[gibosi]

  For example on these the legendary "L" Codes. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mullard-CV-2492-pair-High-Emission-replacement-for-6922-or-E88CC-CCa-ECC88-/111488697970?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item19f53e8672
 
So It looks like these were made at the Mullard plant in Mitchem in 1979, June Batch 3 and 5.  I think that's the way you read it.
 
Serials:

7LI R9F3 KB-D

7LI R9F5 KB-D

 

 
Yes indeed, these CV2492  are 6922/E88CC made in Mullard's Mitcham plant.
 
7L = 6922/E88CC
I = Revision #19 (if I am counting correctly
R = Mitcham
9 = 1979
F = June
3 and 5 = the week in June

 

[ThurstonX]

  According to the Brent Jesse website Mullard followed the European convention.  So the same rules for the pre-55 56 and post.  http://www.audiotubes.com/mullcode.htm
 
For example on these the legendary "L" Codes. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mullard-CV-2492-pair-High-Emission-replacement-for-6922-or-E88CC-CCa-ECC88-/111488697970?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item19f53e8672
 
So It looks like these were made at the Mullard plant in Mitchem in 1979, June Batch 3 and 5.  I think that's the way you read it.
 
Serials:

7LI R9F3 KB-D

7LI R9F5 KB-D

 
Pretty sure you've ID'd those correctly, esp. if they're 7LI and R9.  I've got some RTC-labeled E188CCs that are definitely Mullards stamped R0s, and I can't believe they were made before 1970.  But maybe the ones you linked to are 1969... '9' rolls back to '0'?  They do say '6927'... 27th week of 1969?  $369 seems steep, but what do I know.  I just rolled some lowly '59 'D' getter BBs 

 
 
Here's an 'R4' pair that are also labeled '7410', which I'd guess means 1974:
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mullard-CV-2492-pair-of-NOS-tubes-replacement-for-6922-or-E88CC-CCa-ECC88/111488693111
 
same eBayer.

 

[rb2013]

Heads-up. Saw this ad up on Ebay. $195 for one supposed "made in Hammersmith factory in London England". "ONE Genuine G.E.C. (Genalex) E88CC/6922".  It really is just a re-labeled common variety Russian Reflektor 6n23p - with the distinctive dimpled dual getter post and inverted saucer getter.  I have 8 for sale like these for $6.10 each.  Buyer beware! 

 
Ad says:

"This listing is for ONE Genuine Old Stock ​

G.E.C. (Benelux) E88CC/6922  ​

vacuum tube with Gold Pin ​

made in England.​

 

"Z" written on the tube,​

which indicates this tube is​

made in Hammersmith factory ​

in London, England. ​

 

Extremely rare and a collector's piece." ​

 


 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genalex-G-E-C-GEC-E88CC-6922-Tube-Gold-Lion-Holy-Grail-Phono-Grade-Gold-Pin-/321593486932?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4ae0772e54
 
Russian common variety 6n23p with dimpled dual getter post.

 
 
There are some great deals out there right now in tubeland - especially in 6n23p tubeland.  But be careful - know what you're buying and who you're dealing with!
 
If you have doubts -you have many here in this community ready to help.
 
Good luck!  And Happy Rolling!
 

 
 
 

 

[gibosi]

   
Pretty sure you've ID'd those correctly, esp. if they're 7LI and R9.  I've got some RTC-labeled E188CCs that are definitely Mullards stamped R0s, and I can't believe they were made before 1970.  But maybe the ones you linked to are 1969... '9' rolls back to '0'?  They do say '6927'... 27th week of 1969?  $369 seems steep, but what do I know.  I just rolled some lowly '59 'D' getter BBs 

 
 
Here's an 'R4' pair that are also labeled '7410', which I'd guess means 1974:
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mullard-CV-2492-pair-of-NOS-tubes-replacement-for-6922-or-E88CC-CCa-ECC88/111488693111
 
 

 
On second look, I think you are right. The tubes rb2013 is looking at are 1969. After 1965, military tubes, and these CV2492 are military tubes, typically have silkscreened date codes like 6927 and 7410, the last two digits of the year followed by the number of the week in the year, so it is much easier to date them.
 
I didn't look at the pictures in the listing, so I missed that....  If all we have is the Philips code, the year is indicated by only the last digit. So 1959, 1969 and 1979 are all possible. However, in 1959, the code was shorter, the week was not indicated, so instead of "R9F3", a 1959 tube would be "R9F". But tubes made in 1969 and 1979 would both have the same code: "R9F3" So you have to look at the change code and construction. 
 
