Lab12 Melto 2 - tube rolling

@lalitk thanks. Back when I had the Rogue separates, they came equipped with JJs. Very quiet and reliable tube, neutral but somewhat sterile sounding in Rogue gear…that is my recollection. Those were standard JJs and not the Gold Pin version you recommended.
When I replaced those standard JJ 12AU7 and 12AX7 in preamp and amp with Gold Lions I was really impressed. Let’s see how the Gold Lion 6922s that are en route to me sound. And I will compare them with the NOS tubes I have now.

@lewm is the sound signature of the Siemens you’re running in your steelhead similar to what I described earlier?

I dunno. Words fail to convey that sort of information, and I don't think the overall SQ depends solely on the tube; it depends at least equally on the circuit in which the tube functions.  Why different people prefer different tubes. I did not experiment with a great many 6922s in my Steelhead; I just used the Siemens because I was able to acquire them at a reasonable cost and knew them to be good tubes.

@lewm cool.
 

Testing the NOS Russian 6H23P EB tubes today. I prefer the EH.
So at this point the Siemens are excellent with a nice vintage flavor to the sound (sweet, big and meaty), the stock EH are actually very good (modern, neutral sound with good dynamics, fast transients and clarity).

Hopefully the new GLs will arrive in a few days.
So far it’s been fun. And I find that I prefer a slightly bigger presentation of the Siemens. Might also give the Amperex and Mullards that @lalitk recommended a try soon, based upon the results achieved with the Lions. 

@audphile1 

Have you heard Gene Ammons? I received shipment of all the available records from AP’s (re-issued by AP) earlier today. If you like tenor saxophone, all three of his records are worth owning. 

Speaking of NOS tubes, this is where you get your money worth. 

“Till There Was You” from album Nice An' Cool by Gene Ammons is already a masterclass in intimacy but a capable tube phono like Melto2 + NOS tubes…the experience becomes something far more human, almost tactile.

The midrange is where the magic happens, Ammons’s horn lines carry this burnished warmth, rich, textured, but never syrupy. The phrasing feels unhurried, almost conversational with microdynamic inflections that pull you deeper into the performance. 

I can go on but you get the gist :-)

@lalitk yes I heard the Boss Tennor original LP at a NY Audio Show last year. It was in a room set up by a local dealer. It was the first track from that record that was played. Liked the recording a lot but haven’t gotten around to purchasing it yet from Acoustic Sounds. I’ll order it with my next batch of records.
Thank you for reminding me! Just recently I received Hank Mobley “Soul Station” (Blue Note Classic Jazz Series). Mobley’s playing and sound is very similar to Ammons.
Sounded fabulous with the NOS Siemens tubes in the Melto 2. 

I’m also a big fan of Dexter Gordon. If you haven’t heard Gordon, I highly recommend checking out his albums on the Blue Note Tone Poet and Classic Jazz Series. 

I’ve been giving the NOS Russian 6H23P EB tubes some more time in the phono stage. More linear but very good sound overall. More about speed than the romantic delivery. 

So far the Siemens are my favorite. Gold Lions arriving tomorrow.