[ACHiPo]

I picked up a matched pair of Russian 6N23P "Rocket" tubes and put them into my Wavestream phono stage.  Initial impressions are positive, with the sound at least as good as NOS 6DJ8s from Siemens and Amperex (US JAN).  The phono stage seems to have a little more gain as well, but that could be due to the unknown age and life of the tubes they replaced.

Does anyone else have experience with these tubes?  The matched pair was a bargain compared to NOS tubes I've found other places, and I've got 20 tested/unmatched tubes coming in from Kiev that were a real deal at $7.50 each with free shipping!

[poseidonsvoice]

I picked up a matched pair of Russian 6N23P "Rocket" tubes and put them into my Wavestream phono stage.  Initial impressions are positive, with the sound at least as good as NOS 6DJ8s from Siemens and Amperex (US JAN).  The phono stage seems to have a little more gain as well, but that could be due to the unknown age and life of the tubes they replaced.

Does anyone else have experience with these tubes?  The matched pair was a bargain compared to NOS tubes I've found other places, and I've got 20 tested/unmatched tubes coming in from Kiev that were a real deal at $7.50 each with free shipping!

Yes. They are extremely good (I have several pair). If you search the net, especially HeadFi, there are loads of reviews especially of ones made in the 70's. The best I have heard, thus far is the one sold by Aum Acoustics, but it is a bit expensive, about $42 each, very close matched pairs: http://aumacoustics.com/6n23p-tubes-for-lio-harbeth/

Best,
Anand.

[ACHiPo]

I received the second set of matched 2N23P tubes and installed them last night.  The Wavestream now has 2 matched pairs of NOS Russian 2N23P, and a used tested 12AX7 Amperex Bugle Boy from Vintage Tube Services.  The phono stage  is quieter and less microphonic than with the old tubes, but I have no history on those tubes, so I'm not sure how old they were.  Sound quality is not significantly different at this point (it still sounds fantastic).  Not sure how many hours it will take the tubes to burn in, but I'll just keep listening as things sound quite good at this point and should just get better.

[FullRangeMan]

I received the second set of matched 2N23P tubes and installed them last night.  They are quieter and less microphonic than the tubes they replaced, but I have no history on those tubes, so I'm not sure how old they were.  Sound quality is not significantly different at this point.  Not sure how many hours it will take the tubes to burn in, but I'll just keep listening as things sound quite good at this point and should just get better.

With soft start the getter would be fully activated and clear all the residues in about 40 hours or less with the usual 4 hours on and rest all the day.

[jsm71]

The Decware ZMA amp that I have supplies 6SN23P tubes as stock for the input stage.  Steve Deckert apparently tried a variety of options when voicing this amp and decided these sounded best, at least for this amp.  He notes that other tubes can be used, but I haven't tried to swap any alternatives.   They sound great to me.

[ACHiPo]

With soft start the getter would be fully activated and clear all the residues in about 40 hours or less with the usual 4 hours on and rest all the day.

FRM,
Thanks.  After I posted the above, I noticed some intermittent static, so decided to leave the phono stage on for a few hours today idling while I'm at work.  Hopefully things will settle down by the weekend.
AC

[FullRangeMan]

FRM,
Thanks.  After I posted the above, I noticed some intermittent static, so decided to leave the phono stage on for a few hours today idling while I'm at work.  Hopefully things will settle down by the weekend.
AC

This amp can stand these hours on?
Never let an tube amp alone, if anything go wrong if can made a fire, as Harry Pearson could testify...

[S Clark]

Leaving tube equipment on unattended makes me nervous.  I'm with Gustavo on this one.  Tubes will go bad.  You want to be there when they do. 

[glynnw]

Years ago I was awakened during the night by a loud humming from my living room.  My Conrad Johnson amp, which was turned off, was vibrating wildly until I unplugged it.  Then it never did that again.

[FullRangeMan]

Would be a cap discharge?

[sfox7076]

I never worry about leaving solely small signal/preamp tubes on unattended.  I guess I do this because the current is usually low and the tubes are not likely to run away or red plate at such a low current.  That said, i would never do it with an amp or anything with a DHT or rectifier tube. 

[ACHiPo]

This amp can stand these hours on?
Never let an tube amp alone, if anything go wrong if can made a fire, as Harry Pearson could testify...

