scuzzii Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 To the SNA Tube gurus, a quick question regarding ECC83 and ECC82 tubes. What ones do you go for..? Destination of these will be a Luxman EQ500 http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=6 The EQ500 comes with JJ Electronica as stock tubes, but I would like to understand if there are better options to put into the unit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lochawe Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) On 11/10/2020 at 10:52 AM, scuzzii said: To the SNA Tube gurus, a quick question regarding ECC83 and ECC82 tubes. What ones do you go for..? Destination of these will be a Luxman EQ500 http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=6 The EQ500 comes with JJ Electronica as stock tubes, but I would like to understand if there are better options to put into the unit There are many dozens of excellent NOS (New Old Stock) options from late 1940s –mid 1960s that I am confident will outperform all current production tubes especially 12AU7 – it just comes down to your budget. Edited October 12, 2020 by Aperalim typo 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 I went with Psvane myself. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooogh Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 @elcamry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
givita_burl Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 I've found this to be a good source of information: https://www.audiotubes.com/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlr8or Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) @MoveD has the exact same unit and started his rolling journey a few months ago. He might be able to chime in and share his tube rolling experiences. Be careful of height clearance in the EQ500 when considering tube substitutes of increased height and tube adapters converting the tube from one type to another - they won't fit. Try getting yourself a GEC U709 for the EZ81/6CA4 rectifier and for low noise options Rochester Brimar or Mitcham Mullard vintage box plates for the 2 x 12AX7 and 1 x 12AU7 positions. You could also try the Raytheon 5751 windmill getters for the 12AX7 positions. Edited October 11, 2020 by xlr8or 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownMagic Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 12AX7 Amperex Holland OEM labels, 1960s vintage, $180.00 per matched pair Or top end Brimar UK military CV4035 “flying lead” 9 pin modified 12AX7 $300.00 per pair 12AU7 Mullard UK made OEM label $70.00 USD. Above was the advice I got from Brent Jesse of audio tubes when I had asked him a similar question. Insured Shipping to Australia will be 40 Usd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzii Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share Posted October 11, 2020 Thank you everyone, greatly appreciate the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Quiet...Listen Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Hard to give a definitive answer here without really knowing your taste and system sonics. I was bitten by the tube rolling bug a little while back which now sees me with 40+ different pairs of 12AX7’s, about 12 12AU7’s and 8 quads of 12AT7’s. A very worthwhile and fun exercise! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lochawe Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 8 minutes ago, Be Quiet...Listen said: I was bitten by the tube rolling bug a little while back which now sees me with 40+ different pairs of 12AX7’s, about 12 12AU7’s and 8 quads of 12AT7’s. Hahah yes quite a bug that....yes me too but I ended up with over 600 NOS 12AU7s!?!?! Time to say farewell to most of them now though... 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Quiet...Listen Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Just now, Aperalim said: Hahah yes quite a bug that....yes me too but I ended up with over 600 NOS 12AU7s!?!?! Time to say farewell to most of them now though... Yes. Very easy to get carried away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lochawe Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Be Quiet...Listen said: Yes. Very easy to get carried away! Carried away, washed down the river and plunge over the waterfall : ) But no better way to learn what is the best 12AU7 in my equipment than try to listen to almost every type of 12AU7 ever made I suppose... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Quiet...Listen Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Just now, Aperalim said: Carried away, washed down the river and plunge over the waterfall : ) But no better way to learn what is the best 12AU7 in my equipment than try to listen to almost every type of 12AU7 ever made I suppose... That’s the end destination I suppose So, what were the stand outs in your system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graywulf Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 8 minutes ago, Aperalim said: Hahah yes quite a bug that....yes me too but I ended up with over 600 NOS 12AU7s!?!?! Time to say farewell to most of them now though... You do know that with obsessions, 'letting go of them' is cathartic? I am willing to be the bearer of your 'cross' for no charge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Just putting in my 2 cents worth; JJ tubes are extremely good value for money. Don’t let their modest price fool you. It’s not just my opinion but other professional amp manufactures in the industry. ”83s” will have more gain with a brightness on top and “82s” more drive and smoother more relaxed sound. you have to try them in your system to see which is best. also try a 12AT7 for something outside of the two. I have two low power tube amps where these sound the best. I did try others. