[hodgjy]

For fun (?), ponder this as an exercise in pretzel logic (sorry, Steely Dan):

‘Generalisations are usually false’….

I'm right all the time 87% of the time.

 

[jonathan c]

I'm right all the time 87% of the time.

 

[jonathan c]

I just wanted to say I'm really glad I found this forum, I've really enjoyed learning more about this hobby from experienced folks such as yourselves. Keep those recommendations coming for tubes, and nobody tell my wife I'm buying more crap hahahah

If your wife says no more tubes, the answer is: ‘Honey, these are not tubes, they are pre solid-state.’ And, if you hanker for Schiit gear (for example), stress the educational value of being conversant in Norse mythology………

 

[Lvivske]

New experiment! Got the 6N6P-IR (Novosibirsk) output tubes, not much talk about this variation in years so I decided to take the plunge, others supposedly found them to be a great variation so we'll see

Will let them settle, then do a more direct A/B comparison with the Fotons w/ the CV455s in the other slot and see how things compare

let the burn in commence!

edit: head-fi thread for reference

 

[Jbucla2005]

I’m using 12AT7’s with adaptors and they sound great in my VH2. I also have some 7119 tubes I’d like to try. Will the 7119’s work with these adaptors?

 

[JollyGreen]

SO after a week or so of testing different tubes, (Genalex Gold lion ECC88 gold pins, stock Rocket 61NP (two sets), and my Electro-Harmonix 6922) I believe I like the sound of the Electro-Harmonix the most. Its the tube that gives me the most goosebumps when listening to ambient tunes. The trippy soundscapes of some Carbon Based Lifeforms or some old Biosphere. Gives me the brain tingles much like old days on substances dancing around in dark rooms. (I'm sure there's an audiophile term for those brain tingles? much like ASMR is supposed to do I think)

The others don't seem to give me that brain tingle sensation in the way that the Electro-Harmonix 6922 EH do. And they were half the cost of my $100 Gold Lions which sound like they have a blanket over the sound, a little muffled almost. Maybe they need burn in to open up?

Anyway, just as an update the Rockets sound good, the Gold Lions sound muffled, and the EH sound superb for my ear (and the brain tickles )

 

[Jbucla2005]

7119’s are working (with adaptors) and sound very clear and good!

I found an interesting blog about these tubes.

http://www.jacmusic.com/techcorner/ARTICLES/English/Portraits/E182CC/index-E182CC.htm

 

[john2000]

After tube rolling a bit I have found the gold lion my least favorite and GE my favorite

 

[exchez]

After tube rolling a bit I have found the gold lion my least favorite and GE my favorite

I really like the GE 6DJ8 as well. I find them better than some Heerlen Amperex's which can be fatiguing. I have a matched pair of GE 8771's and normal 6DJ8's to sell if anyone's interested.

More the 8771's from BJR: "A very scarce and very good version of the USA made 6DJ8, probably the best contender against the European brands. Made for exacting industrial and military applications, this is a great audio performer at a lower-than-European price. A very nice, internally RF shielded 6DJ8, 1960s vintage. Best performance for the price at a budget level, this may be the tube to pick if you are confused by all the various brands but want to try a NOS tube!"

IMO, I like the normal 6DJ8 a little better.

 

[jonathan c]

How do you feel about the Amperex (labeled ‘made in Holland’) 6DJ8? I think that it is well-balanced, articulate, presents acoustics very well. A nice driver tube for the Valhalla II.

 

[Lvivske]

Okay with 40+ hours on the 6N6P-Injured Reserve I decided to do a quick thoughts

With my EQ settings from the Fotons: I found with the IRs it might have been more of a V shaped profile, I found sometimes vocals were a bit soft (there was this once Prince song in my rotation where I was like, What is he even saying? And had to boost the 1khz band from -1db to +0.4db, toned down the highs as well and if there was more bass I might have just been okay with it.

With no EQ: I only tested 1 track, Turbo Lover by Judas Priest. Really not a fan of my setup at all with no EQs enabled, bleh, but it's a song I've heard a million times. With the Fotons/Brimars I wrote down 'nasally', 'no bass', 'sharp syllables', and on higher volumes it was giving me brain freeze (damn these HD800s, sharp bastards). Hot swapped to the IRs and I think it has better natural bass (still light, but not devoid of it), wasnt getting the nasally brain freeze effect in my forehead (confirming the upper mids dip?). So naturally I think it pairs better with the other components, I could actually listen on medium volume and live with it.

Do I like them better than Fotons with EQs enabled? Jury still out. Hard to make a call without being able to A/B test immediately, and since each has a different inherent sound curve that gets in the way

 

[jonathan c]

~ With curiosity beckoning, I have begun a rolling expedition on the driver tubes for the Valhalla II. The NEVZ 6N6Ps will stay in place.
~ Substituting for the Brimar CV455s are Valvo ECC81s. Very nice! Airy, detailed, extended, not strident. Matches the NEVZ well. [Listening has been done via Focal Clear (original generation)]. The Valvos can stay a while.

 

[_js_]

Ok, so, I have a quick question:

How would you remove a 12Axx to ECC88 adapter (or socket saver) from the V2 once you’ve installed it?

 

[Ripper2860]

Carefully.


OK, seriously. When I've been in a situation where the adapter stays after removing a tube, I use needle nose plyer with electrical tape wrapped around the ends of the plyer tips. Rock it back and forth til it loosens up and then lift it out.

BTW - I've found my Chinese adapters have a death grip on the tube and typically come out with the tube.

 

[jonathan c]

Ok, so, I have a quick question:

How would you remove a 12Axx to ECC88 adapter (or socket saver) from the V2 once you’ve installed it?

If the tube fits tightly into the adapter, when you pull the tube upwards gradually (and sometimes with a very slight rocking motion) the adapter should come out while still joined to the tube.