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Post by coil on Jan 22, 2013 18:28:44 GMT
Update about tubes. Tungsram PCC88/7DJ8 (NOS, 1972. made in Hungary). Bought from here: cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181038321199This tube is very similiar to 6922EH. It is hard to compare those 2 and find differences but all I could figure out with my ears is following: Both tubes have exactly the same soundstage, space and instrument separation. With 6922EH there is tinybit more bright top-end and thus makes 6922EH only fraction more airy/detail. Bass seems to be more punchy and tighter on Tungsram but again, only a fraction. In my opinion great tube for Aune T1  E: One more left: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TUNGSRAM-NOS-PCC88-7DJ8-VACUUM-AUDIO-TUBE-PREAMP-NEVER-USED-AMPS-DIY-PROJECTS-/181017067443?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2a25753fb3e2: Also ordered one Tesla PCC88/7DJ8 (NOS, Yellow 32 Factory Code for Tesla Rožnov n.p. Závod Vrchlabí plant). Read some positive words about that tube in pre/head amps and since got it cheap, thought give it a go. It`s quite widely available. e3: I`m starting to see a pattern here - the more "fun" sounding headphones you have (HD-681) - 6922EH type with airy sound seems better (for me at least). But with more flat sounding monitoring HP`s (HD662F) - Amperex ECC88 and 6N23P seems better because tighter and narrower sound. With HD-681 (mkII filter), atm my favorite tube is Tungsram PCC88/7DJ8 (NOS, 1972. made in Hungary) closely aside with 6922EH being second. Third comes Amperex ECC88/6DJ8 (69`, GAC, large dimple disc getter on a single leg support) . With HD-662F (with filter) Amperex ECC88/6DJ8 (69`, GAC, large dimple disc getter on a single leg support) seems best for my ears. |
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Post by absorb on Jan 23, 2013 9:49:36 GMT
I have been having some trouble with my T1 and would like some help please. At first I was getting some loud scratchy noises occasionally so I removed the covers and found the cable that connects the line in/out module wasn't connected properly. It was pushed right in but three of the pin connectors in the plug had moved back when the plug was pushed in. I pushed them in properly using a screwdriver and all was well for a while but now one channel is much quieter than the other. It is always the same channel on the line out and has come right on occasion by itself. I have tried changing the tubes to no avail. I contacted the seller on ebay but they are not willing to help, only sell me a different unit as-well. I do like the T1, especially after fitting the EB (cheers Mike) but I have had a bad run, this time due to poor assembly, I believe. Any help would be greatly appreciated  I have completely removed the headphone module from the board and there is still no improvement. For the problem where the volume is different on the two ear cups, have you checked whether the gain switches on the bottom are all in the same positions? You may want to toggle them just to make sure nothing is stuck. Cheers. Thanks for the reply. Yes I did try toggling the gain switches to no avail. It actually sounded almost even with the gain switches in different positions on each channel. I have since sent the T1 back to china and I will find out what solution will be offered once it is received and assessed. Does anyone have an opinion on these www.ebay.com/itm/190776086275?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 ? I'm having trouble finding any info on them. Thanks Chris |
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Post by coil on Jan 24, 2013 18:27:43 GMT
Had some more serious listening between Amperex ECC88/6DJ8 (1969, GAC, large dimple disc getter on a single leg support, NOS) vs Tungsram PCC88/7DJ8 (1972, made in Hungary, NOS). Amperex is certainly better for rock/metal. Overall better for music full of percussive & string instruments. Soundstage/headroom is smaller and has less air and room response. Soundstage is littlebit more laid in front of you. Loud distorted guitar riffs are more separated and identifiable. Vocals more in "sight" and "cleaner". Mids have more "full body". Also if you have more flat sounding HP`s this is certainly better than Tungsram. In contrast, Tungsram is better for electronic music. More air and larger soundstage/headroom make a feel you are more in middle of room and surrounded by it. Don`t get me wrong, this tube does not have too hollow & hall-like sound that details/instruments start to get "lost". It has very enjoyable soundstage and for longer listening sessions I still prefer this tube to Amperex with different genres. But when you are listening mostly hard rock/metal/trash etc. go for Amperex! Also what I managed to notice, is that Tungsram definitely has more punchy & tighter bass at lower/normal listening volume than 6922EH. For me those two are the best tubes at the moment. Now waiting for Tesla PCC88/7DJ8... e: Oh, forgot. Littlebit OT but took a pic:  If someone wants larger resolution, then ask. |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 26, 2013 14:33:56 GMT
Why don't we throw some Mullard ECC88 into the pot.... I've got ten of these bad boys and they sound absolutely awesome in the T1... the bass goes so low it makes your toenails curl up. Made in Holland ( Heerlen plant ) with factory code stamped on them.
