Interested how you get on with the Psvanes I almost purchased a pair but ended up going Gold Lion for both 12AU7 & 6v6 which I have to say seem a great match for my HE1000 Stealth, much better top end compared with the Apos tubes. At first I thought there was slightly less detail but I find the details are all there just not so in your face. Also the Gold Lion give a more holographic sound. Been able to listen for long periods without any fatigue. Also, the Gold Lions are extremely quiet, best of the bunch so far. Let me know how you get on with the Psvanes, be interested to see if they change much with burn in, the Gold Lions seem to improve quite considerably over the first 30 hours or so.
I purchased my amp used and the previous owner handed me a few sets of tubes that were burnt in ready to go. Only comparison I'd be able to make is with the stock tubes, which were underwhelming and as many have noted sound too smoothed over. The Psvanes are quiet and provide a detailed, balanced sound that's slightly warm. To my knowledge the Gold Lions are some of the best current production tubes available, so I think you made a solid choice. Hoping to get some NOS 12au7 soon to compare. I think I'm finally narrowing down my options after basically reading through this entire thread
I used the chart and found a RCA black plate pair for sale for 70 bucks. It sounds exactly as described, it’s so smooth that it makes my OG Utopia sound like the 2022 version.More Tube Rolling on the HA-3A
Some view tube rolling as a chore.
I view it as an adventure, from the hunt to find NOS tubes, hose sound IMO far out paces ANY of the new production tubes, to trying tube of different manufactures or even different years of the same manufacturer, it allows me to adjust and tune the sound, much more than can be done with the solid state amps I've had to date.
Rolling with known songs/tracks and just hearing how the changes are presented. Some not to my linking, but many present interesting differences
My latest change
My go to so far for power tubes have been the Mazda 6V6G ST/Coke bottle tubes from the 50's/Early 60's
But found a pristine set of Mullard 6V6G ST's. In orignal Mullard boxes and the silkscreening is intact, clear and complete on both tubes. A rare find.
I've read from MANY sources that Mullard did NOT make their own 6V6 tubes, and that they were either made by Marconi or Mazda
These have markings on the base and underside near the pins, that match other Mullard Tubes, that seem to indicate they were indeed manufactured in Great Britan
If anyone knows for sure, please hit me up with a response. I would appreciate knowing that information.
A quick shot of both tubes and their boxes for reference.
I can tell you these Mullard's do NOT sound anywhere like the Mazda's, or the Marconi's I have borrowed or sold off.
The Mazda's are very neutral, warmish sounding power tubes with the right pre amp tubes in front of them
These Mullard's just came in, and after some initial burn in, started to listen with the same E80cc tubes I've enjoyed with the Mazda's (happen to also be Mullard's) and wow, what difference...
The Mullard's are much warmer, solid deeper bass, not to heavy but definitely more present than the Mazda's. Matched with the E80cc's the highs remain clear and extended, but the Mullard's bring a different sound signature. Maybe a little more "fun" if not a little less accruate than the Mazda's
They've opened up a little more since I first got them with 24 hours of burn in. Initially the Mullards seemed to not be as clear as the Mazda's but with burn in they have smoothed out, cleared up and offer distinctly different sound than the Mazda's. Not better, just different.
Posting this info as I see new HA-3A owners posting, and encourage you to not give up on this amp. Rolling in tubes will make a HUGE change over the stock tubes.
Hoping info I have posted here and number of pages back will help those who are just starting out. Its my way to say thanks to those of you who have helped me through my tube journey on this forum, and got me to find the enjoyment of tube rolling and find the sound I was seeking.
Rennex has posted this chart earlier in the thread and including again (with KUDO's to Rennex) that has helped me through this journey, and post for those still looking for tubes to get to the sound they are seeking
IMO it's very accurate so depending on the sound signature you're looking for, its a great place to start, and most of the tubes listed are still readily available (vs the E80cc) and at various price points.
And for those who want something a little more than the 12AU7, try out if you can borrow or are willing to buy them without hearing them, a set of the E80cc/6085 tubes. IMO they out shine the 12AU7's, they are just getting some damn hard to find now.
Don't worry about the extra power draw, Andy has confirmed with Cayin Engineering this amp can handle the E80cc's
Back to my new power tubes. Will be going through the various E80cc's and 12AU7's I have as the sound signature of these Mullard's is enjoyable but leaves me wondering what the synergy would be with other pre amp tubes. Perhaps the brighter E80cc's I own will be offest by the Mullard's?
Enjoying these over the Fivre, RAF Blackglass, and Brimar 6V6G power tubes I own.