Gustavo,
It is a phono stage not an amp, but I was a bit nervous to leave it on.  I worked a short day today, though, so it was only on for about 10 hours (yeah, 10 hours IS a short day!).  When I got home a couple hours ago everything was fine.  I flipped on my amps and cranked up the volume with nothing playing and it was the quietest I've heard the Wavestream--not even any tube rush until the volume knob was past 3:00--no crackling or static at all, and I had to rap on the case pretty hard to get any noise from microphonics (before the new tubes a like fingertip tap would generate a sound through the speakers, so this is definitely better).  I put on Cannonball Adderley and the music came alive.  I'm not that familiar with the record, but wow, it sounds incredible.  Will listen to some of my reference LPs later and report back on what I hear, but so far definitely so good!
Evan

[ACHiPo]

I never worry about leaving solely small signal/preamp tubes on unattended.  I guess I do this because the current is usually low and the tubes are not likely to run away or red plate at such a low current.  That said, i would never do it with an amp or anything with a DHT or rectifier tube.

My old linestage, a PSE hybrid, kept its 6DJ8 idling all the time.  When I got home tonight the phono stage wasn't even warm on top.  Still, I don't plan to make it a habit.

[ACHiPo]

Years ago I was awakened during the night by a loud humming from my living room.  My Conrad Johnson amp, which was turned off, was vibrating wildly until I unplugged it.  Then it never did that again.

Would be a cap discharge?

Poltergeist?

[FullRangeMan]

Gustavo,
It is a phono stage not an amp, but I was a bit nervous to leave it on.  I worked a short day today, though, so it was only on for about 10 hours (yeah, 10 hours IS a short day!).  When I got home a couple hours ago everything was fine.  I flipped on my amps and cranked up the volume with nothing playing and it was the quietest I've heard the Wavestream--not even any tube rush until the volume knob was past 3:00--no crackling or static at all, and I had to rap on the case pretty hard to get any noise from microphonics (before the new tubes a like fingertip tap would generate a sound through the speakers, so this is definitely better).  I put on Cannonball Adderley and the music came alive.  I'm not that familiar with the record, but wow, it sounds incredible.  Will listen to some of my reference LPs later and report back on what I hear, but so far definitely so good!
Evan

Thanks for update, I glad all is fine.
I was afraid for your home or kittens when you post
had leave for work and let the phono amp power on.
Small tubes also works with hi DC dangerous voltages,
6n23 max values are 300VDC anode and -200VDC grid.
Only 30VDC can kill (heart arrest) according the current.

[Escott1377]

I subbed a 6N1P in the same position as well.

[ACHiPo]

Had another listening session this morning.  Just a few minutes of warm-up and the music sounded as good as last night, but I was getting intermittent static again.   Not sure if it's that the getters need more time to do their magic or something else at this point.  It almost sounds like a PA system when a cell phone is too close--about a 1 sec burst of low-level static every 30 sec to 5 min.  I can't hear it with music playing, but when the stylus was in the run-out groove it was obvious.

I've got a full day today, so will not leave the phono stage on, but will fire it up when I get home this evening (no kittens to singe, but would prefer not to use my hand-made rack as kindling ) and so at least get another 4-5 hours of burn-in on the tubes.

[DaveC113]

Good tube imo... probably the best value of 6DJ8 types. 

[FullRangeMan]

The usual recipe to activate the getter is til 4 hours on (2-4 hours, no music) and 20 hours rest in a proper tube heater device (not a amp) for some days, as those used for tube broker.
Burn-in tube in a audio amp requires some caution.

Would be useful know if the tube vendor alreay made the getter activation in the last 6 months for this tube?

[ACHiPo]

The usual recipe to activate the getter is til 4 hours on (2-4 hours, no music) and 20 hours rest in a proper tube heater device (not a amp) for some days, as those used for tube broker.
Burn-in tube in a audio amp requires some caution.

Would be useful know if the tube vendor alreay made the getter activation in the last 6 months for this tube?

I highly doubt the seller did the soft burn-in/conditioning you mention--I'm sure they've been sitting around until somebody found them, tested them, and sold them.  The manufacturer might have back in the 80s or whenever they were produced.  I'm hoping they will heal themselves--as is they're quite listenable, but I'd still like the intermittent static gone.  There's also the possibility that it's not the tubes, but rather an RF burp somewhere.  Time will tell, I suppose, and the fact that things sounded so great last night makes me hopeful.  Plus I've got 20 more tested tubes on the slow boat from Kiev to sort through--I should be able to find 4 good ones--and all for less than a tested European/US pair.