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AMR DPP-777 DAC tubes

This might not be, strictly speaking, a "digital" question, but I've read quite a few threads about the merits (or non-merits) of different tubes in various components and their effect on the sound. Opinions seem to be all over the place and for a non-technical person like me, a lot of the discussion goes over my head. I have an Abbingdon Music Research DPP-777 DAC (original version, not the SE version) with its original tubes, and it's had quite a bit of use in the 3 years I've owned it. It still sounds extremely good, but I'm wondering if there would be a noticeable improvement if these tubes were replaced with, for lack of a better way to express it, better ones. The tubes are 6N11, and I don't know who the manufacturer was. Is it worth my while to pursue this as an affordable upgrade path? Thanks for your opinions.
cooper52
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
The best thing you could do is remove the valves, get a few cotton balls, put a little WD40 on the cotton balls and plunge the valve pins a few times. Wipe them off real good. Don't get it on the glass.  If they are NOS Tellies for sure and a few others. Wiping will remove the crappy printing..

Don't wipe off the pins, just plunge them a few times in DRY cotton balls..

Re install the valves..
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Can you take a pic of the tube and post it? Some tubes are easily recognizable even without the name on the glass.

A DAC doesn't use much current so the tubes can still be good after three years. But knowing what the stock tubes are can tell us if performance can be improved.

petg60
1,486 posts
 
6N11 is the chinese equivalent to e88cc, so plenty of alternatives, but check first with manufacturer what would they suggest.
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