arcorob
Addicted Member
I was asked to post this. I have to say, I am amazed what some of these tubes CAN and CAN'T DO...The two GE labeled are simply amazing...
NOTE - this applies to my system. Of course every systems will be a bit different (links in the chain) but definitively , yes a clean tube sound...
The Stock tube - 6922EH - New tube by Electro Harmonix - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)
For a stock, new design tube, I have to say it has its merits. it has strong gain, very wide soundstage, brings the mid's into focus where they should be. The vocalist is present where they should be and clearly distinct in a 3D sort of way. The bottom is nice, not boomy but the top end, while detailed can be a bit fatiguing. I can say it is like an Audio Technica microline cart that hasn't broken in yet. Vaguely bordering on sibilant in that high upper range - not quite getting there but you almost expect it. For a stock new issue tube, not bad.
Russian Voskhod 6N23P - 1986 vintage - Made for medical use (red tip) - 1 star
Unlike some very good SOVTEK, SVETLANA and others that are sturdy and have a decent sound quality, these were as dull and lifeless as they come. The soundstage was narrow and flat (no depth). I really have nothing positive to say except I am glad I only paid $9.00 for a pair. I'll sell them for $7.00 - any takers ? LOL
Vintage Amperex Tube 6GM8 / ECC86 - With Orange Globe and made in Herleen Holland - 1968 - 4 stars (or maybe 3.8 stars
This is one of the holy grail tubes, hard to find with the globe in this setup. More often it has a bugle boy on it (not BUGLE BOY tubes..long story). They can be expensive and I snagged this for $14.99 It is a fine sounding tube, very holographic with nice highs and mids. It takes the edginess off that was present in the 6922EH but without being rolled off. Bass is very deep...perhaps too deep. I could feel it which was nice but found myself wondering if it was a bit boomy. Certainly would not be describe as tight crisp bass. Sort of made me think my bottom end was replaced with some Cerwin Vega D9's. From what I have heard so far..I would almost (and did) give it 4 stars but more listening with other types move it down to 3. So much for one of the better recommended. This is where system variations truly dictate what is good for whom
6GM8 ECC86 Tube (GE Label marking) made in HOLLAND - Vintage 1963 - 4.5 Stars **** TOP RATING
This one made my eyes pop. It is not one that was advertised as remarkable, in fact, I don't see a lot of listing for it (Brent J doesn't) but I guess for me it is a best kept secret. From top to bottom, everything was detailed, in the right place with a wide holographic sound stage. The bass is where the Amperex SHOULD have been but was not, the vocals a pure joy as you could hear the vocalist at the mic. Vey nice, clear separation of instruments, nothing munged together. So far, my best tube. One note, it says MADE IN HOLLAND on it (factory lettering) but the CODES say it was made in Hamburg Germany. WWII was over in 1963, right ? LOL
Mullard 6GM8/ECC86 Coded- ~~D4A2 - 2 Stars
I was excited to get my first Mullard in this series as I have come to expect good things. Now I have received TWO of these, same date code, same lot and never seen a socket. They are not broken in but I can always tell where a tube starts and where it might be headed. Unfortunately for me, it was a bit bass heavy and nowhere near as detailed as the GE tube or even the stock tube.Mids and staging was flat. I was looking so forward to liking this. Well, expect nothing and you wont be disappointed. These cost me the most so far and I don't enjoy them at all.
Sylvania . 6DJ8 ECC88 Halo Getter Yellow Lettering USA FB EFB - 4 Stars
Now this is more like it. Very nice tube. Beautiful soundstage, deep base but not boomy. Nice mid's. For under $10 shipped, this tube is beautiful. So why 4 stars ? Comparatively, the GE at 4.25 STARs still bests this one slightly with a bit more detail and a bit more forward in the mids, Still a beautiful tube and if I never heard the GE, this would be my #1. There is a smooth quality to it, velvety that I expected from the Mullard (but did not get). You would be crazy not to try one for a price in this range.
