[hmscott]

What difference does it make?

If I like a particular tube, and I want to recommend it to someone else, it would be nice if I can share the correct link/listing so they get the same tube from the same case my favorite tube came from. Repeatability is the whole point behind uniquely identifiable products, matching a physical tube to the description, price and reorder number.

And, if I have a problem with a tube - it doesn't work - I'd like to be able to ask for the correct replacement, or the correct $ refund.

Each listing was for a specific price and other specifics that make each listing unique, otherwise he would have simply had one eBay listing - "Russian Tube" - Price, and be done with it.

If one tube is as good as another, why create so many unique listings?

Don't you check your purchase order, shipping bill of materials, and store reciept after you check out and/or receive your purchases and double check you got what you thought you ordered and paid the correct amounts for each?

If a seller finds someone that doesn't care what they are sent, and simply orders, pays, and then acccepts whatever he gets blindly without verifying what is received, that wouldn't build a trusting relationship. Always count your change.

So here is what I matched up, I messaged him to ask to see if I got them matched up correctly:

"V C 61", 'XI C 63", "VII C 58", " C 6H13C over 85 12", " C 6H13C over 88 03"

6N5S / 6N13S / 6AS7G / ECC230 SVETLANA TUBE NOS OTK USSR RARE 1950`s lot 1pc. US $19.84 - "VII C 58"
6N13S / 6AS7G / ECC230 TUBE SVETLANA Double Triode NOS DATE 1960`s USSR Lot 1pc. US $13.69 - 'XI C 63"
6N13S / 6AS7G / ECC230 SVETLANA TUBE Double Triode NOS OTK USSR Lot 1pc. US $12.88 - " C 6H13C over 85 12"
6N13S /6AS7G /ECC230 /6N5S TUBE SVETLANA TRIODE NOS IN BOX OTK lot 1pc.. US $14.58 - " C 6H13C over 88 03"
Extra 6H13C: "V C 61" - tube instead of $17 back for combining shipping

Thanks for your help @bcowen !

Update: 12-rocketman answered that yes, that is the correct tube to listing association

 

[attmci]

What difference does it make?

Call you tell the difference if they don't match? LOL

 

[alexeyi]

Call you tell the difference if they don't match? LOL

It might depend how big is the mismatch between them, but if you throw two random ones and you are unlucky to get a big difference you will definitely hear it.

There are equipments that let you balance some things using pots, so it makes it easier to integrate different tubes, but the regular stuff will not, so if you can get a pair of tubes which are closer in specs, the better for the final result.

 

[attmci]

It might depend how big is the mismatch between them, but if you throw two random ones and you are unlucky to get a big difference you will definitely hear it.

There are equipments that let you balance some things using pots, so it makes it easier to integrate different tubes, but the regular stuff will not, so if you can get a pair of tubes which are closer in specs, the better for the final result.

To be honest, if they are a pair of identical NOS tube (same structure) and not microphonic, it's hard to tell the different in real life.

 

[hmscott]

Call you tell the difference if they don't match? LOL

It might depend how big is the mismatch between them, but if you throw two random ones and you are unlucky to get a big difference you will definitely hear it.

There are equipments that let you balance some things using pots, so it makes it easier to integrate different tubes, but the regular stuff will not, so if you can get a pair of tubes which are closer in specs, the better for the final result.

There might be a range of production where it wouldn't matter which were matched up with another, as long as they measured the same - matched as if they were the same date of production run - but that won't happen anyway with my TA-26, as it only uses one 6H13C/6AS7G at a time. That is why I bought 1 of each decade instead of 2.

To be honest, if they are a pair of identical NOS tube (same structure) and not microphonic, it's hard to tell the different in real life.

He said this in the first response to my questions before purchase:

"From my sales experience, early 6N13S (from the 60s and 70s) and 6N5S (6n5s and 6n13s are similar to each other in characteristics, the difference is minimal, they can be used on the same device."

So does that mean the '50's and '80's production tubes sound different? I thought at the time I'd listen to them first before asking for clarification. He shipped 2 60's tubes and no '70's tubes... perhaps he is out of '70's production?

He shipped 2 6H13C's from the 60's and 2 6H13C's from the 80's, I was pretty sure one of the 60's tubes was the tube included to cover the $17 combined shipping refund, but it would be nice to know which was which - like if I order another tube from the 60's listing will he be pulling another '61 or another '63 from the same case?

"V C 61", 'XI C 63", "VII C 58", " C 6H13C over 85 12", " C 6H13C over 88 03"

6N5S / 6N13S / 6AS7G / ECC230 SVETLANA TUBE NOS OTK USSR RARE 1950`s lot 1pc. US $19.84 - "VII C 58" - 75g
6N13S / 6AS7G / ECC230 TUBE SVETLANA Double Triode NOS DATE 1960`s USSR Lot 1pc. US $13.69 - 'XI C 63" - 86g
6N13S / 6AS7G / ECC230 SVETLANA TUBE Double Triode NOS OTK USSR Lot 1pc. US $12.88 - " C 6H13C over 85 12" - 80g
6N13S /6AS7G /ECC230 /6N5S TUBE SVETLANA TRIODE NOS IN BOX OTK lot 1pc.. US $14.58 - " C 6H13C over 88 03" - 72g
Extra 6H13C: "V C 61" - tube instead of $17 back for combining shipping - 77g

Update: 12-rocketman answered that yes, that is the correct tube to listing association. I think I will ask him later if he has '70's 6H13C tubes.

