Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[Nuforce]

Two days of listening and I’m going to propose WE 101d’s as the king of DHT’s for compatible non-pentode Lampi DACs. It’s hugely better than the KR 242’s, although it’s lower gain. That’s probably a good thing for most folks whose preamps were overloaded by KR 242’s. Sadly, they’re rarer than hen’s teeth. But you just have to find a quartet. They’ll outlive you. But they’re very hard to find NOS. They cost me less than my 242’s. I won’t sell them at 10x the price I paid for them. Mine came from Italy. Here’s the guy I bought from. You can ping him directly if he has or can find more. He doesn’t list any more.

RARI TUBI TWO -CW101D WESTERN ELECTRIC -BALANCE-PAIR-NOS-NIB (300B-2A3-AD1-45) | eBay

GUARDATE LE ALTRE MIE ASTE. CONTATTATEMI X ALTRE FOTO.

www.ebay.com

What heater voltage is the 101D?

I read your findings with interest, as I've never thought to try a 101D. My favourite is the 46 or PX4. They look tiny too!

 

[godofwealth]

Heater voltage is 4.5V, as per the original specifications.

https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/084/1/101D.pdf

 

[Blake]

Interesting findings on the WE 101D. I know WE is a totally different proposition to current 101D options, but, I don't recall reading much love for current/modern versions of the 101D.

I tried some modern 101D, and they were by far the worst tubes I ever tried in my GG and Pac.

 

[godofwealth]

Comparing a NOS WE to a modern version is like comparing a Stradivarius violin to a cheap mass-market violin at a local music shop made overseas . Even the "official" WE reissues are pretty horrible compared to the originals. The art of making vacuum tubes is a lost art, and one that will be hard to resurrect. Modern tubes last a small fraction of the time that WE tubes last. I hear it has much to do with subtleties like the thorium coating etc. Like the 300-year old Stradivarius violins were based on a deep understanding of musical properties of wood, varnish, strings etc. All that's been lost. We can send spaceships to Mars, but we can't make a better violin than Stradivarius did.

 

[cpcat]

Interesting findings on the WE 101D. I know WE is a totally different proposition to current 101D options, but, I don't recall reading much love for current/modern versions of the 101D.

I tried some modern 101D, and they were by far the worst tubes I ever tried in my GG and Pac.

Now - I am back to KR 242s. Interesting -your comment on the PX4 -but you must have edited it. Apparently KR is having issues with the glass on the PX4 at this time. I want some. I also have interest in the EML PX4 but I think it is actually more a PX25 in sheep’s clothing based on the specs.

 

[Blake]

@cpcat you might already be aware, but, the new Stradi tubes are getting some pretty good reviews here on WBF. Just another option for modern tubes. I'd be really curious to try them.

My favorite modern power tubes are the KR242. But these days, I'm rolling with Philips PT35 and PT14, but I kept my KR242 and KR PX25, as I still like them both quite a bit.

 

[christoph]

@cpcat you might already be aware, but, the new Stradi tubes are getting some pretty good reviews here on WBF. Just another option for modern tubes. I'd be really curious to try them.

My favorite modern power tubes are the KR242. But these days, I'm rolling with Philips PT35 and PT14, but I kept my KR242 and KR PX25, as I still like them both quite a bit.

I still really love the RK 242 and RK PX25.

For me - by far - the best modern tubes in my Lampi DACs are the RK 242 and RK PX25.

I was able to briefly try the Stradi 242 but I was quite underwhelmed...

 

[godofwealth]

Agreed — the KR 242s are a great sounding tube. I’ve accumulated a stash of these that should last many years. The WE 101d’s are not as high gain. You’ll have to crank up the volume a bit more. But they have a bit more sweetness to their sound. It’s early days since I’m still breaking in my WE 101d’s. I’ll have to wait a few more weeks before making a more definitive judgement.

 

[Nuforce]

Could I ask if anyone has heard any nos PX25 from Osram of Marconi?

Wondering how they compare to the "best" modern DHT tubes.

 

[highstream]

What's been found to be the differences between the solid plate and black mesh plate Valvo G2504?

