[ScottieB]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PascalT /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a question.. about 2 weeks ago I received 2 sets of Sylvania tubes. I put one in, sounds awesome, great. I then try another set of tubes but decide to go back to the Sylvanias, but they really don't sound nearly as good as before. What gives? Can burning in those tubes actually make them sound bad? I put the set i hadn't used yet in just now, and it sounds just as good as originally. There is a huge difference in the soundstage between the two sets, it's like night and day. Question is.. are those tubes known to "close up" and muddle up the sound after burning in? It just seems weird to me that the sound would degrade after some use. thanks for any insight.

Not that I'm an expert but it certainly seems possible - like if they change at all during burn-in there's cetainly no guarantee that said changes will be positive - especially when considering that everyone's ears and tastes are different. So to you they may change for the worse but to someone else it could be the opposite. For as much science as there actually is involved in all the head-fi stuff, at the end of the day, there's just far too many variables for there to be hard-and-fast "rules" about most of it... just something to consider.

 

[Penchum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PascalT /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a question.. about 2 weeks ago I received 2 sets of Sylvania tubes. I put one in, sounds awesome, great. I then try another set of tubes but decide to go back to the Sylvanias, but they really don't sound nearly as good as before. What gives? Can burning in those tubes actually make them sound bad? I put the set i hadn't used yet in just now, and it sounds just as good as originally. There is a huge difference in the soundstage between the two sets, it's like night and day. Question is.. are those tubes known to "close up" and muddle up the sound after burning in? It just seems weird to me that the sound would degrade after some use. thanks for any insight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottieB /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not that I'm an expert but it certainly seems possible - like if they change at all during burn-in there's cetainly no guarantee that said changes will be positive - especially when considering that everyone's ears and tastes are different. So to you they may change for the worse but to someone else it could be the opposite. For as much science as there actually is involved in all the head-fi stuff, at the end of the day, there's just far too many variables for there to be hard-and-fast "rules" about most of it... just something to consider.

I agree with ScottieB on this one.

I have also had two sets come out different than each other. I wish I had a tube tester, so I could see what differences exist between two sets like that.

One of these days, hopefully.

While the unmatched multiple sets have turned out a few pairs with this problem, or difference, generally, the matched sets that you pay more for, don't have these issues. At least I haven't run into any problems so far. I know several "tube expert" members here that recommend only the matched sets, just for this type of reason, and as time goes by, they seem to be more right than wrong on this. I don't like the extra cost factor, but it seems to alleviate regret in the long run.

YMMV as usual.

 

[PascalT]

true that. I did get the cheaper set of 4s rather than a "perfectly" matched pair from yen on ebay. I think i'll just bite the bullet and buy another pair.

I must say, the initial sound I got from these Sylvania tubes was heavenly. Too bad it didn't last. sniff

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PascalT /img/forum/go_quote.gif true that. I did get the cheaper set of 4s rather than a "perfectly" matched pair from yen on ebay. I think i'll just bite the bullet and buy another pair. I must say, the initial sound I got from these Sylvania tubes was heavenly. Too bad it didn't last. sniff

I had a matched pair do this to me, no guarentee's with NOS glass......it happens.


Peete.

 

[PascalT]

has anyone bought tubes from seller walden on ebay?

He sells his Mullard 8161s 30 bucks less than yen.. says they are "date matched".

M8161 CV4015 6065 MULLARD~NEW~DATE MATCH~TUBE AMPLIFIER - (eBay.ca item 180289773062 end time 22-Sep-08 20:00:00 EDT)

Wondering how reliable it might be to buy it from him. I don't want mismatched tubes again

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PascalT /img/forum/go_quote.gif has anyone bought tubes from seller walden on ebay? He sells his Mullard 8161s 30 bucks less than yen.. says they are "date matched". M8161 CV4015 6065 MULLARD~NEW~DATE MATCH~TUBE AMPLIFIER - (eBay.ca item 180289773062 end time 22-Sep-08 20:00:00 EDT) Wondering how reliable it might be to buy it from him. I don't want mismatched tubes again

Tough to say, but those are certainly worth the asking price. I'm not sure if those are large shield or small. Someone else will chime in on that.

Peete.

 

[sinisterm]

Mmmmm I love these Tung Sols (Tung-Sol 6AK5W 5654 matched from Yen). Tho they have ~30 hours now and the sound is still refining. Very nice detail, clear highs and deep bass. Only thing these seem to somewhat lack is in the mid-area. Keeping my hopes up it gets better with more hours.

Compared to Russians they have much deeper bass, a bit more detail, more silkier highs, but they lack some of Russian's mids.

