[ilikepooters]

Ooh, I want a Marconi B65 (doh, didn't I just say I have enough tubes?). My list also has an Osram B65 w/ metal base, a Swedish 33S30, and a Telefunken 6SN7, in case anyone has one of those for sale!

After those, I'm done. Really.

Marconi / Osram (known collectively as MOV) are one and the same really. There were some 33S30's on ebay but were insane prices.

I don't think Telefunken made a 6SN7, there were some east german 6SN7's branded RFT, though.

 

[kiwivda]

I don't think the referenced link is actually what you are wanting. Here's what I have and it has been recommended by several here ...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Octal-EL...306810?hash=item41f612e1ba:g:jQAAAOSwgVJcEMMQ

Yup! thanks just bought.

Question: what, exactly, is a Frankentube?

Tube Rolling Update (a busy holiday break, but it was nice to roll at home rather than at work, which is where my Lyr3 is usually located)::
- Mullard ECC32 - yes, I was crazy and put one of these in my Lyr3 despite some conerns about the output being a bit too strong, but so far it has been fine in a few 1-3 hour sessions. This is #1 for me right now, although it is a fairly minor improvement (a bit more impact in mids and highs, similar bass strength maybe just a hair more detail) over my Mullard ECC33 which was bumped to #2 after I heard the ECC32. Requires a socket saver (or something to lift it up a bit) because the base is a bit too big for the opening on the Lyr3.
- Mullard ECC33 - the champion has been dethroned by the ECC32 version, but it is still an amazing tube.
- Brimar/Elpico ECC32 - yes, another ECC32. The sounds is fantasic, just a notch below the Mullard tubes.
- Brimar CV1988 brown base - outstanding! The ECC32 version seems just a bit nicer (a bit warmer I guess).
- TungSol black glass round plates - fantastic tube, just missing a bit of warmth vs. the English tubes above.
- Foton (Russian) 6H8C (1952) - not bad at all, I was a bit surprised this was keeping up reasonably well with some of the exotic tubes.
- CBS/Hytron 5692 - amazed me when I first heard it, and still sounds the best of my 5692s, but it has been surpassed by some warmer tubes and the TungSol above.
- RCA 5692 red base - the 5692s are all wonderful, and this one is near the top.
- Nevz (Russian) 6N1P-VI - excellent surprise, and incredibly cheap (requires an adapter).
- Raytheon JAN-CRP, US Navy logo, 2-hole plates - another great tube, just a notch below the 5692s above.
- Telefunken ECC82 & 12AX7 - excellent, warm but not too warm, bass might be a bit reduced vs. some of the top tubes. The 12AX7 made a small clicking sound after about 10 minutes and stopped working (I didn't try to re-seat it and make another attempt due to concern about the Lyr3, which is fine, thankfully). Requires an adapter.
- Sylvania 6SN7GT 1955-April, tall, chrome top, green label - better than expected, not much to say other than its a bit less warm than the British tubes.
- Sylvania 6SN7WGT JAN-CHS, chrome top - disappointing tube...mine just seemed a bit weak (bass and treble). I'm hoping to get a deal on another because I think mine is just a bit weak for whatever reason.

I think I have enough tubes at this point (well, a couple of cheap 7N7s are on the way) so I'm going to focus on comparisions and stop worrying about getting new tubes for now.

Well what to say, really precious!

Ripper is correct, that is the "lifter" I use, seems to be well made and if I peak inside my LYR3 with its tube removed, the socket looks just like the same white plastic (ceramic?) design.
Keep in mind it's a "lifter" / "socket saver" not a "converter" for using with different tube types with different pin out designations other than 6SN7 types.

Received!

 

[m17xr2b]

I don't think Telefunken made a 6SN7, there were some east german 6SN7's branded RFT, though.

Telefunken didn't make 6SN7 but they did rebrand, russian tubes are frequent on ebay and they rebranded the 33S30 as a 6SN7WGTA

 

[earnmyturns]

Fit best how? Sonically? Physically? Those are all very nice tubes.

They should all be compatible. I don't know if the round globe will physically fit, but you can try it.

