Well...... After spending the last 2 weeks rolling these tubes. Here's my breakdown so far Billy.
WE396a:
This tube is all about seduction! It's presentation just sucks you in the center of the music. It's a very juicy, rich, weighted sound, but retains this clear and calculated detail retrieval. The sheer size of the notes is what is most impressive. Every note extends out into the soundstage equally with a black 3D holographic background. Very holographic!
Treble is full bloom, never ever hard and absolutely no glare. More liquid than air.
Midrange is robust, and emotional. Music sounds natural, and believable.
Bass is deep accurate and well extended, with excellent impact/slam.
Tung-sol 2c51:
This tube here imo, would be the midrange master. It's not as rich as the 396a, and not as airy as the 5 star, but it carries both of their traits equally. Another Soundstage and holographic marvel! It lacks a smidgen of depth of the 396a, but makes up for it in height, and width. It's still a very deep tube, but a step behind. It's a little wider and taller than the 396a. This tube leaves me speechless with female vocals, metal, and percussion. This tube is a perfect balance between the 5star and 396.
Trebel:
Well extended, with a nice balance between weight and air.
Midrange:
Simply gorgeous! Very lifelike presentation.
Bass:
Less full than the 396a, but with a little more impact and slam. Sounds a little more accurate and extends well. Blends perfect with the rest of the spectrum.
At the end of the day. I can see a lot of you possibly preferring this tube.
GE 5 star triple mica:
This tube is where the air is at. It's focus is upper mids, into the treble. But don't let that scare you.
It still carries a nice balance with the rest of the spectrum. This tube just breathes music into your soul! Best treble of the bunch!
Same trait as the others with sounstage, and holography. Massive! This tube is a little wider and taller than the tung-sol, with the same depth.
This tube has more of a V shaped sound but it's not extremely V shaped. Just more than the other.
Trebel :
Very airy, and extended! Best treble thus far!
Midrange:
Less focus than the others but definitely not lost or recessed. Just recessed in comparison. It's still breathy, and emotional.
Bass:
Very impactful and extended. A little more slam than the tung-sol, with a smidge less weight. Very accurate!
Best I could do Billy. One thing about it. These differences in these tubes aren't as dramatic as the 6922 variants. Like a mullard is the polar opposite of a Siemens CCa.
There's more similarities than differences imo. I think it's because of the soundstage, and imaging trait they all carry. They're all very 3d, and very engaging tubes. Just flavored different.
It's so hard to rank one better than the other. For me, I keep popping the tung-sol back in. Lol. Must be that midrange hoor in me. LOL.
Now that you've had time with quite a few of them Sammy, can you rank them and give a mini-review of each...and Winders as well. I have the JK WE396a's, GE 5 Star 3 mica D Getters, Tung Sol D Getters...and just ordered a pair of 1951 Bendix Square Getters. I would guess I'll prefer the Western Electrics from what I've read. I tend toward a heavier, smoother timbre (the WE's) vs the more detailed but brighter (Bendix) with the other two (GE 5 Star amd Tung Sol) supposedly somewhere in between.
EDIT: Still no adapters...but did just order a spare pair of those too. I blame Sammy for all of this. I was more than happy just a few weeks ago before he went insane.
They are like nonexistent!
