Lou Erickson
100+ Head-Fier
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- Aug 6, 2003
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Are there separate adapters for the 12AT7/12AU7 or is it the same one? Like this one from tubemonger?
Same. 12Axx is a family with 12AU7 (amp factor: 20 - medium gain), 12AT7 (amp factor: 60 - high gain), 12AX7 (amp factor: 100 - way too high gain - 'cept for geetar amps). There's a bunch of other siblings in the family as well. But all use the same adapter for 6922 socket.Are there separate adapters for the 12AT7/12AU7 or is it the same one? Like this one from tubemonger?
.... some of us have . In my case, Monoprice Cavalli Liquid Platinum: $330 (on sale); pair Telefunken G-73R: $620 (a while ago).How important is it to get matched sets? Is that worth worrying about? They cost more - representing more labor and time.
I could easily spend more on tubes than I spent on the amp. Hee.
Not vital. However, if the pair of tubes are more 10-15% out of spec with other, there could be balance issues. Many vendors sell matched pairs for not much extra.How important is it to get matched sets? Is that worth worrying about? They cost more - representing more labor and time.
Ummm... that's the whole point of tube rolling. There's no (published) fixed ratio, but a good and terrible average is roughly 5 to 1. Whatever your amp costs, once fully rolling, tubesI could easily spend more on tubes than I spent on the amp. Hee.
In addition to the other (excellent) suggestions, look for some Holland made Amperex 6922’s or 6DJ8’s. No adapter needed for them. The Amperex have a house sound that is typically warm and tubey. The D-getters are best, followed by the large halo getter (the ring is 2/3rds the diameter of the bottle), and then the small halo getter (1/3rd the diameter of the bottle). Stay away from the windmill getters as they kinda suck (latest and last years of production).How important is it to get matched sets? Is that worth worrying about? They cost more - representing more labor and time.
I could easily spend more on tubes than I spent on the amp. Hee.
I've taken the plunge on a a couple of sets of tubes, one the Dutch Amperex 6922's. The picture shows the large halo getter, which seemed fine for the price.In addition to the other (excellent) suggestions, look for some Holland made Amperex 6922’s or 6DJ8’s. No adapter needed for them. The Amperex have a house sound that is typically warm and tubey. The D-getters are best, followed by the large halo getter (the ring is 2/3rds the diameter of the bottle), and then the small halo getter (1/3rd the diameter of the bottle). Stay away from the windmill getters as they kinda suck (latest and last years of production).
Sweet! Please be sure and post back once you get them and let us know what you think.I've taken the plunge on a a couple of sets of tubes, one the Dutch Amperex 6922's. The picture shows the large halo getter, which seemed fine for the price.
Thanks for all the very helpful advice! Now I just have to wait for them to arrive.
The 'orange globes' are excellent 6922s. [I have rotated them in Valhalla 2 (ago), in Liquid Platinum, in Woo WA3.]Well, my first tubes arrived, and they're in and singing. It's hard to quantify the differences because a/bing takes a while. These are "Amperex Orange Globe 6922/ECC88/6DJ8 Tube Pair", not one of the suggested ones from above, but one that caught my fancy and I'd heard the name someplace else.
They're in and playing. Things are different, but it's hard to say how. The amp sounds warmer and less accurate, yet fuller all around. So far I'm enjoying it.
Another set - the holland made amperex suggested above - is on the way.
Those are my absolute "go to" tubes. I have used them with Pulse Tube Store 12Axx --> ECC88 adapters in: Schiit Mjolnir 2, Valhalla 2 .... Woo WA2, WA3 ....These are more but sound great. https://www.langrex.co.uk/products/12at7-cv455-kb-fb-brimar-rare-triple-mica-1956-nos-valve-tube/
Give 'em a little play time. That hum may go away. Might not. Just saying there's a possibility.The Holland-made Amperex came, finally. They sound lovely, although I think one hums a little. Listening to my first test album had me whistling along with it, which is rare and a sign that I'm enjoying myself a great deal. Lovely tube.
Very nice so far, and yet another new sound from the same amp.
My set of 12Axx -> ECC88 adapters arrived as well, so there's another whole world I can explore!