ZMF Pendant by Ampsandsound; impressions, tube-rolling, and general discussions

[Wes S]

When I had a Pendant there were SO many combo's that sounded really good to flat out great!
Wes has the patience to methodically swap tubes and then listen to what he hears. I would either change too many at one time or lose track of what rectifier, input and power tubes I had used in a given combination.

The nice thing, for me, about the BB amp is the input tube is generally the only one I swap so I'm am not wondering what tube did what!

There is a method to the madness, and you nailed it with the patience part. It's taken me quite a few tubes and 6 months of methodically swapping and listening to get a handle on what tubes work well with others and what this amp can really do. With what I am hearing now, I think it was all worth it. It really has been a journey though and I started out with the rarest and most expensive tubes I could find thinking those were the best, and to my surprise some of the cheapest and least talked about tubes (RFT and Tungsram Foil Disc Getters) actually ended up being my favorite ones. I have since sold off all my expensive tubes, and now I just rock the affordable ones that play well together and could not be happier with the results. This amp is a keeper for me, and pairs so well with my Atticus it's ridiculous. The midrange magic of the Pendant SE and midrange magic of the Atticus combined is really something special, and I can't get enough. The Pendant SE and Atticus truly go together like PB&J, and I am pleased as can be with the pairing.

 

[nwavesailor]

Now I just need to learn the selling part of MY $$$ tubes!

 

[bcowen]

Now I just need to learn the selling part of MY $$$ tubes!

Teach me how to do that once you learn, please. It's an interesting concept, just hard to fully grasp.

 

[jonathan c]

Teach me how to do that once you learn, please. It's an interesting concept, just hard to fully grasp.

Bangybang might give lessons for the low, low price of…

 

[bcowen]

There is a method to the madness, and you nailed it with the patience part. It's taken me quite a few tubes and 6 months of methodically swapping and listening to get a handle on what tubes work well with others and what this amp can really do. With what I am hearing now, I think it was all worth it. It really has been a journey though and I started out with the rarest and most expensive tubes I could find thinking those were the best, and to my surprise some of the cheapest and least talked about tubes (RFT and Tungsram Foil Disc Getters) actually ended up being my favorite ones. I have since sold off all my expensive tubes, and now I just rock the affordable ones that play well together and could not be happier with the results. This amp is a keeper for me, and pairs so well with my Atticus it's ridiculous. The midrange magic of the Pendant SE and midrange magic of the Atticus combined is really something special, and I can't get enough. The Pendant SE and Atticus truly go together like PB&J, and I am pleased as can be with the pairing.

Different tubes, different amp, but same 'phones and similar tube experience here. Right now these Lansdale (branded) 6C4's have displaced every 6SN7 I own. And to think I paid a whopping $33.50 for 7 of them.

 

[Guidostrunk]

Different tubes, different amp, but same 'phones and similar tube experience here. Right now these Lansdale (branded) 6C4's have displaced every 6SN7 I own. And to think I paid a whopping $33.50 for 7 of them.

What's the specs on those bad boys? Lol.
Amazing how fast my brain was thinking " Adapter/ mj2"

 

[jonathan c]

What's the specs on those bad boys? Lol.
Amazing how fast my brain was thinking " Adapter/ mj2"

Hmm…that is interesting…I thought “adapters / ears”…

 

[Guidostrunk]

Hmm…that is interesting…I thought “adapters / ears”…

 

[Guidostrunk]

Hmmmm.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-Dual-E...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[Guidostrunk]

Hopefully the ma on them isn't extremely high. 400ma max on mj2

 

[jonathan c]

Hmmmm.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-Dual-E...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

That would go atop “12Axx-> ECC88’ and thereby become an ‘adadapter’…

 

[bcowen]

Hmmmm.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-Dual-E...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

150 ma on the heaters. But they are single triodes so you need two per channel.

https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/093/6/6C4.pdf

 

[Guidostrunk]

150 ma on the heaters. But they are single triodes so you need two per channel.

https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/093/6/6C4.pdf

Will that adapter work Bill? I'm really curious now. The MJ2 is 6922 socket with 12at7 on adapter running at 6.3v. I'd plug that adapter from ebay into the 12au7 adapters I have.

 

[bcowen]

Will that adapter work Bill? I'm really curious now. The MJ2 is 6922 socket with 12at7 on adapter running at 6.3v. I'd plug that adapter from ebay into the 12au7 adapters I have.