GE Labeled SIEMENS 6AQ8 ECC85 GERMANY - cant make out date code 4.25 Stars ****/
This bad boy is amazing, Soundstage impresses you immediately as does the detail. This and my other GE labeled tube will knock your socks off. So why does that one get 4.5 stars and this one 4.25 ? They are very close. The GE 6GM8 marked made in Holland is perfect. Would make anyone happy (depending on your caps? ..lol) So will this 6AQ8 which I think has a tad better soundstage (by a thumbnail) but also just a thumbnail less bass. Really I should rate them both 4.5 but I need more critical listening. I listened to about 12 different type songs and could find no wrong EXCEPT some heavy metal tune by Nickelback and that may be the mastering, I need to check. But all other cuts, gorgeous. Vocals will make your head spin and take notice.
Sovtek 6H30Pi EB Cryo Single Super Tube - Brand new production - 4 stars (for now)
Being a NOS tube person, I was skeptical that a new production tube could compete in this class yet; I was willing to try it for comparison sake. I had appreciated the sound of the stock 6922EH tube and felt at the worst, they would sound alike even though they are a different tube. In fact, many sites selling this tube tell you not to use it in place of the 6922 as the audio device you use may not be suited for it. Fortunately, I already had prior advice that it was a good match for the AUNE.
When deciding to purchase, I was torn between the 6H30Pi from Sovtek and one from Electro Harmonix. As it turns out, both are identical and made in the very same factory. For some reason, the EH was listed as being a bit "warmer" which sounds silly considering they are supposedly the same. I chose the Sovtek because I was seeking detail as my system is warm enough.
I fired the tube up in my Aune and was immediately impressed by the detail I was seeking. Unlike the EH 6922 tube, the Sovtek presented it's highs beautifully without a hint of "edge" or "fatiguing upper range". The mid's and vocals were nicely forward and separation, soundstage and depth were excellent.
Listening to the drums and the bass, I could hear the snares, high hats and kick drum very well. If I had to say anything negative, I could not call the low bass as crisp but I also could not say I did not like it. It was not dull and boomy but more like it had a strong presence. To me this is rare and if your system needed a kick in the bass (without being mired in mud) this might be the tube for you.
I also want to mention it is a beautiful looking tube. Its a taller than the 6922 and looking at the plates, pins and getter, there was nothing crude about it. It looked like a precision made unit.
Also, I gave it 4 stars (for me) because the extra bottom while not muddy, was more than I needed and in comparison to ones over 4 stars, I had to give them an edge, but it may change as the tube breaks in.
NOTE - this applies to my system. Of course every systems will be a bit different (links in the chain) but definitively , yes a clean tube sound...
The Stock tube - 6922EH - New tube by Electro Harmonix - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)
For a stock, new design tube, I have to say it has its merits. it has strong gain, very wide soundstage, brings the mid's into focus where they should be. The vocalist is present where they should be and clearly distinct in a 3D sort of way. The bottom is nice, not boomy but the top end, while detailed can be a bit fatiguing. I can say it is like an Audio Technica microline cart that hasn't broken in yet. Vaguely bordering on sibilant in that high upper range - not quite getting there but you almost expect it. For a stock new issue tube, not bad.
Russian Voskhod 6N23P - 1986 vintage - Made for medical use (red tip) - 1 star
Unlike some very good SOVTEK, SVETLANA and others that are sturdy and have a decent sound quality, these were as dull and lifeless as they come. The soundstage was narrow and flat (no depth). I really have nothing positive to say except I am glad I only paid $9.00 for a pair. I'll sell them for $7.00 - any takers ? LOL
Vintage Amperex Tube 6GM8 / ECC86 - With Orange Globe and made in Herleen Holland - 1968 - 4 stars (or maybe 3.8 stars
This is one of the holy grail tubes, hard to find with the globe in this setup. More often it has a bugle boy on it (not BUGLE BOY tubes..long story). They can be expensive and I snagged this for $14.99 It is a fine sounding tube, very holographic with nice highs and mids. It takes the edginess off that was present in the 6922EH but without being rolled off. Bass is very deep...perhaps too deep. I could feel it which was nice but found myself wondering if it was a bit boomy. Certainly would not be describe as tight crisp bass. Sort of made me think my bottom end was replaced with some Cerwin Vega D9's. From what I have heard so far..I would almost (and did) give it 4 stars but more listening with other types move it down to 3. So much for one of the better recommended. This is where system variations truly dictate what is good for whom
6GM8 ECC86 Tube (GE Label marking) made in HOLLAND - Vintage 1963 - 4.5 Stars **** TOP RATING
This one made my eyes pop. It is not one that was advertised as remarkable, in fact, I don't see a lot of listing for it (Brent J doesn't) but I guess for me it is a best kept secret. From top to bottom, everything was detailed, in the right place with a wide holographic sound stage. The bass is where the Amperex SHOULD have been but was not, the vocals a pure joy as you could hear the vocalist at the mic. Vey nice, clear separation of instruments, nothing munged together. So far, my best tube. One note, it says MADE IN HOLLAND on it (factory lettering) but the CODES say it was made in Hamburg Germany. WWII was over in 1963, right ? LOL
Mullard 6GM8/ECC86 Coded- ~~D4A2 - 2 Stars
I was excited to get my first Mullard in this series as I have come to expect good things. Now I have received TWO of these, same date code, same lot and never seen a socket. They are not broken in but I can always tell where a tube starts and where it might be headed. Unfortunately for me, it was a bit bass heavy and nowhere near as detailed as the GE tube or even the stock tube.Mids and staging was flat. I was looking so forward to liking this. Well, expect nothing and you wont be disappointed. These cost me the most so far and I don't enjoy them at all.
