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View Full Version : Tube roling with my WAD's



Dingdong
02-02-2012, 09:53
I had this idea for a relativley expensive and easy to do tweak to my rather nice WAD Kel80's.
The EL34's are Winged C Svetlanas. These are quite highly regarded for modern tubes, so I think I'll leave them well alone for the time being.
The markings on the 6au6's have rubbed off so I have no idea what make they are. I thought these wee buggers might be a good starting point, so bought them last night.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390353835361?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

The 5687's are Edicron. Any opinions on these? Any recommendations for a cheeky wee swap?

There will be some cap and resistor swaps at some point later in the year, when I can be arsed. I just fancied a bit of tube swappin'.

Ali Tait
02-02-2012, 11:52
I have some cryo'd Shuguang EL34 in my amp, which I prefer to a set of NOS RFT's. Might be worth a punt.

Ali Tait
02-02-2012, 12:06
As for 5687's, there are a selection on ebay in the vintage electronics section such as Sylvania/GE or Philips, a decent pair or which should better the Edicrons.

Dingdong
02-02-2012, 12:20
What do you reckon of these wee fellas?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400267850630?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Ali Tait
02-02-2012, 12:40
Look ok, seller has good feedback. Should better the Edicrons IMHO.

Another option would be to contact Langrex, they have stocks of 5687's. you'd probably pay a little more, but you should get some sort of guarantee from them.

Dingdong
02-02-2012, 13:27
Thanks. Sent an email. Will see what comes back. Hopefully they have something that tickles my fancy. I prefer to use a UK company if I can.



Just noticed I made a spelling mistake in the title. :doh:

Ali Tait
02-02-2012, 15:45
Yes, bit less of a risk, and you'll get a guarantee.

Dingdong
04-02-2012, 18:59
Spent £15 on a pair of these.

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/IMG_0103.jpg

They'll be fitted very shortly. Will report back. Haven't found any 5687's that float my boat just yet.

Ammonite Audio
04-02-2012, 19:23
On my old WAD KaT88, those RCA 6AU6 tubes were by some margin the best tubes that I ever tried, being notably vibrant, musical and simply enjoyable. I did inherit a box load of assorted tubes including 6AU6s from Bruel & Kjaer after they shut down their UK service facility, so I did try quite a few. I doubt you'll be at all disappointed with the RCAs.

Dingdong
04-02-2012, 20:16
Just had one of those 'oh crap!!' moments. The right channel was very low after plugging them in.
Switched everything off and swapped input cables around and everything works. Swapped them back and it's okay.
Blame the cats for sabotaging it while I was out.
I've now got quite a lot of bass. They've only been on for 20 minutes. Will see how they go. Not sure what I can report back as I've changed 2 things in the last 24hours.
I'm really bloody happy with the sound now. Hope Dave and I can get the room sounding as good at Scalford. Will be taking lots of last minute diy acoustic treatment I think.

Dingdong
04-02-2012, 20:17
On my old WAD KaT88, those RCA 6AU6 tubes were by some margin the best tubes that I ever tried, being notably vibrant, musical and simply enjoyable. I did inherit a box load of assorted tubes including 6AU6s from Bruel & Kjaer after they shut down their UK service facility, so I did try quite a few. I doubt you'll be at all disappointed with the RCAs.


Don't suppose you've got a couple of tasty 5687's in that box have you?

Ammonite Audio
04-02-2012, 21:01
Don't suppose you've got a couple of tasty 5687's in that box have you?

Sorry - I sold on my box of tubes shortly after the WAD amp went.

Dingdong
04-02-2012, 21:12
I'm thinking of these 5687's. From the same supplier as the 6au6's. Any thoughts?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5687WB-5687-PHILIPS-BLACK-17mm-PLATE-VALVE-TUBE-NEW-1PC-/280219691072?pt=UK_Consumer_VintageAudio_RL&hash=item413e652840

Ammonite Audio
04-02-2012, 21:18
There really is only one way to find out if you like them. Go for it!

Dingdong
04-02-2012, 21:33
I guess it'll cost me £35 to find out.

Although I could get some shiny new vinyl for that. But I might get better sound from my existing stuff. Decisions decisions.

BTH K10A
05-02-2012, 20:13
I'd have a punt on these first. ;)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMPEREX-7119-E182CC-LOT-4-/140695608736?pt=UK_Consumer_VintageAudio_RL&hash=item20c21c9da0#ht_1565wt_1398

You might be surprised how good they are. :)

Dingdong
05-02-2012, 20:36
Are they something I could just pop right in, in place of the 5687's?

BTH K10A
05-02-2012, 20:54
Yes, the E182CC = 7119 which is similar to 5687 and has the same pinout but with slightly higher mu.

It's generally accepted that the E182CC/7119 sounds better than the 5687.

The real killer is the Bendix 6900. A few find it too analytical but I and many others think it's the best. But.... it's best not to go there unless you want to save up for your bus fare home. :eyebrows:

Dingdong
05-02-2012, 21:18
Cheers for that. Will monitor those on ebay.

The markings have rubbed off the old valves. Will have to take a photo and see if anyone recognises them.

Dingdong
06-02-2012, 21:57
Not that it really matters, but can anyone indentify my old 6au6's?

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac169/marktb/Hifi/IMG_0108.jpg

So far with the new valves I'm hearing quite an improvement in the bass, but a tiny loss in low level detail. I just prefer the balance of the RCA's so they'll stay. Until I need another tube rolling fix ;)

Ali Tait
07-02-2012, 01:05
Look like Edicrons. If they are what originally were supplied with the wad kit, they definately are.

Ali Tait
07-02-2012, 01:07
BTW, try GE JAN 6au6's. Easily the best of all the ones I tried IMHO.

Dingdong
07-02-2012, 09:44
Thanks for that. I spent the rest of this months hifi budget on some more vinyl. Will wait until next month probably to get some 5687's and keep an eye out for some GE's in the future.
Then I'd better start a fund for eventual replacement of the EL34's. I'm not sure how much use they've had. Maybe try and get them tested at some point.