Hmmmm. While I'm not a fan of dual adaptering I don't see any 6C4 -> 6922 direct adapters so that may be the only easily available option. Should work, but if the adapter you have now is set up to run the 12AT7 at 6 volts, I think you want this version:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193442813674?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=234820&meid=2caab0d4679642e69acaa4efce5e5a0c&pid=101112&rk=1&rkt=24&sd=200965190630&itm=193442813674&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2563228&algv=SimplAMLv9PairwiseWebMskuAspectsV1&_trksid=p2563228.c101112.m1982&amdata=cksum:1934428136742caab0d4679642e69acaa4efce5e5a0c|enc:AQAGAAACAKuiWN2AMQbpRf1uxDJeyvXyOWa%2B3eSW%2Bmvoc%2Bl7ChQSEjLTkIks4OK6fxK%2FHUunlGp0YBQTb3vfZtIzt%2BNcO39Lilbi9iWlw49Rfu4ZwxAEOgKbN80ooRaqLDnIQl6iEWbPmJ4uM4vEvoTsuk7KcZ6V6Y%2BG3qfUjtuAVDQOytf%2BpbISXYxF6eK%2FhXvD3HqpBzWAUVbey3ncpcwu4NU%2BeRZbBoOQnuGOoBJWwhN1O8FBbF%2B6R8PMGuEctLRqxvszdgZ2d5DV%2BW48320AE8gYP%2B3W6qjzCRuev7fa%2FLtqblcQ4v9Qwn%2BjqltHFiJNYjDYSYJxFtqxH8KFtrZVycIE2yy6yzc45iaZRyja1S3%2BwoqeKHt%2BrKNUMLPO3ACrjTT0Yz7QhecasRzf8Xfldw%2BRMLMjS8apK4VV%2BqIt%2FMehdch7J5JYdkyb35S%2FFLGwKjzOEbAAtiYk3QGiZkm3DDl684zMwkSR1DrYxvPH1XvX8RQ3Ap%2FhkxN2HpVZQHd76ysmEQr7uYd4%2Fki%2FXQlXY3nM4aPNpZIfyJpyluRbfTGcoU1EqKSA8JhIMFAaNEVoIK2Vh3rMJhx4ODifk76KylR1Ap9IH7wDksN7tyNee5ZOEfrFPwX5IVpS2OZjxpoKZYNExkVE6fTmkO2mjrIlLgeqB6ZfnFx9330%2BhoKwLrxwSJ3n|ampidL_CLK|clp:2563228

The one you linked stated 12.6v, so I'm assuming it is set up to plug into a 12A*7 socket (or adapter) that is running at 12.6v and cut down the voltage to 6.3v for the 6C4's.

The 6C4 has an amplification factor of only 19.5 versus 33 for a 6922 and 60 for a 12AT7. It is more closely aligned with a 6SN7 (or a 12AU7) than a 6922. If you've run any 12AU7's without issue (gain wise) in the MJ 2, then the 6C4's should work as they have almost the same amplification factor.

 

[Guidostrunk]

Hmmmm. While I'm not a fan of dual adaptering I don't see any 6C4 -> 6922 direct adapters so that may be the only easily available option. Should work, but if the adapter you have now is set up to run the 12AT7 at 6 volts, I think you want this version:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193442813674?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=234820&meid=2caab0d4679642e69acaa4efce5e5a0c&pid=101112&rk=1&rkt=24&sd=200965190630&itm=193442813674&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2563228&algv=SimplAMLv9PairwiseWebMskuAspectsV1&_trksid=p2563228.c101112.m1982&amdata=cksum:1934428136742caab0d4679642e69acaa4efce5e5a0c|enc:AQAGAAACAKuiWN2AMQbpRf1uxDJeyvXyOWa%2B3eSW%2Bmvoc%2Bl7ChQSEjLTkIks4OK6fxK%2FHUunlGp0YBQTb3vfZtIzt%2BNcO39Lilbi9iWlw49Rfu4ZwxAEOgKbN80ooRaqLDnIQl6iEWbPmJ4uM4vEvoTsuk7KcZ6V6Y%2BG3qfUjtuAVDQOytf%2BpbISXYxF6eK%2FhXvD3HqpBzWAUVbey3ncpcwu4NU%2BeRZbBoOQnuGOoBJWwhN1O8FBbF%2B6R8PMGuEctLRqxvszdgZ2d5DV%2BW48320AE8gYP%2B3W6qjzCRuev7fa%2FLtqblcQ4v9Qwn%2BjqltHFiJNYjDYSYJxFtqxH8KFtrZVycIE2yy6yzc45iaZRyja1S3%2BwoqeKHt%2BrKNUMLPO3ACrjTT0Yz7QhecasRzf8Xfldw%2BRMLMjS8apK4VV%2BqIt%2FMehdch7J5JYdkyb35S%2FFLGwKjzOEbAAtiYk3QGiZkm3DDl684zMwkSR1DrYxvPH1XvX8RQ3Ap%2FhkxN2HpVZQHd76ysmEQr7uYd4%2Fki%2FXQlXY3nM4aPNpZIfyJpyluRbfTGcoU1EqKSA8JhIMFAaNEVoIK2Vh3rMJhx4ODifk76KylR1Ap9IH7wDksN7tyNee5ZOEfrFPwX5IVpS2OZjxpoKZYNExkVE6fTmkO2mjrIlLgeqB6ZfnFx9330%2BhoKwLrxwSJ3n|ampidL_CLK|clp:2563228

The one you linked stated 12.6v, so I'm assuming it is set up to plug into a 12A*7 socket (or adapter) that is running at 12.6v and cut down the voltage to 6.3v for the 6C4's.

The 6C4 has an amplification factor of only 19.5 versus 33 for a 6922 and 60 for a 12AT7. It is more closely aligned with a 6SN7 (or a 12AU7) than a 6922. If you've run any 12AU7's without issue (gain wise) in the MJ 2, then the 6C4's should work as they have almost the same amplification factor.

SWEET! Thanks for the proper link bro! Looks like I'll be creating the Frankenmjolnir soon