LampizatOr Golden Atlantic + TRP

[tedwoods]

Moving to France next, this is the clear glass Visseaux 6V6G with a Mazda/Belvu GZ32. This combination was a lucky guess, that really caught me by surprise by its vibrancy and vigour.

 

[tedwoods]

And while in France, just couldn't wait to try the metal base Visseaux 6V6GT... What a treat! So natural sounding!

 

[tedwoods]

An all French Mazda combo: the grey glass 6V6GT and the 5Y3GB. This al about kick and attitude...

 

[jadedavid]

An all French Mazda combo: the grey glass 6V6GT and the 5Y3GB. This al about kick and attitude...
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You are having too much fun.
But that’s what this hobby is all about.
Enjoy

 

[tedwoods]

You are having too much fun.
But that’s what this hobby is all about.
Enjoy

This also like an homage of sorts for me... I did most of my tube collecting before the proliferation of the internet and there's a story, or even two sometimes, behind every tube: they involve radio repairmen, old parts shops lost in time and the smell of dust and human generosity. I apologise for the onslaught... I realise that, unlike me, it can all be a bit overwhelming...

 

[jadedavid]

This also like an homage of sorts for me... I did most of my tube collecting before the proliferation of the internet and there's a story, or even two sometimes, behind every tube: they involve radio repairmen, old parts shops lost in time and the smell of dust and human generosity. I apologise for the onslaught... I realise that, unlike me, it can all be a bit overwhelming...

Keep up the fun. I enjoy seeing all the different tube combinations.
I too have been collecting Tubes for 20+ years. And like you have met many of the “old-timers“ in TV and repair shops.
Many a great story from those that lived in the early “tube” era.

 

[WildPhydeaux]

Keep up the fun. I enjoy seeing all the different tube combinations.
I too have been collecting Tubes for 20+ years. And like you have met many of the “old-timers“ in TV and repair shops.
Many a great story from those that lived in the early “tube” era.

I'm jealous of you both and yet I have only myself to blame. I grew up at the tail end of the "real" tube era and fondly recall seeing console tube testers in every hardware store and even general/convenience stores. Tubes abounded then. But in the 70s I was a snot-nosed kid who knew everything and distained the guys who stuck with tubes. Neanderthals...

It was only 8 or so years ago I wised up and realized some of what I had missed out on. Solid state has some a long way and both forms of amplification can be compelling. But tubes can often do something special and we're seeing some of that here.

Nice work @tedwoods !

Cheers,
Robert

 

[Designsfx]

Wow- great posts coming from the home of @tedwoods! I’m glad to see the activity here as it seemed most had either moved onto other dacs or maybe had just settled in on the tubes they love and decided no further rolls were needed.

Not me- and tonight I’m posting a tube that I’ve had to wait two months to hear. So far, it was worth wait!

So while rummaging through the last radio swap meet I found a tube that I had never seen or heard of before. The tube is the Arcturus Type 18 pentode.



The seller had five of these, all matching date codes in original crumbling boxes- so five is what I took. I didn’t realize until I had gotten home that day that these require a UX-6 socket and 14V filament supply.

Since I have a variable voltage setup on my TRP all I needed were to order adapters with UX-6 to octal sockets with the appropriate leads- and that’s where the waiting came into play.

Finally- I’ve got these in and playing and I have to say that I really like what I’m hearing. I’m a huge fan of the early 6L6 ST glass tubes as well as the EL5 and so far these tubes have a little of both in common.



So far I’ve only listened to one release but the sound continues to open the more I play. The first thing that struck me was the power felt in the bass regions- so far a little stronger than most pentodes.
Highs aren’t exactly what I would call rolled off but are very even/level when compared to the midrange. So not overly sparkly but definitely present. These tubes have a very smooth sound, whether it’s refined or just relaxed time will tell.



I’m not sure about the overall availability on this tube as I’ve not seen them before but if you ever happen to come across a pair/quad, have UX-6 adapters and the ability to provide 14V to the heaters this is a very cool tube.