Rec's for 5687 rolling

Yomaha · « **on:** 21 Aug 2019, 03:08 am »

I've got a Modwright 9.0 AE preamp, PS Audio BHK250, fed by PS DSD Sr. DAC, and Salk Songtower RT's. I've been wanting to roll in a sub for the 5687's in the preamp for something a little warmer and liquid on the mids/high mids. I had the Philips e182CC's but one went bonkers so I'm back to the 5687's. Not sure of the brand of stock 5687's, label is worn off and they came with the pre. These really aren't bad, I'm just curious what else is out there. I've seen the Bemdix 6900's on eBay, but I just can't bring myself to spend that much for a pair. I don't mind paying up for tubes, but the Bemdix seem ridiculous.

Tyson · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Aug 2019, 03:14 am »

GE 5 Star is the one I like the best.

eichlerera1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Aug 2019, 04:36 am »

I own the Modwright Anniversary Preamp.
REALLY pleased with the 1950s Amperex 7119 "Pinched Waist" Tube.
Rather expensive, but you don't have to get that specialized PW version.
Do yourself a BIG favor. Buy your tubes from Vintage Tube Services.
Andy Bouwman is the Jedi Tube Master! (It was Dan Wright who recommended him to me)

What were the Bendix 6900 tubes going for?

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Aug 2019, 11:40 am »

The Bendix 6900 are amazing, but now ridiculously expensive. If you're looking for warmer and more liquidity I'd recommend the Tung Sol "skinny plate", or Sylvania GT, and would steer clear of the 7119s. Those tend to have more top end information, in my experience.

I also purchase my tubes from Andy. No hassle return if you're not satisfied.

eichlerera1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Aug 2019, 02:04 pm »

Quote from: Rusty Jefferson on 21 Aug 2019, 11:40 am

The Bendix 6900 are amazing, but now ridiculously expensive. If you're looking for warmer and more liquidity I'd recommend the Tung Sol "skinny plate", or Sylvania GT, and would steer clear of the 7119s. Those tend to have more top end information, in my experience.

I also purchase my tubes from Andy. No hassle return if you're not satisfied.

Rusty,
Agree that the 7119 has an extended top end, but why is that a bad thing?
The upper midrange is not hard and the highs are crisp and clean, not etched or hashy.
I think source components and preamps should have balanced, detailed, uncolored sound.
Once you get the source and preamp right, he can tube roll the inputs to his hybrid power amp to "color" the sound to his liking.
Plus, each circuit responds differently to the tube within it.
I've tried a few tubes in the same ModWright Preamp and the Amperex won hands down.
BTW, not dissing your suggestions as I have not tried the specific tube variants you mentioned.

What gear do you use?

Paul Galli

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Aug 2019, 08:27 pm »

Paul, I suggested the TS skinny plates and Sylvania GB because the OP asked:

Quote from: Yomaha on 21 Aug 2019, 03:08 am

....I've been wanting to roll in a sub for the 5687's in the preamp for something a little warmer and liquid on the mids/high mids.....

and those tubes do it, compared to the 7119, in my experience. Not that the 7119 is bad, but I think I understand what he's looking for.

I have rolled 5687s with my preamp (Musical Concepts) and a Lampizator Big 5 dac/preamp, in several systems. They all sound good, but the 7119 was always a little hotter on top than the others mentioned. The skinny plate TS were also super liquid in both pieces of equipment and with 3-4 different speaker types. It was pretty consistent.

Like anything in audio, it may not carry over to your/his system exactly the same way. Hopefully, the OP will tell us what he tries and how it sounds.

eichlerera1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Aug 2019, 02:36 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 21 Aug 2019, 03:14 am

GE 5 Star is the one I like the best.

Of all the ones I rolled, this had the softest sound profile (although still pretty detailed).

TTT

Yomaha · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Sep 2019, 10:08 pm »

On the Tung Sol skinny plates are they the 1950s Tung Sol with the large ribbed black plates that look like 12AX7 blackplates? Trying to locate some of these tubes for purchase...

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Sep 2019, 02:58 am »

This picture shows a regular Tung Sol 5687 on the left (still a very good choice and readily available) and the skinny plate on the right. Again, check with Andy.

Yomaha · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Sep 2019, 01:53 pm »

Thanks! I called Andy but he is out of town til the 6th. I guess I can make it another 24 hours.

eichlerera1 · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Sep 2019, 03:14 pm »

Quote from: Yomaha on 5 Sep 2019, 01:53 pm

Thanks! I called Andy but he is out of town til the 6th. I guess I can make it another 24 hours.

I urge you to let Andy guide you on your tube decision.
He's forgotten more about tubes than Rusty or I know....

