Tubes in your system?

What does everyone run for equipment in there system?
(Little different from the other, what do we own thread)

Is it something you've built and can you tell us something about it?

What kinda tubes have yu tried in them and what was the outcome?

C'mon everyone jump in, from just a little pre to full blown systems!

Cool idea for a thread Kegger. I could sure use some input form some of the veteran tubies, and it's allways good to have fresh ideas from newbies. I'm somewhere between, but a lot closer to the newbs. I am honestly just now learning how to listen to a Hi-Fi system. I know that may sound strange but it's how I see it. A good example is tonight I put up another table in the cave, and set up my old Dyna 70 and my junk shop Dorians I've been working on. I'm in the process of switching the tube shop to a speaker shop for a while. Anyway I ran a Marantz CD50 straight in as it has variable output. Now I've been listening to my homebrew SET El34 for several days through some Heresy's. At first I honestly thought the 70/JBL rig sounded fairly lame, but after some adjusting and switching from Ralph Stanley to Jimi Hendrix, it's awesome. These two setups are totally different sounding, but both are excellent IMHO in there own niche. The 70/JBL really didn't seem to have the detail for the really complex strings, and obviously the EL34 SET will never be a rocker. As far as tube selection goes the best setups for these two rigs I have come up with is Sylvania Milspec 12AT7's and Gen III EI KT90's in the Dyna and Jan Sylvania bottom getter 6SL7's with RCA 6CA7's in the homebrew, but I'm still rolling it. Here's the sick part :yes: I'm sitting here listening to the JBL's and keep thinking that the Heresy's would fit just perfect on their marble tops, and the 70 has 4ohm taps :thmbsp: Anybody got a tape measure? :scratch2: Jay

Edit- I read your first post again and saw you asked about tube outcomes. I will share my experience, but in no way would bash any tube.

JJ EL34- Best new prod I've used.
EH EL34- Good for a tester outer
Mullard EL34- Very Lush (I guess thats the warm tube sound I hear about)
Siemans EL34- Purty Good
Svetlana EL34- Not bad
Sovtek EL34- Bright and shimmery (real good for some female voice
RCA EL34- Nothing else really comes close so far IMHO

6SL7 RCA (several different types) all very good
6SL7 Russian- :thumbsdn:
6SL7 Sylvy- Way in front of others, incredible detail on Mandolin and such

Hey!!!,
I started with a 5687 pre. Once running, I discovered it had way too much gain...off in search of lower mu valves and circuits. The design was patterened after the VTV/Bottlehead volt-amp/cathode follower. I read of the issues experienced, and of the mods done to improve the circuit. That's where I jumped in. Bigger PS, better parts, and room to tweak. The 5687 is a very nice linestage tube. I fed a pair of Dyna Mk.III's I first warmed up and then restored and then modified the heck out of before abandoning them in search of better Iron.

The Mk.III was an excellent instructional piece. It can teach as much about how not to do things as it teaches its successes. The work I did building balanced voltage amp/drives with 8BD tubes was invaluable. The 6BL7 is one outstanding tube, and its cousin the 6BX7 is excellent too. What started out as a 6SL7>>6SN7 morphed to a 6SN7>>6BL7. Cascaded diff amps, SE drive ti the input, and balanced drive to the secondary stage. Finally wound up with a 7236 in place of the 6BL7. High gain is only required when there is a lot of it thrown away with NFB. Build a linear circuit to begin with, and it won't need so much correcting.

And then came the directly heated experiments... , with some Hg-vapour thrown in for good measure.
cheers,
Douglas

Well I am definetly a newbie but I am running 4 tube systems right now (and 1 SS for HT). You can see the systems in my signature. The one in the garage gets very little use in the summer. I don't care if its a dry heat - it's still 105 degrees!

I built a Bottlehead Foreplay III to gain some experience and to learn a little about how a tube pre is put together. It pretty much worked the first time I tuned it on. There was too much hum and after someone told me how to troubleshoot it on the Bottlehead board it was fixed in no time. Seems I forgot to solder a connection. The tubes it came with (Silvertone 12AU7A) were slightly microphonic. So I put in a pair of Mullard 12AU7s thinking they would have a warmer sound with my Heresies (modded with DeanG constant slope networks; also knocks 3db off the tweeter and sqwauker). They did sound good but the highs were not lively enough. I put in a pair of Cleartops and the improvement was immediate and dramatic. They are still in there. I also swapped out the 0D3 tube that the FP came with because it was the type with the sleeve. I have tried Hytron and RCA and they don't seem to make any difference. I guess 150 volts is 150 volts. The Hytron has a cool US Navy anchor on it so its my favorite.

