[Guy 13]

Hi all.
My Audio Circle friend Ed (Bardamu) from Holland
brought and gave me (Thanks to him) two RCA 6AS7G tubes
for my Bottlehead Crack headphone amplifier to drive my Sennheiser HD650 headphones.
The original tubes since the beginning are two tubes,
one RCA 6080 and one RCA 6AS7G.
1592 - 1594





The RCA 6AS7G that I was using does not have the same labeling
as the two ones that Ed gave me.
The two on the right are the tubes Ed gave me.
Previous 1578 – 1576 – 1583







Gift from Ed
1580 – 1581 – 1582 – 1579 the lettering is more complete
it even has the 6AS7G printed on the glass bottle.









Direct drop in and similar to, is that the same ? 1575



My Crack with the different tubes. 1590 – 1595





Now, how do the (New) tubes sounds compare to what I had before?
Well, honestly, about they sounds about the same,
I have to do more listening to really hear a difference,
for now they are about the same sound quality.
Now I have enough tunes to last me until I kick the bucket.
I will report next year about my findings,
which is only in a few days.
Thanks again to Ed/bardamu.



Guy 13 on planet Vietnam.

 

[lextek]

I have never really noticed a lot of difference with tube rolling on with the Crack.  Seems like the input tube had more of an effect.  It always sounds good.

[Guy 13]

I have never really noticed a lot of difference with tube rolling on with the Crack.  Seems like the input tube had more of an effect.  It always sounds good.

Hi lextek,
I have
two (02) RCA 12AU7 USA Clear top
(I am now using one for my Crack)
One (01) Raytheon 12AU7 Organ stock G get. USA 1957
One (01) GE 12AU7/ECCO82 USA
One (01) Tungsol 12AU7/5963 USA
and I could hardly tell the difference in sound between all of them.
Almost the same with the 6080/6AS7G,
minds you I think one of the 6AS7G seems to have a slightly better sound,
but I would not swear about it.
I did the same tube rolling with my Decware SE84C+
I have
One (01) Sylvania 6922 USA 1978
One (01) Russia made No Name 6922
One (01) Electro Harmonix 6922 (I am now using that one)
I could not (Really) tell the difference in sound between those,
but I think the Electro Harmonix sound better.
For the EL84 I have
Two (02) Genalex Gold Lion N704/EL84
Two (02) Electro Harmonix EL84
The EH EL84 sound a little better than the Gold Lion,
I would say better by maybe 15% over the Gold Lion.
I have
Two (02) Sovtek 5AR4
One RCA 5U4GB
One Ruby 5U4 
No difference in sound, but I'm using the Sovtek 5AR4.
Maybe it's me and my ears, but not much difference
between all of them, the only difference/improvement in sound 
I could clearly hear was the EH el84.
I don't buy exotic tubes and/or tubes over 45 USD.
But that's me, Mr. Cheap skate ! 
May I ask if you have the Speedball up-grade on your Crack
and what tubes you are using now?

Guy 13


 

[Guy 13]

I have never really noticed a lot of difference with tube rolling on with the Crack.  Seems like the input tube had more of an effect.  It always sounds good.

Hi lextek,
seems that to me it's the reverse, with all the tube rolling I did,
the input tube is the one that had very little or no improvement
at all and I did five different type/make of 12AU7,
but maybe the guilty is my soon to be 67 years old ears.
I am posting below a new tube rolling I just did, have a look.

Guy 13
 

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
this afternoon when I went to Thivan Labs showroom
(See my post under " tube-o-phile circle "
Thivan Labs Made in Vietnam tube amplifier.)
Mr. Thi gave me free of charge one Bendix Jan-CEA 6080WB USA tube
(Hi G-800 / 6323R44 metal base and graphite plates)
for my Bottlehead Crack headphone amplifier.
Very generous and kind of him for which I thank him.
He told me that he had tons of those.
I just finish testing the Bendix against a RCA 6AS7G
and to my ears,
the Bendix seems to sound a little better than the RCA.
Very difficult to tell when the difference is so little,
the Bendix seems to be a little brighter and have more gain.
I think both tube are very good.
I will do more testing with other CDs.
Thanks again Mr. Thi for your generosity.
I am now well stocked with 2 6080 and 3 6AS7G tubes
and five different makes of 12AU7,
so I'm good until I kick the bucket.
Unless I win the jack pot at the lottery,
then no hesitation, I will buy a pair of Stax.

Guy 13

[Rocket]

Hi Guy,

Sounds like your having fun with all the tube rolling in your Bottlehead Crack.  Did you every upgrade it to Speedball?

Cheers Rod

[Guy 13]

Hi Guy,

Sounds like your having fun with all the tube rolling in your Bottlehead Crack.  Did you every upgrade it to Speedball?

