[gibosi]

As my HD700s also have a bit of a treble spike, I find the more subdued Lorenz to be a great match in my Glenn with GEC and the slotted Bendix graphite 6080 output tubes, both of which have good highs and lots of air . And I suspect that the more forward and airy Siemens might be a very good match with the more subdued Mullard 6080, but I haven't tried this combination yet....
 
 
Edit: OK, rolled in a pair of 1966 Mullard 6080 with Siemens C3g/s this evening for about an hour and quickly found myself listening to the music, not the equipment.
 
Given that the Mullard is typically considerably less expensive than the GEC and Bendix, it is my opinion that the Mullard 6080 together with the Siemens C3g/s offers a very satisfying compromise between affordability and performance.

 

[hypnos1]

  As my HD700s also have a bit of a treble spike, I find the more subdued Lorenz to be a great match in my Glenn with GEC and the slotted Bendix graphite 6080 output tubes, both of which have good highs and lots of air . And I suspect that the more forward and airy Siemens might be a very good match with the more subdued Mullard 6080, but I haven't tried this combination yet....
 
 
Edit: OK, rolled in a pair of 1966 Mullard 6080 with Siemens C3g/s this evening for about an hour and quickly found myself listening to the music, not the equipment.
 
Given that the Mullard is typically considerably less expensive than the GEC and Bendix, it is my opinion that the Mullard 6080 together with the Siemens C3g/s offers a very satisfying compromise between affordability and performance.

 
Hi gibosi.
 
Very interesting...just might tempt me into trying those Mullards! (I presume those are GEC 6080s you mention...how do your 6AS7G equivs compare in the Siemens/Lorenz shoot-out?).
 
Talking of which I am liking these Lorenz (gold pins) more by the day as they get more burn-in - they certainly remove the (occasional) need for some tinkering with the T1s to tame a bit of treble harshness. And do provide a bit more bass - in my gear at least - which would please lovers of the lower register!
Micro detail/transients/air still not quite up to the Siemens 'S', but I just might be able to squeeze a little bit more by eliminating the adapter sockets and (as I normally do) mechanically tie the pure silver wire direct to the pins and then solder - I much prefer metal-to-metal contact wherever possible, with minimal solder inbetween...at least I can convince myself of the improvement, lol! 

.

 

[gibosi]

 
Very interesting...just might tempt me into trying those Mullards! (I presume those are GEC 6080s you mention...how do your 6AS7G equivs compare in the Siemens/Lorenz shoot-out?).

 
I haven't rolled the GEC 6AS7 recently, so can't say for sure. As I find the GEC 6080 to be very similar, the 6AS7s are safely stored away for now.
 
The treble with the Siemens C3g / Mullard 6080 is not quite as smooth as the Lorenz / slotted Bendix (my current default), but on the plus side, there is a bit more detail and air. I prefer the Lorenz / Bendix combination, but detail freaks may prefer the Siemens / Mullard.
 
For those who might be interested, there are at least two, and maybe three, versions of the Mullard 6080. The short bottle on the left, with metal shields between the second and third spacers, is the first version. Mine are dated 1957. The taller bottle with a bit of smoke on the glass between the second and third spacers, is the second version. Mine are dated 1966. I have seen pictures of tubes dated into the 1970s, that look very much like the 1960's, with the primary difference being no smoke on the glass. However, I don't know if that is the only difference, so these 1970s tubes may or may not represent a third version.
 

 

[SonicTrance]

I just rolled in these Tung-Sol 6SL7GT's dated 1957 yesterday in my MK VI+. They don't have many hours on them yet as I bought them NOS, but I'm enjoying them so far. They have a warm and smooth sound to them.
 

 

[gibosi]

I didn't spend a lot of time with the 6SL7 in my LD1+, but as I recall, I liked the Tung Sol 6SU7GTY and the Sylvania Gold Brand 6SL7GT (same as the regular Sylvania JAN-CHS 6SL7WGT) the best.
 

 

 

[SonicTrance]

Update on the noisy Mullard 6080's:
 
I decided to give them a try again in my MK VI+, this time with Tung-Sol 6SL7GT BGRP's driving them. I listened with three different headphones, HE-400i, ATH W1000X and LCD-XC. The tubes were only noisy with the W1000X. The sound however were not to my liking. Way to warm, almost muddy with little detail. I imagine they'd pair better with something like the UK-6SN7's which are "cold" and very detailed, haven't tried that though. But like I said before, they do pair nice with the C3GS's in the MK IVSE.

 

[TomNC]

About C3g to 6Ak5 converter:
 
I am interested in trying C3g tubes with my Little Dot MKiii. I saw some C3g to 6Ak5 converters (from Hong Kong) on ebay which I suspect too large to fit the MKiii tube port.
 
