[thecrow]

At €65 a matched pair I'm not expecting top quality...I am hoping for some improvement over the stock tubes which are the only tubes I currently have ...that would be a good first step for me.

I have a mid 60's (from memory) bugle boy (6dj8/ecc88) and that has been great value - perhaps an exception to the rule.

My advice, from experience, is to work within your budget and what you'd be happy to stretch it to.

I found that when i compare my better tubes to simlar cheaper ones that my cheaper ones don't get much of a run.

But i do believe the bugle boys, amperex usa 7308 usn cep (military) and holland tubes, such as the valvos all from the mid 60's are all great value at around $150 usd per pair. The bugle boys probably less than $100 and even though not quite up to the others still pretty nice. All offering a variety of style.

And then you/i have the siemens cca, pinched waist usa and holland tubes and tele e188cc when you really want to splurge.

But like i first said work within your budget and If it means waitihg a little to save up then do so. Better than doing it in increments.

Thats my 2 cents.

Have fun and enjoy

Ps: then you have some nutters here who have so many varieties of tubes with halo getters, fat getters, d shaped getters, angled getters, white paint, yellow paint, red paint, etc and that for me is crazy!!!!! Not to mention the different years. Surely it's better to spend some of that on new gear like a new dac. ..........these nutters are a great friendly resource though.

 

[Charente]

...
But like i first said work within your budget and If it means waitihg a little to save up then do so. Better than doing it in increments.
...
Ps: then you have some nutters here

who have so many varieties of tubes with halo getters, fat getters, d shaped getters, angled getters, white paint, yellow paint, red paint, etc and that for me is crazy!!!!! Not to mention the different years. Surely it's better to spend some of that on new gear like a new dac. ..........these nutters are a great friendly resource though.

Thank-you... I am starting relatively inexpensive, partly for the good reasons you give and partly because I have also just ordered an MJ2...they suddenly became available here in Europe after some weeks, so I grabbed one while I could, One could argue I should have spent on top-notch tubes instead and I get that argument. I am still feeling my way around tubes so it's a bit of an unknown to me.
 
The Amperex may suit my next headphones (likely HE-560) better...I heard that I should go for 'brighter' tubes for the HD-650 that I currently have. Still learning but enjoying at the same time. I love following all the 'nutters', as you call them !!

 

[thecrow]

Thank-you... I am starting relatively inexpensive, partly for the good reasons you give and partly because I have also just ordered an MJ2...they suddenly became available here in Europe after some weeks, so I grabbed one while I could, One could argue I should have spent on top-notch tubes instead and I get that argument. I am still feeling my way around tubes so it's a bit of an unknown to me.

The Amperex may suit my next headphones (likely HE-560) better...I heard that I should go for 'brighter' tubes for the HD-650 that I currently have. Still learning but enjoying at the same time. I love following all the 'nutters', as you call them !! :wink_face:

And the he560 and hd650s are great headphones. Nice pairing

even though ive never owned a pair i found the hd650 warm but not as warm at all with better/higher powered amps (but nothing over the top).
And hence why i had read some reviews calling them neutralish which i never initially understood

Let us know how you find them when you get the mj2 in comparison to the lyr

 

[TK16]

  Thank-you... I am starting relatively inexpensive, partly for the good reasons you give and partly because I have also just ordered an MJ2...they suddenly became available here in Europe after some weeks, so I grabbed one while I could, One could argue I should have spent on top-notch tubes instead and I get that argument. I am still feeling my way around tubes so it's a bit of an unknown to me.
 
The Amperex may suit my next headphones (likely HE-560) better...I heard that I should go for 'brighter' tubes for the HD-650 that I currently have. Still learning but enjoying at the same time. I love following all the 'nutters', as you call them !!

I started out with the cheaper variety tubes for the most part. Was not comfortable spending big money on the variety of tubes that I wanted to try out. You may or might not like the German Siemens tubes. If you do there are far better sounding Germans out there. Same with Holland tubes, try out some cheaper variety tubes and see if you like the sound. Same goes for all the other brands/county of origin. What you are getting should be better than stock.

 

[Charente]

  I started out with the cheaper variety tubes for the most part. Was not comfortable spending big money on the variety of tubes that I wanted to try out. You may or might not like the German Siemens tubes. If you do there are far better sounding Germans out there. Same with Holland tubes, try out some cheaper variety tubes and see if you like the sound. Same goes for all the other brands/county of origin. What you are getting should be better than stock.

Thank-you for your views... I picked on Siemens as I heard they were possibly a better starting point for the HD-650's warm character...won't know till I try them...prob after Easter now.

 

[TK16]

Heerlen E88CC D-getter pair 12 hrs left.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Philips-E88CC-Heerlen-CCa-D-Getter-Grey-Shield-6DJ8-6922-CV2492-CV2493-CV5358-/172611898438
 
Tele E88CC single 1960?  Fat getter $79.69 OBO.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Telefunken-ECC88-E88CC-CCa-6DJ8-6922-Goldpin-gray-shield-Tube-Rohre-Valvola-/152511583843

 

[8761454]

  Heerlen E88CC D-getter pair 12 hrs left.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Philips-E88CC-Heerlen-CCa-D-Getter-Grey-Shield-6DJ8-6922-CV2492-CV2493-CV5358-/172611898438
 
Tele E88CC single 1960?  Fat getter $79.69 OBO.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Telefunken-ECC88-E88CC-CCa-6DJ8-6922-Goldpin-gray-shield-Tube-Rohre-Valvola-/152511583843

Did you bid on the Heerlen?
 
