Chinook - Good to see you on here! Yeah I dig the 6n1p as well - I have quite a few. Shoot me a PM, would love to see what versions you have and see what you like best. I have some of the rare (well rare as in you never see them for sale on fleabay) 60's triple mica versions that I have been really enjoying as of late and of course it seems every version in between. They 60's triple resembles a 6n6p but it looks like someone put a photo of a 6n6p and shortened it down by around 1/2".
Yes, bingo those are the ones. Mine are slightly later years, mostly 68 and 69's. They are really not a triple mica but most call them that. They are actually mica - metal - metal - mica when looking close.
Jeremy has asked me to choose between 6N1P and RCA Clear Top 12AU7.
Can you explain to me the difference in sound characteristics and tonal differences between the two tubes on offer?
In terms of:
Mids Highs Lows Transparency and clearness Crispness Lushness Forward or neutral etc?
This is just my opinion, not a tube techie, go for the 6N1P. I have a 12AU7 as supplied with the amp, not an RCA though, to me, it's not as deep bass, or as clean sounding as the 6N1P. I also have a few 1960 era Mullards, from the Blackburn factory, try to get hold of ECC81, or ECC82's, you won't be disappointed. Also, I have a 1965 6N23P from Mike at the Rockgrotto forum, again a fine sounding tube.
Hope that's of some help, happy listenings.
Last Edit: Aug 19, 2013 13:47:29 GMT by solderdude
rabbit if you want to be amazed with tubes try these, they're cheap and good :
-6N2P-EV (ONLY 60s or 70s because they are triple mica and extremely well built, they're 6V heater but high gain like 12AX7, they sound great, better than 6N1P and 6N23P).
-6GU7 and 12BH7a they sound great too, some of them are difficult to plug on the ember socket so i've bought a socket saver (novib).
The thing is with this tube thing though is you can go on forever and get nowhere fast!!
If Jeremy wasn't so far away, I'd try one of his assorted bags!!
One thing I have no clue about but was told on Headfi, (therefore you have to be careful) is that 12v tubes sound better! I don't know why this is supposed to be, but I'm open to any tube really and don't tend to get hung up about them. I have quite a few 6*** series and to my ears, the old Russian ones sound pretty good. I have some 'eb' ones that are especially good in the bass. (At least to my ears)
I'm always curious about others, but it's finding a good source which is the biggest problem.
I have an assorted collection of 12 and 6v offerings and haven't really noticed a preference for one voltage over the other. There are great sounding tubes in both categories. And the russians are great.
Yes Razr1275. I've read your writings on HF. You're one of the guys I trust with regards to opinions. I think you put out some good advice on the Ember too. Too many kids on there nowadays along with people with high opinions of themselves so I read with caution.
In my humble opinion when it comes to tubes, I see some groups claiming 6V sounds better, and others 12V sounds better. From my own listening, just different ways to heat the water if you get my drift. I have no loyalty to either and sometimes one version is cheaper than the other of the same tube family.
I am interested in learning more about 6DJ8 and 6922 families.
I would like to know which brands in these families produce a bright or slightly bright sound. The remaining stuff doesn't matter. Just that I don't want warm at all. I prefer bright or slightly neutral to bright, but not warm.
I will test the stock tubes when they come. But I am also interested in knowing which brands in those families should I be interested in
Thank you
Aakshey
BEDROOM - Nobsound TDA1387 -> Ember -> Arya Organic OFFICE - EF400 -> Ember -> Sound ID -> LCD2 Closed | AVI LOUNGE XD05 Basic -> Clear OG PORTABLE AK HB1 -> Arya Organic, Cables by Headgear Audio
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techboy you should open another topic about that on this forum or on headfi, all things have been said about this tubes, you must read, and make your own opinion, no need to ask ever and ever the same questions about clarity, neutrality, crispy highs, etc.. You should open your own topic for that, trust me, no need to worry about the sound, it won't never be muddy, wait to receive your Ember, listen to it, and your worries will disappears
All of them will at least reach 50kHz flat, so they will sound equally 'bright', regardless of brand. Many of the 'tube sound descriptions' are based on subjective found differences and descriptions of 'sound' in COMPLETELY different designs where they OPERATE differently.
Something like the 12AX7 (ECC83) will be rolled off in the highs and sound less bright just like other tubes in that family of tubes. There are literally hundreds of tubes and an equal amount of 'sonic descriptions'.
In the Bravo Ocean it is NOT the tube that limits the highs (and thus does NOT sound neutral or bright) but the used MOSFET and design is the limiting factor. The specs given by Bravo are blatant LIES
Before you ask all the questions again .... Listen to the stock tube and if you feel the need for even more highs look elsewhere in the chain as another tube won't bring more highs.
IF you are serious about learning tube descriptions you will going to have to READ a lot on the numerous websites covering this subject. Asking this question (over and over) is NOT going to give you a clear cut result or a list of 'tubes that meet your descriptions' and you may get different options that others may or may NOT agree with.
Asking these questions is simply a WASTE of time.
Last Edit: Aug 27, 2013 15:20:51 GMT by solderdude
use your EARS to enjoy MUSIC .... NOT as an analyzer
There's nothing wrong with a 'clear top'. I hope you're aware that cleartop DOES NOT refer to the treble. They are just clear in the top of them physically unlike most tubes that have a coating at the top.
There is nothing wrong with that valve.
Once again - the sound of the Ember IS MORE THE RESULT OF ITS DESIGN. ie. Don't worry so much about the tube at this point.
Frans advice is spot on: Before you ask all the questions again .... Listen to the stock tube and if you feel the need for even more highs look elsewhere in the chain as another tube won't bring more highs.
IF you are serious about learning tube descriptions you will going to have to READ a lot on the numerous websites covering this subject. Asking this question (over and over) is NOT going to give you a clear cut result or a list of 'tubes that meet your descriptions' and you may get different options that others may or may NOT agree with.
Ya but the tube I will have as stock is rca clear top and not the regular stock tube. I chose rca clear top as stock. Though Jeremy gifted both tubes but the one already installed will be rca clear top
All tubes Jeremy provides are WELL SUITED for the task AND tested !
use your EARS to enjoy MUSIC .... NOT as an analyzer
Have forwarded it to Jeremy so he can include them in a future revisions.
If you find any that don't work well we would like to know this as well (noisy tubes e.t.c.)
At the moment i tried various NOS 12AU7/ECC82, 12AU7WA, ECC81, 12AX7/ECC83, 6GU7, 12BH7a, 6N1P-Eb, 6N1P-Vi, 6N23P, 6N27P, 6N2P-Eb, ECC88, 6BQ7A/6BZ7 none of these tubes were faulty or unusable due to excessive microphonics or too noisy...
But i don't use problematics tubes, for example my 12AX7 was a SIEMENS Halske, not really a cheap recent 12AX7...
The 6BZ7 for example are a very good surprise, try a GENERAL ELECTRIC 6BZ7, really full sounding with plenty of meat, great bass, highs not rolled-off and wide soundstage, perhaps a lack in dynamics compared to long plates tubes (6GU7 and 12BH7a my favorites) but really an excellent tube for enjoy long listening sessions.