Hey fellow V2 tube rollers! I have wrapped up my tube rolling marathon that I started over this past weekend and I have some interesting results.
The system used to evaluate the tubes - Qobuz HiRez > Bluesound Node 2i > Schiit Gungnir Multibit > Schitt Valhalla 2 > ZMF Atticus w/ Norne Audio Draug 3 cable >
I was a bit surprised with the outcome, and found the "one". What I look for in a tube first and foremost, is a tonality and timbre that sounds lifelike. Then I look for tight hard hitting bass, clean mids, foward vocals, and smooth extended treble. Lastly, I like a holographic and wide soundstage and the bigger the better.
1.
Amperex Holland Bugle Boy ECC88 D Getters 58' - Outstanding tube and my favorite out of the bunch. Bass hits hard and is tight and textured to perfection, mids are clean clear and snappy with vocals front and center, and the highs sparkle and shimmer. This tube has some warmth from the big midbass, but never bleeds into the mids. The soundstage is as holographic as it gets. Overall, this tube is dynamic, detailed and lifelike more than any of the other tubes listed. I am hearing things in the recording, that I don't hear with any of the other tubes, all while never being fatiguing. This tube is incredible, and is my current number 1 recommendation for the Valhalla 2, at the moment.
2.
Tung Sol Black Plate Square Getter 2C51/396a - Dynamic, tight and big. This tube is very good, and has a clean sound with big bass. This tube is cleaner sounding than the WE 396a, and has tighter and stronger bass, as well. The soundstage is huge, being wide and deep. This tube is really good, but compared to the Bugle Boy D Getter ECC88, they don't sound quite as lifelike and miss out on some of the micro detail.
3.
Amperex 7308 PQ USA 64' - This tube is outstanding as well, and is the most unique of the bunch. The bass is tight textured and impactful with a midbass focus. The mids are super forward and especially the vocals. With this tube it feels as if you are standing on stage and you are the one singing. The holographic soundstage is in full effect with this tube, and sounds explode all around your head coming in and out of focus. The speed of this tube, is unmatched and the notes have good snap, and weight to them. The dynamics are the strong suit of this tube. Overall, this tube sounds very lifelike, forward, impactful, and detailed, but is very forward.
4.
Philips E188CC SQ Grey Shield Big O Getter Holland 65' - Big, warm and wide. This tube is warm overall with somewhat bloated, but super powerful bass. In fact, this tube has the strongest and biggest bass of all tubes listed. The mids are creamy, and the vocals are smooth as butter and some of the most pleasing I have heard. The highs are extended, and the soundstage is wide and deep. Overall, this tube sounds slower and more romantic, but lacks detail.
5.
Western Electric JW 2C51/396a Square Getter 52' - Warm, balanced and smooth. This tube is what you want when you are looking for some warmth, but don't want to sacrifice balance and detail. The bass is strong, but not as tight as the Tung Sol 2C51, and the overall sound is very similar. This tube has a really good soundstage that goes wide and deep.
6.
Reflektor 6N3P Triple Mica 50's - This tube is the most "V shaped" of all tubes tested. The bass is big, strong and tight and leaves you wanting nothing. Then we get to the mids, and this is where this tube falls short and sounds a bit thin and uneven. The vocals are decent, and the highs are extended but never harsh. This tube is unique in that overall it sounds warm, but has those uneven mids that sound thin at times, so you get this contrasting sound, that sounds a bit strange.
7.
Brimar CV2492 - Smooth, wide and dynamic. This tube is very balanced overall. The bass is deep, tight and big, with a subbass focus. The mids are well balanced and the vocals are big and forward. The highs are where this tube shines and they are outstanding. This is the tube for "treble heads" no doubt.
8.
Sylvania 6922 D Getter - Big, wide and transparent. This tube has big bass that rivals the Philips E188CC. The mids are super transparent and the highs have sparkle. The bass is subbass focused, and as a result the sound is a bit thin compared to the others. This tube is very good and well balanced, but just does not have the magic with other stuff in the chain. I love this tube in my LP (my favorite of all 6922's), but could not really jive with it in my V2.
Honorable Mention goes to the Telefunken E88CC, as this tube was the most neutral tube of the bunch, that actually really surprised me. When I used this tube back in the day, with lesser gear in the chain, I was not impressed at all. However, with better gear in the chain and especially headphones, this tube is smooth, detailed and balanced, with a killer holographic soundstage. This tube is so linear, that it does not have any flare or character and becomes a bit boring after a while. Overall, this tube is really really good, and in the right situation could be the "one", but it is definitely not worth the crazy prices they are going for.
It was a lot of fun rolling all the tubes I collected back in the day, and I am so happy with the performance of this amp with the Bugle Boy ECC88 D Getters and my ZMF Atticus, that I am waking up early and going to bed late, to get as much listening time as I can. Overall, the Valhalla 2 has this very a pleasing clean and dynamic sound, with really good detail and vocals, and a crazy fun holographic soundstage. I have more tubes and adapters arriving by the end of this week, and will report back once I have rolled those. More fun to come . . .
I actually have 2 pairs of the CV4033 from Tubemonger on the way, that I just purchased this morning on a rec from another member. I absolutely love the CV4034 in my Liquid Platinum, so I know what the CV4033 are capable of, and can't wait to hear them in the V2!