Cheers Rod

Hi Rod from big planet Australia.
No Speedball up-grade for me, because no budget for that.
Right now, I am trying to fill to the rim my piggy bank
for my return to my beautiful and civilized home country Canada.
Even if the 125 USD for the Speedball up-grade is not expensive,
it's not really justified right now,
because I don't listen to my headphone
more than 30 minutes per week.
Yes, I am having fun tube rolling,
I must have something fun to do in this boring planet,
planet Vietnam that is.

Guy 13 on planet Vietnam.

[dB Cooper]

When you get back to Canada, all things audio will probably be easier to deal with- including trading out your 650s (which are plainly not your cup of tea) if you desire. Or upgrading your amp (I still think you'd be better off just trying a pair of 600s you will probably like those better than your current ones)

I love my 650s, on most material they sound just great to me (they are magical on well recorded piano), but here and there I hear things that would sound better "brightened up" (like on my Etymotic IEMs). But, the reverse is also true sometimes! That's why I would like to get a second pair of full size open cans sometime (AKG K712 being the leading contender.) If I am using the Fidelia player on my Mac, just a smidge of treble boost makes any "darkness" disappear, but some sources don't have tone controls, plus it's fun to have a change of pace. Kind of like having another **** restaurant to go to, you know?

[Guy 13]

When you get back to Canada, all things audio will probably be easier to deal with- including trading out your 650s (which are plainly not your cup of tea) if you desire. Or upgrading your amp (I still think you'd be better off just trying a pair of 600s you will probably like those better than your current ones)

I love my 650s, on most material they sound just great to me (they are magical on well recorded piano), but here and there I hear things that would sound better "brightened up" (like on my Etymotic IEMs). But, the reverse is also true sometimes! That's why I would like to get a second pair of full size open cans sometime (AKG K712 being the leading contender.) If I am using the Fidelia player on my Mac, just a smidge of treble boost makes any "darkness" disappear, but some sources don't have tone controls, plus it's fun to have a change of pace. Kind of like having another **** restaurant to go to, you know?

Hi DB,
yes, everything in civilized Canada is easier.
Audio, food, clothing and much, much more...
However, after 20 years on planet Vietnam,
I was almost use to all the frustrations
and lack of everything or lack of choice.
Anyway, it's time for me to go back home.
Thanks for your comments.

Guy 13

Like I said before, unless a can do a change for change
(650 for 600) without any $$$ for the exchange,
I will go for the 600.
I am still not sure about the Speedball up-grade ???

[lextek]

Sorry about not posting sooner.  I've been using an RCA 6AS7G or Tung Sol 6080 with a Mullard 12AU7.  Nothing exotic, EBay tubes.  Very, happ with the sound.  I do have the Speedball upgrade.

[lextek]

Not sure why these photos are sideways

[Guy 13]

Not sure why these photos are sideways

Hi lextek.
If the pictures are sideways it's because you are marginal and/or
you want to be original and/or you are different.

Guy 13

By the way, I like the look of your Crack, minds you,
I prefer the look of mine,
but that doesn't mean yours is not nice.
Well, you know what I mean.
Just teasing.

[Guy 13]

Hi all,
Yesterday evening, I did one hour of serious tube rolling
And I came to the no surprise conclusion that it is very difficult for me
and my soon to be 67 year’s old ears to tell the difference
between my collections of NOS tubes.
During my tube rolling session I thought at times,
that I could hear a difference between some tubes,
but after several swaps I was not sure anymore.
However, I think the following tube give me the impression of being
a little better sounding than the remaining of my collection.
Maybe 10% better sounding, but again, not really sure ????
Raytheon 12AU7 (Thomas organ USA 1957) and
RCA 6AS7G.
From time to time, I will try again with other tubes,
just in case I can hear some differences, but I think not…
After complaining in several of mu posts about the Sennheiser HD650
being veil and dark, I guess I am now getting use to that kind of sound,
not that I like it, but I can live with it.
I am sure many could find my combo (Bottlehead Crack/Senneiser HD650)
very good sounding and I would agree with them.
If someone suggest to me the Speedball upgrade
or better tubes model and make, I have to pass, right now,
I have invested enough money on my headphones set up.
Thanks.

Guy 13

[lextek]

The Crack Sennheiser combination is special.  I think the Speedball is a nice upgrade.  I have been investing in more music since finding the Crack.

[Guy 13]

The Crack Sennheiser combination is special.  I think the Speedball is a nice upgrade.  I have been investing in more music since finding the Crack.

Hi lextek,
when I am back in my home country Canada,
if I still have some pennies in my piggy bank,
I might go for the Speedball up-grade.
For now, I enjoy my combo as per the book.

Guy 13