Justin & Jerry's Hifi Blog

[jandl100]

Coo, it's not often that I come across someone less brave than me about internal tinkering.
Tube rolling is as far as I go.

Stock valves are often pretty basic and can easily be improved on, or your preferred sonic flavour selected.

[User211]

OK I have had a look at my stock of 6N6P valves.

So I have quite a few as it turns out. The date stamps are 79, 80, 84 and 89 some in different months in the same year.

Despite exterior markings (OTK, red nipples, 8068, gold grid terminology) etc they all look absolutely identical internally as far as the eye can see.

In that PM I sent I was wrong when I said I saw a difference Jerry. I have double checked and there is none.

So whether there really is a different 6N6P out there to the lot I have is very questionable to my mind.

That said, I was convinced last night when I listened to Jerry's 84's that they were better than my 79's. Maybe my 79's have become a little tired - I have been using them for years. The 84's simply sounded more lively and dynamic.

All madness this hobby.

Was also messing with a pair of VT68 GPO and some KR PX-4 in the Lampy. The PX-4s are sounding great with my latest x-over mod (done about 2 weeks ago). Gonna stuff some Jantzen Alumen caps and maybe Dueland bypass caps in the x-overs as I am sure the x-over values/circuit I have at the mo is the best yet.

[Arkless Electronics]

Predictably enough, I couldn't wait a week or so to see what the L10 pre brought to the party. More like an hour or so.

Yup, superb. You can't beat a system with a great active pre, imo.

Opposite IMO.Passive always better.

[User211]

Opposite IMO.Passive always better.

I thought that for years then changed my mind. Might change it again

[jandl100]

That said, I was convinced last night when I listened to Jerry's 84's that they were better than my 79's. Maybe my 79's have become a little tired - I have been using them for years. The 84's simply sounded more lively and dynamic..

I suspect it is a real difference.
It's a different comparison, but I found my new gold grids more dynamic and vibrant.

[User211]

How old is the L10?

[jandl100]

Less than a year.

[User211]

No wear to speak of on the stock valve then. Mine have been worked hard driving 211s for years. Last time I messed with the 6N6Ps was not long after I got the amps.

That said who knows.

BTW order Dueland inductors and you have to wait 3 months for them. Learn something everyday.

[hifinutt]

Coo, it's not often that I come across someone less brave than me about internal tinkering.
Tube rolling is as far as I go.

Stock valves are often pretty basic and can easily be improved on, or your preferred sonic flavour selected.

yes indeed ! thats me ! i leave the tinkering to other folks !

[jandl100]

I swapped in an OTK 6n6 in the L10 pre yesterday. Not the one JP loaned me, I haven't tried that yet.
Sounded a bit different to the 'gold grid' but OK.
Listening today - I've settled in with the sound ... and I was losing the will to live. It's kind of drab and lacklustre.
Swapped back to the gold grid and the system is boogying again!