[Wes S]

I prefer mid bass bump with slightly rolled off high end and a forwardish staging, not schiit forward but not huge, I find the stock tubes to be a little too wide for my pref.

Amperex 7308, would be my first suggestion. Pretty much, exactly, what i heard from that tube, is what you described you are looking for. If I were to describe the sound signature of the Amperex 7308, the words you used, slightly rolled treble, midbass bump, and forward mids, pretty much sums it up. They can be found for under $200 a pair.

 

[TK16]

Shame the Mullard 6201 Mitcham can not be used in the LP, just chucked a pair in for burn in in my MJ2. Sweet sounding and only around $100. These kinda sound like the 6201 PW Hamburg`s but with Mullard sound.

 

[MikeW]

With a few exceptions, I have found the best tubes imo require an adapter. Some exceptions Siemens, Telefunken, PW and D getter Heerlen 6922, some UK tubes. The Telefunken ECC82 are fantastic, but my favorite ECC82 is Blackburn Mullard square getter ECC82. Got some fantastic tubes in the ECC81 are truly top 4 or 5 pairs I ever heard. Talking about the Valvo Hamburg 6201 50's PW and early 50's Copenhagen ECC81. Amplification factor on ECC82 is 17 so you have a very good chance in no noise tubes.

Under exceptions for good 6922, you say Siemens and Telefunken, does that mean any siemens or telefunken 6922, or are there specific getter's and construction to look for.

 

[TK16]

Siemens CCa with grey shield best Siemens I heard, Telefunken E188CC is quite fantastic too. Telefunken fat getter E88CC is supposed to be fantastic but have not heard them. Tried Siemens E88CC sold them, mid 60's Telefunken E88CC sold, had 2 pair of Telefunken ECC88 that were dull and lifeless sold them too. The D getter versions are extremely rare and very expensive. Usually with tubes imo, earlier the better.

 

[MikeW]

these tubes are to complex, how can you tell if something might be a rebrand? like could these Sylvania D-getters be an Amperex D getter?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sylvania-6...d:g:rn0AAOSw9ZtccapU:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Look at this auction it's too cheap, maybe it will end in the 200's.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Amperex-...5:g:Dn0AAOSwbjNcbcVK:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

I actually snagged these: they be here in a few days, seemed like a fair deal:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matched-pa...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[TK16]

I don't know much about Sylvania construction, but I heard these are excellent tubes. Same seller has Telefunken fat O getters.

 

[MikeW]

no impressions of the a-frame in this thread, but I heard it was wet and lush in the mids with decent dynamics and extension. Maybe should read old Mjolnir threads I think it uses 6922's, some guy swore by cheap russian tubes in his.. think they were labeled "OTK" I can't really properly test even the stock tubes yet as all my sources are crap right now. My ADI-2 arrives tomorrow and it can't get here soon enough.

 

[MikeW]

Amperex 7308, would be my first suggestion. Pretty much, exactly, what i heard from that tube, is what you described you are looking for. If I were to describe the sound signature of the Amperex 7308, the words you used, slightly rolled treble, midbass bump, and forward mids, pretty much sums it up. They can be found for under $200 a pair.

Like these?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-AMPEREX-...h=item4d8ddf7199:g:bEAAAOSwpHtcdLL3:rk:1:pf:1

That seems like a pretty good price actually, those usually in the 130-150 range per pair.

Edit: wait.. it's an auction, doh.

 

[Wes S]

Like these?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-AMPEREX-...h=item4d8ddf7199:g:bEAAAOSwpHtcdLL3:rk:1:pf:1

That seems like a pretty good price actually, those usually in the 130-150 range per pair.

Edit: wait.. it's an auction, doh.

Those are the ones, or you could just buy them from Upscale Audio, for a little more, and know you are getting good ones. Those a frames, wont be nearly as good as the 7308.

 

[Wes S]

these tubes are to complex, how can you tell if something might be a rebrand? like could these Sylvania D-getters be an Amperex D getter?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sylvania-6...d:g:rn0AAOSw9ZtccapU:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true

Look at this auction it's too cheap, maybe it will end in the 200's.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Amperex-...5:g:Dn0AAOSwbjNcbcVK:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

I actually snagged these: they be here in a few days, seemed like a fair deal:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matched-pair-Amperex-PQ-A-frame-6DJ8-ECC88-vacuum-tubes-test-90-NOS-new/392230434891?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Those are Sylvania d getters, not Amperex. You can tell from, the construction inside the tube.

The Amperex d getters auction, is going to end way above $200.

I would not bother with the A frame. I would stick with stock tubes, before i put those in such a nice amp.

 

[TK16]

no impressions of the a-frame in this thread, but I heard it was wet and lush in the mids with decent dynamics and extension. Maybe should read old Mjolnir threads I think it uses 6922's, some guy swore by cheap russian tubes in his.. think they were labeled "OTK" I can't really properly test even the stock tubes yet as all my sources are **** right now. My ADI-2 arrives tomorrow and it can't get here soon enough.

Those A frame tubes are mediocre at best, you would be much better of with a pair of 6N3 adapters and some Foton 6N3P. If your amp can take those?

 

[MikeW]

Interesting, well the a frame will be here in a couple days. It was suggested to me by skyline, as he uses them and prefers them over stock.

My next pair will likely be 150-200$ amperex 7308, Phillips miniwatt, Siemens cca, amperex d getter or perhaps reflector 75 or 74 SWGP. Theee are all top choices from my research, expensive though... no comments here regarding reflector HG aka 75 swgp

 

[MikeW]

Is eBay buying really that bad?? Hard to fathom spending double or triple at tube sites like upscale, when there are ebay sellers with 10k reviews and 100% positive feedback with return policy.

 

[TK16]

Is eBay buying really that bad?? Hard to fathom spending double or triple at tube sites like upscale, when there are ebay sellers with 10k reviews and 100% positive feedback with return policy.

By far the worst tubes to buy from Russia and eastern Europe are the 6N23P 74 and 75 Reflektor SWGP. Many test bad and/or noisy.

 

[Wes S]

Is eBay buying really that bad?? Hard to fathom spending double or triple at tube sites like upscale, when there are ebay sellers with 10k reviews and 100% positive feedback with return policy.

Not always. There are good sellers on ebay.

$230 for a pair of 7308 from Upscale is not bad, considering their testing procedures and 90 day warranty, which you don't get on ebay. Seeing as they are old, and could die at anytime, I always buy, from Upscale Audio or Tube World Express, if they have said tube in stock, before going to ebay.

Sometimes you have to take a gamble on ebay, and then I always buy from sellers, that offer a return.

Also, Upscale Audio and Tube World Express, both actually listen to the tubes with headphones, and check for noise and microphonics. Real hard to find sellers on ebay, that actually do this.