The TAD-150 came with a pair of 12AT7s of unknown origin. They had good tone but put the entire band in the middle of the speakers and each instrument was behind another one as if the band was set up in a line. A little weird and unrealistic. I rolled in some Telefunken 12AX7s and they were real good and the soundstage was wide but they had too much gain. So I rolled in a pair of Sylvania USAF 5751s and they are also very good. They are in there now.

TAD-60: Rolled out the Svet el-34 tubes in favor of Valve Art KT-88. The change was so dramatic I think it comes down to personal taste. the EL-34 had that elegant, romantic sound but were a little shy on the bass. The KT-88s have awesome bass and are very good in the midrange and highs. I also took out the Sovtek 12AX7WXT+ and put in a Mullard (the Sovetek is now in the HK F500 Tuner). Also replaced a pair of unknown 5814As with a pair of GE 12AU7As. This made an improvement but it wasn't so dramatic.

Fisher 400: Replaced the GE 7868s with EH7868s. They sound real good and very close to the GEs but they stretched out the tube sockets. Now the the GEs can't go back in unless I tighten the sockets which is a PITA. Tried 5751s in the tone controls but went back to the Telefunkens. They sounded different but they weren't better or worse.

To anyone who is still awake - thanks for reading this. I am looking forward to reading other peeps experiences.

Well I'm about to add a Tube system to my Shrine. In my case it is a H.H. Scott 233 (that is for now in as bought condition this winter I will go through it as best I can with help for the guys here) it is a 7591 based amp. My tuner is a Hybred Scott 312 (nuvistor front end Transistor else where but point to point wired) it's a rather rare Broadcast tuner and quite good. (it to will be gone through as needed this winter)

I'm adding a very modern Samsung HD-850 DVD player that will be refaced to look like Scott made it in 1964. And this system will have a turn table most likely my current Pro-Ject 1.2 with a nice veneer applied over the black paint job.

This will be a companion system to my Pioneer SA-9100 based main system and will until I can figure something better out, Share the Pioneer HPM-100's with the SS system.

I'm also putting togeter a tube system for my Office which will include my Heathkit AJ-41 tuner and AA-141 Preamp. Not sure if I will go with a Pair of Heathkit MONO Blocks or one of the Power amps like an AA-40 or AA-121. Those are dwn the road.

Kegger said:

What does everyone run for equipment in there system?
(Little different from the other, what do we own thread)

Is it something you've built and can you tell us something about it?

What kinda tubes have yu tried in them and what was the outcome?

C'mon everyone jump in, from just a little pre to full blown systems!

Click to expand...

I swap around mainly with this crap.....there is more....

'83 Klipsch Cornwalls.
Homemade woofer cabinets, using a cheap 10" Lafayette/Criterion woofer scavenged out of 100B speakers, with JBL 075's on top.
Homemade 2A3 SET amp, with 6EA7/bridged Allied IT front end, Scholl OPT's.
Magnavox SE 6BQ5 console amp.
A Admiral 6BQ5 PP console amp, with the Dynaco low power 6BQ5/6V6 driver circuit ripped-off from the schematic.
Homebrew Aikido 6SN7 linestages, and a 100K stereo stepped attenuator in a box.
A Rega Planet, a mega-tweaked Onkyo CDP, and POS Panasonic RP-56 DVD player.

The rare and pricey tubes sound the best.

I'm using a homebrew EF86 (triode-connected) linestage. I normally use Valvos there, but right now I'm using a pair (see post a few days old) of EH EF86s for auditioning... It also has a pair of Tungsol metal 6J5s as cathode followers (not using that output section) and an RCA 5Z4 metal rectifier that gets HOT...

My amplifier is a trusty Dynaco 70 I first bought in '89. Converted it from 7199 to 6U8A. Swapped in some different coupling caps. I sold it in '91 to my best friend. Bought it back in '03! At that time it was pretty messed up - modded several times by him to run in triode mode with a 12AX7 as the driver! I rebuilt it with a SDS Power Supply board, Triode Electronics input board. Right now it's running some Matshuitsa (sp?) EL34s which are basically Mullard copies, an american made 5AR4 (forgot brand), a pair of Philips E80Fs, and an excellent early production RCA 12AU7 with black plates.

