[Rayoki]

true, 

 
I have used ebay but you have to be very careful. I cannot tell if they are lie outright, lazy, or just ignorant but I it's a crap shoot.

yeah, the first pair of tubes i ordered via ebay came from ukraine and sounded terrible. they were labeled as SWGP's but were very disappointing. I'm glad i decided to message rob and pick up a pair of the 74's but I'm curious on how much better the 75's can be (i know YMMV).
 
 
as a side note: I can't believe how much the sound changed on the 74 SWGP's from when i started burning it in to what it sounds like now, I don't know if its a real change or psychological but idc they sound fantastic to me now.

 

[htr2d2]

  true, 
yeah, the first pair of tubes i ordered via ebay came from ukraine and sounded terrible. they were labeled as SWGP's but were very disappointing. I'm glad i decided to message rob and pick up a pair of the 74's but I'm curious on how much better the 75's can be (i know YMMV).
 
 
as a side note: I can't believe how much the sound changed on the 74 SWGP's from when i started burning it in to what it sounds like now, I don't know if its a real change or psychological but idc they sound fantastic to me now.

I am of the opinion the sound does change. I believe this because I periodically switch tubes with different sound signatures but I do have my favorite pairs '75 SWGP Reflecktor Silvers and '74 SWGP Reflecktor Greys. As I bounce to other tubes they provide a reference point and I can hear the other tubes change with use. My logic is that if other tubes change with burn-in then the Reflecktor do too.
 
I am sure someone can poke holes but that my theory and sticking with it.

 

 

[MWSVette]

 
I am of the opinion the sound does change. I believe this because I periodically switch tubes with different sound signatures but I do have my favorite pairs '75 SWGP Reflecktor Silvers and '74 SWGP Reflecktor Greys. As I bounce to other tubes they provide a reference point and I can hear the other tubes change with use. My logic is that if other tubes change with burn-in then the Reflecktor do too.
 
I am sure someone can poke holes but that my theory and sticking with it.

 

rb2013 would tell you that the Russian tubes sound can continue to evolve thru as much as a 200 hours of burn in and I agree. 

 

[reddog]

rb2013 would tell you that the Russian tubes sound can continue to evolve thru as much as a 200 hours of burn in and I agree. 

+1. I miss bob @rb2013 and his tube lore.

 

[Rayoki]

  rb2013 would tell you that the Russian tubes sound can continue to evolve thru as much as a 200 hours of burn in and I agree. 

Yep, when I emailed him asking about burn in he responded the same. 

I was a bit underwhelmed the first time I plugged the tubes in. its been 2 days and when I got home and threw my headphones on i was blown away by the change.

 

[Matro5]

So, I just traded the stock tubes in my Lyr 2 for some used Bugle Boys. First thing I notice is the beauty of the midrange. Excited to spend more time with them and my Grado PS500s. 
 
Thanks to all for the collected wisdom here. 

 

[Exacoustatowner]

So, I just traded the stock tubes in my Lyr 2 for some used Bugle Boys. First thing I notice is the beauty of the midrange. Excited to spend more time with them and my Grado PS500s. 

Thanks to all for the collected wisdom here. 

Congrats!

 

[Matro5]

Thanks! Here's a pic of the happy little guys...
 

 

[Exacoustatowner]

Thanks! Here's a pic of the happy little guys...

They DO look happy!

 

[Guidostrunk]

I've had both , and still have a set of HG's. The 74's , are definitely a step behind, in overall , sound to my ears. Others , have preferred the 74's. It's all in the ears bro.

Cheers

true, 
yeah, the first pair of tubes i ordered via ebay came from ukraine and sounded terrible. they were labeled as SWGP's but were very disappointing. I'm glad i decided to message rob and pick up a pair of the 74's but I'm curious on how much better the 75's can be (i know YMMV).


as a side note: I can't believe how much the sound changed on the 74 SWGP's from when i started burning it in to what it sounds like now, I don't know if its a real change or psychological but idc they sound fantastic to me now.

 

[Rayoki]

I've had both , and still have a set of HG's. The 74's , are definitely a step behind, in overall , sound to my ears. Others , have preferred the 74's. It's all in the ears bro.

Cheers

Yep I figure I have to get my hands on a pair somehow. I'll post impressions once I do.

 

[BleaK]

Hey guys!
 
I found a pair of the Amperex USN-CEP 7308 White '65 at tubeworldexpress, however I wonder if they take time to burn in. I have valhalla 2, but this thread is much more active with tube rolling (and the output tubes of the V2 don't change the sound too much). Even after 20 hours I still think the sound of the amperex is closed in and the treble is harsh (harsher than stock Valhalla 2). The bass is great, but I think the stock tubes still sound much more open than the 7308. Which doesn't match the description I read various places of the Amperex 7308. 
 
Small update: Have now 40 hours on them and the treble seems to have settled a bit, but the sound still sound "closed in" an have a smaller soundstage in width and dept compared to the stock 6n1p. 
 
I am relatively new to tubes and I just wonder if tubes need to have many hours on them before I can really start to form an impression,

 

[Guidostrunk]

I usually don't judge a tube until I'm out past 100 hours. After 75 things really start to open up. Give it more time.
Cheers

Hey guys!

I found a pair of the Amperex USN-CEP 7308 White '65 at tubeworldexpress, however I wonder if they take time to burn in. I have valhalla 2, but this thread is much more active with tube rolling (and the output tubes of the V2 don't change the sound too much). Even after 20 hours I still think the sound of the amperex is closed in and the treble is harsh (harsher than stock Valhalla 2). The bass is great, but I think the stock tubes still sound much more open than the 7308. Which doesn't match the description I read various places of the Amperex 7308. 

Small update: Have now 40 hours on them and the treble seems to have settled a bit, but the sound still sound "closed in" an have a smaller soundstage in width and dept compared to the stock 6n1p. 

I am relatively new to tubes and I just wonder if tubes need to have many hours on them before I can really start to form an impression,

 

[BleaK]

I usually don't judge a tube until I'm out past 100 hours. After 75 things really start to open up. Give it more time.
Cheers
 

 
Ok thanks! Maybe I was too hyped up reading the good reviews about it 

 

[Guidostrunk]

No problem bro. Tubes can sound pretty bad , right out of the box , NOS. My current Dumonts , were pretty harsh when I first put them in. I'm at about 60 hours with them and they're sublime. Synergy and preference plays a huge role also.

Cheers bro.

Ok thanks! Maybe I was too hyped up reading the good reviews about it