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Tube Characterization: 6DJ8, 6922, 7308, CCa, etc

Does anyone agree with me that there should be detailed descriptions of the sonic characteristics of each of the popular versions of each of the above tubes. I've read Joe's Tube Lore and a number of manufacturers web-sites which are great general direction guides but they really don't tell us what we need to know in specific and defined terms. Perhaps starting with an overall sonic characteristic like liquid, or warm, or dry or transparent then their response at the frequency extremes (since this is always an issue with tubes), then perhaps individual characteristis with say female voice, piano etc. and then imaging. We would all purchase a set of cheap base line tubes that are known for consistancy and have clearly defined caharacteristics so that comparisons could be made to this benchmark. Then use benchmark recordings. Even better if we had the same equipment best yet if we benchmarked every component in the chain but not necessary because we would be dealing in relatve values.

Of course there is the question of synergy with existing equipment and the fact that we all don't hear exactly the same and so on and so forth, but again, it would all be relative. "Tube "A" has has better defined bass than the benchmark by a factor of 3 on a scale of 1-10 IMO" for instance. Of course this wouldn't be an exact science but it would give us real direction and be more useful than "this is a really great tube or this is a really, really great tube" or slavishly depending on the opinion of the tube specialty store who may be as honest as the day is long but does have to move what he has in stock. If we can bring this evaluation process closer to science we could spend less time playing this silly expensive guessing games and spend more time exploring the kind of sound we like and buying the kind of sound we want (not to mention, listening to more music) Thoughts?
anacrusis
anacrusis OP
69 posts
 
Thanks to everyone who contributed kindly and thoughtfully to this post.

Jab, Cmo, Dopogue, Imin2u, let's move forward. I will repost a part II to this thread in hopes that we can consolidate those of like opinion in this forum. If not I will try to find some other way to invite your participation. I'm planning out a methodology with a speaker designer so when we have a plan of attack I will let you know. Look for: Tube Characterization: 6DJ8 Part II

In the meantime Albert, please feel free to basterdize this thread to your hearts content. The rest of us will be somewhere else. I guess spending an hour on the phone with me discussing audio at 3:00 in the morning was not so much personal generosity as insomnia. Sleep well!

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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
In the meantime Albert, please feel free to basterdize this thread to your hearts content. The rest of us will be somewhere else. I guess spending an hour on the phone with me discussing audio at 3:00 in the morning was not so much personal generosity as insomnia. Sleep well!

We can speak on the phone if that is of value to you. My comments to Ralph are due to our 20 year friendship.
anacrusis OP
69 posts
 
Thanks to everyone who contributed kindly and thoughtfully to this post.

Jab, Cmo, Dopogue, Imin2u, let's move forward. I will repost a part II to this thread in hopes that we can consolidate those of like opinion in this forum. If not I will try to find some other way to invite your participation. I'm planning out a methodology with a speaker designer so when we have a plan of attack I will let you know. Look for: Tube Characterization: 6DJ8 Part II

In the meantime Albert, please feel free to basterdize this thread to your hearts content. The rest of us will be somewhere else. I guess spending an hour on the phone with me discussing audio at 3:00 in the morning was not so much personal generosity as insomnia. Sleep well!

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newbee
4,767 posts
 
Tvad, I suspect that Atmasphere is just supporting his design decisions, thats all. He put his money where his mouth is, but we don't have to. :-)

Interesting thread. For myself rolling tubes is a distraction which keeps me from endlessly spending big bucks on buying, trying, and growing dissatisfied with electonics, wires, PC's, ad infinitum. Just another aspect of the hobby. I try to entertain myself by rolling tubes and playing with room set up. Much cheaper and more fun. To each his own. I can understand why someone would want a near definitive list of tubes, applications, elcetronics speakers, etc, but I think there is a certain amount of mental masturbation involved in thinking that actually accomplishing such a feat was possible. Oh well.....
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