I will take photos, if anybody's interested in buying one please PM me.
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Post by coil on Jan 26, 2013 17:20:39 GMT
I am interested but depends on price. But I think I have pretty much already found what I was looking for - one tube for rock music and one for electronic. And that Tungsram PCC88 has imo great punchy tight deep bass... sometimes listening late evning with low volume its even too much |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 26, 2013 20:07:08 GMT
I don't know what it was with Mullard, amperex, philips etc. when it came to marking the valves.... just so much as look at them the wrong way and the markings start rubbing off.... the Russian valves are pretty bullet proof when it comes to the markings, you can handle them loads and the markings never come off but so much as sneeze on some other valves and they start coming off. Anyhoo, that was a forward to saying that these ten are all totally unused / measure absolutely 100% perfect.... the markings are not perfect but the valves have been kicking about for many many years. These have the typical Mullard house sound, mellifluous mids, gut wrenching bass extension and a sparkly top end.... in the T1 they are the best I have heard yet (apart from my Mullard E88CC gold pins) they make the stock EH6922 sound compressed in comparison.... lovely wide soundstage (headstage) and they manage to convey a palpable soundscape in which it is easy to pick out / differentiate each instrument in its own space. I've had one in the T1 for the last couple of days and cannot believe how it has transformed the sonics.... I thought it was good to start with but these Mullards have totally opened things up for the better. Coil, they're not expensive.... let's say £15 each SHIPPED anywhere. You will also get a health report with each valve AND it will be pre-tested in the T1 to ensure it is "sonically" 100% too. Pics as promised:    I'm digging out some other valves which I will also try in the T1..... I've got quite a few Amperex bugle boy E88CC, Mullard E88CC gold pins, Seimens gold pin, Philips SQ gold pin, Tronix ECC88 (London made) and a load more I can't even remember.... will have to look them out.... these aren't for sale though, they're part of my personal collection / rainy day stash I have tons of absolutely BRAND NEW (NOS) 6N23P-EB, JAN Philips 6922, Chinese Military 6N11J (The "J" denoting military grade), Electro Harmonix EH6922 etc. I grabbed a few out of boxes to give you an idea.....  I really must have a dig and get ALL of my valves out.... I've been stashing them away for years and not really sure what's lurking in the stash ..... damned good investment though, forget "Gold".... As the world stock of vintage valves becomes depleted the price goes up and up.... when they're gone they're gone, they will never depreciate in value and will only continue to rocket in price year by year. Knowing my luck I'll croak it and some stupid relative will chuck them all in a bin  either that or they'll think they are some weird type of "sex toy" and chuck them all in the bin Just out of interest, would anybody be interested in seeing a photo of my entire collection? Hell, no better place than showing it here.....  |
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 26, 2013 20:17:53 GMT
PCC88 is 7.6V as opposed to ECC88 which is 6.3V..... I think you'll be ok using it in the T1 but you may end up with premature cathode poisoning.... nothing to worry about but, to save me typing, have a read: www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51821As I have always said, if it sounds good then it IS good.... to hell with "cathode poisoning", enjoy the music man |
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Post by coil on Jan 26, 2013 21:00:31 GMT
Whaaat?  And it does not lose its details in that soundstage? Hard to imagine that there is something with even more airy & wider sound than 6922EH. Well, for me its most spacious sounding tube I have atm. 15£ is good price. Maybe next month I´ll go for it and compare And about that PCC88 voltage... who cares if it takes long time to "poison" (if at all) and sounds great? From the link you gave: "Langford Smith says (so it must be true) that under-running the heaters on valves won't, in general, damage the valves unless the cathode currents are sufficient to exhaust the space charge. The nominal operating current for the ECC88s in the amp you mention is a little over 6mA. The PCC88 is capable, with the correct heater power, of delivering up to 25mA from the cathode. So I don't imagine that you will damage it." Btw, as I have read, they are supposed actually last longer than 6,3V since it don`t get so much heat and difference between 6,3 vs. 7(7,6)V is quite minor since even 6,3V rated E88CC/ECC88`s can be in reality actually working @ higher/lower mA & V. |
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mrarroyo
Been here a while! 