Monica 2 DAC board that I stuffed myself with an outboard regulator. Used oil caps on the output. Used with a Pioneer DVD player.

Rotel turntable with battery powered Bugle phono-stage.

HE10.1 kit speakers - which are my next project to replace! Thinking of vintage coax speakers in a box - or ??

I am also collecting parts for a fully regulated EL38 amplifier using EF40 front end with a good longtail phase splitter with a current sink - s/b good for 50Ws in Ultralinear. I also have drawing board idea for a fully regulated EF12 or C3m triode-connected linestage - but we shall see.

I only have 1 mono amp, she's my avatar. Untill I find another, or, a suitable KT66 amp... I don't have any. :cry:

My main set up I am using a Marantz 8B with Tesla EL34s blue plates and GE 6BH6 and GE 6CG7. As of now I am using the pre-outs from a Marantz 2235 receiver while I am waiting patiently for a Bottlehead Foreplay III to ship. This is run into a pair of LaScalas.

In the bedroom I am using my Dared VP-16 with EH 6V6GT's on the output and the stock Chinese 6N9's on the front end. It's mated to my KG4's

Perect timing on this thread. Maybe I can get some suggestions. What do you do when the cheaper tube sounds better? I have what may be two cases in point. My homebrew which I decided was best with the Jan bottom getter 6SL7's first. I just received a really nice looking pair of Jan Sylvy Brown base, black plate, square getters NOS in original boxes which test better'n new. I wanted to do an all brown base military tube look. Problem is I like the plain old Black Base Jan Sylvys better, especially in the the tops and upper mids. I wander if this has something to do with my machine room ears, and a person with good ears may differ. The second scenario, (and this is too weird) is concerning 12AU7's in the preamp (an HK TP-200). I removed the old plain jane GE's and put in some sweet NOS JAN Sylvy 6189W's (gray plate). Not a ton of difference, but to be honest, I think I'd pick the GE's in a blind test. Then I tried the old 12BH7 trick with 4 NOS JAN RCA's (gray plate). Totally different sound, very warm and lush, but no sparkle and lost some detail I think. To be fair and honest, I must add that the HK is in need of a recap (this weekend looks good). This past couple weeks is the first real tube rolling I've done except for output tubes in the ol 70. What about black plates and clear tops, or have I just fallin into some "if it costs more it must be better" bull. I hate gettin tricked and still think there must be something to all these cool tube terms I'm learning. AAAggggghhhh what do all these things REALLY mean? I'm cornfused :worried: uke:

Edit- I forgot a specific question I had. Do brand new tubes require a "break in" period before they sound there best?

Ok, I have a Philips DVD/CD/SACD player, and a VPI TT with a Souther Tri-Quartz arm/Grado cartridge. (I should have another Yamaha T-1 tomorrow too!) Those feed a (modded) Bottlehead Foreplay, the VPI through a (modded) Bottlehead Seduction. I was running a (modded) Dyna ST-70, but it has been replaced by my GainClone (ChipAmp version).

I listen through a pair of Triangle Zaruis(es?) speakers.

I haven't heard tubes I didn't like, but have some favorites. In the Foreplay, my first choice is the Mullard CV2003. The best, so far, in my Seduction are a Russian tube (6N23P) that are being replaced with 6N1Ps tomorrow. Tomorrow came and went, the 6N1Ps were an improvement over the 6N23Ps. Similar with better, tighter, more tuneful bass. The midrange on these two is clear and detailed. The 6N1P being a bit better. I think I will leave the 6N1ps in for a while.

The ST-70 ran mostly Sovteks on the outputs, I liked a pair of Philips drivers/phase splitters, and have been using JJ's rectifier.

Did I answer everything?

Oh, I decided that Sovtek tubes sounded too much like transistor amps, and I buy tubes on purpose. There is something I like about their flavor, that transistors don't have.

