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Thread: Valve advice

  1. #1
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: London

    Posts: 377
    I'm Richard.

    Default Valve advice

    Hi guys, I was listening to my mates Copland CSA14 amp the other day & thought that a fresh pair of valves might be order of the day. It uses 6922/ecc88. Has anyone out there tried tube rolling with this amp & recommend a particular valve. Failing that, any advice on which types of 6922's to look out for? Cheers

  2. #2
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

    Posts: 4,779
    I'm Shaun.

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    I have only ever used Harma 6922's from Watford Valves and although they were good, they're never going to set the World alight.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: London

    Posts: 377
    I'm Richard.

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    Cheers Shaun, I'll probably look for something else then

  4. #4
    Join Date: Oct 2013

    Location: Hartlepool

    Posts: 328
    I'm Martin.

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    I use nos JAN SYLVANIA 6922s in my cdp, very lively but could be a bit toppy on some systems.
    Tried some Mullards- way too syrupy and lush for my tastes.

    Try putting a post on Private Exhibitions for some part worn/usable ones, that way you get the flavour of different valves for less and when your happy with the sound buy some new/nos ones.
    We are the love we leave behind.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

    Posts: 4,779
    I'm Shaun.

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    Just as an addition; I have used Genelex Gold Lion valves with gold pins at around thirty two quid each and they were staggeringly good. I did only use 12AX7's and 12AU7's though. Sadly, I have only ever bought them from Hotrox UK and there is no way I would ever recommend that dealer to anyone.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: London

    Posts: 377
    I'm Richard.

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    Thanks guys.
    The old ones have been in the Copland for years so I think my mate will be pleased when he hears a 'good' matched pair.
    I feel he'll prefer a 'brighter' sound so I'm not gonna go down the warmer sounding Mullard route.

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

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    I quite liked the following in my old Pre Box RS:
    1977 Vintage Russian "REFLEKTOR" Tubes 6N23P-EV (E88CC/ECC88/6DJ8 equivalents)
    1970's E88CC TUNGSRAM
    6N23P Voskhod Rocket NOS valves

    Each were slightly different sounding, and my favourites were the Tungsram.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  8. #8
    Join Date: Dec 2008

    Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days

    Posts: 4,779
    I'm Shaun.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Johnny nocash View Post
    Thanks guys.
    The old ones have been in the Copland for years so I think my mate will be pleased when he hears a 'good' matched pair.
    I feel he'll prefer a 'brighter' sound so I'm not gonna go down the warmer sounding Mullard route.
    The Gold Lion valves have a characteristic 'bright' and 'breezy' sound with really good 'air' and 'space'. Highly recommended but costly.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Nov 2012

    Location: Oadby, Leicestershire, UK

    Posts: 311
    I'm Manny.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Johnny nocash View Post
    Hi guys, I was listening to my mates Copland CSA14 amp the other day & thought that a fresh pair of valves might be order of the day. It uses 6922/ecc88. Has anyone out there tried tube rolling with this amp & recommend a particular valve. Failing that, any advice on which types of 6922's to look out for? Cheers
    Of the many 6922 types I've rolled - the Amperex and Telefunken (Siemens) have been the most enjoyable so far, I use a single in my Conrad Johnson Premier 140 power amp.

    The tube on the left with 'PQ' is an Amperex 7308 E188CC USA and has etched VR5 code, it's early to mid 1960's. Sonically it's a very dynamic sounding tube, (similar to what the Tesla E83CC and Telefunken ECC803S do sonically) - so you get a full on soundstage, if you haven't heard any of these previosuly they can be quite a revelation, the most common response I get is, 'I didn't think that was possible from a tube'. There are numerous 'PQ' types and I've only found one reputable site that describes what the VR5 code signifies, there is also debate what 'PQ' actually indicates.

    The right is an Amperex Bugle boy grey plate 6922 - also very, very good.

    The Telefunken PCC88 is what I'm currently using, no diamond on the base. This is very nice and sonically even handed - my favourite. The diamond base Telefunken PCC88 is also great and has a slight midrange slant (no longer have them).

    I've only been able to find the Amperex in singles and the 7308 E188CC are near on impossible to get in pairs. The Telefunken PCC88 I found were still sealed untouched and so I didn't hesitate and bought the 2 carton's to keep me going.

    You'll no doubt read superlatives what these do, I'd just try them to see if they suit you.





  10. #10
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    I hate the term 'rolling'. It's an American import. We should be doing comparisons. The only thing I roll is cigarettes!
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

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