Our man in Miami!
Posts: 1,003
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Post by mrarroyo on Jan 27, 2013 10:19:47 GMT
Mike, can you set up a match pair of the Mullards? If so I would be interested, thanks.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2013 10:38:53 GMT
I would like a matched pr to please Mike, never tried Mullards.
Mick.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 27, 2013 20:56:02 GMT
Mick and Miguel...... I found another few of these and put them all through my tube imp tester.... I've managed to get THREE closely matched pairs out of the bunch.... PM me if still interested and we can get the ball rolling.
All the best,
Mike.
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Post by coil on Jan 30, 2013 21:32:58 GMT
Update about tubes (copy-paste from Head-Fi forum  ): Will get my Mullard ECC88 soon (same as Mike`s Mullards). |
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Post by coil on Feb 4, 2013 17:55:22 GMT
Got my Mullard ECC88 (BVA, Imported, GAG, delta5D2, A-frame dimple disc getter). First impressions - very good tube for rock/metal/jazz. Similiar to my Amperex ECC88/6DJ8. Will rest my ears and get more datailed info tonight/tomorrow. One thing is sure - it`s among 3 best tubes I have.
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Post by coil on Feb 6, 2013 10:52:38 GMT
Amperex ECC88/6DJ8 (1969, GAC, large dimple disc getter on a single leg support, NOS) VS. Mullard ECC88 (BVA, Imported, GAG, delta5D2, A-frame dimple disc getter)
(compared with HD-681 mkII)
Those two are VERY similiar but still managed to find out differences. They are minor but still...
Amperex has littlebit larger & wider soundstage (both in vertical and horisontal), more air & reverb/room response, "fuller" bass, better mids and vocals have more "life". Overall has more "flow" and enjoyable sound. Mullard sounds somewhat "dry" and refined, has tinybit tighter bass, mids & highs feel more flat with less "sparkle" in them.
Nevertheless this Mullard ECC88 is one of the best tubes I have for Aune T1 and imo more suitable for rock/metal/jazz than to electronic music. This tube comes 2nd in my rock/metal/jazz tube list after amperex and I take it as backup tube instead amperex. For electronic music 6922EH is still 1st and Tungsram PCC88 2nd.