Does anybody have experience with these converters? If some other adapters are needed, any recommendations? Thanks for suggestions.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2piece-Gold-plated-C3G-TO-6AK5-tube-converter-adapter/191424601510?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D3932f0f6980a485e8bd772daa8928d77%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D191424601510

 

[hypnos1]

  About C3g to 6Ak5 converter:
 
I am interested in trying C3g tubes with my Little Dot MKiii. I saw some C3g to 6Ak5 converters (from Hong Kong) on ebay which I suspect too large to fit the MKiii tube port.
 
Does anybody have experience with these converters? If some other adapters are needed, any recommendations? Thanks for suggestions.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2piece-Gold-plated-C3G-TO-6AK5-tube-converter-adapter/191424601510?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D3932f0f6980a485e8bd772daa8928d77%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D191424601510

 
Hi TomNC.
 
Those adapters certainly look preferable to the others (happyDIY ones), but I myself haven't used them I'm afraid - make my own! But I'm sure other LD users will chime in with their advice - and also a link perhaps to the extenders you will need because of those rings (unless you do a bit of butchering as some have done!!

).
 
If you go ahead I am sure you will not be disappointed...plenty of previous posts to give you encouragement!...

 
GOOD LUCK!

 

[hypnos1]

My final words (probably!

) on Siemens C3g'S' v Lorenz (gold pins).
 
After a good bit more burn-in, previous comparisons are confirmed - along gibosi's lines.
 
But I must make one more observation that puts me personally back in the direction of the Siemens 'S' (given my own set-up). And it isn't just because I LOVE extra detail!...
I suspect it's mostly down to the amazing Beyer T1s - on closer scrutiny, I find the Siemens bring out a greater range of subtle tones throughout the frequency range, with more treble extension and note decay...which combine to give more air and space, plus a certain "je ne sais quoi" ('tingle', I suppose). This is enough to even have me forgiving the T1s for the occasional 'wince' with bright recordings.
But if less treble, more mids and apparent bass is your thing then the Lorenz may be preferable...to each his/her own, lol!

...Oh, and if you like to turn the volume up to insane levels, again the Lorenz would probably suit better!

 

[gibosi]

  About C3g to 6Ak5 converter:
 
I am interested in trying C3g tubes with my Little Dot MKiii. I saw some C3g to 6Ak5 converters (from Hong Kong) on ebay which I suspect too large to fit the MKiii tube port.
 
Does anybody have experience with these converters? If some other adapters are needed, any recommendations? Thanks for suggestions.

 
If you are unwilling and/or unable to remove the brass rings, then you will likely need a small 7-pin socket saver to act as an extender. I used the one from Leed's Radio:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/563884/little-dot-tube-amps-vacuum-tube-rolling-guide/6000#post_10512665

 

[gibosi]

  But I must make one more observation that puts me personally back in the direction of the Siemens 'S' (given my own set-up). And it isn't just because I LOVE extra detail!...

 
So it isn't just because you are detail freak? Really??  lol

 

[hypnos1]

   
So it isn't just because you are detail freak? Really??  lol

 
You bet, g!! 

...

 

[Shaffer]

All the adapters finally came in and my LDIII is now on its third hour with 6SN7s. Wow, what a difference! Sounds like a different amplifier: more effortless, more clear, more detail, more space, more texture, and the bass of the godz (all in a comparative sense). So far, I've used mid-50s RCAs.

Clan't wait to see what Feliks Audio Elise will sound like. Should have it at the end of next week.

 

[gibosi]

  Update on the noisy Mullard 6080's:
 
I decided to give them a try again in my MK VI+, this time with Tung-Sol 6SL7GT BGRP's driving them. I listened with three different headphones, HE-400i, ATH W1000X and LCD-XC. The tubes were only noisy with the W1000X. The sound however were not to my liking. Way to warm, almost muddy with little detail. I imagine they'd pair better with something like the UK-6SN7's which are "cold" and very detailed, haven't tried that though. But like I said before, they do pair nice with the C3GS's in the MK IVSE.

 
-MisterX- makes a very good point.
 
One can say that almost every output tube will shine in a certain amp, with complimentary drivers/headphones/ears/brains. But on the other hand, I can assure you that the most vaunted and and sought-after tubes do not sound great in every amp or with every headphone, much less, with every set of ears.
 
So I hope no one goes chasing after one particular tube thinking it is going to be the "The Tube." And don't be too disappointed when the tube you have been fervently chasing arrives and just doesn't sound all that good. Yes, most of these highly esteemed tubes are in fact extremely good, but it can take considerable time and money to assemble all the other pieces necessary to make them truly shine.

 

[TomNC]

@gibosi; @hypnos1
 
Thanks a lot for the great information. I hope this C3g upgrade will give a significant boost of the LD III's performance. Though I've been using mostly vintage receivers lately, the LD is my first 'serious' head-fi amp and I would not give up on it. Cheers.