Lab12 Melto 2 - tube rolling

@audphile1 

Congrats on your new phonostage. The Melto2 was one of the phono stages I seriously considered before ultimately going with the Softone Model 4. Whenever I’m looking at tube gear, tube rolling naturally becomes part of the conversation, so I reached out to Lab12 to get their perspective on it.

“Please be informed that Melto2 is equipped with a pair of E88CC / 6922 tubes as well as a pair of 6N2P NOS (New Old Stock) tubes. For the 6922/E88CC tubes that are placed in the output stage you could use any brand you prefer according to your sound taste. However, make sure it is a strictly matched pair of tubes. 

Regarding 6N2P NOS tubes we are not sure if there is anything better out there. These tubes are special selected in our factory for melto2 design, from specific date lots and after critical listening tests.”

In my experience, I really enjoyed NOS Telefunken 6922/E88CC in my CD player, but they didn’t quite do it for me in the phono stage. There, NOS Mullards clearly stood out….they brought a richer tonal density, more dimensional midrange, and a more natural, organic flow to the music. Compared to them, the Telefunkens felt a bit leaner and more matter-of-fact, while the Amperex Bugle Boys, though lively and open, didn’t quite match the Mullard’s sense of body and emotional weight.

Let the tube rolling fun begin! 🎶

Herb Reichert just raved about the Lab 12-Melto 2 in the March issue of Stereophile saying it was his favorite phono stage to use.  This was after a very favorable review of the Luxman E-07 the previous month that he also raved about and that tested extremely well by John Atkinson.  With respect to tubes, I have two thoughts: First, based on Herb's rave, a guy whose opinion I respect, I would be inclined to listen to it as received for a while before futzing around with the tubes.  Second, a couple of generations ago my C-J phono stage of that time, had E-H 6922s in it and although I tried others, nothing improved on the ones that came in it.  On the other hand my current C-J, the incomparable ART Phono, has Gold Lions, so when you do want to try something else they are probably a good place to start.  Unless you want to look for NOS stuff.  I got ripped off doing that years ago and don't have the stomach for it any more.

@tablejockey thanks! Will enjoy it for sure!

@lalitk thank you snd thanks for posting the response from lab12! Yes I plan to stay away from touching the Russian military. Lol

I will play with the 6922s. Mullards are intriguing. Tubes are extremely pricey now. I am looking for tubes that provide musicality, natural tone and great dynamics. I remember trying NOS telefunken in preamp and amp and they were forward sounding. We’ll see…

@billstevenson yep I read the review. Herb usually knows what he’s taking about. 
So far I’m acclimating with the new phono stage. Getting to know it. Just researching my options. I think irrespective of any NOS tubes I may get, I’ll still order a pair of Gold Lions. I have very fond memories of the 12AU7s and hoping the 6922 are as good. 

Listening session tonight was a revelation. The Melto 2 is neutral, quiet and resolving. If I was walked into the room blindfolded I don’t think a tube phono stage would be my first guess. Not your typical old school tubes. The timbre of instruments is fantastic. Listening to Cotrane’s Blue Train (Blue Note Tone Poet) the crackling of air in the horns and how the brass sounds in general is the best I have ever heard in my system, period. Nothing forward yet it has the right amount of bite. My Whest Two.2 phono stage is extremely quiet, clear and transparent. It punches way above its weight but it is not able to render the brass section quiet the same way as the tubed Melto 2. Whest is more laser focused and precise than the Melto 2, slightly. It’s comparable in treblle and resolution but it just can’t do the saxophones, trombones and trumpets like the tubed phono. 
I’ll be trying some 6922s soon. Hard to imagine what can be improved…

“I am looking for tubes that provide musicality, natural tone and great dynamics.”

Hard to imagine what can be improved…
@audphile1 

NOS Mullards should get you there. I’ve tried the usual top-tier NOS options, and I kept coming back to the Mullards, they just clicked for me. That said, you might land on a different favorite.

The upside is that with another $1K in tubes, you can really fine-tune the sound of the Melto2 and anything that doesn’t work out can easily be resold.

Are NOS tubes worth the extra cost? In a system like yours, especially with the recent analog upgrades, I’d say absolutely.