|
Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
|
|
|
Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
|
In Reply to: 7308 tubes posted by Frihed89 on September 11, 2010 at 11:52:11:
Frihed89,
I use 17 of the 6DJ8 family tubes in 3 pieces of gear, all Audio Research: SP10 (12), SP8 (2) and D115 (3).
Because the SP10 pushes the 6- gain tubes along, I ended up using 6 Amperex/Valvo E188CC / 7308's for those and 6- Tungsram red label E88CC / 6922's for the cathode followers.
Here are the ratings for the 6DJ8's:
6DJ8 ratings:
ECC88 = 6DJ8 130V/1,8W
E88CC= 6922 220V/1,8W
E188CC= 7308 250V/2W
6H23p Sovtek 6922 300V/1,8W
6H23p-EB EH 6922 300V/2W
-So, the 7308 is the most rugged conventional 6DJ8 and the 6H23p-EB sovtek and EH6922 are actually higher current rated.
I ended up buying 110 tubes of this family and settled on using the 7308 for it's ruggedness in the SP10. I also learned along the way that the best sounding tube in the family is the 6DJ8 /ECC88. I tried some used Amperex white labeled ECC88 in the SP10- these were $8 pulls from oscilloscopes and the SP10 never sounded better- beautiful refined timbres, amazing imaging, and especially dynamic, transparent, and open. By the contrast the 7308's are very quiet, but don;t have the effortless openness of the 6DJ8. Unfortunately, the Amperex ECC88 became noisy in the SP10 after only 10 or so hours- but what a sound!
I would summarise by saying that if your gear doesn't need the higher current rating, low noise qualities of the 7308, my recommendation is to use the best 6DJ8's you can find- Amperex/Valvo/Philips from the early-mid 60's are the best all-rounders. I have some Amperex "orange globe" ECC88 and while I haven't made very careful comparison's -they actually seem to be about he same sound quality as the earlier white labeled ones.
That said, if you can find good Siemens and Halske E88CC from the early to late 60's- those have a punchy, dynamic sound that is very attractive as well- and they are rated for 5,000 instead of 2,500 hours. For what I would call "second tier" quality in this group, the Tungsram E88CC is awfully good. It's said to have been modeled on the Siemens and these have proven great sounding, reliable and have some of the best- matched sections- to me the construction quality appears better than Tesla, EI, RFT, Sylvania,and some others. A 1978 Tungsram is also going to better than any of the late (after 1980) two mica Siemens or Mullards.
If you don't know Joe Rosen's "Tube Lore" in the FAQ section of this forum, it's a wonderful shortcut to the confusing and expensive world of the 6DJ8.
As you're in Denmark, I was thinking you might peruse German Ebay and look for a German seller diebu1. He sells a lot of all the 6DJ8 family, tests thoroughly,and has been very trustworthy. I've bought 5- 7308's and 6- 6922's from him in several transactions and was always very pleased. Remember too, that if you are buying 6922's or 7308's especially, if you can buy "Valvo" you get Amperex for 25% less money!
Happy hunting!
Cheers,
Bambi B
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- The 7308: Not necessarily the best choice - Bambi B 09/11/1013:21:19 09/11/10 (2)
- Joe's Tube Lore - Jack G 07:48:14 09/12/10 (0)
- RE: The 7308: Not necessarily the best choice - Frihed89 23:33:11 09/11/10 (0)
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