The Shuguang 6SN7-SE GLOBE Shuguang Treasure Series is AKA the Psvane 6SN7-SE. My favorite tube (of a few I've used, including Ken Rad VT2131, Sylvania 2-hole Bad Boy) both on the Lyr 3 and on the Apex Peak. No problem with getting it to sit fully in the Lyr 3 socket.

 

[ilikepooters]

Proper MELZ 1578 is living up to the hype...

1969 vintage, was a bit noisy when first rolled in, little bit of hum in the left channel but sorted it out by reflowing the solder in the pins.

I think it has already been used even though the seller states NOS, tests at 2500/2600 micromohs when tested as a 6SN7, maybe russian tubes test lower than 6SN7 i'm no expert.


Sounds fantastic right off the bat.

Soundstage is as wide as a Brimar and really deep, supreme separation of instruments, best i've heard yet, bass maybe a smidgen bloaty/boomy, definitely not dry, fantastic mids, no recess or dryness, treble a tad laid back but detailed, lacks a little extension in the treble.

Definite toe tapper, really engaging and non-fatiguing.

I'd place this tube above a Brimar 6SN7, above the Marconi B65, and it completely trounces the MELZ non hole plate version from the '50's.


My new favourite tube, now to find back-ups.

 

[m17xr2b]

Interesting, might be different amps but I find the MELZ tier 2, just under the greats, like 6SN7W, bad boys, TSRP, Brimar 13D2,ECC32/33,B65. I've burned it for a bit, my only on spec tested 6SN7. Out of 30 other tubes even NOS they rarely test balanced and just on spec.
A cheaper soundstage greatness tube is the Sylvania VT99 T plates.

 

[Rowethren]

Proper MELZ 1578 is living up to the hype...

1969 vintage, was a bit noisy when first rolled in, little bit of hum in the left channel but sorted it out by reflowing the solder in the pins.

I think it has already been used even though the seller states NOS, tests at 2500/2600 micromohs when tested as a 6SN7, maybe russian tubes test lower than 6SN7 i'm no expert.


Sounds fantastic right off the bat.

Soundstage is as wide as a Brimar and really deep, supreme separation of instruments, best i've heard yet, bass maybe a smidgen bloaty/boomy, definitely not dry, fantastic mids, no recess or dryness, treble a tad laid back but detailed, lacks a little extension in the treble.

Definite toe tapper, really engaging and non-fatiguing.

I'd place this tube above a Brimar 6SN7, above the Marconi B65, and it completely trounces the MELZ non hole plate version from the '50's.


My new favourite tube, now to find back-ups.

And importantly they look pretty as well

 

[ilikepooters]

NEVZ 6N8S brown base turned up, rolled in and had a quick listen and sounds a little un-remarkable so far, maybe needs a bit of burn in time. Instantly reminds me of an RCA red base 5692 sonically.

I'll report back once it's burned in.

 

[bcowen]

.

 

[buonassi]

The Shuguang 6SN7-SE GLOBE Shuguang Treasure Series is AKA the Psvane 6SN7-SE. My favorite tube (of a few I've used, including Ken Rad VT2131, Sylvania 2-hole Bad Boy) both on the Lyr 3 and on the Apex Peak. No problem with getting it to sit fully in the Lyr 3 socket.

is it your most expensive tube? That thing costs 3/4ths what a new Lyr costs.

 

[earnmyturns]

is it your most expensive tube? That thing costs 3/4ths what a new Lyr costs.

$200. Lyr costs $499. So, 2/5ths, not 3/4ths. If it makes you feel better, I'm now using the globe on a rather more expensive amp, Apex Peak+Volcano (out of production, bought used), so tube/amp ratio is even lower. The Lyr has a nice but less expensive Sylvania 2-hole Bad Boy.

 

[ilikepooters]

ROFL!!! For the times when FrankenDapter just isn't quite enough.

Might be worth a punt with the adaptor: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WESTINGH...h=item33fc937075:g:xAcAAOSwowtbmVyE:rk:2:pf:0

 

[bcowen]

.

 

[bcowen]

.

 

[Zachik]

Then these would probably be out of the question.

Installments of $144 makes it doable... hmmmm.....