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lochawe Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 8 minutes ago, Be Quiet...Listen said: So, what were the stand outs in your system? Ahah so many wonderful 12AU7 tubes but some so ridiculously rare only a few ever found in years hunting and unfortunately (or fortunately perhaps) some of them proved the best performers like these 5 rarities: Thomson-CSF black plate, folded foil getter, 6189-12AU7WA (Saint Egreve factory) c1966 France. NEC black welded plate, vegetable peeler getter, 12AU7 (Tokyo factory) 1950 Japan. La RadioTechnique grey plate, mesh getter, RT 12AU7S (Suresne factory) 1956 France. Siemens welded plate, large D-getter, ECC82 (Copenhagen factory) 1953 Denmark. Tungsram welded plate, folded foil getter, ECC82 (Radium, Tilburg factory ) 1952 Netherlands. Cheers 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendes Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 18 minutes ago, Aperalim said: NEC black welded plate, vegetable peeler getter, 12AU7 (Tokyo factory) 1950 Japan. Yep, + 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzii Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share Posted October 11, 2020 10 hours ago, Be Quiet...Listen said: Hard to give a definitive answer here without really knowing your taste and system sonics. I was bitten by the tube rolling bug a little while back which now sees me with 40+ different pairs of 12AX7’s, about 12 12AU7’s and 8 quads of 12AT7’s. A very worthwhile and fun exercise! hi, what i want to avoid is anything that will make the system bright. So anything that introduces glare or harshness i don't want in the system. I suppose i assumed the stock tubes would have an element of glare, maybe that's not correct. Just been my experience with other tube based component with the stock tubes coming from China. So something that opens up the soundstage, brings lots of headroom, a nice balance of details and smoothness (not too woolly / bloomy). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Quiet...Listen Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 10 hours ago, scuzzii said: hi, what i want to avoid is anything that will make the system bright. So anything that introduces glare or harshness i don't want in the system. I suppose i assumed the stock tubes would have an element of glare, maybe that's not correct. Just been my experience with other tube based component with the stock tubes coming from China. So something that opens up the soundstage, brings lots of headroom, a nice balance of details and smoothness (not too woolly / bloomy). Will PM you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzii Posted October 12, 2020 Author Share Posted October 12, 2020 Just now, Be Quiet...Listen said: Will PM you. thanks mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red MacKay Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 For 12AX7s, Mullard box plates win every time. Really hard to find now though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlr8or Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 @Red MacKay you're absolutely spot on with this recommendation. Now here you go you tubeaholics there are 6 Mitcham 1960's box plates still available in the UK with cosmetic painted gold pins. Rip in like vultures and clear the lot: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/312569607953 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzii Posted October 13, 2020 Author Share Posted October 13, 2020 (edited) thanks everyone. I have secured some NEC ECC82s (as per list above). For ECC83, the main ones that come up are Telefunken Mullard Brimar Sound signature wise, the Mullards are probably the warmest of the three, with the TF being more neutral of the three..? Edited October 13, 2020 by scuzzii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gryffles Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 39 minutes ago, scuzzii said: thanks everyone. I have secured some NEC ECC82s (as per list above). For ECC83, the main ones that come up are Telefunken Mullard Brimar Sound signature wise, the Mullards are probably the warmest of the three, with the TF being more neutral of the three..? Another one to consider is Tesla E83CC. not the JJ production but the old original Tesla 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzii Posted October 13, 2020 Author Share Posted October 13, 2020 Cheers Ben, and thanks for the deal on the NEC ECC82's @Gryffles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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