Dodd Pre / Buffer Tubes

jtwrace · « **Reply #40 on:** 5 Dec 2010, 09:32 pm »

Quote from: Mariusz on 5 Dec 2010, 09:23 pm

These are the most desirable 6H30 tubes and most expensive as well.

I had my shipped from Moscow for an average $60 per tube (shipping included)

Read more here:
http://thetubestore.com/russian6h30pdr.html

From the link above?

jtwrace · « **Reply #41 on:** 5 Dec 2010, 09:37 pm »

Are these them? These are 1994

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-x-6N30P-DR-6H30-Pi-SUPER-TUBES-UNUSED-1994-/160514194715?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item255f643d1b

Mariusz · « **Reply #42 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 12:51 am »

$199!!! No way.
Got exact same one as in your link and pair with black print - same seller.

jtwrace · « **Reply #43 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 01:01 am »

Quote from: Mariusz on 6 Dec 2010, 12:51 am

$199!!! No way.
Got exact same one as in your link and pair with black print - same seller.

When I open my link it says $89. That's not what you see?

jtwrace · « **Reply #44 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 01:03 am »

There is also this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-x-6N30P-DR-6H30-Pi-SUPER-TUBE-UNUSED-TESTED-/150528177593?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item230c2db5b9

Mariusz · « **Reply #45 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 01:18 am »

Your link shows the same price.
This tube was made in 94.
The other ones, before that.

Reflektor
http://www.ominous-valve.com/russtube.html

"The Russian tube plants were state owned and produced mainly for the military, although a lot of common types must have been made for civilian use as well. Mike Matthews founded New Sensor to distribute Soviet made tubes in 1988, beginning distribtion in 1989. He only bought the plant in 1999, so it wasn't really a takeover before that. So I would say it was a Russian/Soviet state owned plant before the full takeover, doing whatever they would do in addition to Matthews' quota of Sovtek brand tubes.

The article where I found this info implies Matthews was the first or only one to realize the tube production potential of the Eastern Block, but Soviet tubes had been rebranded before by at least Brimar, Zaerix, and in the case of EF86's, even Mullard . I suppose with New Sensor he made the business relationship tighter than what it had been before with other Western companies."

jtwrace · « **Reply #46 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 01:43 am »

Thanks!

So which tube should I buy?

TrungT · « **Reply #47 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 01:53 am »

Buy them all or one of each.

I'm happy with those cheap one, but ...
I guess you never know until you have it in your system.

jtwrace · « **Reply #48 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 01:54 am »

Quote from: TrungT on 6 Dec 2010, 01:53 am

Buy them all or one of each.

That's how you wind up with 100 tubes sitting in a box.

dBe · « **Reply #49 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 02:13 am »

Quote from: jtwrace on 6 Dec 2010, 01:43 am

Thanks!

So which tube should I buy?

The way I try new tubes is to buy a solid performer to see if I like the character of the family and then buy a primo version if I do. That way if/when the primo tube dies I have a good performer on hand to tide me over until I can find/afford a replacement. In this instance, the EH Gold Pin 6H30Pi tube is the solid performer. All of this is predicated upon my experience with the Cary, though.

Personally, I liked the sound of the EH enough with that pre to not move to "better" ($$$) versions of the tube.

Dave

Mariusz · « **Reply #50 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 03:11 am »

Quote from: jtwrace on 6 Dec 2010, 01:54 am

That's how you wind up with 100 tubes sitting in a box.

Yeah but in 50 years your investment might quadruple.

But seriously
I'll let you know tomorrow when I'll have some time to play with my toys. (if not tomorrow then Tuesday)
I bought $99 pair for my Consonance Droplet 5.0 CD player. That player came with Sovtek 6h30 NOS. (I am keeping those too)
The one from 94 was intended for Dodd.

Which one to get is your choice.
Premium tubes from this family cost between $35 and $50 (with few exceptions)
It is only one tube - what a heck you have to loose? If it was good for Siberia's nuclear missile bases, spy satellites and other space junk, it should be fine for little Dodd buffer too.

You might also check/google forums discussing these tubes in Audio Research or BAT gear.

jtwrace · « **Reply #51 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 01:14 pm »

Quote from: Mariusz on 6 Dec 2010, 03:11 am

Yeah but in 50 years your investment might quadruple.

But seriously
I'll let you know tomorrow when I'll have some time to play with my toys. (if not tomorrow then Tuesday)
I bought $99 pair for my Consonance Droplet 5.0 CD player. That player came with Sovtek 6h30 NOS. (I am keeping those too)
The one from 94 was intended for Dodd.

Which one to get is your choice.
Premium tubes from this family cost between $35 and $50 (with few exceptions)
It is only one tube - what a heck you have to loose? If it was good for Siberia's nuclear missile bases, spy satellites and other space junk, it should be fine for little Dodd buffer too.

You might also check/google forums discussing these tubes in Audio Research or BAT gear.

Please let us know what you think when you try it.

I'm going to contact my tube source today and see what he says (hopefully he's still in business).

jtwrace · « **Reply #52 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 02:32 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 6 Dec 2010, 01:14 pm

I'm going to contact my tube source today and see what he says (hopefully he's still in business).

That was quick...he told me "good luck finding someone that will tell you the truth because I haven't been able to find it in 20 yrs".

He went on to say that he would be shocked if the 6H30 would sound better then a 6922 or 7308. This is a very well known and respected tube guy.

Hmm. What to do....

jtwrace · « **Reply #53 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 03:43 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 6 Dec 2010, 02:32 pm

Hmm. What to do....

I've ordered an Electro Harmonix Gold pin 6H30. I just read a bunch of reviews from people and they said this tube is pretty hard to beat.

Further, the NOS 6H30 "Supertubes" last year of production was '91 according to BAT.

dBe · « **Reply #54 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 04:12 pm »

Quote from: jtwrace on 6 Dec 2010, 02:32 pm

That was quick...he told me "good luck finding someone that will tell you the truth because I haven't been able to find it in 20 yrs".

He went on to say that he would be shocked if the 6H30 would sound better then a 6922 or 7308. This is a very well known and respected tube guy.

Hmm. What to do....

Jason, I guarantee that it will sound different from a 6922 or a 7308. Now, as to better? That is in the ear/brain interface of the listener to discriminate and decide. Me, I like 'em. Ballsy, they are

Dave

jtwrace · « **Reply #55 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 04:40 pm »

Quote from: dBe on 6 Dec 2010, 04:12 pm

I guarantee that it will sound different from a 6922 or a 7308. Now, as to better? That is in the ear/brain interface of the listener to discriminate and decide. Me, I like 'em. Ballsy, they are

Dave

http://thetubestore.com/ehx6h30.html

TrungT · « **Reply #56 on:** 6 Dec 2010, 04:47 pm »

^^^^
Glad you made another big step

6H30 sound better than my expensive tube: Amperex 6DJ8 white label PQ black plate pinched waist, gold pin.

jtwrace · « **Reply #57 on:** 7 Dec 2010, 01:57 pm »

6H30 still uses 12VDC. Right?

usp1 · « **Reply #58 on:** 7 Dec 2010, 02:05 pm »

Doesn't the first number in a tube designation represent the voltage...thus a 6XXX is 6 V and a 12XXX is 12 V? At least that's what I read somewhere.

TrungT · « **Reply #59 on:** 7 Dec 2010, 02:08 pm »

^^^^^

6H30 is 6 V tube