Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[jbrrp1]

Going to ask Santa for a matched quad. I reread this thread again over the past week - a lot of good info here. I currently use a matched quad of TJ 300b mesh globes and RK 5u4G rectifier.

I have a new balanced B7MKII with VC and 5-position heater dial.

I am pretty happy with the TJ 300b mesh globes/RK 5u4G combo and enjoy a lush “tubey” midrange. I don’t mind a little flab in the bass as long as it is articulate. I would say I value ease/non fatiguing aspects over dynamics and explosiveness -especially if it means any sense of etch/hardness.

I am looking at RK PX25, new issue WE 300b, and RK 242 probably in that order.

Thoughts?

I had been running Kron RK 300B's in my Pacific, because my system needs a little warming (TAD's). I purchased the standard Kron 242's and the RK PX25's. They are both on the leaner side of the spectrum, IME. I doubt they will ring the "lush 'tubey' midrange" bell for you. That said, they excel in dynamic jump, both macro and micro/inner-detail, which to me brings more of the "live" sound quality to my reproduction. All depends on the sauce you like, but "lush" isn't what these two deliver. I'm trying to figure out how to add just a smidge of that "lush" to accompany the magic of the 242's (rectifier change? cabling?).

I would love to try out the WE 300B's, but I'm waiting for more aggregate experience on the new supply.

 

[christoph]

I have the new issue WE 300B arriving any day now to go along with the 25's and 242's. I will be interested to hear the difference. I do have 16 WE 300B tubes in my mono amps. The sound improvement in the amps was major.

Please report about your findings comparing the new issue WE300B vs. the RK PX25 and the RK 242.
Which one do you prefer at the moment? The PX25 or the 242?

 

[christoph]

I'm trying to figure out how to add just a smidge of that "lush" to accompany the magic of the 242's (rectifier change? cabling?).

What rectifier(s) are you using atm?

 

[jbrrp1]

What rectifier(s) are you using atm?

Kron RK Anniversary 5U4G

 

[bonzo75]

242 is not lush. It is made for see thoroughness and grip that comes only when the electronics match perfectly. So if you want lushness add it downstream.

And the PX25 is not in the same direction as 242, they are just different.

 

[bonzo75]

I had been running Kron RK 300B's in my Pacific, because my system needs a little warming (TAD's). I purchased the standard Kron 242's and the RK PX25's. They are both on the leaner side of the spectrum, IME. I doubt they will ring the "lush 'tubey' midrange" bell for you. That said, they excel in dynamic jump, both macro and micro/inner-detail, which to me brings more of the "live" sound quality to my reproduction. All depends on the sauce you like, but "lush" isn't what these two deliver. I'm trying to figure out how to add just a smidge of that "lush" to accompany the magic of the 242's (rectifier change? cabling?).

I would love to try out the WE 300B's, but I'm waiting for more aggregate experience on the new supply.

In this case I would keep the electronics and change the speakers. You will retain all the dynamics, and macro and micro detail with lush tone of your choice. If the electronics are working I will also recommend a speaker that comes with its own subs, because the 242 does wonderful things in the bass area that you are missing out on. B&W 802 D3 with the PV1D subs, or Wilson benesch's top model with their massive subs can work in this regard. And yes, auditioning those speakers in different conditions with no 242 and electronics that work, or with some other Lampi valve, is not the same.

 

[Sablon Audio]

I had been running Kron RK 300B's in my Pacific, because my system needs a little warming (TAD's). I purchased the standard Kron 242's and the RK PX25's. They are both on the leaner side of the spectrum, IME. I doubt they will ring the "lush 'tubey' midrange" bell for you. That said, they excel in dynamic jump, both macro and micro/inner-detail, which to me brings more of the "live" sound quality to my reproduction. All depends on the sauce you like, but "lush" isn't what these two deliver. I'm trying to figure out how to add just a smidge of that "lush" to accompany the magic of the 242's (rectifier change? cabling?).

I would love to try out the WE 300B's, but I'm waiting for more aggregate experience on the new supply.

Have you tried the tak 274 rectifier?

 

[Trab]

I had been running Kron RK 300B's in my Pacific, because my system needs a little warming (TAD's). I purchased the standard Kron 242's and the RK PX25's. They are both on the leaner side of the spectrum, IME. I doubt they will ring the "lush 'tubey' midrange" bell for you. That said, they excel in dynamic jump, both macro and micro/inner-detail, which to me brings more of the "live" sound quality to my reproduction. All depends on the sauce you like, but "lush" isn't what these two deliver. I'm trying to figure out how to add just a smidge of that "lush" to accompany the magic of the 242's (rectifier change? cabling?).

I would love to try out the WE 300B's, but I'm waiting for more aggregate experience on the new supply.

Hello.
If all you need is a bit of tubey midrange magic and you use current production recti, old recti might be just, what you're looking for.

 

[Willgolf]

Please report about your findings comparing the new issue WE300B vs. the RK PX25 and the RK 242.
Which one do you prefer at the moment? The PX25 or the 242?

Definitely the PX 25's. But I really should give the 242's another chance.

 

[christoph]

Kron RK Anniversary 5U4G

You might try the Takatsuki 274B for a little added beauty

 

[christoph]

Definitely the PX 25's. But I really should give the 242's another chance.

Yes, give the RK 242 some more hours and then compare again

 

[Golum]

View attachment 83041
VT-25 also used thoriated tungsten filaments. But at 7V 1.2A, not 7.5V 1.25A of the VT-62.

So I'll definitely get a pair.

You can't beat a thoriated tube a night. Stunning in the flesh I think.

Empire strikes back

 

[DasguteOhr]

very good tubes, I would build a great preamp from it

OTOMON Laboratory(音門ラボ)

audio vintage, tube amplifier, tonearm, turntable

soundgate.net

 

[Golum]

very good tubes, I would build a great preamp from it

OTOMON Laboratory(音門ラボ)

audio vintage, tube amplifier, tonearm, turntable

soundgate.net

Those actually go into preamp

 

[bonzo75]

I

very good tubes, I would build a great preamp from it

OTOMON Laboratory(音門ラボ)

audio vintage, tube amplifier, tonearm, turntable

soundgate.net

I already have one from Tatic (Serbian designer). 801a 4 watts

 

[DasguteOhr]

Those actually go into preamp View attachment 83257 View attachment 83258

it's nice to see that these tubes get a nice home and don't disappear into a collection

 

[heihei]

I've been running a pair of WE 300 new-issue for a few months now and really like them. They are quite different to 242, but def a case of different rather than better / worse. I also have some RK 25's - they don't get used much.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I


I already have one from Tatic (Serbian designer). 801a 4 watts

I also had a nice 4 watt replica with 2A3, sold it to a good friend who is very happy with it

P.S you can buy him here

Ausgangsübertrager / Transformatoren / Röhren-Verstaerker-Upgrade / Steuerung / Automation

Audio Interstage & Output Transformers, Exklusive Tubes Audio Amplifiers, Steuerung, Automation, Labortechnik

www.tubesoundelectronics.de

 

[Zero000]

Empire strikes back
View attachment 83253

Nice.

I am not a jealous person by nature. You can own a $50 million house in Hollywood and I will probably like it. With 4 super cars in zee garage.

But that link to Vinyl Saviour's VT-62 collection I posted a while back?

That I am jealous of.

 

[dminches]

Are these VT-62s being used in the Pacific or other equipment? I haven’t been keeping up!

They look like 7.5 volt tubes so I guess not the Pacific.