 

[Dogmatrix]

Russian tubes are great , my best amp fortunately has a liking for them
I have put together a reasonable collection with some relatively rare examples and a good selection of dates
Differences are small and pay no attention to production date
Russian tubes from the same batch can vary as widely as those decades apart
Checking the tubes in my amp which were selected predominately for low noise one is 71 the other 77

 

[hmscott]

Russian tubes are great , my best amp fortunately has a liking for them
I have put together a reasonable collection with some relatively rare examples and a good selection of dates
Differences are small and pay no attention to production date
Russian tubes from the same batch can vary as widely as those decades apart
Checking the tubes in my amp which were selected predominately for low noise one is 71 the other 77

@Dogmatrix - Thank you!, that is the info I have been looking for, I appreciate you sharing it with us.

I've only just begun listening - first 1958 Svetlana 6H13C + 1953 Melz 6N8S tube pairing in my TA-26, and they sound great together, but I have few examples to reference to compare them to, so far.

I've still to listen to the other 6H13C tubes, a '61, '63, '85, and '88 - of all the decades of production you've found the 70's are best? - lowest noise at least?

Would you please share some links for Russian tube info you've found useful?

 

[raindownthunda]

Something different

 

[Dogmatrix]

@Dogmatrix - Thank you!, that is the info I have been looking for, I appreciate you sharing it with us.

I've only just begun listening - first 1958 Svetlana 6H13C + 1953 Melz 6N8S tube pairing in my TA-26, and they sound great together, but I have few examples to reference to compare them to, so far.

I've still to listen to the other 6H13C tubes, a '61, '63, '85, and '88 - of all the decades of production you've found the 70's are best? - lowest noise at least?

I ran across this site, jacmusic.com, which has a bunch of interesting info, including Russian Factories:
https://www.jacmusic.com/nos/RUSSIAN-BRANDS/brands.htm
And, another...
http://www.ominous-valve.com/russtube.html

I've only found the site while sitting here, so lots to look into:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site:jacmusic.com+factory

And, Svetlana is still making tubes of a sort:
https://www.svetlanajsc.ru/production/

Would you please share some links for Russian tube info you've found useful?

Russian tubes really are a lottery all you can do is look for well regarded sellers
Testing is of limited value as has been well covered but I think it is useful when looking for matched sections or pairs from the same seller
Noise is something that seems to follow no logical path , no low noise brands , years or levels of use that I have been able to identify
I have old clearly well used tubes that are quiet and strong and pristine nos tubes with crisp boxes that buzz like an old fridge

 

[hmscott]

Russian tubes really are a lottery all you can do is look for well regarded sellers
Testing is of limited value as has been well covered but I think it is useful when looking for matched sections or pairs from the same seller
Noise is something that seems to follow no logical path , no low noise brands , years or levels of use that I have been able to identify
I have old clearly well used tubes that are quiet and strong and pristine nos tubes with crisp boxes that buzz like an old fridge

Thanks, that helps set my expectations. Who wold be some well reguarded sellers? Links?

And, an unrelated question, what do those numbers in your signature mean? 800 274/421/7308 ?

 

[Dogmatrix]

Thanks, that helps set my expectations. Who wold be some well reguarded sellers? Links?

And, an unrelated question, what do those numbers in your signature mean? 800 274/421/7308 ?

I have purchased from all the regulars on Ebay never a problem , I just look for the best deals
These days I just hunt the rare birds
Those numbers refer to my previous best amp , Senn HD800 , WE274b(replica) , WE421a(genuine) , Amperex 7308

 

[hmscott]

I have purchased from all the regulars on Ebay never a problem , I just look for the best deals
These days I just hunt the rare birds
Those numbers refer to my previous best amp , Senn HD800 , WE274b(replica) , WE421a(genuine) , Amperex 7308

Very nice, I'm so happy I asked

Great tubes, and a great pair of headphones. Life is good

 

[ostewart]

Would I be correct in thinking these are 60's RCA 6AS7G's? - picked up a pair for £40 - should I be worried about the rainbow tint on the flashing?

 

[Dogmatrix]

Would I be correct in thinking these are 60's RCA 6AS7G's? - picked up a pair for £40 - should I be worried about the rainbow tint on the flashing?

Looks like a nice example
Getter flash doesn't really do much , although the glass does leak at a molecular level there is enough reactive material to cope even if it is barely visible
If it turns white the tube is dead

 

[ostewart]

Looks like a nice example
Getter flash doesn't really do much , although the glass does leak at a molecular level there is enough reactive material to cope even if it is barely visible
If it turns white the tube is dead

The pair for £40 is quite a good price, pretty happy overall.