August 8, 2012
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Prem. 140 Input Tubes, Pt 5
This is the fifth and, for now, final installment on input tubes for the Premier 140 power amplifier.
Although I have some 18 or so small signal tubes still in the queue to try out, I've decided to move onto other topics to cover. The reasons why I'm moving on are twofold. First, the number of changes to my system since I've started the review have become too numerous. Their cumulative affect has so radically changed the sound of my system that comparisons between those tubes auditioned before the changes and any tubes I listen to now, are no longer playing on the same field. Second, after logging over 185 hours with the same tube complements in the 16LS2 preamp (6922EH) and the 140's power tubes (SED 6550C), I needed a change to keep my own interest fresh and engaged.
The subject of today's report is an Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 with a small halo getter ring made in the Heerlen, Holland plant in 1965.
For those of you interested, my three favorite tubes auditioned so far have been (in order of preference): the Amperex Pinched-Waist 6922, Mullard CV2493 and Tungsram PCC88. You'll notice that the Tungsram has the next to lowest Average rating, so, a word to the wise on how meaningful these average scores may be versus what sounds best to you.
Type Bass Mids Highs Detail Grain Dynamics Sound Stage Avg. Forward* Warmth* 6922EH 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.0 0.0 Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 -1.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 5.0 -0.5 4.0 2.07 2.5 0.0 Amperex Pinched Waist 6922 -1.0 5.0 -2.0 4.0 7.0 0.0 9.0 3.14 -1.0 5.0 GE Grey Glass 6DJ8 -1.5 2.0 1.0 1.5 2.0 1.0 5.0 1.57 0.0 1.5 Lorenz PCC88 0.0 0.0 1.0 3.0 5.0 1.0 6.0 2.29 -1.0 0.0 Mullard CV2493 (1970 dimple disk) 1.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.0 5.0 2.57 1.0 0.0 Sylvania 7308 2.0 0.0 1.5 1.00 0.0 1.5 3.0 1.29 1.0 0.0 Telefunken ECC88 0.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 4.0 1.0 4.0 1.86 0.0 0.0 Tungsram PCC88 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.50 1.0 0.0 Future topics to be covered in these pages will include:
- Power cords by Shunyata -- the Venom3 and the original Taipan Alpha. The last six feet do indeed make a difference.
- Footers, both brass and carbon fiber.
- Crystal of all sorts. It's not just something to pour your champagne into.
Comments (4)
Aw, not Crystal Light?
Man, how do you get all these tubes with the printing still intact? On mine, the printing rubbed off long ago.
@rpghero27 -
These Amperex came straight out of Tektronix equipment and so probably went right from their original boxes into to equipment and then were pulled and sent to me. I try to be careful with them. And so there was minimal wear and tear on the labels.
You may be disappointed to hear, I certainly was, that my beloved Amperex Pinched-Waist 6922 has lost its entire label. I removed the two silicone O-rings from it after auditioning the tube for these reviews. When I was finished I saw that the basically perfect label on the front and back had been reduced to a thin white line from the action of sliding off the rings!
That's why I've now switched back to using Herbie's Halos. If you're careful with them the damage to the labels is minimal or none at all. The sacrifices I make for these reviews.
As above, I really like your chart. How do I interpret those values?
@JAFANT -
I tried to give an explanation of the what each of the characteristics (bass, detail, etc.) meant and what the numerical range of values were in the first installment of the input tube reviews. It's all based on using the Electro-Harmonix 6922EH as the starting point. Then each subsequent tube is ranked in comparison to the 6922EH. A tube which sounds just about the same as the 6922EH in terms of the bass would get a rating of 0; if it was just a little better it'd be a 1; a great deal better, a 5 for example.
You might want to look at the first installment for more information: http://jda1951.xanga.com/766369796/c-j-premier-140-input-tubes-part-1/
Also, if you're not familiar with how the 6922EH itself sounds, then give a look at the review I did for that tube here: http://jda1951.xanga.com/764345119/electro-harmonix-6922eh/
If you still have some questions, then please don't hesitate to ask. What may be clear to me may not be to anyone else.