[dilbertprogrammer]

My first order (yes, one of many) of tubes arrived this evening.

 

[cgb3]

My first order (yes, one of many) of tubes arrived this evening.

Good basic tubes.

I have the first 2, never went (old) Russian.

I purchased many tubes for my Lyr 3. Payed more than I should have for (many) 1940's and '50's era "new old stock".

I suggest you don't go down the "new old stock" rabbit hole.

Here's what I use now: https://www.vivatubes.com/new-gain-tested-psvane-6sn7-se-tennis-ball-vacuum-tube/

This after my first Chinese tube try cv181-z (still a very good tube).

I've got well more invested in single tubes than I spent on the amp.

With a good background in electronics, I recently had a stuck tube riser (socket saver) in my Lyr 3.

Unplug the unit, wait 1 hour, and go in with metallic hemostats. Yea, I blew out the board.

I think Schiit took pity on an idiot, and only charged me $200 + postage (I purchased my Lyr 3 2nd hand).

 

[FLTWS]

One of the difficulties with NOS is there is no reasonable, repeatable, accurate grading system. And, even if all meaningful measurements of a tube are made available they won't mean much to most people and unless you have a tube tester and the knowledge to go with it (and I don't) they probably won't help and can't be verified by you. So, it boils down to having a confidence factor in the supplier(s) you deal with. I have several of the Tung-Sols above and I like them. I have one each of the other two but its been some time since I've used them so no comments. I have a number of NOS and NM(anufactured)S of many different types, some I like, some I don't. But that's all a part of the "tube experience". And as always, trust your ears to tell you what you like or prefer, or don't.

 

[dilbertprogrammer]

Good basic tubes.

I have the first 2, never went (old) Russian.

I purchased many tubes for my Lyr 3. Payed more than I should have for (many) 1940's and '50's era "new old stock".

I suggest you don't go down the "new old stock" rabbit hole.

Here's what I use now: https://www.vivatubes.com/new-gain-tested-psvane-6sn7-se-tennis-ball-vacuum-tube/

This after my first Chinese tube try cv181-z (still a very good tube).

I've got well more invested in single tubes than I spent on the amp.

With a good background in electronics, I recently had a stuck tube riser (socket saver) in my Lyr 3.

Unplug the unit, wait 1 hour, and go in with metallic hemostats. Yea, I blew out the board.

I think Schiit took pity on an idiot, and only charged me $200 + postage (I purchased my Lyr 3 2nd hand).

Thank you for the tube suggestions and the guidance!

I have four more tubes, all older (from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s) on the way. They are a mix of NOS and used.

I'll do my best not to fall down the rabbit hole while experimenting. Just have to remind myself it is about enjoying the journey and being fiscally responsible (as much as possible) along the way.

 

[dilbertprogrammer]

One of the difficulties with NOS is there is no reasonable, repeatable, accurate grading system. And, even if all meaningful measurements of a tube are made available they won't mean much to most people and unless you have a tube tester and the knowledge to go with it (and I don't) they probably won't help and can't be verified by you. So, it boils down to having a confidence factor in the supplier(s) you deal with. I have several of the Tung-Sols above and I like them. I have one each of the other two but its been some time since I've used them so no comments. I have a number of NOS and NM(anufactured)S of many different types, some I like, some I don't. But that's all a part of the "tube experience". And as always, trust your ears to tell you what you like or prefer, or don't.

Thank you for the feedback!

Excellent point about the varying grading systems. I've noticed that among tube sellers and I have done as you have suggested and purchased my NOS/NM tubes from those with reputable feedback and solid references.

And yes, I always let my ears be the final judge over measurements and subjective/opinions across the hobby. Looking forward to the next leg of the journey.

 

[bcowen]

Thank you for the tube suggestions and the guidance!

I have four more tubes, all older (from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s) on the way. They are a mix of NOS and used.

I'll do my best not to fall down the rabbit hole while experimenting. Just have to remind myself it is about enjoying the journey and being fiscally responsible (as much as possible) along the way.

The term "rabbit hole" is a misnomer when it comes to tubes. It's actually a black hole, and once you get near the event horizon you will be sucked in with no chance of escape.

Seriously, tube rolling is lots of fun. It's only as expensive as you want it to be, and there are lots of tubes that are (relatively) inexpensive that sound great and can get your toe tapping. I have some very expensive tubes I like a lot, but also some that I paid $5 for that I like a lot too.

 

[Barnstormer13]

Good basic tubes.

I have the first 2, never went (old) Russian.

I purchased many tubes for my Lyr 3. Payed more than I should have for (many) 1940's and '50's era "new old stock".

I suggest you don't go down the "new old stock" rabbit hole.

Here's what I use now: https://www.vivatubes.com/new-gain-tested-psvane-6sn7-se-tennis-ball-vacuum-tube/

This after my first Chinese tube try cv181-z (still a very good tube).

I've got well more invested in single tubes than I spent on the amp.

With a good background in electronics, I recently had a stuck tube riser (socket saver) in my Lyr 3.

Unplug the unit, wait 1 hour, and go in with metallic hemostats. Yea, I blew out the board.

I think Schiit took pity on an idiot, and only charged me $200 + postage (I purchased my Lyr 3 2nd hand).

I’ve also found the PSVANE tubes work very well in the Lyr3 and is what I settled on. One nice bonus is they last a long time. That said, they’re not exactly cheap.

 

[Odin412]

I’ve also found the PSVANE tubes work very well in the Lyr3 and is what I settled on. One nice bonus is they last a long time. That said, they’re not exactly cheap.

Agreed - Psvane tubes sound great in the Lyr 3. I especially like the tennis ball version, which also looks very cool.

 

[JamminVMI]

Agreed - Psvane tubes sound great in the Lyr 3. I especially like the tennis ball version, which also looks very cool.

I have their 6SN7-UK and the -SE (aka ‘tennis ball’) and I cannot tell the difference between them, and really like them both. I have yet to try the next level in Psvane expense, the CV181T Mk II. Anyone think it’s worth the coin?

 

[Odin412]

I have their 6SN7-UK and the -SE (aka ‘tennis ball’) and I cannot tell the difference between them, and really like them both. I have yet to try the next level in Psvane expense, the CV181T Mk II. Anyone think it’s worth the coin?

I have all three versions and for the Lyr 3 I prefer the tennis ball version. For the Saga preamp that I use in my speaker system I prefer the CV181 version with grey glass. It doesn't look as cool, but it sounds better to my ears.

 

[cgb3]

I’ve also found the PSVANE tubes work very well in the Lyr3 and is what I settled on. One nice bonus is they last a long time. That said, they’re not exactly cheap.

How many simple pleasures are available for ~$60? I'm pretty shure Lou Lou has retired.

 

[JamminVMI]

I have all three versions and for the Lyr 3 I prefer the tennis ball version. For the Saga preamp that I use in my speaker system I prefer the CV181 version with grey glass. It doesn't look as cool, but it sounds better to my ears.

Fair, ty. I have the -UK in my Saga at the moment.

 

[nasty nate]

I also use the tennis ball (as my daily driver - in the Lyr 98% of the time) - can attest to the cool looks

 

[Barnstormer13]

I also use the tennis ball (as my daily driver - in the Lyr 98% of the time) - can attest to the cool looks

Definitely looks better than the grey glass I’m running.

 

[JamminVMI]

Definitely looks better than the grey glass I’m running.

Whose is that? Doggone Psvane is no fun with the inner glass silvered…

Edit: but it sounds brilliant…