Sylvania . 6DJ8 ECC88 Halo Getter Yellow Lettering USA FB EFB - 4 Stars
Now this is more like it. Very nice tube. Beautiful soundstage, deep base but not boomy. Nice mid's. For under $10 shipped, this tube is beautiful. So why 4 stars ? Comparatively, the GE at 4.25 STARs still bests this one slightly with a bit more detail and a bit more forward in the mids, Still a beautiful tube and if I never heard the GE, this would be my #1. There is a smooth quality to it, velvety that I expected from the Mullard (but did not get). You would be crazy not to try one for a price in this range.
GE Labeled SIEMENS 6AQ8 ECC85 GERMANY - cant make out date code 4.25 Stars ****/
This bad boy is amazing, Soundstage impresses you immediately as does the detail. This and my other GE labeled tube will knock your socks off. So why does that one get 4.5 stars and this one 4.25 ? They are very close. The GE 6GM8 marked made in Holland is perfect. Would make anyone happy (depending on your caps? ..lol) So will this 6AQ8 which I think has a tad better soundstage (by a thumbnail) but also just a thumbnail less bass. Really I should rate them both 4.5 but I need more critical listening. I listened to about 12 different type songs and could find no wrong EXCEPT some heavy metal tune by Nickelback and that may be the mastering, I need to check. But all other cuts, gorgeous. Vocals will make your head spin and take notice.
Sovtek 6H30Pi EB Cryo Single Super Tube - Brand new production - 4 stars (for now)
Being a NOS tube person, I was skeptical that a new production tube could compete in this class yet; I was willing to try it for comparison sake. I had appreciated the sound of the stock 6922EH tube and felt at the worst, they would sound alike even though they are a different tube. In fact, many sites selling this tube tell you not to use it in place of the 6922 as the audio device you use may not be suited for it. Fortunately, I already had prior advice that it was a good match for the AUNE.
When deciding to purchase, I was torn between the 6H30Pi from Sovtek and one from Electro Harmonix. As it turns out, both are identical and made in the very same factory. For some reason, the EH was listed as being a bit "warmer" which sounds silly considering they are supposedly the same. I chose the Sovtek because I was seeking detail as my system is warm enough.
I fired the tube up in my Aune and was immediately impressed by the detail I was seeking. Unlike the EH 6922 tube, the Sovtek presented it's highs beautifully without a hint of "edge" or "fatiguing upper range". The mid's and vocals were nicely forward and separation, soundstage and depth were excellent.
Listening to the drums and the bass, I could hear the snares, high hats and kick drum very well. If I had to say anything negative, I could not call the low bass as crisp but I also could not say I did not like it. It was not dull and boomy but more like it had a strong presence. To me this is rare and if your system needed a kick in the bass (without being mired in mud) this might be the tube for you.
I also want to mention it is a beautiful looking tube. Its a taller than the 6922 and looking at the plates, pins and getter, there was nothing crude about it. It looked like a precision made unit.
Also, I gave it 4 stars (for me) because the extra bottom while not muddy, was more than I needed and in comparison to ones over 4 stars, I had to give them an edge, but it may change as the tube breaks in.
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