Tubes, different makers, different types...but what are your preferences?
- Thread starter DaveyF
- Start date
I have never seen pin protectors. Is that an aftermarket item you put on the bottom of each tube?
This is the bombproof case for tubes.
Maybe you can even drop it from 10 storeys and the tubes will still be safe. https://www.tubedepot.com/products/the-tubecube-tube-protection-system
Some of my tubes came with the pin protectors. They can still be found on ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MULLARD-9-pin-GENERIC-7-pin-VACUUM-TUBE-PIN-PROTECTOR-PAIR-/152799601020
And I was fortunate that my tube sources gave me these, called 'tube sleeves' by the old hands, now quite a novelty for tube collectors.
I never owned National tubes though.
I never owned National tubes though.
Yes, Ron, and I like this part best:
"This case is NATO codified and tested to IP-67 (Ingress Protection). You break it, we replace it... forever."
Yes, Ron, and I like this part best:
"This case is NATO codified and tested to IP-67 (Ingress Protection). You break it, we replace it... forever."
Quote
Maybe you can even drop it from 10 storeys and the tubes will still be safe.
U could try it , put in some old tubes and drop it lol, they will replace the case anyway
Afficionados of military overkill will love Bendix 6900 and 6C33 valves. Developed for ICBM guidance systems and MIG 25 fighters, respectively.
Has that to do with not being affected by nucleair radiation , in case of the icbm guidance system tubes?
Iirc it was about ability to withstand huge g forces in ICBM but interestingly the MIG 25 used valves to protect against electro magnetic pulse of a nuclear explosion.
I toyed with that idea, lol. Then I decided to sell my Pelican case in case I actually decided to do it. LOL That case even has a small hole wherein you can put a small padlock, in case somebody picks it up while you are still on the 10th floor.
Here is that amp, in fact. You can just see 3 Tesla KT88s (one had expired and been thrown away - but three blew in total all within warranty - it was a well known issue that they failed). I used the amp for years with no issues apart from the Teslas.
There are some JJ KT88s you can see as well. Not good sounding. The amp is loaded with NOS Tung Sol 6550s in the picture. The other valves I also sold with the amp. Other KT88s and small signal valves were sold separately.
A couple of weeks ago I heard a new ATM2. Loaded with KT88's. Was producing a very good sound matched up with baby Serblin's. I have not heard the ATM2 with GE 6550's, but what you describe would indicate that the GE's you had were in some way faulty ( or the amp, as I stated before). Because of their vintage, I have heard a lot of GE 6550's that are way past their prime. While the GE 6550's were a superb tube and very durable, they have a life like all components. When the GE's begin to fail, they certainly can sound as you describe. (Luckily, IME, they don't go volcanic on you) How old were your GE's when you heard the issues?
Empirical Audio
Industry Expert
Install an inrush limiter from mouser.com or digikey.com in the filament voltage feed. This will bring up the filament slowly and save the tube. It looks like a small disk capacitor. Starts off high resistance and heats up and resistance drops to fractions of an ohm.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
NOS. Flashing was excellent looked brand new.
Please accept they just didn't work in the Air Tight. Its long gone now and irrelevant.
It is maybe deeper than that, though. I have tried a lot of GE valves - quad of 211s, a quad of 6550s and quite a few small signal valves. I never like them no matter how hard I try because they have never proved the best option. Though the GE 211 really isn't too bad, it simply doesn't come close to Amperex 211s.
Ok, good to know.
I agree that in some cases the GE variants are definitely not the way to go. OTOH and IME, in other cases they certainly are. My example of the GE NOS 12AX7 long plates from '63 are a case in point; a superb tube that is at the top of the 12AX7 chain, IMHO.
BTW, I have a friend who swears by the very expensive Takatsuki TA 300B tubes, yet another who feels they are grossly overpriced and extremely microphonic. ( due he says to the large plate and glass area of this particular style of tube). Presumably both of my friends would like the WE 300B's, although perhaps the one who dislikes the Takatsuki's wouldn't??
Here are some really rare Telefunken 802s, below the letter ECC are marks of what looks like a falcon, said to be selected for the German military.
And the falcon mark just below and to the left of the word 'Made'.
Was able to source them 14 years ago, and immediately was picked up by an ardent tube collector.
And the falcon mark just below and to the left of the word 'Made'.
Was able to source them 14 years ago, and immediately was picked up by an ardent tube collector.
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When I had an ARC SP 14 preamp, I used its phono stage into my Jadis JPL line stage, and the SP 14 used only 1 6DJ8 and I had a heyday rolling tubes into it as it was a very economical endeavor. I have tried the JAN Sylvannia 6922, Telefunken E88CC, Mullard 2492 (6922), Mullard 2493 (7308), Telefunken E188CC (7308), and Telefunken CCa (GABL German Post Office). All are excellent tubes with their strong attributes in the audio frequencies and in soundstaging properties, but I ended up liking the Mullard 2492 the most. It has a smooth and lush mid, with extended highs and tight bass, speed, and a certain tingling musicality that is very addicting. Here are some of my tube pic archives.
And special mention to a much respected tube in the local tube circle, the Amperex USN-CEP 7308 military tube. Very lush sounding, almost hypnotizing mids.
I have tried the JAN Sylvannia 6922, Telefunken E88CC, Mullard 2492 (6922), Mullard 2493 (7308), Telefunken E188CC (7308), and Telefunken CCa (GABL German Post Office). All are excellent tubes with their strong attributes in the audio frequencies and in soundstaging properties, but I ended up liking the Mullard 2492 the most. It has a smooth and lush mid, with extended highs and tight bass, speed, and a certain tingling musicality that is very addicting. Here are some of my tube pic archives. And special mention to a much respected tube in the local tube circle, the Amperex USN-CEP 7308 military tube. Very lush sounding, almost hypnotizing mids.
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