|
|
Post by timjthomas on Feb 21, 2016 12:54:19 GMT
HI all,
I've recently picked up an Ember 2.1 and love it! I've tried an RCA Cleartop, 6n2p, 6H30Pi (6n6p), 6SN7, and a 5751. Of these, I prefer the 6H30Pi. It's the "warmest" (smoothest) of the bunch. However, I'd like to find something that is a bit warmer/smoother than the 6H30Pi.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Tim
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2016 20:27:14 GMT
6SN7's come in all flavours. Just sayin'.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Trev on Feb 29, 2016 23:46:43 GMT
Time for a noob question.
I got an Amperex orange globe 6dj8. Sounds good and all, but I've noticed the silver coating (getter flash?) has a bunch of small holes (lack of a better word) in it. Is that a problem? I've read white spots are bad, but nothing about clear spots.
Cheers
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,886
|
Post by solderdude on Mar 1, 2016 9:26:25 GMT
White spots indicate leakage of oxigen.
Lack of holes just means that when the tube was 'flashed' none of the material landed in those specific spots.
|
|
|
|
Post by tunkejazz on Mar 26, 2017 16:07:08 GMT
My old 6N6P tube is starting to degrade after more than 2 years. I think it was more used than the seller sadly promised in the add when I bought it.
Although I asked this question before, it got buried rapidly without an answer...so here it goes again :-) :
I have also found some cheapish 6N26P tubes that seem rather similar to the 6N6P. Has anyone had any experience with those? Would they work in the Ember?
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,886
|
Post by solderdude on Mar 26, 2017 18:44:48 GMT
the 6N26P has completely different pinning than the 'normal' dual triodes.
This one cannot be used alas.
|
|
|
|
Post by tunkejazz on Mar 27, 2017 11:35:45 GMT
Thanks for the info Frans,
I think I will pass on getting a new 6N6P replacement and just keep using the rest of tubes that I have around.
|
|
|
|
Post by lobalwarming on Jun 9, 2017 3:26:38 GMT
the 6N26P has completely different pinning than the 'normal' dual triodes. This one cannot be used alas. Frans, what about the E80CC / 6085? Can it play in the G1217 gallery? 'It's Alive' has praised its virtues in his Ember. While I keep my Solstice or Sunrise dilemma oscillating, why not begin my NOS tube dithering odyssey as well. ;-) |
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,886
|
Post by solderdude on Jun 9, 2017 7:06:45 GMT
Both should work.
It should be noted that gains of tubes differ as well as noise levels and L-R matching.
Some tubes roll-off noticeably in the treble, some in the lows too.
Some tubes are more microphonic than others and some may pick up more 'interference' from outside signals then others.
Even in the same tube family differences can be found.
My advice would be be to try to use 6DJ8 / ECC88 / 6N23 family type tubes as the amps are primarily designed for these tubes.
|
|
|
|
Post by lobalwarming on Jun 9, 2017 7:36:01 GMT
Whoah! Are you saying not to roll weird tubes in a G1217 amp?!! I'm telling Jeremy! LOL!
Thanks for the info, Frans. Jeremy is setting me up with a 'starter' kit tube buffet - with a couple weird ones. He hasn't helped solve my problem of which G1217 amp will be the host tho. Still waffling between Sunrise and Solstice. Manual vs Auto. Hot vs Warm. Good vs Evil. No, wait. They're both great! Right?
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Trev on Jun 9, 2017 14:39:23 GMT
What specs should we be looking into if we want to use non 12au7/6dj8 tubes. Say for example, I want to try a 7dj8 or one of those GE5670 + adapter jobbies I've been reading about in my Little Bear P1?
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,886
|
Post by solderdude on Jun 9, 2017 15:40:28 GMT
The 7dj8 is basically the same tube as 6dj8 BUT the heater is underpowered (it is intended for 300mA heater current).
This could (potentially) shorten the cathode's lifespan.
I think this is more of a problem for power tubes though, but might be wrong here.
And yes ... you can roll in a lot of other tubes but as mentioned. Some may roll-off in the audible band or hiss more (or less?) and some may be more microphonic or prone to pick up nasties.
Hard to say and dependent on lots of circumstances.
When it works well ... well it works well and all is well as a result.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Trev on Jun 9, 2017 16:55:00 GMT
I would be more worried about terminal damage (or wasted money) more than any thing. I believe in a past conversation you mentioned a 6sn7 would be a bad thing to try in the P1.
I've read plate voltages, heater currents, and other specs, and can't say I'm sure what the most important ones to look for are
|
|
|
|
Post by lobalwarming on Jun 11, 2017 23:22:40 GMT
The 6sn7 tubes require 600ma of heater current. All the current G1217 amps can provide that - except the Horizon III - needs the supercharger to exceed 500ma. Could be on the edge for the earlier G1217 amps...but a (tube) life not lived on the edge is a waste of electrons. At least that's what the exotic tube dealers on the internet say. :-)
From my recent explorations on the various Ember threads, the G1217 6SN7 socket adapter is a gateway drug to even more exotic rolling - Jeremy told me that's a good thing. Until you check the price on matched pairs of vintage 6J5s. ;-)
Frans, when you designed Sunrise/Ember did you envision 70+ year old twin tower coke bottle RF receivers towering menacingly from behind chicken-wire faraday cages on your sweet compact amps?
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,886
|
Post by solderdude on Jun 12, 2017 18:59:34 GMT
Nope didn't envison that.
I did expect a lot of exotic tubes that would be used using adapters though.
A problem with tubes is that there is no single (or combination) of certain parameters that quarantees a certain sound.
Yes, you can calculate gain and even frequency response etc but it is hard to predict how much 2nd harmonics the tube will generate under certain conditions.
No clear correlation to perceived SQ and specs exist so hard to say what one will have to be looking for in tubes.
You could even use pentodes (in triode config) using adapters etc.
This way one could add lots more suited tubes when you have an adapter that accomodates for 2 pentodes for instance.
The fun part of the Ember (and other G1217 amps) is the very wide range of currents and heaters that can be used.
How the sound will turn out is partly science and partly subjective.
|
|