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Post by dcfis on Feb 18, 2013 11:43:55 GMT
Will somebody please throw in a new production JJ tube if you have one around? Im getting extremely coherent results with this tube competing and beating the best in the business in many ways. The highs are a bit crunchy but everything else is very nice with iron grip bass on the K702 and HD650. I cant get anyone to try one and havent seen a mention yet. Its a Tesla reproduction Also here is a little summary so far: OK Moving up a tier in the tube stash. So far the ranking in terms of the first tier to my ears and tastes are- AKG 702 is better with this amp than the HD650. The HD650 has textured mids and layered bass but I hate the right on your nose presentation. Ive heard them sound much better with other amps. It can change a bit with the tube used but not drastically so far. This application is nearly 180 degrees from my impressions of each tube in the other applications I have them for. Both in pre amps, and as buffers for dacs. Its kinda perplexing but at the same time a blessing in disguise as some of the tubes I would have thrown away sometimes sound best in this application JJ-$- Pulled out my notes, this is an early production of the modern JJ which is a Tesla copy. Should pick up the real NOS with these being such a good all around tube. So far as I know the very current ones havent changed much and should produce similar results which is decent soundstaging and some depth, though its a bit shallow, punchy bass with just a nice bit of bloom. The mids and voices are well presented but a touch hard. This might be too much for some. The highs especially top hats and snare strikes can be eye blinking. The neutral fiends will like this tube from top to bottom. Able to provide some air to the 702 instruments. Amperex PQ orange 6922/ Amperex 6dj8 Bugle boy--$$$$/$$Second best is a brighter and more spacious presentation with the PQ and a warmer and more congested presentation with the bugle boy. I spent the least time with these as I plan to do a Amprerex roundup later. Honestly I thought this was going to be about just a couple of tubes and the Amperex would wipe the floor with everything except the rare exotics such as pinched waists (wasnt even going to try as this is a budget little amp and I didnt think they were worth the price is my home Dac which is worth 8x this thing) Its perplexing as they have some flaws so far such as sloppy bass, too extreme or too congested presentations and those super sweet mids havent been present. I will return to these. Ediswan CV2492- $$$- Nice all arounder and for sure could help some phones with a sloppy bass to tighten up. Has a smoother midrange than the JJ and the highs are sweeter. To me thats not what Im after but for sure some listeners want a smooth and sweet tone with good staging and a little more depth than the JJ. Nothing really wows or stands out and to many thats exactly how it should be. JAN Phillips Green label- $$- This is a tube I hate in most applications and I preferred it more on the HD650. It livened it up but the HD650 didnt take on the JANs usually dry and clinical tone. A nice analytical tube. Like that smoky jazz bar but with a light turned on. It would be a good tube to start with to get a baseline for other tubes. Its kinda like an EH with a better presented soundstage and character. EH-$- You all know this one. Moving UP! Mullard Dimple Discs Gold and regular pins, wire and flat supports- $$$$-$$$- Um, had this on for the last hour. Things are moving along! This is working majic on the K702 with a sweet though rolled off high end, plenty of detail and euphoric and holographic mids. EI- Yugo NOS-$$ Earliest Amperex orange 6dj8s- vairous grades $$$$-$$$$$ - the best of these are really amazing in other applications. Makes me sad for all those 7308 and later Amperex listeners. In this application though so far we see anything can happen. My ACE tube for years Siemens- E88CC gold halo and A frame- $$$$$/$$$$$- www.tube-classics.de/TC/Tubes/SieTel%20E88CC/E88CC.htm- Told you we are getting serious. This is best with the HD650 and provides a euphoric and musical experience so far but the JJ does many things better. This is the tube if you want to hear it all but in a mellow two scotches in mood Overall, having lots of fun and I really feel the Aune offers a ton of bang for the buck. Great product that has lots of drive and a neutral-ish base to start with. Time will tell if its just the right pairings to totally flesh out that midrange and provide real high end smoothness and detail to the top end but it stages like a champ. I want someone to put some nice coupling caps in this thing! Its worth it! $- $10-$30 $$- $30-65 $$$-$65-$100 $$$$- $100-$135 $$$$$-$135+ |
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Post by dcfis on Feb 18, 2013 13:22:11 GMT
Those bva mullards are really amperex right?