I recommend em for anyone with Grados out there.

Got the Sylvanias too, black Plates, square Getters, ~1960s. My jaw almost dropped when I put em on and listened to some of my favourite songs. They just give so smooth and DEEP bass I couldn't believe that 325i's could even deliver. It's a shame that their mids and highs are pretty bad compared to Tung Sols or the Russian's.

It's a hard decision between the Tung Sols and Russians. If these Tung Sols still mature with mids I think they will become my number one choice.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

The Syl black plate round getters get it all, right.....look for that type in a ruggedized (SP?) 6AK5W or WA version.

I agree with your Tung Sol views, the mids will come forward a little once they have burned in.

Peete.

 

[yamadog1998]

I Have The MK 111 And i Am Using AKG 701 Headphones with It.This Is hooked Into my Computer,Which has a 7.1 digital sound card.I have 2sets of Gl5654 tubes,But would like some suggestions on the other tubes.I am new to tube products and don't know anything about tube rolling.

Thank You For any help.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamadog1998 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I Have The MK 111 And i Am Using AKG 701 Headphones with It.This Is hooked Into my Computer,Which has a 7.1 digital sound card.I have 2sets of Gl5654 tubes,But would like some suggestions on the other tubes.I am new to tube products and don't know anything about tube rolling. Thank You For any help.

Start with the Mullard M8100 and Voshod EF95, those two are something of a bench-mark to compare with other tubes. Due to the age of these tubes and the variable nature of vintage electronics, I would recommend getting tubes that are tested and matched by a trusted vendor rather than buying them As-Is (tip: if they don't list the equipment they use to 'test' their tubes then it's more than likely that they don't, especially on ebay where sketchy sellers roam), there's no point in buying a pair of tubes only to have them be unmatched and sound bad, even if they're cheap, like everything else in life you get what you pay for, that's my opinion though.

Anyway, I would start looking with Yen Audio on ebay for LD tube upgrades (eBay Store - Yen Audio: Little Dot Upgrade Tubes: 6H6P-I Little Dot Amp Power Tube Upgrade 6N6 MATCHED PR)

Sorry about your wallet.

 

[yamadog1998]

Thank You.
I am getting the 6h6p's and will be using the gl5654 as drivers,unless someone has a better idea,or can the gl5654's even work with the 6h6p's.Here again i demonstrate my newness to this hobby.The one thing i can say is i love my music,and demand a higher standard of quality.
Thank you for all the help.I can see i have found a home with like minded people.

 

[PascalT]

could someone compare these two tubes' sound for me?

The Mullard M8161 (EF92) and Tung-Sol 6AK5W (EF95)
I read in this thread the Mullards would give a very smooth and silky sound whereas the Tung-Sol (as read above on this page) might lack in mids early on but offer pretty good detail and highs?

If you had to choose one which one would you get? Obviously all a matter of taste but curious if there's a clear cut "winner" here. Perhaps the hassle of switching jumper every time i switch tubes might discount the Mullards out.

 

[sinisterm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamadog1998 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank You. I am getting the 6h6p's and will be using the gl5654 as drivers,unless someone has a better idea,or can the gl5654's even work with the 6h6p's.Here again i demonstrate my newness to this hobby.The one thing i can say is i love my music,and demand a higher standard of quality. Thank you for all the help.I can see i have found a home with like minded people.

If I were you I'd just change the driver tubes for starters. Good choice would be Russian 6ZH1P-EV. You can get them bloody cheap and they sound too good for the money.

I ordered mine from 6AK5W - 5654 - 6ZH1P-EV Tubes. Set of 4 - eBay (item 290258481438 end time Oct-05-08 02:42:40 PDT)

--

PascalT,

Can't compare them, sorry, but:

"but offer pretty good detail and highs" -> offer good detail, good highs, good bass.

Overall these are very nice indeed. Without that lack of mids (which seems to get better all the time, or my ears are just getting used to it

) these would be close to perfect to my ears.

Oh my poor wallet. Have to order some EF92's, Mullards maybe, just to test them out now.

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Anyone have any info on the manufacturer of these ?

CV4015 6065 ZAERIX~D GETTERS~NEW IN BOX~~TUBE AMPLIFIER - (eBay.ca item 170250856775 end time 13-Oct-08 12:22:09 EDT)

Weird name (Zaerix) I haven't heard before. Might be a find, might be junk...who knows..?

Peete.

 

[Skylab]

The issue with Zaerix is you never know where the tubes were made. I have some Zaerix branded ECC32's which are Mullards. I also bought some Zaerix EL84's which I thought looked Russian, and they were for sure.