[ThurstonX]

Thanks ThurstonX.
 
How do You know that '4' means 1974 and not 1964?
 
I can but them for 65 euro or these -  http://www.ebay.pl/itm/Pair-Amperex-Orange-Globe-A-Frame-6DJ8-ECC88-Holland-NOS-matched-balanced-/291440508610?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item43db353ec2 also for 65 euro. Are the former still better choice?

 
The "getter" being an 'O' and not 'A' frame.  That's true of the Philips Heerlen-made ECC88/6DJ8, but not the E88CC/6922, which were still using the 'O' in the 1970s.  It may apply to other Philips brands and factories, as well.
 
YMMV, but most people will tell you older is better, as are the 'O' getters vs. the 'A' frame.  You could always get both, form your own opinion, and then report back here 

 
Good luck 

 

 

[MrButchi]

Hi,
 
I have found the following : http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/5p4AAOSwBahVMSAA/$_57.JPG
 
It's supposedly a matched pair 7LGdelta2A4 and 7LEdelta9D2.
 
Somewhere between 60 and 80 euros.
 
Is it an ok price?
 
This is to go with my Lyr 2 + Uberfrost.
 
Thanks in advance !

 

[mikoss]

  Hi,
 
I have found the following : http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/5p4AAOSwBahVMSAA/$_57.JPG
 
It's supposedly a matched pair 7LGdelta2A4 and 7LEdelta9D2.
 
Somewhere between 60 and 80 euros.
 
Is it an ok price?
 
This is to go with my Lyr 2 + Uberfrost.
 
Thanks in advance !

Looks decent, here is another for comparison:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-E88CC-6922-VALVO-PHILIPS-tubes-6922-E-88-CC-/281512440514

 

[ThurstonX]

  Hi,
 
I have found the following : http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/5p4AAOSwBahVMSAA/$_57.JPG
 
It's supposedly a matched pair 7LGdelta2A4 and 7LEdelta9D2.
 
Somewhere between 60 and 80 euros.
 
Is it an ok price?
 
This is to go with my Lyr 2 + Uberfrost.
 
Thanks in advance !

 
I always try to get tubes with the same change code.  These are 7LE and 7LG, and the dates are 1969 and 1972, respectively.  Doesn't mean they won't sound good together.  I'm curious if others are like me, or if y'all mix different change codes.

 

[ThurstonX]

  Looks decent, here is another for comparison:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-E88CC-6922-VALVO-PHILIPS-tubes-6922-E-88-CC-/281512440514

 
I see a "delta" 3 on one of them, but don't see the change code.  IF they're from 1963, that's a decent price, though that seller's shipping charges made me stop looking at his stock seriously.  If they're from 1973, it's still not a bad price, but not with $20 shipping.  He's a fine seller.  I bought a pair of 1969 Siemens CCas and a pair of 1963 Siemens E88CCs from him.

 

[mikoss]

   
I see a "delta" 3 on one of them, but don't see the change code.  IF they're from 1963, that's a decent price, though that seller's shipping charges made me stop looking at his stock seriously.  If they're from 1973, it's still not a bad price, but not with $20 shipping.  He's a fine seller.  I bought a pair of 1969 Siemens CCas and a pair of 1963 Siemens E88CCs from him.

Pretty sure I see a G above that in the batch code above as well, so I'm pretty sure it's '73... at least they're made in Heerlen and not Tungsrams... So many auctions lately with chrome pins and pointy nipples:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-new-tubes-E88CC-6922-Valvo-411015-vintage-chrome-pins-/131362298415?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e95cd9a2f
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valvo-E88CC-CCa-Grey-Shield-6DJ8-6922-CV2492-CV2493-CV5358-CV5472-/171776674750?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27feb00bbe
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-new-tubes-Valvo-E88CC-6922-503018-matched-pair-/381203745203?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c18389b3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-new-tubes-Valvo-E88CC-6922-503020-matched-pair-/381196758546?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c118ee12
at least this one mentions that they could be Tungsram tubes:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valvo-E88CC-matched-PAIR-6922-audio-tubes-new-in-box-NOS-/281679169225?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41956306c9
 
For my pairs, I try to match batch and date codes. Not sure how much it really matters... I can also audition each tube separately on the DAC buffer and see if they sound similar first.

 

[ThurstonX]

  Pretty sure I see a G above that in the batch code above as well, so I'm pretty sure it's '73... at least they're made in Heerlen and not Tungsrams... So many auctions lately with chrome pins and pointy nipples:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-new-tubes-E88CC-6922-Valvo-411015-vintage-chrome-pins-/131362298415?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e95cd9a2f
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valvo-E88CC-CCa-Grey-Shield-6DJ8-6922-CV2492-CV2493-CV5358-CV5472-/171776674750?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27feb00bbe
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-new-tubes-Valvo-E88CC-6922-503018-matched-pair-/381203745203?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c18389b3
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-new-tubes-Valvo-E88CC-6922-503020-matched-pair-/381196758546?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c118ee12
at least this one mentions that they could be Tungsram tubes:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valvo-E88CC-matched-PAIR-6922-audio-tubes-new-in-box-NOS-/281679169225?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41956306c9
 
For my pairs, I try to match batch and date codes. Not sure how much it really matters... I can also audition each tube separately on the DAC buffer and see if they sound similar first.