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Post by coil on Feb 19, 2013 1:25:53 GMT
If you mean my Mullard ECC88 then yes, it should be same as some amperex, made in Holland (should be Heerlen plant but not sure). Briefly about my NOS Mazda PCC189 ( www.r-type.org/exhib/aaa0882.htm ) - it`s the first tube for me that can cope with every genre of music. For my taste it`s littlebit better with rock/metal/jazz but sounds very well with atmospheric electronic music, dubstep etc. too. Imo it`s better than Mullard ECC88 because it has soundstage just between 6922EH and 6N23P (reflector), it`s littlebit pulled back towards my neck so there`s more air & space. Highs are more sparkly and not so flat as Mullard`s and thus create more "colour" to sound. Vocals are clean & intimate. Bass is thick, deep and flowing but has good kick in it (reminds me 6922EH bass). Compared to my amperex single leg dimple disc, soundstage is littlebit wider and pulled back like I said before. Overall sound is warmer and more "melted" together. Those last things are why amperex is littlebit better performer with rock/metal/jazz etc. for me. But I really like this Mazda PCC189, it`s certainly a keeper. Unfortunately it`s also quite rare tube like my amperex. At first I thought it`s same as Mullard white old style logo PCC189 but Mullard has grey vertical center plate. Pitty that my Mullard PCC189 is bad and can`t compare it. |
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Post by rigvader on Feb 19, 2013 15:34:06 GMT
Hello good people,
Just received the T1 yesterday and this is my first post here!
I'm having trouble with pops/clicks/crackle, when connected to computer with USB. Anyone else getting this? Also I'm finding the sound kinda dull and unresolved using the stock 6922eh. Do I think need to change these? I'm listening with PSB M4U2 head pines.
(Sorry haven't read the whole thread yet, though I'm working on it :-) )
Cheers,
Sune
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Post by coil on Feb 20, 2013 19:12:32 GMT
What OS? What music player software? Are you using WASAPI, KSP or ASIO? Sounds like your tube is bad or you have latency set too low.
What are those little tiny switches set on under Aune T1? Have you tried another HP`s? Maybe you cans got damaged since its max input power is 30mW?
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Post by rigvader on Feb 21, 2013 11:51:13 GMT
Hi and thanks for the answer. The pops/crackle are definitely the kind you would hear from soundcard/buffer size issues. I'm on Windows 7 and running "driverless", meaning I just use some win7 standard driver I guess. I'm also not using a custom player, just choosing the T1 as default output device in the control panel. So no way to adjust latency/buffer size that I know of. The headphones are fine. I listen at very low volumes and use them with a range other sources.
Cheers |
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Post by coil on Feb 24, 2013 15:18:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2013 21:53:21 GMT
Mike
BTW, there is no way that my son will let me get my hands on that nice little piece of gear again.
Regards
Alex
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Post by mbohupa on Feb 26, 2013 13:44:58 GMT
Hello everyone!!! I'm using my Aune T1 (Genalex Gold Lion E88CC / 6922) with my HD598! Killer combo! Now I'm interested to try the Mullard ECC88 from Mike.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Feb 28, 2013 20:07:21 GMT
I've got some more Mullards in stock... all Heerlen 5D1 codes ... 11 of them.
I also have 3 x Amperex ... Heerlen 5E1 and 4D1 codes ... 3 of them.
All from the same factory in 1964 / 1965 production.
£18 each (UK) shipped
£21 each (ROW) Shipped (airmail)
All test as 100%.
PM me if you're interested.
Mike.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 1, 2013 21:31:49 GMT
Shit..... these are going for £30 a pop on ebay PLUS shipping on top  Oh well, I'm not out to make a profit so will keep the prices as they are. Mike. |
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either that or they'll think they are some weird type of "sex toy" and chuck them all in the bin 
And it does not lose its details in that soundstage? Hard to imagine that there is something with even more airy & wider sound than 6922EH. Well, for me its most spacious sounding tube I have atm. 15£ is good price. Maybe next month I´ll go for it and compare 
):
Oh well, I'm not out to make a profit so will keep the prices as they are.