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RE: A Favorite 6DJ8 is the Equivalent of a Favorite Demon from Hell

Posted by Bambi B (A) on March 24, 2014 at 06:08:29

In Reply to: Favorite 6DJ8 twin triode valves/ tubes posted by kathrynatrand@hotmail.com on March 22, 2014 at 17:43:25:

kathrynatrand@hotmail.com,

A couple of years ago, before selling a couple of components, the tube gear at home used 131 tubes of 31 types.

Equipment using 6DJ8s includes> ARC SP10, ARC SP8, and ARC D115, using a total of 17 tubes.

Of those 31 types, the 6DJ8 family has been the most difficult. The principal reason is that my favorite preamplifier, a 1987 Audio Research SP10 uses twelve>

Phono Stage on right, all eight tubes:

V7- V8 Cathode follower
V5- V6 Top half of cascode
V3- V4 Voltage amplifier
V1- V2 Voltage amplifier

Signal flows from thru odd numbered tubes V-1 to V-7 for left channel, V-2 to V-8 for right. Both of each tube's triode sections are run in parallel for each stage.

Line Stage on left, four tubes:

V11- V12 Cathode follower
V9- V10 Voltage amplifiers

Signal flows thru two gain stages, V9 uses each triode as a gain stage for the left channel with V11's triode sections paralleled for the cathode follower, ditto for V10 and V12 for right channel.

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


It's enough that the high output of the SP10 MC phono makes finding tubes that are quiet and non-microphonic extremely difficult, but there is also the high current pushed through them, such that the SP10 became famous as tube eater- along with the Audible Illusions Modulus. I heard stories of people for whom Amerpex ECC88's were lasting less than 10 hours. It was necessary to learn the chart of 6DJ8 ruggedness >

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


When I did my first retubing in 1991, I bought Gold Aero MC Phono ECC88's, but they were so microphonic, and I had so much trouble and returns, the vice-president of Gold Aero came to my home in Los Angeles with 80 tubes, of which eventually 4 were found that worked.

It became clear that the 6H23p-EB was the cost-saver, but the E188CC (7308) was the sonic choice. This was in light of the fact that I alsways thougth that the more rugged a 6DJ8 type is, the less open-sounding- the best sound comes forms 5DJ8's, then E88CC (6922), then E188CC.

As I intend to keep the SP10 my entire life, the experiences with the retubing were such that I went on the hunt for a good supply of worthy choices and have about 100 around>

6DJ8 [17] 4 ln, 2, 8, 3 TOTAL: 99

6- Philips Miniwatt E188CC- Holland- NOS
2- Philips SQ E188CC- Holland -NOS- VR9
5- Valvo E188CC- Holland- NOS
2- Valvo E188CC- Holland- NOS
5- Amperex Globe-ECC88 A frame-NOS
3- RAM- ECC88 SA ln Ampx A frame-NEW
6- RAM - A std- Ampx - A frm- NEW
4- RAM -AA std- Ampx A frm -NEW
5- Amperex White Logo ECC88 USED
8- Amperex Orange Globe ECC88 USED
2- Harma 6922- 6H23EB- NOS
10-Russian 6DJ8- unlabeled NOS
14-Russian- NOS
1- Amperex Bugle Boy ECC88- USED
22- Tungsram E88CC- Red- st pins- Hungary- NOS 69-79
2- Siemens & H E88CC- A-frame, gp- Germany- NOS
1- Siemens & H E188CC- Germany -NOS
2- Siemens & H- E88CC- splatter- Germany - NOS
1- Valvo E88CC- Red label, Holland- NOS
1- Philips E88CC- Holland- NOS
1- Siemens E88CC- NOS
2- Valvo E88CC- white label- NOS
2- Amperex US CEP E188CC- ANOS
3- Gold Aero 6DJ8- Amperex A-frame- Holland- USED (SP10)

Tubes in the SP10 now >

V1- V2 Voltage amplifier Gold Aero Amperex E188CC
V3- V4 Voltage amplifier Valvo Red Label E188CC
V5- V6 Top half of cascode_ Valvo Red Label E88CC
V11- V12 Cathode follower____ Tungsram Red Label E88CC

As to your question, the best sounding 6DJ8 types were ordinary mid-60's white labeled Amperex > clear, natural timbres, open, dynamic, fantastic imaging. Then, I really liked the punchy, energetic Siemens E88CC also of the mid 60's and the Valvo red label E88C, which is a bit less aggressive and very quiet. The Siemens are also rugged- never a failure. I liked the Siemens sound so much, that I bought 28 of what I thought was the best copy of them, the Tungsram red label E8CC (red label were military, yellow label were consumer). The Tungsram has the Siemens energy, low noise and toughness, plus very quiet, and seem to have on average among the most closely matched triode sections. Also, importantly, when I bought 28 NOS, they were $20 each, whereas I was paying even all those years ago $60+ for Valvo E188CC- now too expensive.

Cheers,

Bambi B

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