[TK16]

I’ve been using the Amperex Heerlen d-getters for a while now, and it’s quite an interesting contrast to the stock EH tubes.

Probably the biggest difference would be the V-shape response it has relative to the EH. Mid bass punchiness is significantly increased (especially listening to string bass plucking in jazz) and sub bass extension is slightly better. Treble is presented a bit more forward and thus perceived detail is better (texture of percussion is clearer).

Another thing I noticed was that everything sounded a bit tighter (less diffuse) and head stage seemed to be slightly more intimate.

Overall I’ve been enjoying these tubes, and it helps my HD800S have a warmer tone while not smearing the treble like some other Heerlen tubes.

The Heerlen D getter 6922 and the Heerlen PW CCa are by far the best Heerlen tubes I ever tried. Though those 2 have very different sound signatures. Tried a bunch of different E88CC, E188CC, CCa, E180CC, ECC81 and those 2 I mentioned are by far the best I have heard.

 

[TK16]

Couple used pairs 1960 Amperex 6922 D getter USA. $150 a pair.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-of-Am...tter-1960-Vacuum-Tubes-6-matched/323700951666

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-of-Amperex-6922-Gold-Pin-D-getter-1960-Vacuum-Tubes/323700951668

Single USA 6922 PW, $150.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Amperex-PQ...ld-Pin-1959-D-getter-Vacuum-Tube/223399530751

 

[Zachik]

Anyone tried WE396A tubes with Focal Elear or Clear?
The reason I am asking is because I got a pair of WE396As (actually, 3 tubes - more on that later), and tried with Massdrop Elex through Balanced headphone, and it is quite noisy Kind of seashell ocean whoosh background noise (even when volume knob is on ZERO).
It is quite noticeable on one side, but not as much on the other. swapping tubes swaps the side that is more noticeable (as expected, but had to check!)
I have a 3rd WE396A tube and that one is SUPER noisy.

So... am I unlucky?? or is 396A just un-usable on LP with easy to drive cans like the Elex (or Elear / Clear)?

 

[TK16]

Anyone tried WE396A tubes with Focal Elear or Clear?
The reason I am asking is because I got a pair of WE396As (actually, 3 tubes - more on that later), and tried with Massdrop Elex through Balanced headphone, and it is quite noisy Kind of seashell ocean whoosh background noise (even when volume knob is on ZERO).
It is quite noticeable on one side, but not as much on the other. swapping tubes swaps the side that is more noticeable (as expected, but had to check!)
I have a 3rd WE396A tube and that one is SUPER noisy.
So... am I unlucky?? or is 396A just un-usable on LP with easy to drive cans like the Elex (or Elear / Clear)?

I just got a pair of tubes, 1 is noisy on LP, got them in my MJ2 now and super quiet. I'll check some other tubes for noise in the LP later today.

 

[Guidostrunk]

If anyone has considered the 6C8G tubes. There's 2 Tung-sol left at $25 a pop.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/173788888639

 

[Phantaminum]

Anyone tried WE396A tubes with Focal Elear or Clear?
The reason I am asking is because I got a pair of WE396As (actually, 3 tubes - more on that later), and tried with Massdrop Elex through Balanced headphone, and it is quite noisy Kind of seashell ocean whoosh background noise (even when volume knob is on ZERO).
It is quite noticeable on one side, but not as much on the other. swapping tubes swaps the side that is more noticeable (as expected, but had to check!)
I have a 3rd WE396A tube and that one is SUPER noisy.

So... am I unlucky?? or is 396A just un-usable on LP with easy to drive cans like the Elex (or Elear / Clear)?

Hey Zachik,

The pair of WE 396A and GE 5670 5* that I use in the LP are quiet. The amp will amplify any sound those tubes have.

Wasn’t as lucky with my LM Ericsson 396As which are noisy like yours. Shame really because those tubes sound great. So it’s a hit or miss with these particular tubes.

 

[TK16]

Tested all my LP compatible tubes for noise. 1 pair WE 48,49 396A is noisy I LP
1 tube out of my Mitcham ECC82 is noisy in LP.
Had to mix up 2 pair of CBS 5670 to get a non noisy pair in LP. Had to mix up 2 pair of TS 2C51 to get a non noisy pair in LP. All these "problem" tubes work flawlessly in the MJ2.

 

[Zachik]

Hey Zachik,

The pair of WE 396A and GE 5670 5* that I use in the LP are quiet. The amp will amplify any sound those tubes have.

Wasn’t as lucky with my LM Ericsson 396As which are noisy like yours. Shame really because those tubes sound great. So it’s a hit or miss with these particular tubes.

Tested all my LP compatible tubes for noise. 1 pair WE 48,49 396A is noisy I LP
1 tube out of my Mitcham ECC82 is noisy in LP.
Had to mix up 2 pair of CBS 5670 to get a non noisy pair in LP. Had to mix up 2 pair of TS 2C51 to get a non noisy pair in LP. All these "problem" tubes work flawlessly in the MJ2.

Thanks guys for the quick response!
Which headphones did you check with? I will test later today with HD600 and HD800 and see if noise is still there... The Massdrop Elex is very easy to drive so I suspect much more sensitive to noise.

 

[Wes S]

Back when i was using the We396A, in my Valhalla 2, it seemed like every other pair i got, was noisy or microphonic. Same thing with the Tung Sol 2C51 i have. I have had more issues with that tube type than with my 6SN7 and 6922 tubes. I will say, that when i found a pair that was dead quite, they were the best tubes i have heard, to this day. Maybe just how that tube type is? Best to buy them, with a return option, if possible.

 

[Wes S]

Tested all my LP compatible tubes for noise. 1 pair WE 48,49 396A is noisy I LP
1 tube out of my Mitcham ECC82 is noisy in LP.
Had to mix up 2 pair of CBS 5670 to get a non noisy pair in LP. Had to mix up 2 pair of TS 2C51 to get a non noisy pair in LP. All these "problem" tubes work flawlessly in the MJ2.

That is interesting. Is this because of different designs, on how the amps work with the tube?

 

[TK16]

Thanks guys for the quick response!
Which headphones did you check with? I will test later today with HD600 and HD800 and see if noise is still there... The Massdrop Elex is very easy to drive so I suspect much more sensitive to noise.

Just 1 can, LCD2C. Don't think that is very hard to drive tbh.

 

[Phantaminum]

Thanks guys for the quick response!
Which headphones did you check with? I will test later today with HD600 and HD800 and see if noise is still there... The Massdrop Elex is very easy to drive so I suspect much more sensitive to noise.

ZMF Auteurs/Verite and Aeon Open Flow.

One thing I’d like to point out is that every one of Russian tubes (6n23p or 6n3p) that I’ve tried none were noisy on the LP. That’s 7 out of 7 pairs which is impressive.

 

[Zachik]

ZMF Auteurs/Verite and Aeon Open Flow.

One thing I’d like to point out is that every one of Russian tubes (6n23p or 6n3p) that I’ve tried none were noisy on the LP. That’s 7 out of 7 pairs which is impressive.

Interesting - tried 3 Russian pairs. All dead quiet!

 

[TK16]

Just got my pair of ECC82 Blackburn`s, instead of testing them in the tester first for shorts, gas, etc, I popped em in the LP to test for noise. No noise and great testing and sounding tubes.

 

[KaiserTK]

I also had the same problem with GE 5star tubes. Thought it was the adapters that were faulty but it worked just fine with the MJ2.

Guess the LP is just relatively more sensitive.