Both the Mazda's and the Mullard's give the Bendix 5992's I own a solid run, and just present a different sound than the 5992's
Only problem with these new tubes, I can't find anymore NOS in the 6V6G ST style, all I can find NOS are the narrow bottle 6V6GT or GTA's
Will just have to enjoy them while I have them
Hope this information helps those starting their tube rolling and as I always like to state
The above is IMO, and YMMV
Do you mean XLR cables? Topping and Schiit come to mind first, inexpensive and well made.
I purchased mine from Russian distributor for about 1400$ with free shipping.
Thank you. But ¿without custom taxes?
Hello,
Without any extra taxes and fees. China is right next to Russia
The ST Mullard looks more like a Mazda than any of the traditional British brands like GEC, STC, or Brimar. The off-white/yellowish glass printing and more solid grey glass coating looks a lot like those found on Mazda’s mil spec 6V6gt. Mazda was capable of making mil spec tubes for themselves which yours are as indicated by the arrow on the base. STCs and Brimars from the earlier “G” era typically have a more faded, inconsistent, and transparent glass coating.More Tube Rolling on the HA-3A
Some view tube rolling as a chore.
I view it as an adventure, from the hunt to find NOS tubes, whose sound IMO far out paces ANY of the new production tubes, to trying tube of different manufactures or even different years of the same manufacturer, it allows me to adjust and tune the sound, much more than can be done with the solid state amps I've had to date.
Rolling with known songs/tracks and just hearing how the changes are presented. Some not to my linking, but many present interesting differences
My latest change
My go to so far for power tubes have been the Mazda 6V6G ST/Coke bottle tubes from the 50's/Early 60's
But found a pristine set of Mullard 6V6G ST's. In orignal Mullard boxes and the silkscreening is intact, clear and complete on both tubes. A rare find.
I've read from MANY sources that Mullard did NOT make their own 6V6 tubes, and that they were either made by Marconi or Mazda
These have markings on the base and underside near the pins, that match other Mullard Tubes, that seem to indicate they were indeed manufactured in Great Britan
If anyone knows for sure, please hit me up with a response. I would appreciate knowing that information.
A quick shot of both tubes and their boxes for reference.
I can tell you these Mullard's do NOT sound anywhere like the Mazda's, or the Marconi's I have borrowed or sold off.
The Mazda's are very neutral, warmish sounding power tubes with the right pre amp tubes in front of them
These Mullard's just came in, and after some initial burn in, started to listen with the same E80cc tubes I've enjoyed with the Mazda's (happen to also be Mullard's) and wow, what difference...
The Mullard's are much warmer, solid deeper bass, not to heavy but definitely more present than the Mazda's. Matched with the E80cc's the highs remain clear and extended, but the Mullard's bring a different sound signature. Maybe a little more "fun" if not a little less accruate than the Mazda's
They've opened up a little more since I first got them with 24 hours of burn in. Initially the Mullards seemed to not be as clear as the Mazda's but with burn in they have smoothed out, cleared up and offer distinctly different sound than the Mazda's. Not better, just different.
Posting this info as I see new HA-3A owners posting, and encourage you to not give up on this amp. Rolling in tubes will make a HUGE change over the stock tubes.
Hoping info I have posted here and number of pages back will help those who are just starting out. Its my way to say thanks to those of you who have helped me through my tube journey on this forum, and got me to find the enjoyment of tube rolling and find the sound I was seeking.
Rennex has posted this chart earlier in the thread and including again (with KUDO's to Rennex) that has helped me through this journey, and post for those still looking for tubes to get to the sound they are seeking
IMO it's very accurate so depending on the sound signature you're looking for, its a great place to start, and most of the tubes listed are still readily available (vs the E80cc) and at various price points.
And for those who want something a little more than the 12AU7, try out if you can borrow or are willing to buy them without hearing them, a set of the E80cc/6085 tubes. IMO they out shine the 12AU7's, they are just getting some damn hard to find now.
Don't worry about the extra power draw, Andy has confirmed with Cayin Engineering this amp can handle the E80cc's
Back to my new power tubes. Will be going through the various E80cc's and 12AU7's I have as the sound signature of these Mullard's is enjoyable but leaves me wondering what the synergy would be with other pre amp tubes. Perhaps the brighter E80cc's I own will be offest by the Mullard's?
Enjoying these over the Fivre, RAF Blackglass, and Brimar 6V6G power tubes I own.
Both the Mazda's and the Mullard's give the Bendix 5992's I own a solid run, and just present a different sound than the 5992's
Only problem with these new tubes, I can't find anymore NOS in the 6V6G ST style, all I can find NOS are the narrow bottle 6V6GT or GTA's
Will just have to enjoy them while I have them
Hope this information helps those starting their tube rolling and as I always like to state
The above is IMO, and YMMV
