft' and not detailed, and make the miniature 9-pin octals sound bright; as drivers the EL32's don't seem to like any 6080 or 6AS7G class tubes; Bendix 6080 sounded 'good' but not nearly as synergestic as with other EL tubes, and somehow the synergy just wasn't there with GEC 6AS7G or RCA 6080's.
By no means am I advising against the EL32, as these do occupy a throne extremely high 'above the clouds' in the realm of super top-tier rare radio valves. To me though it takes a certain taste to like these, as they seem modestly skewed toward the thin and bright side of the spectrum; almost as if a tube with the sound signature of the Beyerdynamic T1 headphones. Interestingly these are reported to pair well together as well; and I will once again emphasize that YMMV depending on your environment and preferences. Thus being said however, I would strongly advise AGAINST getting these tubes for anybody who considers themselves a basshead - the bass quality is fantastic but not especially forward.
So my advise is for anybody with a single-tube setup to get one pair of ST-shaped EL32's and one pair of EL12 Spez (each needing special adapters). The above was based on how these two performed against each other (tested as both powers and drivers, which they both do with immaculate finesse and flexibility!!) Having also tested these together, it becomes evident that that synergy abounds - BIG TIME! With EL12 Spez as powers and EL32 as drivers I get a very balanced, snappy and resolving sound, then reversing it with EL32 as powers it seems you get a sound that interestingly has a nuance more warmth and laid back. I would also advise anybody who's impressed with the sound of the EL32's to do a comparison with EL12 Spez whereas I feel confident that not only will you hear differences, but that 'that mighty EL12 Spez' will hold its' ground till the bitter end!!
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