[triod750]

https://dalmura.com.au/static/MOV GEC date coding.pdf
Here is one explanation. I don't know for sure that it is correct. Much on the internet is almost right, some is right and a lot is totally wrong.

 

[UntilThen]

Re my KT88, this is how I interpret it.

One of them is 'XC Z' - X is 1966 ; C is March and Z is MO Valve Co. Hammersmith. If we go with this https://dalmura.com.au/static/MOV GEC date coding.pdf

The other tube is '7236 Z' and I don't know how to decipher the date code with this one.

and someone on Stereonet offered this explanation.

Week 36 1972 Hammersmith production.

 

[UntilThen]

All the L63 has is H and 9 so I guess it's 1952 and September. The A2900 has 7418. So I guess it's 1973 but what is 18? A new month? and Z for Hammersmith. I'm starting to sound like a nerd reading date codes.

 

[UntilThen]

GEC 807 in Ultimate and EL39 in Odyssey. Life is good.

 

[Deleeh]

@triod750 I'll take some photos and have had another look at the codes for the El38.
Tube 1 is HM1 7F 2nd tube HM1 B8K the third tube has no code.

I got a pull on my shoulder at work and it is now hanging up to my neck, I can hardly turn my head.
I can still listen to music if I keep still.
My EL34 SED will soon be finished with the Russian 6SL7, my impressions of this EL34 Sed winged C are still the same.
It's a damn good tube if you can find it.
The world is also absolutely fine with the Russian 6SL7, which is also a good tube in combination with this EL34.
It already worked well in the Euforia but in the Ultimate it was more powerful from the first minute.
I really enjoy listening to it with the Atrium.

 

[g0ldl10n]

https://dalmura.com.au/static/MOV GEC date coding.pdf
Here is one explanation. I don't know for sure that it is correct. Much on the internet is almost right, some is right and a lot is totally wrong.

This doesn't sound right..

 

[triod750]

@triod750 I'll take some photos and have had another look at the codes for the El38.
Tube 1 is HM1 7F 2nd tube HM1 B8K the third tube has no code.

I got a pull on my shoulder at work and it is now hanging up to my neck, I can hardly turn my head.
I can still listen to music if I keep still.
My EL34 SED will soon be finished with the Russian 6SL7, my impressions of this EL34 Sed winged C are still the same.
It's a damn good tube if you can find it.
The world is also absolutely fine with the Russian 6SL7, which is also a good tube in combination with this EL34.
It already worked well in the Euforia but in the Ultimate it was more powerful from the first minute.
I really enjoy listening to it with the Atrium.

Mullard Blackburn November 1958 or 1968 is my guess. I don't remember when they stopped production and don't know for how long they made these tubes.

 

[triod750]

This doesn't sound right..

Then you have to change the tubes...

 

[VanHai]

After not satisfied with this combination being Bendix 6106, EL38 and 5A/152M against WA22 (2Gen) with TS5998, Mullard GZ34 and Amperex 6201. I decided to mix with Bendix 6106, C3G and 5A/152m, all small bottles.


It sounds like the shy has opened up, everything is so clear and dynamic. I can say this is the best sound I have heard so far, even the best EL 39. Treble, mid and especially bass hit even harder. It benefits having more than 1 amp, so you can dial in the sound that you wanted.

 

[Deleeh]

Hello,
here are the pictures of the Phillps EL38:

The code with HM1 7F is the 3rd tube without O getter:
One of the pair has the code HM1 B8K and one of the pair has no code but is an EL38.

At the moment I'm not in the mood for playing in tubes although the EL34 and Kt88 are at 90h I wanted something different after 3 weeks.
Here is the combination to relax tonight:
EZ 81 Electro Harmonix,EL84 Mullard,6SN7 Linlai:

EL 84 Mullard are lightly used where I assume they are played in and sound wonderful.
The overall amplification with 6SN7 is still almost too much, the potentiometer is at just under 9 o'clock and you can hear it decently loud with the Atrium.
You can't go any further if you want to lose your hearing, but I wonder if there is another driver tube that has less gain than 6SN7?

I also like the open look of the Linlai tube:

You can look in wonderfully.
Soundwise it is also a very good tube on Ultimate, I like it more than on the Euforia back then, has a nice solid body in the mids, has very good separation in the song. The vocals are very powerful.
Also delivers good bass which is very solid and the treble has a lot of depth and extension.
Has a nice texture in the sound, especially the oldie songs from the 60/70s sound very sharp and authentic here.
Gives a nice expansive sound when needed.
80/90s also sound very sharp and open.
It's not just a nice tube to look at, it can also do something.

 

[UntilThen]

@Deleeh your first picture of the EL38 with the double O or Halo getters at the bottom is exactly like mine. I'm just using it now with 6S3P. Eric is going to pass me 6S45P and adapters to try. The adapter goes on the 6S3P adapter.

Whilst I like to try quad c3gs sometimes, I won't use it all the time. I tend to prefer using EL39, EL38, EL12 spez and GEC 807 as power tubes. With the original Senn HD800, you can understand the reason why.

Whilst talking in the Reference EL34, KT88, etc thread, I was made aware of the GEC KT8C which is an interesting tube. However I am still awaiting the arrival of the GEC 807 VT60 and 5b/254a and m. So many tubes to try in about a week's time. I will give the GEC KT8C a miss..... for now.

This is how it looks like.

 

[Deleeh]

Yes, I thought it was the same as yours.
I don't know why the other one was built like that without the O getter, but I had it in the Euforia at the time and didn't notice any difference in sound.
I will listen to the El38 soon.
I have switched to Ez80 Valvo, KT63 Gec and Linlai 6SN7.
The good Gec Kt 63 I got now makes a very good impression.
I like it so far, and I don't have the feeling that it needs to be played in.
It's a nice pair that fulfils many requirements.

That little Gec in the picture looks cute, reminds me a bit of the EL32.
It remains to be seen whether it works in the Ultimate or not.

 

[UntilThen]

That little Gec in the picture looks cute, reminds me a bit of the EL32.
It remains to be seen whether it works in the Ultimate or not.

It should work because it's made to emulate the 807 and you have an adapter made for KT66.

 

[UntilThen]

Using Mullard 6201 PQ with EL38 now. That's the tube on the right. Haven't tried this for a while and it's a pleasing sound. So many drivers and power tubes. Just change often.



Says Made in Holland. The H has been rubbed off. Got a pair new from a friend.

 

[VanHai]

.
I could not resist the temptation of EL3N tubes. Add 3 extra and call them Cardinal tubes. They sound so, so good to my ears.