madmalkav
Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 10, 2012
- Posts
- 67
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Thanks categg, I have learned my error was looking for 6ZH1P-EV instead of 6J1P-EV.
I just got some Telefunken 6AK5W tubes and I'm waiting on my 6J1P-EV tubes.
The Telefunken's are amazing! they're so much livelier than anything i've tried so far! Much more present mids and bass compared to the M8161 tubes i was using previously.
so far i've tried:
M8100
M8161
WE 403b
LM Ericsson 403b
Next to try on my list is M8083 and Raytheon 6AK5, does anyone have any suggestions on where to get some? My de facto source has been ebay thus far, along with the boards here.
I ordered Raytheon 6AK5 from Maverick Audio, but they weren't the cheapest at $45 for a matched pair. They ship from Taiwan and took 16 days to get here. I just got my mail this morning with the Raytheon from Mav Audio and Telefunken tubes from eBay (probably the same seller as you) so I haven't compared them yet. I'm also using a different amp, heh, but I've now got 4 sets: 6J1, GE 5-Star 5654, Raytheon 6AK5, and Telefunken 6AK5W.
First impressions... The Raytheon tubes have great and refined mids, probably the clearest between 6J1 and GE 5-star, but they have pushed the outer layer of the sound stage unnaturally far away on a few tracks, it's a little weird for me. I'll be interested to see if they change over the burn-in period.
Powertubes | ||
quantity | sound impression | |
6H30 DR | 2 | beyond doubt |
6N6P | 4 | very solid performance, you would miss anything if you know them exclusively |
6H30 gold pin | 0 | nearly as good as the DR, little less authority overall |
EF 95 | ||
Voskhod 6zh1p-EV | 2 | Very detailed, fine voices, bone dry bass |
Voskhod 6sch1p-EV (gold grid) | 2 | nearly the same as above, but more bass. The best EF95 tube? |
Lorenz 5654 | 3 | relaxed overall sound, little lack of detail compared to the class leader |
RCA 5654 black plates | 3 | pretty thin, but detailed. Little bit lack of "soul". Pretty nice with classic music |
Mullard M8100 | 2 | sounds warmer than the other tubes, absolutely toe tapping, best tube for singer songwriter |
Raytheon 6ak5w | 2 | nice voices and "flow", wide treble extension with a harshness at very high volume, wide soundstage for a EF95 tube |
GE JAN 6ak5w | 2 | very nice vocals, pretty airie sound overall. Bass is quality > quantity but for sure enough |
Tung Sol 6ak5w | 2 | good allrounder, but nothing specifically extraordinary. If look like it "colder" than Mullard sound e.g. |
EF 92 | ||
Mullard EF92 | 3 | very nice overall sound. Pretty equal like the Voskhods with a wider soundstage and little less bass |
EF 91 | ||
Mullard M8083 | 2 | similar to the EF 92 but lack of authority at very high volumes. Nearly my most favourite tube! |
Zaerix 6AM6 / CV138 | 2 | Burn in? Nothing impressiv yet |
EF96 6aq5 | ||
6j3p-E | 4 | Burn in |
Haltron 6ag5 | 3 | lot of bass, in your head sound, little lack of authority in treble |
Hi guys
just wanted to share my impressions of my tubes so far. the overview will be updated from time to time.
Lorenz 5654 3 relaxed overall sound, little lack of detail compared to the class leader RCA 5654 black plates 3 pretty thin, but detailed. Little bit lack of "soul". Pretty nice with classic music Mullard M8100 2 sounds warmer than the other tubes, absolutely toe tapping, best tube for singer songwriter Raytheon 6ak5w 2 nice voices and "flow", wide treble extension with a harshness at very high volume, wide soundstage for a EF95 tube GE JAN 6ak5w 2 very nice vocals, pretty airie sound overall. Bass is quality > quantity but for sure enough Tung Sol 6ak5w 2 good allrounder, but nothing specifically extraordinary. If look like it "colder" than Mullard sound e.g. EF 92 Mullard EF92 3 very nice overall sound. Pretty equal like the Voskhods with a wider soundstage and little less bass EF 91 Mullard M8083 2 similar to the EF 92 but lack of authority at very high volumes. Nearly my most favourite tube! Zaerix 6AM6 / CV138 2 Burn in? Nothing impressiv yet EF96 6aq5 6j3p-E 4 Burn in Haltron 6ag5 3 lot of bass, in your head sound, little lack of authority in treble