Having used the 6DJ8 family of tubes, in both the ARC SP9 and SP14(phono section, only) preamps; I’d already figured the Siemens CCa would be my favorite, when I bought a BAT VK-D5. I did try rolling a number of other brands(Amperex, etc), from the upper crust of the family though, since I was now looking at buying six, of the salty, little boogers. I never liked any, but the late Fifties to early Sixties, D or O-gettered, grey shield, external date coded CCa variety. Regardless of application; they always sounded the most natural(least colored, most extended, top/bottom) while provided the best sound stage and imaging. So glad, that I bought an extra, NOS sextet, before the prices went nuts! Siemens did make some less expensive tubes, during those years, with the same internals and the gold pins. They’d be well worth your time, to audition. btw: A NOS, Mullard GZ34, from the Blackburn plant, will probably add another dimension, to your music enjoyment. Happy listening!
Help me decide which E88CC tubes i should buy
Hey
I spent 2 days researching about tubes, from technicalities like measurements, what to look for when buying etc how they sound and which sound the best as a common consensus.
I only need a single driver tube for my Decware Taboo MK III, currently i am using a Siemens E88CC with silver shields, 2x Tungsram EL84 and 1x Svetlana rectifier.
Khadas tone board as DAC and Fostex X00 Purple Hearts as headphones. I really like how the Siemens sounds but i am not the first owner of the amp so i can't say how much use that tube has gotten already.
I've also tried the Philips SQ Heerlen '60, which are a bit cleaner/slightly less veiled than the Siemens, they were not new either around 66%/70% of NOS value. So it may not be a direct apple to apple comparison. They seem to boost the midrange quite a bit tho which is very noticable considering that my headphones have very recessed mids.
After testing back and forth i always end up back to the Siemens and don't feel the need to look back, but as soon as i try my Philips for more than 1 hour i start to miss the Siemens. But i don't think that the Siemens are objectively better than the Philips.
Anyway. I narrowed it down to:
Siemens E88CC. cca. Telefunken cca, Amperex 7038 or Amperex PQ US made, Reflector 1975 "holy grail".
They all score well above 100% except the Reflector which are like 95% of NOS spec and all costs around 80$, except the Siemens e88cc might find for a bit less.
Any suggestions?
I couldn't find much info on the Reflector seems a bit of a dark horse except that one head-fi thread where 17 tubes get compared. Really as good as they say or just one persons experience?
It would be interesting to hear your opinions and experiences, i haven't found any posts where these tubes get compared.
Best regards
I spent 2 days researching about tubes, from technicalities like measurements, what to look for when buying etc how they sound and which sound the best as a common consensus.
I only need a single driver tube for my Decware Taboo MK III, currently i am using a Siemens E88CC with silver shields, 2x Tungsram EL84 and 1x Svetlana rectifier.
Khadas tone board as DAC and Fostex X00 Purple Hearts as headphones. I really like how the Siemens sounds but i am not the first owner of the amp so i can't say how much use that tube has gotten already.
I've also tried the Philips SQ Heerlen '60, which are a bit cleaner/slightly less veiled than the Siemens, they were not new either around 66%/70% of NOS value. So it may not be a direct apple to apple comparison. They seem to boost the midrange quite a bit tho which is very noticable considering that my headphones have very recessed mids.
After testing back and forth i always end up back to the Siemens and don't feel the need to look back, but as soon as i try my Philips for more than 1 hour i start to miss the Siemens. But i don't think that the Siemens are objectively better than the Philips.
Anyway. I narrowed it down to:
Siemens E88CC. cca. Telefunken cca, Amperex 7038 or Amperex PQ US made, Reflector 1975 "holy grail".
They all score well above 100% except the Reflector which are like 95% of NOS spec and all costs around 80$, except the Siemens e88cc might find for a bit less.
Any suggestions?
I couldn't find much info on the Reflector seems a bit of a dark horse except that one head-fi thread where 17 tubes get compared. Really as good as they say or just one persons experience?
It would be interesting to hear your opinions and experiences, i haven't found any posts where these tubes get compared.
Best regards
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- 29 posts total
- 29 posts total