Ok so here we go....
I stopped by forum member Wedge's house yesterday with a plan to try some tube rolling in the LYR.
Setup consisted of a Laptop feeding a DAC_I via USB or a Pure I-20 via coax to drive the LYR. Headphones used were Audeze LCD-2 (two pairs), and Beyer DT990-600
One type of tube was placed in one channel and the competitor tube was placed in the other channel on the LYR for comparison purposes. This way one could use a L/R fader and easily back to back compare the tubes. Once the comparison was complete the tubes were swapped L/R to verify the comparison was still valid the other way around in the reviewers ears.
Mullard CV2492 (1960's style)
You already know what I think of these from my previous review. This is to me my golden standard for the next couple reviews. They are though the most expensive tube in this review by far.
Amperex A-Frames ECC88 (Holland made)
These tubes are very similar to the Mullards. Their mids were a little more grity sounding, highs are very close, bass was lacking a tiny tiny bit of extension but levels were darn close. Might next best choice to the Mullards. I had a hard time choosing between these and the Mullards when it came down to selecting my favorite pair.
Ampered Bugle Boys 6DJ8 (Holland made)
Overall the Bugle Boys were leaner, airy, light on bass, (less lush) than the Mullards. I wasn't a fan of them but they sound like a brighter JJ (less veiled)
Telefunken E88CC (German made)
Got a little funky, nice sounding tube, less wet/lush in the mids but equivalent in highs/lows to the Mullards, Might be a good tube for someone looking for something a little airy compared to the lush sound of the Mullards. I think some people may find these a better alternative to the A-Frame Amperex depending on their personal preferences.
My two favorites, very close in sound but not in price, LOL
Guess the tubes?
Setup: LD DAC_I driving Lyr and then later switched to NFB-12
Headphones used during comparison (Audeze LCD2- Beyerdynamics DT990-600)
Travel light always, right? (NFB-12, DAC_I, LYR, LD MKIII, cables, tubes)
Camera case, LCD-2, DT990, backpack full of stuff (HD, stand, cables, etc)
I would like to thank forum member Wedge for the excellent selection of NOS tubes to roll through. I imagine he will chime in with his own opinions. One thing we both will agree on, the Mullards were identifiable when comparing them side to side to any of these tubes. The A-Frame Amperex and the Telefunken were a very good choice of tube to roll to depending on personal preferences. I don't want it to sound like the Mullards are the "only" option out there. They were for me but everyone has their own opinions. I know Wedge really liked the Telefunkens.
My favorite tubes in order:
- Mullards
- Amperex A-Frames
- Telefunken
- Bugle Boys
- Siemens
- JJ (stock)
Oh, and maybe we will do a quick review on Leben 300XS vs. Lyr (both with Mullard tubes) setup in the main Lyr thread?:
This was hard for us to really hate either....look for a comparison in the main Lyr thread (will link to later once complete)