Tube rolling with my Zanden 3000 preamp
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First of all, I do not have a technical background and my native language is Dutch, so please excuse me for any errors. But, after having read all remarks and experiences with tube rolling, particularly with the 5687 tube this is what I recently experienced: my Zanden 3000 sounded fabulously with the Philips 5687 JAN tube, made in the USA, but several months ago I was left with only one channel. Before I changed the tube I was warned by a Zanden enthusiast: do not place any 5687 tube that has not been measured on minimal difference between both channels (matching should be within 2%). Ignoring this most probably leads to disappointment. I guess that 2 out of 10 Philips 5687 tubes do not fall within this 2% tolerance . I tried two Philips JAN 5687 tubes (European production) and indeed: the sound is not as it used to be with the old tube. Still good, but less airy and by far not as what you may expect from a Zanden. I am now considering to give the Tung Sol 5687 a try, provided such a tube meets the 2% measurements... I have been told that the older (and more expensive) the NOS Tung Sols are the better they sound. Has anyone experience on this subject?
Thank you! I might give it a try. Is it available at sane prices and where? I just placed a JJ Electronics EZ81 in the PSU of my Zanden 3000 Mk 1, replacing a Tesla EZ81. Although they come from the same factory I guess there is a difference between the two. First impression: bass is strong and controlled. Anybody any experience with the JJ EZ 81 rectifier tube? Could the performance of the tube still improve after a burn in period of let us say 100 hours?
That is super interesting...I had not heard of RFT and just looked it up - Telefunken, Siemens factories...I have been using Mullard from the 1950s/60s for 12 years and really enjoy them a lot...powerful propulsive bass and just a super-resolved, confident presentation of signal.
This was in comparison with stock where the signal just came across as 'weaker'...overall but particularly in bass which was definitively light in comparison. That said, the 'voice' of Zanden remains always...just now more resolved, more resolute across the spectrum.
However, being so happy, never bothered to look elsewhere...will give this one some consideration!
Marcus - what is the comparison for you between the Mullards in the Zanden 3000 powersupply vs the RFTs?
Hard to say since I replaced the 5687 tube too. FWIW, I was trying Karan Master Collection Line A preamp a while ago and it was sooo much better than the Zanden in most (to me) important aspects that I was seriously thinking about selling my 3000Mk2. Replacing (3 y.o.) tubes changed my position…
Great stuff...I am comparing your 3000Mk2 to our Zanden DAC...where the PSUs both use 6CA4 (obviously the main component of your pre and our DAC use very different tubes.)
We use 1950/60s NOS Mullard 6CA4s to great effect in the PSU. What tubes are you using in the 3000Mk2 PSU?
Got it...thanks! Are they just 'all around' better than the Mullards you tried...or are there specific areas where they are clearly better?
Thanks for the picture! Suppose these are the Tung Sols NOS. Any idea from which production year ? Fifties? Balanced means measured and approved showing a tolerance of less than 2% between L and R channel?
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!
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!
What a great post, Marty! I have filed that one away for safe keeping! We have definitely upgraded the Rectifier tubes to 1950s Mullards...but on next round, may give the GEs a try. As for the signal tube, we've used Amperex 7308s primarily for 10 years. Will aim to try the Telefunkens or Mullards. The JAN Philips we found to be very very good but not as resolute as the Amperex...and also very microphonic.
Is there a version of the power supply for the 3000 Mk.II, where 2 EZ80/6V4 are mounted instead of the normal and known EZ81/6CA4?
I have now this preamp, but I think I change them to the 6CA4…
I have now this preamp, but I think I change them to the 6CA4…
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In this thread a photo with two 6c4 tubes
Post in thread 'Zanden Audio: 3000 Mk2 Preamp Review' https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/zanden-audio-3000-mk2-preamp-review.27113/post-548180
someone probably didn't get an ez 81, and plugged in the ez 80 also works, low power consumption
Be careful 6CA6 Tubes never seen this,not list in a book.
Do have a photo of this tubes?
Post in thread 'Zanden Audio: 3000 Mk2 Preamp Review' https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/zanden-audio-3000-mk2-preamp-review.27113/post-548180
someone probably didn't get an ez 81, and plugged in the ez 80 also works, low power consumption
Be careful 6CA6 Tubes never seen this,not list in a book.
Do have a photo of this tubes?
Last edited:
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