Tube gear, tube collecting
Kegger,
Over 22 years, I've acquired a number of pieces of tube gear:
ARC SP8
ARC SP10
ARC D115
McIntosh MX110
McIntosh MC240
McIntosh MR67
Dynaco PAS3
Dynaco ST70
Fisher 800
Scott 330D
Peavey VMP2
ART DI/O
EICO HF-14
I've never sold anything and these pieces use a lot of tubes:
12AX7= 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 8, 6, 1, 3 = 32
6922= 2, (4 ln, 8) , 3 = 17
6AU6 /6136/ EF94 = 1, 3, 4, 3 = 11
6550 = 8, 1 = 9
12AT7 = 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1 = 8
12AU7 = 1, 2, 2, 1 = 6
6U8 / ECF82 = 3, 1, 1 = 5
6L6GC/ 7027A = 4
6FQ7 = 4
EL34 = 4
7591= 4 = 4
12BH7 = 2, 1 =3
5881 = 2
7199 = 2
EM84A= 2
6BE6 / EK90 = 1, 1= 2
6CS6 / EH90 = 2
6BL8 / ECF80/ E80CF = 2
6AB4 / EC92 = 2
6AQ8 / ECC85
GZ34/ 5AR4
12X4
6X4 / EZ90
6EQ7
6DS4
6CN7
6BQ7A/ 6BS8
6HU6 / EM8780
6D10
6BS8
6BA6 / EF93
6AV6 / EBC91
EMM801
EZ81
EL84
Total= 132 tubes of 31 types
Since 1990, I've bought about 500 NOS and new tubes. I had two points in tube collecting: First, I use 31 types and of these, perhaps 20 types have not been made since the 70's or 80's. I decided to have three spares of any tube that was out of production. These were mostly radio/TV types. At the time, 6AU6s, for example, were not being made anywhere- well, perhaps Tungsram was- so:
6AU6 / EF94 [11]: 1, 3, 4, 3 TOTAL: 59
3- RCA-US- NOS
8- RCA 6136 - [4- "Command"]- US- NOS-
3- Tung Sol NOS
1- Mullard 10M EF94- gold p- UK- NOS
5- GE NOS
1- Telefunken sq gtr- USED
2- Harmon Kardon/ Amperex square getter-USED
1- Eico/ Mullard- USED
1- GE 6136-USED
1- NEC-USED
1- Valvo EF94- Holland -NOS
8- Telefunken EF94 by RCA- Brazil- NOS
5- GE 6136- 5 Star- black plate- halo- US- NOS
5- Sylvania Gold Brand, 6136- gold pin- NOS
11- Sylvania 6136- “Gold Brand”- steel pin- US- NOS
-so, my 3 set quest became 5 sets. The 6AU6 seems to last almost forever- most of the ones in the gear are 40+ years old- so I suppose I have a 400-year supply. Did this with the 6U8 also. It's surprising how many 6AU6, 6U8s, and odd types like 6CS6 the gear uses- so many tuner types!
The other reason for tube buying was to try different sounds. When I bought the McIntosh MR67, I wanted to buy good sounding 6BL8s (ECF80, E80CF, 7643) as these are the gain: -pre-pre tubes and not being made. I was delighted as this type was used in military communications gear and I could buy the very best of this type- NOS 1963 Valvo, Hamburg, red labelled, pinched waist, gold pin, 100,00 hour E80CF for only $15 each and NOS Telefunken 7643 as little as $5 each. The odd 6AV6- a little Gothic facade shield in the middle- were as little as $3 for NOS Telefunken also. The pleasure of the odd types meant I've bought more NOS Telefunken for the MR67 than in the last 15 years (6BL8, 6AV6, 6AU6, 6CS6, 6AB4, 6BE6) !
BTW, I bought Amperex, France 6GH8As as a possible substitution for the 6U8 in the MR67 and the 6GH8As are identical to the 2-Philips, France ECF80- 6BL8s that are the originals in the MR67. There is something interchangeable with 6BL8, 6GH8A, and 6U8- and I'd like to know what this is. I mention the 6GH8 as I think there is a common Dynaco ST70 replacement board based on the 6GH8A and perhaps the E80CF would work there. Given the astonishing sound of the MR67, I think I really like this type!
The type I've listened to more of than any other has been the 12AT7- mainly because my microphone preamp uses 6-12AX7 and 2-12AT7s and I likee to tune the sound to the type of recording. I gravtitated to the Siemens triple mica E81CC for punchy bass, and fast, beautiful detail and for a lush, smooth sound- deep, deep, deep: 1958 USAF triple mica Sylvania 12AT7WA- you won't believe this one! The Siemens is fantastic for waking up old McIntosh gear. The Philips/Hamburg gold pin 6201s are also great all-round tubes. For inexpensive 12AT7 the GE triple mica 6201 has great bass and detail.
I also bought a lot of 12AX7s as I use 32, and I'm glad to have reserves and choices as the prices are becoming silly. 12AX7s: Siemens triple mica E83CC and Amperex Bugle Boy- though really any late 50's/early 60's Philips ECC83 is fine. Another favourite is the 50's Sylvania triple mica, black plate, squre getter 5751- the most civilised 12AX7 ever?
With 6DJ8, I use 17 and have to use the E188CC / 7308 (or Sovtek/EH6922) in my Audio Research SP10 and the Amperex, Holland are great. For 6DJ8 in the D115 and SP8 I like the Amperex A-Frame ECC88 and if I were using this as a preamp gain tube I'd choose the A-frame also.
The 12AU7 is becoming expensive now too for some reason- I always attribute these rises to fads with the tube guitar amp crowd. Again I like Siemens- the triple mica 5814A- punchy, fast, detailed, deep. The mid 50's CBS 5814A is also a winner- quite amazing ino the right gear. For dark sounding vintage, the RCA "cleartop" can be a good match. Also, the RCA "Command" 5814 is a really good sounding tube- and quiet. I recently bought these for as little as $5 NOS and tested.
My inclination is to search out the premium or military version- they're usually quieter and longer lasting- as well as often having a better overall sound. It's a pleasure too when the type is not that sought after ansd the bestr ones are still $8 anyway. And, sometimes the ordianry tube is wonderful- I have a few old square getter Sylvania 12AX7 branded "Baldwin Organ" and in the right place, these $6 tubes are as satisfying as any Bugle Boy.
Sorry to go on so long, it's a huge subject- I could go one for years. With a complicated audio life using so many tubes of so many kinds, I've certainly had to study and realise how little I know still. I think in about two years I'll be having the great audio sort out and simplify considerably. Watch Ebay in 2008- I'll have five pieces of gear and 300 tubes on!
Cheers,
Bambi B
Has anyone here ever tried Ruby Tubes for Hi-Fi use? Inquiring minds :scratch2:
