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A higher level than Mullard in tube quality?

I am just getting started in tube rolling which I find pretty exciting. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

I have been upgrading the pre-amp tubes in a DK Design Mark II intergrated amp. My speakers are modded Magnepan 3.6's. My source is a Resolution Audio Opus 21. I listen to mostly acoustic jazz and vocals.

I went from a set of Electro-harmonix 6922 (like $20 each) to used 6dj8 Amprex "Bugle Boy" ($40 each) and that was a nice improvement -- well worth the cost. I just upgraded to Mullard 6922 NOS ($90 each) and WOW! I am amazed at the improvement. I could not have imagine that I could improve a $10,000 rig so much for so little. Now I am thinking ... what's next? Can I spend $300 and get another step up?

At this point, what is my next level up? Or is it more sideways to different type of sounds?

Question: used tubes of the same vintage are significantly less than NOS. Is there any down side to buying used (but tested) tubes? I can get 2 for the price of one NOS and probably get more hours from 2 combined. Also, it seems like a good way to lower the cost of testing different types of tubes ... or ... does the aging change the sound.

Question: I have Mullard Blackburn plant made 6922/E88CC gold pins in GE label from the 1960's. Would I get a different sound if I bought different Mullards, such as from a different time or a different plant? And do I just have to take the dealers word for the details -- it all seems so vague.

Right now I have $300 burning a hole in my pocket to try the next step up. But I fear I may hit the diminishing return ...

Thanks for your comments
mcmanus
mcmanus OP
82 posts
 
Thanks for so many great comments and tube suggestions. I read the enlightening "Joe's tube Lore", thanks Sbank. I think I will call Andy at Vintage Tube Services and see if he can put together a sampler of used (inexpensive) tubes for me. Then I can listen and compare the sonics in my system to see where my personal taste leads me.

My take from the comments here is that tube selection is kinda like cords and cables: you reach a level of quality once you get past the mass market stuff and then it becomes character differences and how the equipment interacts with the other components in your system -- and your personal taste.

I listen alot -- several hours a day. I am enjoying the improvement and my system now sounds better that I ever imagined it could. So I can (and do) sit and enjoy. But on the other hand, I am kicking myself for not upgrading my tubes a year or two ago. So little investment for such a great return. But I do feel I have reached a level that is pretty close to the best it can be so it is just tweaking from this point.

Now, given how much I am enjoying tube sound, I am wondering if I should move to a tube DAC. But that is a another post ...
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
All are excellent tubes.
. Yes, I think, that's the point. It is always depending on the System in General (analytic, cold/warm etc.) and how the unit works with it...
I have Mullards, Telefunken, Jan Phillipps, GE and so on here and in one unit one of these Tubes is simply amazing and exactly that Tube in another unit looses it's Magic.
In general I like Mullards (in the ML 2.1 it is a Killer Tube) but you will not go wrong with others.
whart's avatar
whart
3,057 posts
 
So Thom, it looks like you have to update your system profile and pic to reflect the ML 2.1 and I would love to see a report on how they sound, now that you have had time to get to know them.
scorpio1951
189 posts
 
  These are all really great posts. I learned much about tubes when I re-tubed my McIntosh MR-71 tuner last fall. I went with NOS Telefunkens, all made in the 1950's and 1960's. At the same time, I also changed the cheap Chinese made tubes in my McIntosh MC2300 tube preamplifier with NOS Telefunkens. The sound improvement in both components was fabulous. I deliberately did not buy used tubes, as I think you may be buying shorter tube life and possible reliability problems. Most of the time, you get what you pay for.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,875 posts
 
When I spoke with Tim de Paravicini (EAR-Yoshino designer) at the 2015 Newport Show, he told me the old Mullards were his favorite tube brand. I don't know whether or not he does his designing with Mullard tubes installed in his circuits.
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