[triod750]

I found a photo now!

 

[mordy]

Today's roll is a tube de jour - the 6K6GT (RCA) and a National Union 6F8G branded Philco. The 6F8G looks very good for it's age - it just turned 80! Actually I had a note attached to it that it is microphonic and noisy. However, yesterday I gave it a heat treatment (applying the tip of a 30W soldering iron to each pin for 30 seconds to reflow the solder in the pins) and it seems to have worked - it is quiet now. -Or could it be the amp that made it quiet?
Some people think that the National Union 6F8G is the best sounding tube of this designation. (The 6F8G is a precursor to the 6SN7).
I don't know if you can see from the picture, but the 6K6GT tubes have a black smudge inside the top of the glass. It was explained to me that it is called anode boil-off and isn't a problem; it just shows that the tube is used.
Anyhow, beautiful sound from the Ultimate...

Correction: After being turned on for an hour the sound changed to REALLY beautiful sound!

 

[triod750]

You will have to change something. Best to do is as soon as possible.

 

[LoryWiv]

I am running Brimar CV455 footscray and Telefunken EL12 today. There is life besides GEC CV1135 and GE 6EM7. I've been neglecting the middle driver for a while. A good 12AT7 brings the fireworks.

Nice, Matt. I know Greg (@Deleeh) like 12AT7 as well. I have tried and enjoyed the 12AU7. Besides higher gain, how does the 12AT7 sound different from 12AU7?

 

[Deleeh]

Nice, Matt. I know Greg (@Deleeh) like 12AT7 as well. I have tried and enjoyed the 12AU7. Besides higher gain, how does the 12AT7 sound different from 12AU7?

I think12At is well dosed in Ultimate and usually has the right stroke tonally.
I find 12Au a little more mellow, relaxed and a little more analogue in character.
Both are similar/similar in structure but slightly different tonally, not much but audible.
12ax is actually also good but you have to pay attention to 2 things, one is to reduce the Dac volume a little if possible and the other is to pay attention to the output tubes.
Sometimes I find that the output tubes could do more but seem a bit inhibited.
12AX is the right vitamin.
With the 6k6 Tungsol I found that it sometimes needed more power and with the 12Ax7 Tungsol Greyplates 1960 everything you needed was there.
So if the output tube is a bit too soft, it makes sense to have 2-3 good 12Ax7s in the drawer.

 

[UntilThen]

Nice, Matt. I know Greg (@Deleeh) like 12AT7 as well. I have tried and enjoyed the 12AU7. Besides higher gain, how does the 12AT7 sound different from 12AU7?

I bought my 12AT7 tubes for Odyssey. I chose the higher gain 12a*7 for Susvara naturally.

I have better 12at7 than 12au7. GEC a2900, TFK ECC801S, Brimar CV455 Footscray, Mullard 6201 PQ. Then I started buying even higher gain 12a*7. I bought Raytheon 5751 Windmill, and Amperex 12ax7(this was from Odyssey as well).

The only good 12au7 I have is the pair of Brimar 12au7 long plates and those were bought when I had Elekit TU-8200.

So depending on your headphones, 12au7 could do the job as well.

I'm still using the Genalex Gold Lion E88CC / 6922 since yesterday and that is a cheap tube. I have a pair !

 

[UntilThen]

Just pick up Ultimate 300b/2a3 (45 will be implemented shortly). Albert's Ultimate has been handed to Eric. No problem with that Ultimate. It should be will Albert in 2 weeks time.

More details to follow but initial listen with HD800 and Susvara on Ultimate Psvane 2a3 with Mullard ECC35 has been jaw dropping. I have to compare it with my own Super Ultimate with Mullard ECC34 and RT EL39.

I have not even put in 300b tubes yet but 2a3 tubes sound amazing.

 

[Deleeh]

Just pick up Ultimate 300b/2a3 (45 will be implemented shortly). Albert's Ultimate has been handed to Eric. No problem with that Ultimate. It should be will Albert in 2 weeks time.

