Help! I don't like the 6H23-EB tubes!

[bm]

Hello everyone!

Thanks very much to mrarroyo for his advice on the 6H23-EB tubes for the X-Can v3. I purchased these tubes and have been listening to them for about 3 weeks.

I was initially floored by the widened soundstage, incredible bass response, and detailed sound of the tubes. I was sure I would find these to be, like everyone else seemed to think, the ultimate tubes.

But my opinion started to sharply drop as time went on and I properly burned them in. One of the things I love most about the X-Can is its lyrical sweetness and soothing warmth, especially in the midrange. Listening was like putting this nice comfy blanket around my ears. My only complaints were that the sound lacked clarity and punch, especially on contemporary music. What the 6H23-EB made up in the punch department, it completely lost everywhere else. The midrange fell back into obscurity, the top end became harsh, and that liquid warmth disappeared. I never realized the stock JAN Philips tubes could be responsible for all of this?

So I realize I am bucking the trend here, but can anyone suggest other tube replacements I might like to try? I guess I am looking for something in-between the two: retaining the delicate, gooey warmth of the stock JAN's, but with clarity and punch like the 6H23's.

Any thoughts or advice most appreciated.

B

[bennyboy]

I for one have never thought the 6h23 were all that. I was one of a few V3 owners that had the guts to try the 6n1p's in the V3. I feel the 6n1p's are far better than the 6h23 types.
If you need a warm sweet tube that gives plenty of detail, go with the 6n1p(non EB/VI type)
You can find them on Ebat for about $3. each.

cgi.ebay.com/6N1P-ECC88-NOS-MATCHED-PAIR-Russian-Saratov-TUBES_W0QQitemZ260116742200QQihZ016QQcategoryZ64629QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

bm said:

Hello everyone!

Thanks very much to mrarroyo for his advice on the 6H23-EB tubes for the X-Can v3. I purchased these tubes and have been listening to them for about 3 weeks.

I was initially floored by the widened soundstage, incredible bass response, and detailed sound of the tubes. I was sure I would find these to be, like everyone else seemed to think, the ultimate tubes.

But my opinion started to sharply drop as time went on and I properly burned them in. One of the things I love most about the X-Can is its lyrical sweetness and soothing warmth, especially in the midrange. Listening was like putting this nice comfy blanket around my ears. My only complaints were that the sound lacked clarity and punch, especially on contemporary music. What the 6H23-EB made up in the punch department, it completely lost everywhere else. The midrange fell back into obscurity, the top end became harsh, and that liquid warmth disappeared. I never realized the stock JAN Philips tubes could be responsible for all of this?

So I realize I am bucking the trend here, but can anyone suggest other tube replacements I might like to try? I guess I am looking for something in-between the two: retaining the delicate, gooey warmth of the stock JAN's, but with clarity and punch like the 6H23's.

Any thoughts or advice most appreciated.

B

[bennyboy]

mrarroyo said:

Benny, doen't the 6N1P tube require more "juice"?

Yep, but the V3 can handle it! Mine's been on a 6n1p diet for over 6 months.

[bm]

While $6 sounds like a deal, I'm not really willing to try anything that could potentially damage the X-Can, especially since I am at present stuck with the stock power supply.

If nobody can offer a direct recommendation, perhaps someone who has tried a number of different tubes can describe the sonic characteristics of each?

Many thanks... B

[aurum]

In the NOS world:
In my opinion If you want the best sounding tube for the V3 it has to be the Seimens 6922 gold pin gray (60's) or silver plate (70's). The price of them is high, but considering they have 10,000hr + lifespans, it works out at cents per hour. These have super clarity, & highs that never screech. With good caps in the power supply of the V3 they will reveal bass that you never thought existed in them. These tubes don't have a lot of warmth, so may appear solid state in presentation. The CCa's are the premium of the bunch, but will cost a lot more for little benefit. Watch out for fakes & pulls being sold as NOS.

The next best has to be the Japanese National 6922. They were made on Mullard tooling, & so have a very similar signature. With a smooth midrange, & wide soundstage, they are highly musical with a laidback presentation & dead quiet. You can listen to them all night without fatique. They don't have the clarity or detail of the Seimens, but not the price either.

The Sylvania 6922's sound very similar to the stock Phillips.

[bm]

What about actual vintage Mullards? From what I've read it sounds like they are extremely warm yet also detailed, which is exactly what I am looking for. There seem to be infinite varieties of these tubes on ebay and elsewhere, can anyone advise what to look for/avoid in a Mullard?

Also, are any for sale in the UK or US at a fair price?

Cheers, B

[PinkFloyd]

bm said:

What about actual vintage Mullards? From what I've read it sounds like they are extremely warm yet also detailed, which is exactly what I am looking for. There seem to be infinite varieties of these tubes on ebay and elsewhere, can anyone advise what to look for/avoid in a Mullard?

Also, are any for sale in the UK or US at a fair price?

Cheers, B

One thing to look out for are 4 seams on the top of the valve.... some of the fakes don't come with seams. Also look at the printing on the valves, if it's bright white and shiny chances are it's a fake. Look at the bottoms too some of them have a code etched onto them... I do know that the ones edicron supply are genuine www.edicron.com/