TubeDAC-11 Tube Rolling

[Wolfbane]

Originally Posted by Wolfbane

After 20 hours with the Telefunken ECC88 I've installed an Amperex ECC88 'pinched waist' gold pin tube. Initial impression of this combination is also very favorable!

Update to follow.

Wb

With more then 20 hours of listening to music through the DAC-11 and Amperex ECC88 'pinched waist' tube combination I've (almost) reluctantly moved on to a Mullard gold pin (relabled Phillips) E88CC-01 tube in it's place.

The pinched waist Amperex was a step up from the Telefunken it replaced. I found it to be more detailed and revealing then the Telefunken and a really great match for the DAC-11! Unfortunately I only have one of these tubes and I could certainly be satisfied to listen to this combination for a long time.

Wb

[keithpgdrb]

I'm finding your testing very helpful Wolfbane! keep it up!!

[iGrant]

I've been running a Mullard (RCA labelled) ECC88 for a few days now and it a very nice tube in the TubeDAC-11, mid-range is more refined and the big surprise came with Paul McCartney's Jets album (24/96), one of the songs the guitar had so much more tone to it than the stock 6N11 tube. I don't think this one is uber expensive, on loan from WolfBane.

I'm using the tube out into my Sennheizer 540s as a reference.

Cheers,
Ian

[Wolfbane]

More then 20 hours in with the DAC-11 and Mullard gold pin (relabled Phillips) E88CC-01 tube in it's place. This was developed and sold in Europe as a super-premium ECC88 tube. It is another sweet tube and also a good step up on both the original Chinese tube and the Tesla. It sounds as good as the Telefunken but it did not unseat the Pinched waist Amperex that it replaced.

I've had a matched pair of these tubes (the Mullards) in my SET monoblock amps and they also sound better to my ears then the Telefunken and Siemens tubes that I had tried previously.

I'm going to leave this tube in place for a couple more days before replacing it with something different in a US made 6922.

Wb

[mboldda1]

will the tubedac-11 take a 7dj8 (pcc88) tube?
is it best to get triode matched tubes when rolling?

[Wolfbane]

I've now got over 150 hours in with my DAC-11. More ECC88 and 6DJ8 tubes arrived here today so after I test all 6 new tubes on the tube tester I'll be rolling in some North American 6DJ8's (RCA, GE, Sylvania) and another flavour of a Holland made Amperex ECC88 as well as a Toshiba 6922 made in Japan on old Mullard equipment. Lastly I have an 1980's made Sovtek ECC88 to try.

Wb

[keithpgdrb]

wolf, you are an impressive tube roller indeed.

[dolphyisgod]

Originally Posted by keithpgdrb

wolf, you are an impressive tube roller indeed.

Totally. Can't wait to learn of the results.

[iGrant]

I've been doing some rolling as well, what I have found out so far is that the stock tube is no slouch, it is a NOS Military grade 6N11 from the Bejing Tube Factory (that was all bought up by TJ) from the late 70's early 80's. I have a nice NOS Holland made RCA 6DJ8 that sounds almost identical (worth about $25), a little more meat on the dynamics and Wolfbane lent me a unbranded Mullard ECC88 (I think made in Germany) that is worth about $50 and this one makes a big difference, much more lower mid bite and a much softer top end, I like this tube, kind of reminds me of the 09 stock but better.

If you are in Calgary, I have two TubeDAC-11's setup for quick tube A/B compares, you are more than welcome to bring in your tubes and do some experimenting, I might be busy, but will help get you started.

Also looking froward to Wolfbane's ongoing roll reports

Cheers,
Ian

[Wolfbane]

All six of my ECC88/6922/6DJ8 tubes have been tube tester tested with the first tube up being an RF internally shielded General Electric grey-glass 6DJ8 tube. I've got the first hour in with this tube and it is sounding pretty good so far. Sounds a little bit more laid back then any tube I've had in the DAC-11 so far. Tones down the original Chinese tube tendency for brightness in the DAC-11 nicely.

Wb

[iGrant]

Some more rolling results over here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=102429.0

So far the Mullard made RCA ECC88 (on loan from Wolfbane) is my favorite roll thru my Sennheizer HD540 headphones

Cheers,
Ian

[phheld]

Ian, Wolfbane:

Where might someone get this tube? Thx

[Wolfbane]

Originally Posted by phheld

Ian, Wolfbane:

Where might someone get this tube? Thx

Best deal on the 1960's Mullards is to purchase RCA Labled tubes that also have "Made in Great Britain" on the label and cross seams on the top of the tube. They are cheaper then Mullard labled 6DJ8's/ECC88's and are the same tube. Look at Barter Town here if you are an AK member or on Ebay.

I'm still running a GE 6DJ8 grey glass tube in my DAC-11 and this tube in this Dac, in my opinion, is a very nice fit with a full range and lots of detail. It is not as warm as a Mullard though. It is also available at pretty good prices when compared to the Mullards.

Wb

[Wolfbane]

Okay the Grey Glass GE 6DJ8 is now out after 20 plus hours of critical listening. Someone looking for a more balanced, less warm tube in this DAC the GE brings a full spectrum sound to the table at a reasonable price (can be found for less then $20 online).

I've replaced it with a Amperex ECC88, white label, Made in Holland in 1966. Impression with just a couple hours in so far: warm, detailed, relaxed and very Philips like.

Wb

[deville9]

Have just under 100hrs on an Amperex USA 6922 gold pin HP label. Night and day compared to the stock tube. Like removing a blanket covering the speakers. Excellent imaging, airy open top end and lots of detail. Found it to be a bit harsh/grainy with some female voices, but turning down the volume on the DAC clears that up. It doesn't seem to like the same volume level as the DAC output if setting it up in that manner. Will try a Mullard made in Holland next.

Neil