[MisterMudd]

I would suspect used and you best ask if WE 396A is printed on them. Caveat emptor

True. I ordered a WE396a and received a WE2C51. Box labeled WE396a. 001 (his label), whatever that means. I'm a tube noob. Was kinda disappointed but the tube sounds fantastic so I didn't pursue it further. I'm in the market for another and will ask the seller from wherever I buy for the print. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[JLoud]

Flint Michigan. We had a few hours of clear skies before the rain rolled in. iPhone 14 with 3 second exposure.

 

[Paladin79]

True. I ordered a WE396a and received a WE2C51. Box labeled WE396a. 001 (his label), whatever that means. I'm a tube noob. Was kinda disappointed but the tube sounds fantastic so I didn't pursue it further. I'm in the market for another and will ask the seller from wherever I buy for the print. Thanks for the heads up.

I really think you will hear a big difference especially compared to the stock tube. You will also see why some of us roll tubes, choices and differences.

You may well have received the proper tube with different markings,
Mine has both 2C51 and 396A on it.

 

[Whazzzup]

Just an fyi, and sorry don't know schit tubes but im never trying another tube since popping in takatsukis, if they make something that's compatible, expensive as f-- but soooo gooood.

 

[Ohno Schiitizen]

I really think you will hear a big difference especially compared to the stock tube. You will also see why some of us roll tubes, choices and differences.

Yes, indeed.

IMHO, rolling tubes is like changing different tyres on the same car, it offers different handling, noise and comfort .... find something fits you most in average is the main aim.

Everyone MMV. Enjoy it from the hobby~~

 

[michael2v]

Ok let’s talk Gungnir 2. What does everyone think is in store for this version?

 

[Paladin79]

Testing a Psvane CV181-T MKII (via adapter) currently.

I still have to wait a bit for that adapter but I am looking forward to trying Melz, Ken-Rads, Tung-Sols etc. I do have a couple new PSvanes as well.

 

[sam6550a]

That definitely sounds excessive. One hopes for 10k with some tubes and that is a rarity.

100K would be about 11.5 years, which is not unreasonable for small tubes run conservatively. I have some test equipment from the early 1960s that still have original tubes. Many of these small tubes were made for use in military systems, like underwater repeaters. The key is regulated filament voltage and conservative operating points.

 

[Paladin79]

100K would be about 11.5 years, which is not unreasonable for small tubes run conservatively. I have some test equipment from the early 1960s that still have original tubes. Many of these small tubes were made for use in military systems, like underwater repeaters. The key is regulated filament voltage and conservative operating points.

My PrimaLuna is designed for tube longevity and I understand the principals. Finnegan has not knocked any onto a tile floor lately so mine are lasting longer. I also have tube test gear but I do not use it very often.

 

[ArmchairPhilosopher]

I assume you've go something to do/someone to see in Kerville as the drive to Boerne is only 35ish miles. Either way, welcome to TX.

Nope. Keeping the last leg a short one because I want to arrive in the morning to pick up the keys for the new place and all that. Without the stop in Kerrville, I’d arrive a bit too late in the day.

 

[Paladin79]

I cannot give out the music I use to compare tubes and equipment but there is a lot of Bunker Analog on Qobuz.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8829408--a-classical-kind-of-apocalypse

Listening to this now, and I could most likely compare tubes using it.

 

[sam6550a]

My PrimaLuna is designed for tube longevity and I understand the principals. Finnegan has not knocked any onto a tile floor lately so mine are lasting longer. I also have tube test gear but I do not use it very often.

The silent killer of modern tube gear is filament voltage. Manufacturers specify numbers like 6.3V +/- 5% for filament voltage, but, due to live voltage norms climbing to over 120V [my line voltage is a constant 123.5V], the filament voltage winds up being 7 V or more. This will shorten the life of the tube because the heater runs hotter, so the thermionic emission is higher, etc., and the tube life is severely reduced. Many amps actually have resistors in the filament leads to certain tubes to drop the voltage and gain lower noise and longer life [see Citation II input stage]. That is why large transmitters have adjustable filament voltage to assure that that expensive power tube is operating at the proper point.

 

[Paladin79]

The silent killer of modern tube gear is filament voltage. Manufacturers specify numbers like 6.3V +/- 5% for filament voltage, but, due to live voltage norms climbing to over 120V [my line voltage is a constant 123.5V], the filament voltage winds up being 7 V or more. This will shorten the life of the tube because the heater runs hotter, so the thermionic emission is higher, etc., and the tube life is severely reduced. Many amps actually have resistors in the filament leads to certain tubes to drop the voltage and gain lower noise and longer life [see Citation II input stage]. That is why large transmitters have adjustable filament voltage to assure that that expensive power tube is operating at the proper point.

I manage my line voltage on both of my main systems to stay at a constant 120v. Changing out tubes in my PrimaLuna could easily be $2500 so every bit helps.

 

[RCBinTN]

Thanks, I didn't know of that album. I heard him live playing Scarlatti in the middle of other tunes, he was amazing in stitching together many tunes from different composers, including him, of course, with improvised transitions. He was such a joyous and enlightening stage presence, hard to believe he's no longer with us.

You bet - the album is great.
Regarding Chick's stage presence, here he invites an audience member to come up and play a duet with him. This was recorded in Paris in 2018 ...

 

[Orange5o]

I cannot give out the music I use to compare tubes and equipment but there is a lot of Bunker Analog on Qobuz.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8829408--a-classical-kind-of-apocalypse

Listening to this now, and I could most likely compare tubes using it.

That made me start pulling up tones to see where my hearing drops off. Surprised that I could still hear 15khz, though 16 kHz was tough for me to discern.