I don't have any E88CC's manufactured this late, so I am not familiar with the construction differences, if any between 1969 and 1979. When I saw the change code "I", which would be revision #19, I just assumed these were 1979. And this makes me wonder what the change code is for tubes manufactured in 1979?  But again, fortunately, we know that these were manufactured in 1969.

 

[ThurstonX]

  There are some great deals out there right now in tubeland - especially in 6n23p tubeland.  But be careful - know what you're buying and who you're dealing with!
 
If you have doubts -you have many here in this community ready to help.
 
Good luck!  And Happy Rolling!
 

 
Saw these and couldn't resist:
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331356872070
 
I got a pair of 'D' getter Sylvania USN 6922s from him a while back for about half the price.  They're nice, but I expect these to be better.  Having a Paypal balance can be a dangerously tempting thing 

 

[rb2013]

   
Saw these and couldn't resist:
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331356872070
 
I got a pair of 'D' getter Sylvania USN 6922s from him a while back for about half the price.  They're nice, but I expect these to be better.  Having a Paypal balance can be a dangerously tempting thing 

Tallboy D getters - Sweeet!  And less then the $340/pr for the "normally 'tinging'" microphonic ones Upscale sells (as his website fairly states)!  

  I hope those don't 'ting' too much. These Amperex's are notorius for that.
 
Edit Edit - Just saw you posted Sylvania not Amperex USN-CEPs.  
 
Cheers!

 

 

[ThurstonX]

  Tallboy D getters - Sweeet!  And less then the $340/pr for the "normally 'tinging'" microphonic ones Upscale sells (as his website fairly states)!  

  I hope those don't 'ting' too much. These Amperex's are notorius for that.
 
Edit Edit - Just saw you posted Sylvania not Amperex USN-CEPs.  
 
Cheers!

 

 
IIRC, Kevin's statement about the "ting" is that it's perfectly normal, and only at start up.  Also, I truly believe my Herbie's will squelch any microphonics.  They're doing quite well with all the tubes on which I've tried them, including the currently rolled 1959 'D' getter 6DJ8 BBs.
 
Yeah, the Sylvanias are labeled with green print:

USN CHS 6922
SYLVANIA
MADE IN USA
6240 (printed vertically)
 
USN ??? 6922
SYLVANIA
MADE IN USA
6342 (printed vertically)
 
They look a bit like this one, which costs more than my pair did:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SYLVANIA-USN-CHS-6922-E88CC-GOLD-PIN-GRAY-PLATE-SINGLE-TESTED-TUBE-1963-D-GETTER-/291230036194
 
I'm pretty sure I couldn't see any traditional factory codes etched or stamped, but I'll have another look with my 2.5 reading glasses.
 
As you can see from the eBay link, the ones I just got are US-made Amperex 6922 'D' getter "PQs," which should be in a different league.  The Sylvanias are trying to make the move from AAA ball to the bigs 

 

 

[rb2013]

   
IIRC, Kevin's statement about the "ting" is that it's perfectly normal, and only at start up.  Also, I truly believe my Herbie's will squelch any microphonics.  They're doing quite well with all the tubes on which I've tried them, including the currently rolled 1959 'D' getter 6DJ8 BBs.
 
Yeah, the Sylvanias are labeled with green print:

USN CHS 6922
SYLVANIA
MADE IN USA
6240 (printed vertically)
 
USN ??? 6922
SYLVANIA
MADE IN USA
6342 (printed vertically)
 
They look a bit like this one, which costs more than my pair did:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SYLVANIA-USN-CHS-6922-E88CC-GOLD-PIN-GRAY-PLATE-SINGLE-TESTED-TUBE-1963-D-GETTER-/291230036194
 
I'm pretty sure I couldn't see any traditional factory codes etched or stamped, but I'll have another look with my 2.5 reading glasses.
 
As you can see from the eBay link, the ones I just got are US-made Amperex 6922 'D' getter "PQs," which should be in a different league.  The Sylvanias are trying to make the move from AAA ball to the bigs 

 

Well old Kevin is understating the microphonic distortion thing.  It's always present  - but most notable when flipping the on/off switch because that causes mechanical vibration.  Microphonics is the susceptibility to any vibration.  So it's not "normal" and "only at startup" - but a very typical fault with these early Amperex's.  So funny he criticizes the Amperex Pinched Waists for their "horrible quality" as to being or shortly becoming microphonic!  Talking out of both sides of his mouth?  Oh Kevin - always a card.
 

"PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Amperex "PQ" 6922 - Super super rare gold pin 6922 with tall bottle made in 1960.  In 1961 they started using a slightly shorter bottle. Still a very cool and highly sought-after tube. The "tall bottle" version is more money.  Not because it's better.  Because it's rare.  Don't fall into this stupid ******** that "Older and rarer is better"  The very first 6922's made by Amperex had a pinched waist and they're horrible quality.  90% of them are microphonic, and if they aren't now they will be in a few months.  I'll write something up on this in our "Buying tips" section. 
A quick note about this tube: Many of the earliest vintages of 6922 tubes were sensitive to vibration. This means that if you use them in your preamp or phonostage, they may go "TING!" when you flip switches or tap on the preamp. Understand this is normal."
From Wiki
"Microphonics or microphony describes the phenomenon wherein certain components in electronic devices transform mechanical vibrations into an undesired electrical signal (noise). The term comes from analogy with a microphone, which is intentionally designed to convert vibrations to electrical signals."
[size=20.4444446563721px]"Description[/size]
When electronic equipment was built using vacuum tubes, microphonics were often a serious design problem. The charged elements in the vacuum tubes can mechanically vibrate, changing the distance between the elements, producing charge flows in and out of the tube in a manner identical to a capacitor microphone. A system sufficiently susceptible to microphonics could experience audio feedback, and make noises if jarred or bumped. Certain vacuum tubes were made with thicker internal insulating plates and more supports to minimize these effects."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphonics
 
Fortunately, since headphones don't produce much air movement, unlike speakers, the chance of bad feedback is pretty minimal.  I would recommend isolation under the Lyr, as well as dampers on the tubes.  I use the excellent older Stillpoint mini footers.
Good luck on the tubes!

 

 

[billerb1]

Hey I have a matched pair of the "real deal" RTC E188CC's, the La Radiotechnique green labels, 1967.  Got them NOS and they probably have less than 300 hours on them.  Thinking $139 plus shipping.  CONUS only.  PM me if interested.
 
                                                               **      S O L D **

 

[jexby]

Jeezo.  Uncle Kevin at Upscale just raised the Telefunken E88CC by another $10 per tube.
wish he'd give a break to loyal/repeat or head-fi customers- but it appears he has defined his fixed market and can do whatever he pleases....

 

[satwilson]

Bob, RB2013, saw these alleged "gold pin" Russian tubes on the Bay this AM, any thoughts,
 
2 pcs matched balanced ZAERIX 6DJ8 ECC88 E88CC 6922 CV2492 tubes gold pins disc
( 360847434253 )

 

[gibosi]

Saw this listing today:
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/tungsram-e80cc-NOS-with-adapters-for-lyr-headphone-amp-/171553802065?
 
And wondered if anyone here has tried E80CC's in the Lyr? These are 10,000-hour, frame-grid tubes with extremely low distortion and microphonics. They have the same pinout as a 12AU7/ECC82, so an adapter is necessary. And they draw 600ma, which makes them unsuitable for the Lyr2.
 
In addition to Tungsram, Philips also manufactured this tube in Eindhoven and Hamburg in the 1950's, and later, exclusively in Heerlen.
 
From this picture, you might think that the E80CC is taller than the E88CC, and you would be right.
 
Below, left, 1961 Heerlen, and right, 1955 Eindhoven
 

 

[ThurstonX]

  Bob, RB2013, saw these alleged "gold pin" Russian tubes on the Bay this AM, any thoughts,
 
2 pcs matched balanced ZAERIX 6DJ8 ECC88 E88CC 6922 CV2492 tubes gold pins disc
( 360847434253 )

 
These remind me of a mismatched quad I picked up a while back:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/673709/schiit-lyr-tube-rollers/3435#post_10951463
 
Too bad there aren't more and better pix of those Zaerix.

 

[gibosi]

   
These remind me of a mismatched quad I picked up a while back:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/673709/schiit-lyr-tube-rollers/3435#post_10951463
 
Too bad there aren't more and better pix of those Zaerix.

 
But remember... Zaerix did not manufacture anything. They were a rebrander, purchasing tubes from others, and reselling them. Who sold these to Zaerix, and who gold-plated the pins is a mystery....

 

[ThurstonX]

  But remember... Zaerix did not manufacture anything. They were a rebrander, purchasing tubes from others, and reselling them. Who sold these to Zaerix, and who gold-plated the pins is a mystery....

 
Exactly, just like CEi.  I think my favorite rebranding of the Russian "CEi" tubes is "Made In Germany" paired with "6922"