I am still waiting for mine to be delivered, they "forgot" to redeliver it yesterday

 

[TK16]

Did you bid on the Heerlen?

I am still waiting for mine to be delivered, they "forgot" to redeliver it yesterday

Please.post your initial impressions, think they should be in line with Bill's and mine. If they are you are in for a real treat.
Did not bid on them as I have 2 pairs already.

 

[8761454]

Please.post your initial impressions, think they should be in line with Bill's and mine. If they are you are in for a real treat.
Did not bid on them as I have 2 pairs already.

Finally got them
The sound stage is so clear with them, a little warmer than my ecc88, very euphoric

Bass is tight, vocal sounds amazing, I would rank them right behind my Eindhoven with my setup

Yggy and my speakers are shipped as well, next week is going to be interesting

 

[TK16]

Minty looking pairs of Blackburn Mullards ECC88. About $92 a pair.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPERB-AVO-TESTED-MULLARD-ECC88-VALVES-FREE-MATCHING-TEST-NOS-6DJ8-TUBES-/302285392640
 
6 hrs left, Mullard ECC88 pairs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E88CC-6922-ECC-88-6DJ8-2-x-Mullard-Werte-bei-100-/332178651319
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E88CC-6922-ECC-88-6DJ8-2-x-Mullard-Werte-100-/332178648968
 
 
This auction 9 minutes left has a Siemens E88CC with what looks like a flat disk getter, any info on this tube? Just curious.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-E88CC-Valvo-Siemens-/132154012141
 

 
34 minutes left Philips E88CC quad auction. Heerlen?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E88CC-6922-Philips-SQ-4-Stuck-vergoldete-Pin-s-gute-Werte-/332178640016
 
single USA PW auction.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMPEREX-USA-6922-PQ-PINCH-WAIST-USA-GOLD-PIN-STRONG-/282435368700

 

[kolkoo]

  Minty looking pairs of Blackburn Mullards ECC88. About $92 a pair.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPERB-AVO-TESTED-MULLARD-ECC88-VALVES-FREE-MATCHING-TEST-NOS-6DJ8-TUBES-/302285392640
 
6 hrs left, Mullard ECC88 pairs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E88CC-6922-ECC-88-6DJ8-2-x-Mullard-Werte-bei-100-/332178651319
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E88CC-6922-ECC-88-6DJ8-2-x-Mullard-Werte-100-/332178648968
 
 
This auction 9 minutes left has a Siemens E88CC with what looks like a flat disk getter, any info on this tube? Just curious.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-E88CC-Valvo-Siemens-/132154012141
 

 
34 minutes left Philips E88CC quad auction. Heerlen?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E88CC-6922-Philips-SQ-4-Stuck-vergoldete-Pin-s-gute-Werte-/332178640016
 
single USA PW auction.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMPEREX-USA-6922-PQ-PINCH-WAIST-USA-GOLD-PIN-STRONG-/282435368700

The disk getter Siemens is supposedly the actual first type Siemens ever made, quite nice
 
Damn old type siemens Disc and D getters are so rare I've given up on getting a pair

 

[Craftyman]

Just ordered some Genalex Gold Lion E88CC for my first ever tube upgrade on my Lyr 2, what should i expect?

 

[TK16]

4 Siemens CCa grey shield auction.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-x-TUBES-SIEMENS-CCa-GOLD-PINS-TESTED-/262941026060?hash=item3d3881a70c:g:Qv0AAOSw3ZRY9Odz

 

[Charente]

I guess FOUR CCa tubes is a fairly rare event. I have a general question about matched tubes... I understand that it is important that tubes should be so, but I see quite a few listed on either EBay or even dealer sites which do not expressly say 'matched pair'. Nor do they offer such a service. I suppose with tube rarities, matching might also be rare in itself..., as to be able to match a pair, one would have to have a selection of tubes to match from. So why would you buy tubes that aren't matched ? Is it a matter of buying singles, or unmatched multiples, in the hope of a future match ? Then I presume you would need the equipment to do the matching.
 
EDIT: ...and the essential know-how !!

 

[TK16]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-x-TUBES-VALVO-E88CC-SAME-SERIALNUMBER-GOLD-PINS-TESTED-/252874338341
 
7L1 German Valvo E88CC. Are these 69`s or 59`s?
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-x-TUBES-SIEMENS-E88CC-GOLD-PINS-TESTED-/262941025013?hash=item3d3881a2f5:g:LKEAAOSwvihY9Oc4
 
12 Siemens E88CC silver shields. Lot seem to be mid 70`s with the thin getter wire though.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-x-E88CC-from-philips-/302286259993
 
10 Philips E88CC some Heerlens.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E88CC-PHILIPS-SQ-MINIWATT-Pair-/142351289608
 
Philips Miniwatt Heerlen E88CC. $67.40 BIN