After everything that was said here, i will move back to connecting the Quicksilver via SE into the Gumby so i can try and find any quality loss, honestly i really liked how it sounded after i introduced the OOR but you know, more volume always makes thing sound more impressive, lol.
I will try to volume match and compare the sound, see if quality is suffering at all in a subjective assessment. I know the theory says there will be a quality loss, but if i am unable to hear it then it doesn’t really matter i guess, lets see…
Always nice to learn about these things though! I really appreciate the information
They are very different tubes, in most cases you can swap a 12AX7 for an 12AT7, but if you look at the specs for a 12AT7 vs 12AX7, the difference is more than just the gain they are clearly designed for very different purposes.
Your unlikely to damage anything.
My guess it all Mike is really saying is he’s never tested with the other tubes.
I use my Questyle cma800R golden as a pre feeding the quicksilver. I found there to be slightly better mid clarity and bass punch when using it compared to straight out of my dac, I also like to keep the volume pot around 10-12 on the QS and use the better volume pot on 800.
So, reporting back after some more experimentation.
After volume matching the Quicksilver via Gumby and via OOR, i honestly cannot hear any differences using the OOR, so i have decided to take it out of the equation since the theory says it would cause more harm than good to the sound quality.
I am thinking that my original impression that the OOR improved the Quicksilver sound was due to the volume being a bit higher, which is often the case with misleading A/B tests without proper volume matching.
idk. i think i want more openness but for that id just buy an open back later. if its possible to increase that currentlt using non stock tubes id like to do so other than thag its good.
Hello,
you should search for EL84 Hitachi if you find any.
They are very good and are also smooth and charming in the upper part.
You might like them.
Tungsram would also be good but are a bit warmer but also good.
Mullard, Phillips are a bit more expensive depending on where they are made.
I would match the rest with the driver tube.
12AX7 has a lot to offer, Rca and Tung sol Nos are among the best.
Mullard is also good if you are looking for more depth.
If you want to overdo it, you can also use something German or Japanese as a driver paired with the EL84 Hitachi.
But I think that the Bitfrost tends to be warmer.
And the Verite is more neutrally tuned, you should go with your preference in the end.
But the mentioned EL84 will give you certainty in which direction you should go with the driver.
I have about a dozen tuned I’ve rolled into the QS for both types unfortunately I didn’t take notes on all combos. I’m headed for vacation tomorrow but when I get back I might be able to try a few combos and get back to you.
It deoends on where you live, as some tubes are easier to find depending on your physical location.
It also should be noted that Mike from Quicksilver doesnt recommend using anything other than 12AX7 tubes. I know some folks have tried 12AT7 tubes, but those have a much lower gain than 12AX7, therefore I personally stayed with 12AX7.
For piwer tubes, you have to stick with 6BQ5/EL84/7189/6P14P-EV. 7189 tubes have a slightly higher plate current and gain than 6BQ5/EL84 tubes, but they are also harder to find. Also wanted to point out that while 7189 tubes are ok, 7189A tubes are not as they have a different pinout.
Hello,
6BQ5/EL84 are the same tubes in terms of construction and pin assignment.
6BQ5 is the Us designation while EL84 is a European designation.
So you can safely search for both here.
You will probably have more success with EL84s, as they were popular tubes back then and still are today in Europe.
6BQ5 rather less so, but you are more likely to find US tubes under this designation if you search for them.
Ive had multiple amps with 6BQ5/EL84 tubes. I Understand and know the designations for the tubes. I didnt get into specifics because I wanted to know where the OP was from before I recommended anything. Prices vary way too much depending on location.
I mentioned the 7189 tube, which has slightly different specs. I typed things out the way I did to make it easier for the OP to understand.
Yes, there’s certainly nothing to disagree with.
Caliacutics has good ones in great condition if you live in the US.
He also has the Hitachi but I actually got mine in Germany for a great price.
Also some Tungsram that was branded.
However, exotics can be worth buying outside if the price and everything is right.
At Caliacustic I got 2 new mega rare EZ81 Nec for 35$ plus shipping 15$.
As is so often the case, it’s always down to luck in the end, and it can also be worth waiting to pick the right lot.
Tubedepot still has a few Nos 5751 Tung sols and $100 without shipping was still a bargain where Ebay is 2-3 times as expensive when available.
It depends on where, when you buy and if you find something what the price is.
Sometimes you just stumble over certain tubes.
Be careful that it is not the Russian version of Tung sol.
The Russian ones are not as good as the Nos.
The real Tungsol is also a bit harder to find and should be a bit more expensive.
What would fit well would be these here to the Mullards:
Rca also made good Nos 12AX7s, the link above is a Japanese one that was made to order and branded with RCA.
There are also in-house RCA’s, but they might be a bit too warm.
The one in the link is a bit brighter, with more low end and probably with a good midrange.
Japanese/British combos usually always work very well.
It also brings a lot of flow to warm setups.