Well JAy as I've said many times tubes do sound different in different circuits/systems
and many peoples tastes. Most of the time when I've installed 12BH7's in where a 12AU7
use to be I have preferred the 12BH7, likewise I'm generally not a fan of telefunken small
signal tubes as I find them to much tipped towards the top end but every now and then
I get shoved back to reality when I put a tellie to a certain circuit and it's the best tube
with no question and on some circuits I've preferred the 12AU7 to the 12BH7, go figure!

So no your not out in left field and the expensive tubes don't necasarily sound the best!
What someone else likes may not be what you like, and if it's not tried in the same gear
it's just like assholes everyone has one but it doesn't mean ****!

Now about tube breakin yes I believe there's some truth to it but I also believe it's a very
short breakin process with the heat these babies generate I believe they breakin pretty quick.

Hi, my tube system is scott 299B with
(4) E84L Siemens (similar 7189) very good tubes
(4) 12AX7 RCA
(2) 6BL8 RCA
(1) 5AR4 AMPEREX

ALTEC LANSING MODEL NINE SPEAKERS
SANSUI TU 217 TUNER
MCINTOSH MCD 7000 DISC PLAYER
ONKYO DVD SACD 502
CASSETTE DECK SONY TC-U2

My solid state system is:
Lexicon NT212 amplifier
B&K MPT3 preamplifier
kappa 7.2 i speakers

But, I like The truth more the tuber of my old scott 299B.
Some days ago I acquired a Leak Point One Stereo preamplifier with mullard Valves are four EF86. Slowly I will look for the Leak stero 20 or 50 amplifier, I will already count them on the results of the search, thanks Martín

So much advice

quietlymknnoise said:

So much advice

Click to expand...

And so few tubes :tears:

Kegger, Found a combo for the 12BH7's

Vinyl source (V15III) and a Tele up front (whatever that lone 12AX7 does) They really take the edge off and smooth the Tele out!

I have a handful of tube systems that I use (Scott 299A, Fisher 400, a homebrew SET and others). My current favorite, however, is a homebrew mono system that I use in my bedroom to wake up to...it uses the EH 7868 which is a really nice sounding tube (sounds very close to the tired original RCA's I have left). The driver/splitter is a GE 12AX7. The power amp circuit (and the iron) was stolen from a Fisher X100B. I use this with a KLH Model 18 tuner and a single AR2ax speaker. The built-in vintage flip flop clock powers the unit on automatically every morning (and also turns on the tuner).

This system really has a vintage tubey sound....great to wake up to or for listening to late night jazz while reading in bed. I am married to an artist so she grooves on the unique look of this piece. I don't roll tubes in this unit...but we do roll the action figure on top when we need a change.

MAK

I use an ARC SP9 preamp. I have 2 radically modified Dyna MKIII's that drive my front ESL's. The Dyna's have new driver input boards using a 6CG7/6FQ7 and 12AT7 tube. This is all hard wired with no PCB. The only original Dyna parts still in use are the transformers.

Currently I am running 2 Sylvania 5U4's, 1 Sylvania 6CL5, 1 Sylvania 6SN7, 2 Rca 12AU7's and quad of SED 6550C's. Yesterday I also bought a quad of NOS Russian 6L6GC's to try based on recomondations from AK and the builder. OK, what are the functions here, The output tubes are the 6550's/6L6GC's correct? If someone want's to give me the nickle decription of what functions the other's preform that would be killer. Thanks....

5U4's are the rectifiers.

Hello, Had an interesting tube discovery tonight. I have a Fisher console with the 690 hybrid power amp which uses two 6HU8's and one 12AX7. I finally found some Fisher branded German 6HU8's to replace the ITT's that were in it. I plugged them in tonight and they sounded fine, but as allways the left channel was somewhat weaker sounding than the right. I figured maybe the 12AX7 had been the culprit all allong so I tried a different one. Cool! Now both channels seemed the same volume wise. While I was fiddling around I tried a few different 12AX7's to see if they sounded different. This old console has allways been really weak in the bass dept. even after upgrading the woofers to Altecs. Here's the neat part. While rummiging around I found a couple of Japanese made Lafayette's and plugged one in. Big improvement in the bass. Kind of like a Mullard on steroids. It really changed the tone to a more "tuby" sound. Anyone know anything about these? The boxes look pretty old (see pic). The only tube company in Japan I know of is Matsushita, but they have allways seemed very sparkly to me, kinda like Tele's. Hmmm, Jay