[crewpsu]

Hello everyone,
Recently just bought a mkIII off of the forsale section here. Before I start getting into tube rolling with this amp I have a question. How important is it to buy tubes that are "matched" for this amp? I see several auctions on ebay for tubes that seem to be recommended in this thread and wanted to know if I should pass and wait for a "matched" pair to come along or if buying two tubes (as long as they are the same brand/model) would be ok. Thank you for your time,
Crew

 

[ricco87]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgbiker1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif ricco: What kind of headphones are you using? We've had mixed results with the EF91s not working in some cases.

Beyer dt880 pro's

Not even a hint of problem with the 91's. I hear some have been reporting distortion?

 

[Trapper32]

Recently had the opportunity to pick up some Mullard 8083/ef91 for a few bucks so I thought I'd give them a go....tried them with my Senns 580's and no distortion....but with my Grados 225's there is considerable distortion ... The use of different cans probably accounts for the conflicting reports of whether the ef91's work in the MKIII or not.. Something that P hinted at a while ago and maybe why Little Dot couldn't reproduce the distortion problem..(don't they use Sennheisers to test/develop the amps?)

 

[dgbiker1]

So the trend seems to be that you need high-z headphones to make the EF-91s work...

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oatmeal769 /img/forum/go_quote.gif LOL, I almost forgot I had it... Is that Garfield?? I'm guessing the Mullards will be a little stronger in the lows, and a little darker than the EF95's... In other words, ROCKERS! does this sound about right? I will bang the head that doesn't bang! P.S., I can't wait to get the tubes you sent - ought to go well with these...

Hi Oatmeal

I think it's a yellow gumby .....don't know why it's yellow...crazy kids these days

I'm not familiar with Mullards in this context. My familiarity with any NOS tubes is with 12AU7,12AX7, and 6922,7308. Mostly guitar amp and pre amp tube types. Although Mullards are highly prized no matter what the type, be it driver or power tube. E is sending me a set of Mullard EF92's in a trade, so that'll be my first taste with the MK III. I vaguely remember an old Marshall 2203 from years back with all ( 3 12AX7's, 4 EL34's) Mullard tubes. It sounded amazing IIRC.

Your tubes should arrive this week some time (if the post office can be trusted).

Enjoy !!!

Peete.

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewpsu /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hello everyone, Recently just bought a mkIII off of the forsale section here. Before I start getting into tube rolling with this amp I have a question. How important is it to buy tubes that are "matched" for this amp? I see several auctions on ebay for tubes that seem to be recommended in this thread and wanted to know if I should pass and wait for a "matched" pair to come along or if buying two tubes (as long as they are the same brand/model) would be ok. Thank you for your time, Crew

There hasn't been much debate on the matched vs unmatched in this thread and in a way, I'm kinda glad.

I think most folks will buy a matched set if the price is right, and if the price is too much, they'll buy unmatched pairs in a heart beat.

I've had very good luck both ways, so I follow a simple rule. If I can get the tubes for at or under $8 a tube, I'll buy unmatched. If I know the tube is a serious performer and the price is worth that performance, I'll buy the matched set for total accuracy. That's about it. Nothing too special.

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trapper32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Recently had the opportunity to pick up some Mullard 8083/ef91 for a few bucks so I thought I'd give them a go....tried them with my Senns 580's and no distortion....but with my Grados 225's there is considerable distortion ... The use of different cans probably accounts for the conflicting reports of whether the ef91's work in the MKIII or not.. Something that P hinted at a while ago and maybe why Little Dot couldn't reproduce the distortion problem..(don't they use Sennheisers to test/develop the amps?)

The last time I talked with DavidZ on this, they were still voicing their amps to Senns, but they were also evaluating them with K701s and one other brand (don't remember which one though). The intent was to understand how their amps sound with different headphones, so they could answer questions that might be more specific.

The EF91 is a real "oddball" situation. Even though they sound pretty good, they are not "show stoppers" by any means, so I agree with their standing on not recommending them. There is just too many variables.

I use mine from time to time, but not for very long. Those Sylvania 5654's have me hooked big time.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Pench does the RCA 6AK5 have a command variant ?

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete /img/forum/go_quote.gif Pench does the RCA 6AK5 have a command variant ?

Honestly, I'm not sure. I saw a matched pair for sale once on eBay, but I haven't seen any since then. I'd sure like to try a set, if they exist!

 

[ethebull]

Matched vs. not matched…

I’ve bought or traded for more than my fair share of tubes, mostly out of curiosity. What do they sound like? Are these the hidden gem I’ve been seeking?… So I’ve collected about 12 or so varieties of driver tubes.

As Penchum says, it all depends on the price and the tube. If you are buying a tube just to check it out, with no particular confidence that this is the premium tube you plan to stick with for a majority of your listening, buying tested, NOS, un-matched has served me very well. Nearly all of the tubes I’ve bought this way have cost $2-6 each, including shipping, buying in a quantity of 4-10. If you really dig them you’ve got spares, and/or you’ve got a few to trade.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricklely Peete /img/forum/go_quote.gif Pench does the RCA 6AK5 have a command variant ?

They do, I have a pair.

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy /img/forum/go_quote.gif They do, I have a pair.

What do you think of them?

 

[JimSmiley]

Is there any sonic difference between the Mullard 8100 (EF95) and the Mullard 8161 (EF92). Has anyone compared these? I see some praise for the 8161, but I'd rather not use that tiny jumper with my sausage link fingers.

 

[ricco87]

I know it has been asked before but is there any chance of damaging the amp if you run two different driver tubes?

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

double post.