I think a lot of us tube 'roll'. For example, i have just rolled some NOS Telefunken rib plate 12AU7's into my Jadis. Before that, I rolled in some NOS RCA Clear Tops. I also just rolled some NOS Siemens 12AU7's into my CAT preamp.
All of these tubes sound very different, one to the other....even though they are all 12AU7's.
So, I thought it might be interesting to get away from some of the horn threads and personal room threads and discuss something a little different. All of us ( most of us?) have experience with tube rolling, that is if we have owned tube gear. What are the significant differences that we hear with the various tube manufacturer's and the particular tube type that we are familiar with.
I will start off with my experience with the 6550 power tube. IME, the very best of these were the GE 6550 A's from the early 70's till about the early 90's. A tube that was very extended and open and was very reliable. Then we had the SED winged C 6550, a tube that I enjoyed for a few years...although not as extended as the GE and a lot more reliable than a lot of the Chinese 6550's from the same era.
So, lets continue, how about the 12AX7...what are the best ones in your mind and why, the 12AU7- same question, etc.,
I will be interested to hear the thoughts on what the members feel are the best of each genre and from which manufacturer.
All of these tubes sound very different, one to the other....even though they are all 12AU7's.
So, I thought it might be interesting to get away from some of the horn threads and personal room threads and discuss something a little different. All of us ( most of us?) have experience with tube rolling, that is if we have owned tube gear. What are the significant differences that we hear with the various tube manufacturer's and the particular tube type that we are familiar with.
I will start off with my experience with the 6550 power tube. IME, the very best of these were the GE 6550 A's from the early 70's till about the early 90's. A tube that was very extended and open and was very reliable. Then we had the SED winged C 6550, a tube that I enjoyed for a few years...although not as extended as the GE and a lot more reliable than a lot of the Chinese 6550's from the same era.
So, lets continue, how about the 12AX7...what are the best ones in your mind and why, the 12AU7- same question, etc.,
I will be interested to hear the thoughts on what the members feel are the best of each genre and from which manufacturer.