Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[dminches]

Same here, I prefer the Taka 300b over the Elrogs 300b (old and new) in my Lampi DACs.
But the Taka 300b imho only really shines in combination with the stablemate Taka 274b recti

But the Taka recti is the real Star of that trio

The Taka recti makes most Output tubes shine and not only DHTs, also in the TRP with in Triode mode wired pentodes, the Taka recti Excels

That's what I listened with last night; Tak 300Bs + 274B.

I still have to try my GEC rectifier with my updated Big 7.

 

[Zero000]

Just thought I'd make this point cos it's interesting.

Testing various old triodes, it can take them a while to come up to spec. Literally minutes. Like they have a sort of slow start mechanism built in.

I'm not sure if it is just because they are old or if it is by design. But it 100% definitely is a fact.

So if you're there making quick compares with the likes of new valves think again. It isn't a legitimate compare.

 

[Zero000]

Another thing. Thoriated tungsten filaments.

By far the strongest 211s I have are the ones I have been using for years. All the old 211s I have have thoriated tungsten filaments.

The fact that that is true and I have measured over 25 of them supports the idea that they really do replenish themselves. Rocking technology discovered years ago that should NOT be forgotten.

That said, they came out when radioactivity was the future. So unsurprising to an extent.

 

[Zero000]

Another bug bear. The term NOS. It means new old stock.

So much that is sold as NOS is NOT NOS. The term has quite violently been mis-used by valve/tube sellers.

If it measures NOS it is NOS (as best as you can tell these days). If it has some dodgy valve reading in an eBay listing without qualification or explanation it is suspect in some cases.

Even new valve sellers palm off valves that are well used as new. Really. Had that with some KRs.

Be careful. As careful as you can be.

 

[wisnon]

I have no idea, sorry
Maybe @wisnon or @Alrainbow know and can comment

Sure, only the electrical equiv 6b4G needs an adapter. 6A3 is a straight plug in. Not for Pac or GG2 though, as those can only take the tubes on the selector, except for PX25 that works on 101d setting.

 

[wisnon]

Chris, can you speak to the difference between the KR242 and the RK 242 (you own both) in your Pac and in the GG1 when you had it? Also, what can you say about the RK px25 (you own) vs the KR px25 which you have heard extensively on trial?

 

[dminches]

Sure, only the electrical equiv 6b4G needs an adapter. 6A3 is a straight plug in. Not for Pac or GG2 though, as those can only take the tubes on the selector, except for PX25 that works on 101d setting.

My Big 7 MKII really likes the Sylvania 6A3s. I have a pair of 6B4Gs and the adapter which I will try next.

 

[bonzo75]

Chris, can you speak to the difference between the KR242 and the RK 242 (you own both) in your Pac and in the GG1 when you had it? Also, what can you say about the RK px25 (you own) vs the KR px25 which you have heard extensively on trial?

In Greg's system the PX25 were better than the RK PX25 though the latter were very good.

 

[christoph]

Chris, can you speak to the difference between the KR242 and the RK 242 (you own both) in your Pac and in the GG1 when you had it? Also, what can you say about the RK px25 (you own) vs the KR px25 which you have heard extensively on trial?

Hi Norm
It is exactly the other way around.
I own both PX25 (RK and regular balloon) but didn't have the RK 242 and the KR 242 (regular pinched) at the same time.

From memory, I would say the regular 242 has a little more gain and dynamics while the RK 242 is a little less extreme (being a tad less explosive and a tad less transparent) than the regular 242.

 

[christoph]

In Greg's system the PX25 were better than the RK PX25 though the latter were very good.

How would you describe the difference between the regular balloon PX25 and the RK PX25?

 

[wisnon]

Hi Norm
It is exactly the other way around.
I own both PX25 (RK and regular balloon) but didn't have the RK 242 and the KR 242 (regular pinched) at the same time.

From memory, I would say the regular 242 has a little more gain and dynamics while the RK 242 is a little less extreme (being a tad less explosive and a tad less transparent) than the regular 242.

Thanks, what about microphonics levels for the 2 versions of the 242?

 

[christoph]

Thanks, what about microphonics levels for the 2 versions of the 242?

Both silent

 

[wisnon]

How would you describe the difference between the regular balloon PX25 and the RK PX25?

Marty has the RK px25, Let's hear what he has to say when he is done with break-in...

 

[Jazzhead]

GG1 plus 242 ... That's me done... Game Set & Match ... There's this bloke who has been screaming about this combo , can't quite place him right now , but thank you all the same

 

[wisnon]

lol. GG1 didnt work for me with 242, but b7 did work very well. After upgrade gg1 was better but still not ideal...gain still to high. On Pac, still better but sky didnt open up. PX25 better for me.

Thing is....PAC beats GG1 handily to my ears.

 

[bonzo75]

Both silent

I told Marty the same thing. I don't know what causes the microphony. My Lampi got very micro phonic at Justin's but silent otherwise. Bill's, dctom, with 242, very silent.

 

[bonzo75]

GG1 plus 242 ... That's me done... Game Set & Match ... There's this bloke who has been screaming about this combo , can't quite place him right now , but thank you all the same

The game set match was against the so called Nadal, Djokovic, Sampras, etc. But when you have Federer on your side, you can live with it and win forever

http://zero-distortion.org/neodio-origine-vs-trinity-aqua-formula-and-stahltek-opus-prime/

 

[Zero000]

No KR or EML valve I have come across is silent.

Crazy claim.

Put your volume in 10 and tap the tube directly with no music on.

 

[Zero000]

The game set match was against the so called Nadal, Djokovic, Sampras, etc. But when you have Federer on your side, you can live with it and win forever

http://zero-distortion.org/neodio-origine-vs-trinity-aqua-formula-and-stahltek-opus-prime/

Y

I told Marty the same thing. I don't know what causes the microphony. My Lampi got very micro phonic at Justin's but silent otherwise. Bill's, dctom, with 242, very silent.

Yours was exactly the same as Robs.

 

[Zero000]

Ked according to Mark at Malvern Audio Research, my Big 7 had a clever valve microphony minimisation circuit.

Your GG1 (and Rob's) never had this circuit.

When my DAC went back to Lucasz they ripped this circuit out and replaced it with a circuit like (or more accurately similar) to your GG. My DAC is now as susceptible to microphony as any GG1 and my guess would be later GG DACs too.

Whilst this circuit sounds better, it is far more susceptible to microphony.