 

[cpcat]

What's been found to be the differences between the solid plate and black mesh plate Valvo G2504?

I found this nice article. Nice pics anyway.

Tube of the Month : The G2504

Hi! This month we have a rather exotic rectifier. Meet the G2504. The G2504 is a directly heated full wave rectifier tube. It is equivalent ...

vinylsavor.blogspot.com

 

[highstream]

I found this nice article. Nice pics anyway.

Tube of the Month : The G2504

Hi! This month we have a rather exotic rectifier. Meet the G2504. The G2504 is a directly heated full wave rectifier tube. It is equivalent ...

vinylsavor.blogspot.com

I’d seen that physical description, thanks. In the comments section, “anonymous” claims that rectifiers affect the sound only in poorly designed circuits and berates using a recti in a circuit it wasn’t designed for, i.e., with adapter. I seem to recall vaguely that’s a tube dealer that I’ve come across elsewhere.

 

[cpcat]

For me - by far - the best modern tubes in my Lampi DACs are the RK 242 and RK PX25.

Me too for the Big 7 MK2 balanced- for 242 either KR or RK. Also I like Tak and new WE 300bs for a different flavor.

I have read a few sporadic reports that seem to suggest running 4 PX25s balanced can stress the power supply.
They do indeed run a little hot… (RK PX25). PX25 is listed on my DAC card though, so I assume it is ok. However, honestly, I guess this keeps me from putting them in and leaving them in, as the 242 is really, really good and runs cool.

 

[JSA]

If anyone is interested I have one EML 5G4GM (Mesh version) to let go. Please PM me in case interested.

 

[JSA]

Me too for the Big 7 MK2 balanced- for 242 either KR or RK. Also I like Tak and new WE 300bs for a different flavor.

I have read a few sporadic reports that seem to suggest running 4 PX25s balanced can stress the power supply.
They do indeed run a little hot… (RK PX25). PX25 is listed on my DAC card though, so I assume it is ok. However, honestly, I guess this keeps me from putting them in and leaving them in, as the 242 is really, really good and runs cool.

I have mentioned that multiple times here, but for me KR242 in Pacific is a real winner, and I cannot imagine a better combination (I shouldn't say this, but I prefer it over Horizon in my setup).

 

[christoph]

I have mentioned that multiple times here, but for me KR242 in Pacific is a real winner, and I cannot imagine a better combination (I shouldn't say this, but I prefer it over Horizon in my setup).

The RK 242 and the KR 242 ARE extremely good

With what tubes did you compare to the Horizon?
As you know, tubes matter a LOT in Lampi DACs

 

[JSA]

The RK 242 and the KR 242 ARE extremely good

With what tubes did you compare to the Horizon?
As you know, tubes matter a LOT in Lampi DACs

I wish I remember which tubes I have tried in Horizon
Had it at home few times (I live nearby Lampizator location) with different tubes.
While Horizon is absolutely great, I still prefer Pacific

 

[2ndLiner]

I wish I remember which tubes I have tried in Horizon
Had it at home few times (I live nearby Lampizator location) with different tubes.
While Horizon is absolutely great, I still prefer Pacific

Hi JSA! I'm interested in hearing about the specifics regarding your preference for Pacific over the Horizon. I have a PAC2 and am quite happy as well. Tubes I use courtesy of Laszlo @takacs75 are Valvo G2504, EF802's, and 4p1l's. Delicious sound!

 

[Zero000]

Could I ask if anyone has heard any nos PX25 from Osram of Marconi?

Wondering how they compare to the "best" modern DHT tubes.

I bought a pair some time ago and reported it in this thread. Search and ye shall find.

Currently assessing Western Electric VT-25 I got about a week ago. Initial impressions are pretty good to better than pretty good TBH. I've learnt a bit that's worth reporting that confused me about them.

Watch this space.

 

[Zero000]

WE VT-25 filaments at two heater voltages plus close up.

Forgot that heatsink existed for a while...

It's a barium oxide filament. Taking to the seller, and reading between the lines, I think they all were from the WE stable. In WE land, VT-25 is the same tube as WE VT-25-A.