Paul Galli

eichlerera1 · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Sep 2019, 04:42 am »

So what did Andy and you come up with?

PG

Yomaha · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Sep 2019, 09:21 pm »

I called again today and his voicemail message still says he is "out until the 6th helping Mom." Commendable. I'm assuming that's September 6th, but IDK.

Yomaha · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Sep 2019, 07:31 pm »

So I got the Tung-sol skinny plates aka ladder plates. They were exactly what I was looking for. Better imaging, more detail and the warmth and liquidity that I wanted. For me it is a nice upgrade and worth the $. I’ll still probably roll in the Sylvania s and the 5-stars mentioned here just because it’s fun.

These tubes are a touch microphonic. Sometimes I get some feedback when first firing up my system. That is new to me, and doesn’t happen every time. Will this moderate as the NOS tubes burn in? It has gotten better and doesn’t seem to interfere once the music is playing. Any other tweaks that could lessen that?

Thanks to all for the previous recs, too! Much appreciated!

eichlerera1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 Sep 2019, 03:40 am »

Quote from: Yomaha on 25 Sep 2019, 07:31 pm

So I got the Tung-sol skinny plates aka ladder plates. They were exactly what I was looking for. Better imaging, more detail and the warmth and liquidity that I wanted. For me it is a nice upgrade and worth the $. I’ll still probably roll in the Sylvania s and the 5-stars mentioned here just because it’s fun.

These tubes are a touch microphonic. Sometimes I get some feedback when first firing up my system. That is new to me, and doesn’t happen every time. Will this moderate as the NOS tubes burn in? It has gotten better and doesn’t seem to interfere once the music is playing. Any other tweaks that could lessen that?

Thanks to all for the previous recs, too! Much appreciated!

Did you get these from Andy?
If so, I can't believe they would be microphonic....

Rusty Jefferson · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Sep 2019, 06:48 pm »

I'm glad that tube gives you what you're looking for.

I've never experienced microphonics get better with age or break in. We should be sure we're using the right terms though. Sometimes folks call noise issues microphonics.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=164964.0

Many tubes will make noise at start up, and slowly quiet down, but if you gently tap the preamp case or the tubes themselves and you hear the tapping through the speakers, that's a microphonics issue. Tube dampers can sometimes improve the issue, and generally improve the sound of music by reducing vibrations. Herbie's dampers are a very good option.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Sep 2019, 07:10 pm »

MICROPHONIC – The tendency for a vacuum tube to pick up sound like a microphone.

Looks these are microphonics tubes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13n1VCR6UXw
Tubes with self noise are really poor made.

mhconley · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Sep 2019, 11:00 pm »

I’ve been considering tube rolling the 5687s in my YS-Audio Audio Experience balanced A2. I’ve had a pair of Philips JAN 5687WB tubes in it since I acquired it a number of years ago. I’ve recently purchased three other pairs for some tube rolling:

Tung-Sol D-getter 5687 from the early 60’s
Sylvania 7119
Sylvania Gold Brand 5687

I also have a quad of Mullard M8162 12AT7WA to put in at the same time.

I’ll start rolling soon.

Martin

Yomaha · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Sep 2019, 02:40 pm »

I was not able to get in touch with Andy, so I went with Brent Jessie. I had called Andy a few times over a couple of weeks and left a couple messages. Perhaps I just had really bad timing...?

Brent Jessie does have a return policy, and I'm on the fence, bc I love the sound of the tubes, but the issue I am having comes and goes. At times I will get what sounds like feedback coming thru my speakers. It's impossible not to notice. I've never had that prior to these tubes. If I lightly tap on the volume knob of my preamp with my finger with the tung-sols in, it will resonate thru to the speakers much more than it does with my other tubes.

I put in the stock 5687's and did not have these issues.

eichlerera1 · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Sep 2019, 03:03 pm »

Quote from: Yomaha on 27 Sep 2019, 02:40 pm

I was not able to get in touch with Andy, so I went with Brent Jessie. I had called Andy a few times over a couple of weeks and left a couple messages. Perhaps I just had really bad timing...?

Brent Jessie does have a return policy, and I'm on the fence, bc I love the sound of the tubes, but the issue I am having comes and goes. At times I will get what sounds like feedback coming thru my speakers. It's impossible not to notice. I've never had that prior to these tubes. If I lightly tap on the volume knob of my preamp with my finger with the tung-sols in, it will resonate thru to the speakers much more than it does with my other tubes.

I put in the stock 5687's and did not have these issues.

If feedback/noise does not disappear after 20 minutes, I would say you have bad tube(s).
Return them...

At times, Andy may be a bit hard to reach.
But Rusty and I recommended him for a reason!