 
That's what I figured, esp. with that yellow etching/staining.
 
I have no idea if the change codes (can that be considered a "batch" code? If so, some batches spanned years!) represent actual internal changes, changes in the manufacturing equipment and/or process, or something else.  Assuming that said codes actually represent something significant enough to require a new code, I'd say matching change codes is more important than date code matching.
 
So, if you have a pair of 7L5s that were made in Feb. and Aug. 1964, that's better than a pair like the aforementioned 7LE / 7LG.  While an absolute date code match seems like a very good thing, testing may reveal one tube is stronger than the other.  At least there are a few trustworthy eBay sellers to make it less of a crap shoot.
 

---

Nice catch on all those Tungsram tubes.  That should prove educational for a lot of Lyr rollers 

 

[Guidostrunk]

I'm curious if anyone has messed around with some ECC189's? I just rolled in a pair of 1958 Amperex Heerlen D getters, not expecting much because I scooped them up for about 30 bucks, and so far I'm surprised how decent they sound. What surprises me the most is the holigraphy and depth.
They're NOS , and I've only had them in for around 2 hours. Will report back later. Lol

Cheers friends

 

[Guidostrunk]

I'm pretty much the same way. I think it's a mental thing. I'm pretty anal about everything matching. Lol

I always try to get tubes with the same change code.  These are 7LE and 7LG, and the dates are 1969 and 1972, respectively.  Doesn't mean they won't sound good together.  I'm curious if others are like me, or if y'all mix different change codes.

 

[Exacoustatowner]

I'm curious if anyone has messed around with some ECC189's? I just rolled in a pair of 1958 Amperex Heerlen D getters, not expecting much because I scooped them up for about 30 bucks, and so far I'm surprised how decent they sound. What surprises me the most is the holigraphy and depth.
They're NOS , and I've only had them in for around 2 hours. Will report back later. Lol

Cheers friends

Hey Sam
Do you have the Lyr or Lyr2?
What are the differences between the ECC188 and 189?

 

[Guidostrunk]

I have the lyr 1 . Not really sure about the technical aspects between the 188 and 189. I just know they're compatible with the lyr1 , from reading the entire old lyr thread. Lol. Don't see many of the old rollers from that thread , and was curious if maybe Thurston or anyone else maybe tried them. Mixed reviews in the old thread about them. I figured it was worth satisfying my rolling addiction until some of my others arrive. And for 30 bucks, I feel I've won this round. Lol

Hey Sam
Do you have the Lyr or Lyr2?
What are the differences between the ECC188 and 189?

 

[ThurstonX]

I'm curious if anyone has messed around with some ECC189's? I just rolled in a pair of 1958 Amperex Heerlen D getters, not expecting much because I scooped them up for about 30 bucks, and so far I'm surprised how decent they sound. What surprises me the most is the holigraphy and depth.
They're NOS , and I've only had them in for around 2 hours. Will report back later. Lol

Cheers friends

 
Yeah, I've got 3 or 4 pairs.  Given their reputation and price, I was pleasantly surprised.  I find the require a little more on the potentiometer, but nothing the Lyr can't handle with ease.

 

[ThurstonX]

Hey Sam
Do you have the Lyr or Lyr2?
What are the differences between the ECC188 and 189?

 
If you search this thread, you can find some technical discussions about how ECC189s differ from ECC88 and its variants, including the E188CC.  I wish I had the technical knowledge and memory to recall it for you, but the search function - or a more knowledgeable follow up post - will get you there.

 

[Guidostrunk]

Yep. I have to run these tubes at around 2 o'clock+, to get to my 12 o'clock , usual listening level. I'm completely surprised that these sound as good as they do. If I had 1 gripe, it would be the impact and punch I'm used too with the Dumonts. They're actually bigger soundstage wise , and not as forward compared to the Dumonts. Great find for 30 bucks. Lol

Yeah, I've got 3 or 4 pairs.  Given their reputation and price, I was pleasantly surprised.  I find the require a little more on the potentiometer, but nothing the Lyr can't handle with ease.

 

[Exacoustatowner]

I have the lyr 1 . Not really sure about the technical aspects between the 188 and 189. I just know they're compatible with the lyr1 , from reading the entire old lyr thread. Lol. Don't see many of the old rollers from that thread , and was curious if maybe Thurston or anyone else maybe tried them. Mixed reviews in the old thread about them. I figured it was worth satisfying my rolling addiction until some of my others arrive. And for 30 bucks, I feel I've won this round. Lol

Congrats!!! I got a pair of 1965 6N1P from Bob that are quite lovely- so much that I bought another pair. NOS 6N1P are quite a bit less expensive than 6N23P.
I'm glad I opted for the Lyr a few months back