6N23P/ECC88/E88CC/6922 tubes

[Zero000]

They are Justin. But it's not likely they're the issue. More the Utopia tube pre.

Ah didn't take that in. I thought it was the power amp and was going to point out if so you're using the wrong valves LOL

TBH Russian valves are extremely reliable as a rule so it may indeed be your pre.

I have the Rockets but never thought much of them. My pre uses Tesla E88CC cross swords. Which is one reason it is so awesome. Plus potato masher rectification.

Mind you I suggested the Teslas to you a while back.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Justin, I'm assuming it's the quad 6n23p tubes, because every change the noise disappears for a period and then creeps back up.

If Ked is right and the traffo is specced to 245V, is this not as much an issue as Euro 220V? I mean, both are 10V at least +/- over UK 230V?

The last thing I need as I optimise my own take on system building is to have an inherent fault reveal itself.

I'll run thru changes on all these smaller tubes one last time, see if I can find my spare 211 quad, and try and identify the culprit.

 

[Zero000]

I am off work until the 23rd.

I could come round with a load of 211s and an Air Tight passive pre. And a Lampi.

Would need a bed for the night though.

 

[Zero000]

Justin, I'm assuming it's the quad 6n23p tubes, because every change the noise disappears for a period and then creeps back up.

If Ked is right and the traffo is specced to 245V, is this not as much an issue as Euro 220V? I mean, both are 10V at least +/- over UK 230V?

The last thing I need as I optimise my own take on system building is to have an inherent fault reveal itself.

I'll run thru changes on all these smaller tubes one last time, see if I can find my spare 211 quad, and try and identify the culprit.

I am no expert Marc but my mains is 246V at the wall. I feed it through a regen to get 230V.

A 245V tranny won't be an issue IMHO.

If the heater voltage is wrong the valves will either glow too brightly or too dimly. That's the most rudimentary check without test kit.

But a bit of over or under voltage on the heaters shouldn't cause such quick deterioration in the valves.

A lot of over voltage might, however.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Ha, Justin! You and Ked are determined to get a Lampi in my life LOL.

I'm likely to get my Utopia to Peter's favoured repair guy in Wales. He'll check over things like heater voltages etc.

Re varying 211s, my Nats don't self bias, and it's not a thing I'm even thinking of attempting. I may one day go down the Mayer/Elrog 211s route, but will find an engineer to do this.

Anyhow, let's see how this Reflektor 6n23p quad check out first.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Looking at buying a quad of Telefunken PCC88 tubes from Watford Valves. Well, if the Utopia comes back sorted, I'll have three flavours of tubes to try in it, these Teles, the Rockets and the Reflektors.

The SS guys really don't know how they're missing out LOL.

 

[Zero000]

Screw biasing just plug 'em in they won't explode. You have to plug them in to bias them anyway. It's fine for short term messing.

Anyway I think I am going to book Stockholm for a few days getting bored. Then it's Rio in a couple of months or so

 

[spiritofmusic]

Justin, Norfolk is not quite Stockholm or Rio, but you're always welcome to visit.

 

[Zero000]

BTW I had a quad of Tele PCC88s in an EAR 868PL. Got a quad of the Teslas and sold the Teles.

The Teles are acceptable, though. But they aren't appreciably better than the Teslas. Despite what anyone will tell you. In my opinion that is

 

[spiritofmusic]

Justin, as w all tubes, there are Teslas, and then there are TESLAS. Just like there are Teles, and TELES.

My Teslas may v well not be yr Teslas. I bought the bog standard cheap issue Tesla 6n23p valves from Watford Valves for under a Tenner each. A blander, greyer sound I couldn't imagine.

I'm hoping these PCC88 tubes, whether Teles or something else are the solution for my preamp that may have a higher heating voltage, 7V more suitable than 6.3V.

If not, then it's repair time. If no solution at this point, then it will likely be Mayer 10Y, Java LDR or LTA MicroZotl MZ3 time.

 

[Zero000]

Tesla 6n23p? Have you for a link for those? That's a Russian valve designation I am sure Tesla would not use. Don't you just mean E88CC?

 

[Zero000]

These are the ones I rate.

 

[spiritofmusic]

E88CC indeed re the Teslas.

 

[cjfrbw]

Amongst my favorites of the type were the orange globe Amperex 6922's from the early 60's (?). They had a great earthy tonality, not scratchy or lean like some 6922's. I have several of them, but don't use 6922's anymore in any of my stuff, they are left over from Sonic Frontiers and other component days.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Quick update. Reflektor Silver Shields proving way more robust than previous Voskhod Rockets. National Matsushita PCC88 order on hold. One happy camper over here.