Very interesting...on the Zanden DAC, I agree the JAN Phillips 6922 is exceptional for the money...$19/tube...but microphonic and not the best in any area. We have used Amperex 7308s for 10 years but know owners who use Siemens and Telefunken.Fyi, regarding my Zanden 1200 Mk3 phono, here is what Yamada-san told me about 2 1/2 years ago in response to my query:
Dear Martin-san,
I try to answer your questions.
1) The tubes runs only when you turn on the switch on the front panel. The life of power supply tubes is long.
You don’t need to change until the sound quality goes down or you can find some distortion from your speakers.
2) NOS EZ81 in EU, Sylvania and GE 6CA4 in USA.
3) I can send them to you, but you don’t have to purchase our regular rectifier tube EH 6CA4.
Because you can buy them easily in your country.
4) I think the best is TELEFUNKEN CCa, MULLARD 7308 SQ and next is SIEMENS E88CC gold pin, SYLVANIA 7308 etc.
I am using PHILIPS 6922 for model1200 mk3. Because I can get them easily and the cost and sound quality is acceptable.
Best regards,
Kazutoshi Yamada
Technical section
Zanden Audio Systems Ltd.
address: 1558-1 Amakadaki-cho
Kishiwada-city, Osaka Japan
596-0845
Since I am in love with the 1200 Mk3, I will not deviate from the tubes that Yamada-san used to voice his phono stage. The recti is a NOS Mullard EZ81. I have 2 back-ups for that Mullard and 2 for the GE 6CA4 a NOS set of 3 Siemens E88CC, and NOS set of 3 Dario Miniwatt/Philips 6922. That should take me well past the year 2050, maybe even to 2070!
Tube rolling with my Zanden 3000 preamp
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Hello to all,
any suggestions what to combine in the power supply of the Zanden 1200mk3?
I would be keen to follow the advice for 2x RFT EZ81 (or alternatively, the Mullards, as per others in the chat) – but what would be the best match here for the 6922 which complements the two rectifier tubes in the power supply?
As to the audio unit, I am going with Telefunken E88CC.
Hi...big fan and owner of Zanden and have utilized the stock tubes with the Zanden...and then played around with RCA in rectifier, Telefunken, Amperex in the signal tube (7308 which is distinct variant of the 6922). Ultimately, I went with Mullards in the power supply (6X4 and 6CA4) and then interestingly after years of US PQ White Label Amperexes from Brent Jessee...I spoke with Brent and he reminded me that years prior he had recommended the Mullard 7308...I have never looked back...everything the Amperex is in the mids and upper but far more robust, resolute and resolved otherwise.
I liked the Telefunken for its white crispness...but ultimately I did not get along with it long-term. Just one man's experience and opinion.
You were using this in the Zanden digital gear (Cd transport and DAC)? I suppose the demands are slightly different there to the phono preamplifier or the line preamplifier. What I currently hear is a slight lack of bass articulation, which I hope the new 6CA4 or EZ81 tubes might correct. But given that besides the two 6CA4, there is also a 6922 tube in the power supply of the 1200mk3 phono, I am wondering what would be the suggestion there. I suppose something other to the type of tubes in the signal chain?
Bass power and articulation went up MASSIVELY with the new PSU tubes...that was by far the biggest and best improvement. If you are looking for that, go with the Mullards.
Re. 6922 in the 1200 Mk3, just don’t use stock Jan Philips Zanden is supplying with it. These tubes in general (also in the main unit) are responsible for the slight “lightness” in the lower registers. Also they can become microphonic with time. Lloyd likes Mullard and agree completely with him on their positive influence on the bass.
120% agree i use them in all devices.
Attention only use the tubes label (1)extremely high quality were only intended for export from the GDR.
I also agree with Marcus on the Jan Philips. The sound is very similar in character to the Amperex, just not as high quality all around. And particularly, the JAN Philips is a lighter feel.
Hello to all,
I got a hold of some NOS Mullard Blackburn and RFT label 1 EZ81s, alongside Telefunken and Siemens E88CCs and other tubes.
The first results: I installed the rectifier Mullards and a Siemens E88CC in the PSU of the 1200.3 and I really like what this did to the sound – much more bass control and articulation, but also overall a very coherent presentation throughout the spectrum, with very fine dynamics and a large and deep stage. The main unit has the Telefunken E88CCs inside. This combination seems a keeper.
That said, I am slightly at loss with the 3000.1: for neither the Mullard nor the RFT EZ81 provide so far a picture that I would be entirely happy with.
The Mullard rectifier in the PSU adds bass control, an overall smoothness and an organic coherence, but the picture becomes quite withdrawn and looses the dynamic punch and presence. This somehow works with the analog section of my components, but not really in the digital chain.
With the RFT rectifier there is also quite a bit of bass control but at the same time much more presence and openness to the higher register in comparison to the Mullard, although the upper mids loose a bit of body and thin out, even if the picture is very smooth and broad.
In the end, the original Electroharmonix EZ81 appears as the most balanced of the three frequency-wise, even if it is not the subtlest and smoothest of the bunch.
I have not changed the 5687 inside yet – but have obtained both an NOS Tung-Sol and a JAN WA to play with.
Let us see further -- in the end, I expect the sound to change further as these old tubes break in and are put to work continuously for a more extended period of time.
I got a hold of some NOS Mullard Blackburn and RFT label 1 EZ81s, alongside Telefunken and Siemens E88CCs and other tubes.
The first results: I installed the rectifier Mullards and a Siemens E88CC in the PSU of the 1200.3 and I really like what this did to the sound – much more bass control and articulation, but also overall a very coherent presentation throughout the spectrum, with very fine dynamics and a large and deep stage. The main unit has the Telefunken E88CCs inside. This combination seems a keeper.
That said, I am slightly at loss with the 3000.1: for neither the Mullard nor the RFT EZ81 provide so far a picture that I would be entirely happy with.
The Mullard rectifier in the PSU adds bass control, an overall smoothness and an organic coherence, but the picture becomes quite withdrawn and looses the dynamic punch and presence. This somehow works with the analog section of my components, but not really in the digital chain.
With the RFT rectifier there is also quite a bit of bass control but at the same time much more presence and openness to the higher register in comparison to the Mullard, although the upper mids loose a bit of body and thin out, even if the picture is very smooth and broad.
In the end, the original Electroharmonix EZ81 appears as the most balanced of the three frequency-wise, even if it is not the subtlest and smoothest of the bunch.
I have not changed the 5687 inside yet – but have obtained both an NOS Tung-Sol and a JAN WA to play with.
Let us see further -- in the end, I expect the sound to change further as these old tubes break in and are put to work continuously for a more extended period of time.
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