VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

Hi everyone

I just fitted some NOS tubes in my mic pre. Replaced the standard Russian tubes with a pair of RCA vintage 6072's. Have a listen if you've got a minute?

http://www.divshare.com/download/8529975-08e

Any preference? First cut or second cut? If you don't hear any audible difference, that's also cool. Be good to get your impressions of tone colour etc.

Big thanks!

Jason Bishop · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:32 am Post subject:

Boy, both sound really nice.
Full, rich, loud (are you compressing?)

From my vantage point, the NOS (if the 2nd) has just a touch more bottom-end.

What's your mic?

Later,
Jason
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:23 am Post subject:

They both sound great, but the NOS seems to have a clearer sound in your sibilances.
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Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

Jeffery,

He never said which was which. Wink

That being said; I prefer the second, also.

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

My understanding is that tubes need to be broken in. Have you broken in the NOS tubes yet? I hear only a very subtle difference.

I upgraded the tubes in my ART MPA Gold awhile back. If I can find the time, I'll try out my TLM-103 on the stock tube, a 1960's Mullard NOS tube, a Tung-Sol and a Ruby Tube. I'll post the results.

I can say for sure that upgrading the tube in my Rode NTK with an NOS Amperex has made a significant improvement.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

Hi Colin,
Long time no talk! Both sound pretty darn good. The second sounds a touch more crisp than the first. Great sound.

If you want someone to break in the tubes just send em on and I'll take hammer to em... Ohhhh. Break them IN, not just break em. Laugh

Best,
Eddie

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I like 2...it's more focused and smoother. What is your preamp and mic?

On my ART MPA Gold, my NOS Siemens is smoother and more focused, but I actually prefer the accentuated highs and lows of the new production Tung Sol and the very flat mid-heavy new JJs after all the processing is said and done.
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Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

Cheers for the input everyone. I thought I'd leave it for a day or so before I chimed back in.

The NOS tubes, as you guessed were on the second cut. Oh - thanks for the encouraging comments btw.

Not a huge difference on my monitors, but maybe more on yours. They do seem a little more open and detailed perhaps, and the dealer says that after a hundred hours or so they should get a little richer. Two schools of thought about this; one says that tubes need some burn in time; the other that when brand new they are as good as it'll get. I don't have enough experience to know but my hunch says they are gaining air and clarity as the week passes. Us tone junkies are habitual navel gazers aren't we?

One thing I'm sure of; the impact of NOS tubes on my particular mic pre is slight compared to the difference a NOS tube made on my mic. It really bloomed when I swapped in a NOS Amperex.

For anyone interested, the chain is Lawson L47 MP2, running into a Fearn VT1, EL8 Distressor and a touch of EQ from a modded Neve Portico.

Thanks again for lending me your ears - and big hi to Mr Eagle!

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

Oh - I almost forgot; for NOS tubes, I can thoroughly recommend the guy I've been dealing with; Christian Whitmore. Mail him at proaudiotubes@aol.com

Talk about holding my hand! His service has been above and beyond. Top guy.

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

I also worked with Christian Whitmore, and had the same very positive experience.

And Dayo, I also felt like the Amperex NOS tube that went into my Rode NTK made a much bigger improvement that the tubes I've put in my ART Gold MPA preamp. However, I will also say that it seems that the longer I use the NOS tubes on the preamp, the better they sound. So that is evidence that "breaking in" might actually help - though it just might be the power of suggestion, I'm embarrassed to say.
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Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
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Gp · Guest

Guys Christian is a very good friend of mine. I am going to pass along the praise. He deserves it. He really is that good.