Hold the phone! Got this NOS Phillips 2C51 tube from TUBE DEPOT for $19.95. Pictured alongside my 1966 WE396A ($100). The WE396A sounds about 5% more spacious but other than that, it's got the same exact tonality, clarity, imaging, etc. Link and pic below:
The WE396A is a solid tube but you can get good sound out of tubes that cost less. Try the GE 5 Star 5670 or the JAN GE 5670W. They can be had for less than $20 each.
Hey guys. Need your help, as I'm a novice when it comes to tubes. I bought a couple more tubes to play around with while enjoying my Vali 3. I have a 5670 from 1973. The seller wrote the following on the inside flap. Can someone explain to me what it means?
Hey guys. Need your help, as I'm a novice when it comes to tubes. I bought a couple more tubes to play around with while enjoying my Vali 3. I have a 5670 from 1973. The seller wrote the following on the inside flap. Can someone explain to me what it means?
A new old stock/new in box would be like $170. It was worth it over the stock tube to me. I'm a freak though. I have to know that I have the best. I justified it because even with an expensive tube, the Vali3 + WE396A was still less than the Jotenheim2. The Vali 3 sounded similar and slightly better then Jotenheim2 to me-- even with the stock tube. I would try several tubes under $50 first and see if any of them make you happy and are better than the stock tube, then go from there.
I don't have a 396A, but I did try out a GE 5670WA. At first I liked the stock tube more, but after giving the GE another chance, to my ears there is no difference in sound.
I recommend getting the tube that looks coolest and isn't too expensive. Personally I think the stock tube is excellent and looks better than the short 5670's. The 5670 is sitting in its box as a back up and I'm using the stock tube.
I don't have a 396A, but I did try out a GE 5670WA. At first I liked the stock tube more, but after giving the GE another chance, to my ears there is no difference in sound.
I recommend getting **the tube that looks coolest** and isn't too expensive. Personally I think the stock tube is excellent and looks better than the short 5670's. The 5670 is sitting in its box as a back up and I'm using the stock tube.
I haven't seen what the minimum value is either. You're right about the rest. It's called the transconductance value. It's the measurement of the left and right triode and it determines the left and right channel output. A well-balanced tube is less than 10% between the triodes. Advice that I was given was if the tube sounds good then don't worry about how it measures. A lot of test units are old and out of spec. But I wouldn't want to buy a tube that didn't measure well. That would be taking a chance with your money.
Someone was kind enough to explain this to me in the Schiit Happens thread.
Schiit Vali 3 with Tesla 6CC42 (PWDG: pinched waist, D Getter [holder]):
• What to say? This is not the sound of a $149(b) / $159(s) headphone amplifier or of a $269 / $279 h/p/a & tube combination! The dollar delineation matters not. The sound is so much more. Think: , with its dynamics, emotion, impact, reverberation, spatiality.
• I kept wondering when an obvious, heartwrenching weakness in Vali 3 sound would appear - dashing the musical reverie. Well, I had better things to do than wait - enjoyment took over.
• To actual / prospective Vali 3 owners: I say step up, if you can, to GE 5670, GE 5-star 5670, Raytheon CK5670, RCA Command 5670, and yes: Tesla 6CC42 (PWDG or other), WE 396A. Even if you end up with a $330-ish h/p/a+tube combo, I cannot think of any better h/p/a for that money & for a few multiples of it.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
, with its dynamics, emotion, impact, reverberation, spatiality.
?