More details to follow but initial listen with HD800 and Susvara on Ultimate Psvane 2a3 with Mullard ECC35 has been jaw dropping. I have to compare it with my own Super Ultimate with Mullard ECC34 and RT EL39.

I have not even put in 300b tubes yet but 2a3 tubes sound amazing.

Do you have any technical details about the 300b Ultimate?
Looks very classy in black.
I like it very much.

 

[UntilThen]

Do you have any technical details about the 300b Ultimate?
Looks very classy in black.
I like it very much.

About 5w with 300b tube and 3.5w with 2a3. Both 300b and 2a3 are using 5v while the 45 will use 2.5v.

Pretty much the proven Ultimate design. Eric reserve the right not to share anything more.

With ECC35 and 2a3 tubes, it is dynamic and punchy. Vivid and vibrant. Right up there with my Super Ultimate with ECC34 and RT EL39.

 

[UntilThen]

I hate it when Eric produce such good sounding tube amps because I want to buy the Ultimate 300b/2a3 now ! When I swap 2a3 with 300b tubes, the heavens open. Literally !

Bass goes up several levels. With ECC35, treble, mids and bass and the whole frequency spectrum sound just right. Wide soundstage with HD800. Well that is a given.

As with the standard Ultimate, even cheap Psvane 300b and 2a3 tubes sound amazing in this amp. No need to buy Western Electric or Elrog 300b tubes unless you're loaded.

 

[UntilThen]

No noise at all with Grado GH1, HD800 and Susvara. Both 2a3 and 300b sounded incredible. 2a3 is tighter and 300b is voluptuous. As with standard Ultimate, this amp is so revealing at the top end without fatigue. Mid range is king now with 300b tubes. This is the right definition of king ! No other tubes can touch 300b when it comes to midrange and bass.

I'm loss in translation now. What I am hearing, makes me want to order the amp now.

With Psvane 2A3.

 

[ARCXENOS]

No noise at all with Grado GH1, HD800 and Susvara. Both 2a3 and 300b sounded incredible. 2a3 is tighter and 300b is voluptuous. As with standard Ultimate, this amp is so revealing at the top end without fatigue. Mid range is king now with 300b tubes. This is the right definition of king ! No other tubes can touch 300b when it comes to midrange and bass.

I'm loss in translation now. What I am hearing, makes me want to order the amp now.

With Psvane 2A3.

I look forward to your 2A3 and 300b rolling activities

 

[UntilThen]

Brilliant 300b tone. Unmistakeable. Many would die to hear a well executed 300b amp and this is the amp.

Sorry @ARCXENOS, the only rolling I am doing is between 2A3 and 300b and the many drivers. Ain't got any money to buy a variety of 2a3 and 300b tubes.

Psvane 300b tubes.

 

[UntilThen]

I promise I will be good. Just give me an Ultimate 300b/2a3/45 for Christmas or for my birthday next year in April.

Btw, Eric, told me that this amp will be AUD$300 more than my Super Ultimate. So the price is AUD$3600 plus shipping and this includes a pair of Psvane 300b tubes.

 

[rollinbr]

No noise at all with Grado GH1, HD800 and Susvara. Both 2a3 and 300b sounded incredible. 2a3 is tighter and 300b is voluptuous. As with standard Ultimate, this amp is so revealing at the top end without fatigue. Mid range is king now with 300b tubes. This is the right definition of king ! No other tubes can touch 300b when it comes to midrange and bass.

I'm loss in translation now. What I am hearing, makes me want to order the amp now.

With Psvane 2A3.

I have to admit I'm chomping at the bit for this amp. Expect an email from me to you and Eric later tonight when I'm on break.

I did just receive my EL38 tubes from Langrex and adapters from Mrs. X. I'll put those tubes in UltimatE tomorrow morning once I'm off work.